Destinations
BARBADOS HERE WE COME
Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has confirmed that it\'s talking to the Barbados government about building a new Beaches Resort on the site of former Almond Beach Resort in St Peter, Barbados. While an agreement is yet to be finalized, commitments have been made on both sides and SRI indicated that it is \"thrilled at the possibility of bringing the award-winning Beaches brand to this wonderful country. We are a Caribbean company and firmly believe that no one understands the needs of the region or its people like we do.\" SRI indicated that it will be releasing additional information...
FLANDERS WEBINAR SET FOR SEPT. 25
Julie Davidson, trade manager for Visit Flanders, will present new information about this unique destination during a free webinar at 12 noon (EST) on Sept. 25. The broadcast will include valuable sales points for the region as well as the latest news, attractions and events happening in Flanders 2014. To register, go to: http://promo.baxter.net/contest/webinars/flanders.asp...
ROYAL CARIBBEAN COMMITS 2nd SHIP TO TAMPA
The Tampa Port Authority and Royal Caribbean International report that the cruise line will be deploying a second ship at the Port of Tampa beginning in the fall of 2014. Royal Caribbean has been operating one ship out of Tampa during winter cruise seasons since January 2002. Brilliance of the Seas, which will sail seasonally four- and five-night Western Caribbean cruises, will now be joined by Vision of the Seas, which will offer seven-night Western Caribbean cruises, sailing from Tampa throughout winter 2014-15. Vision of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas’ winter 2014-15 cruises from...
WARNER-ARNOLD GETS THE NOD
Saint Lucia’s deputy director of tourism, Tracey Warner-Arnold is taking charge of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board’s marketing team. Warner-Arnold will see her responsibilities expanded to include overseeing the island’s advertising, PR, online presence, social media strategies and brand partnerships, as the Tourist Board strives to deliver a comprehensive marketing program in line with the overall strategic direction of the board of directors. Warner-Arnold replaces former vice-president of marketing and sales, Nerdin St. Rose, who has left the Saint Lucia Tourist Board to pursue new...
SUNQUEST BRINGS BACK IXTAPA
Ixtapa, Mexico has made a return to the Sunquest line-up with packages in the system and ready to book. Offering a wide range of flexible flight options, all clients need to do is decide when they want to travel and Sunquest will do the rest. Ixtapa boasts a collection of world-class hotels, resorts, restaurants and shopping with plenty to see and do. The following is a sample of what’s available: Qualton Club Ixtapa Resort (AI, hotel room): $949 plus taxes and surcharge from Vancouver (departs Nov. 14); $969 plus taxes and surcharge from Calgary (departs Nov. 27); $1,139 plus taxes and...
FABULOUS 40+
As part of its international “Find Your Fabulous” wellness and medical tourism campaign, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is unveiling a friendly global competition intended to salute ladies who are still fit and fabulous after their 40th birthdays. The Fabulous 40+ Photo Contest invites women from around the world to submit images showing off their “fabulous form, and the contestant showing the most youthful, age-defying appearance will be rewarded with an exclusive three-day Find Your Fabulous trip to Bangkok. For 40+ foxes fixing to put their likenesses proudly on display,...
ROYAL CARIBBEAN UNVEILS BRAZIL LINEUP
Royal Caribbean International has introduced its winter 2014-15 Brazil and South America season for Splendour of the Seas. Sailing roundtrip from Sao Paulo (Santos), Brazil, Splendour will sail three- to eight-night Brazil cruises, calling at Buzios, Ilha Grande, and Ilhabela, and seven-night Argentina and Uruguay cruises, calling at Punta Del Este and Montevideo, Uruguay; and Buenos Aires, Argentina. A special eight-night sailing, departing Dec. 27, 2014, will take guests to Porto Belo, Buzios, Ilha Grande and Ilhabela, and herald in the New Year at Rio de Janeiro to catch the world-famous...
A WANDERING THEY WILL GO
The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) reports that Australia is one of the fastest growing outbound travel markets these days, sending record numbers of visitors to Canada. The CTC, in its newly released Global Tourism Watch report, notes that while the economic storm raged around the world from 2008, Australia stayed relatively sheltered by high commodity prices and a steady hand at the financial tiller. The ensuing economic growth has been one of the motivators for Aussies to travel. Other findings reveal that the outbound travel market in Australia has quadrupled since 2000, making...