According to preliminary numbers released by VISIT FLORIDA today (Aug. 15), 23.4 million visitors came to Florida in the second quarter of 2013 (April-June), an increase of 2.6% over the same period in 2012, making Q2 2013 the largest second quarter for visitation in the state’s history. Through the first half of 2013, Florida welcomed 49.6 million visitors — an increase of 4.2%. Visitor spending in Florida for January-May 2013 (last reported month) was $33.2 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of 5.5% from the same period in 2012.
An estimated 19.7 million domestic...
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has opened early bird registration for the 32nd Caribbean Travel Marketplace through Aug. 23, with Jamaica hosting the Caribbean’s largest and most important marketing event Jan. 12-14, 2014 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.
Buyer registration is $299 p.p. (after the third buyer delegate, the fee is reduced to $99 per additional delegate) and includes pre-scheduled appointments (if registration is received before Dec. 13), listing in the electronic Delegate Directory, opening cocktail reception, closing dinner, coffee breaks,...
Globus has released details of its 2014 tours to China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, featuring a variety of options from Local Favorite experiences to VIP access into must-see sights.
In Asia, Globus is unveiling a new 11-day Treasures of China vacation. On this tour, travellers will experience Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Shanghai and Suzhou, including such must-see sights as the Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Tian’anmen Square and Terracotta Warriors. Beyond the must-see sights, Globus includes Chinese Local Favorites, such as a Hutong tour...
Transat Holidays has rounded out its South offerings with the introduction of its Florida Collection, which includes more flexibility than ever before, along with numerous launch promotions. With the Collection’s vast à la carte offerings, travellers can reserve their accommodations per night, rent a car when and how they want — or in other words, have complete freedom to experience their vacation their way. Transat’s selection of featured à la carte hotels is just a taste of the more than 6,000 Florida hotels now available at airtransat.ca. Travellers can also reserve a cruise...
Tauck is broadening its European portfolio with special in-depth explorations of some of Europe’s most iconic cities beginning next month (September). The coming 18 months will see the launch of two different explorations of London, the debut of a third “city-centric” itinerary in Florence, and the reprise of Tauck’s first such event with the return of its popular “Roman Holiday Event” in Italy’s capital city next year.
Two of the four itineraries, “The Tauck London Event” and “Roman Holiday,” are part of the company’s Tauck Events portfolio, while “World...
San Diego Beer Week returns Nov. 1-10 for a 10-day celebration of local craft beer and San Diego’s thriving brewing culture. Festivities kick off with a Brewers Guild Festival and conclude with a Chef Celebration of San Diego Beer, a gourmet beer and food pairing event. Last year’s San Diego Beer Week boasted more than 400 events, ranging from beer dinners to meet-and-greets with local brewers, with an estimated 20,000 attendees. 2013 San Diego Beer Week events will be posted online at http://www.SDBW.org...
Just in time for the 2013 Bayreuth Festival season, and following a theme of “The Life Stages of Richard Wagner,” visitors to Germany’s Bayreuth are now able to walk in the footsteps of Richard Wagner, the city’s composer and the composer most linked to the development of German opera. Wagner is currently celebrating his 200th anniversary. Introduced this summer, The “Walk of Wagner” leads visitors to nearly all tourist attractions in Bayreuth that are attributed to Richard Wagner. The route begins at Wahnfried (the name given by Richard Wagner to his villa in Bayreuth), which is...
Just in time for the 2013 Bayreuth Festival season, and following a theme of "The Life Stages of Richard Wagner,"visitors to Germany's Bayreuth are now able to walk in the footsteps of Richard Wagner, the city's composer and the composer most linked to the development of German opera. Wagner is currently celebrating his 200th anniversary. Introduced this summer, The "Walk of Wagner"leads visitors to nearly all tourist attractions in Bayreuth that are attributed to Richard Wagner. The route begins at Wahnfried (the name given by Richard Wagner to his villa in Bayreuth), which is also where...
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide reports the internationally renowned King George hotel in Athens has joined The Luxury Collection portfolio following a three-month renovation. Owned by Lampsa Hellenic Hotels S.A., King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens has been redesigned for a new generation of luxury travellers, offering discreet and personalized service in the iconic Greek capital. With this opening, Starwood expands its footprint in Greece where it now operates 11 hotels and resorts, including eight under The Luxury Collection brand. The renovation of King George...
Registration is in full swing for the 2013 Hawaii Tourism Conference, which will run Aug. 22-23 in Honolulu at the Hawaii Convention Centre. It promises to give tourism industry stakeholders the opportunity to network and learn about today's fast-evolving travel industry, the latest trends and forecasts, best practices on an array of topics and other factors to consider in planning for 2014. Newly added to the conference schedule on Aug. 23 is a panel discussion on Hawaii's National Marine Sanctuary. Tourists are an important user group to all National Marine Sanctuaries, and the HTA and...