Destination News - Destination, Rail, Road.

Feb 11, 2008

Walt Disney World

"American Idol" Coming to Walt Disney World. Here's a production not even Simon Cowell could scoff at. Come late 2008, Walt Disney World will offer an "American Idol" attraction at its Hollywood Studios theme park. Guests will get to audition on stage in front of a Disney's Hollywood Studios producer or, for the more timid, judge performances. Those receiving the highest votes will compete at the end of the day in a grand finale show, with the victor winning a reservation for a future regional audition for the real "American Idol." Feb 10, 2008

Almond Beach Village

Barbados Almond Beach Village to Expand Spa, Upgrade Annual Super Bowl Party. During Almond Beach Village's annual Super Bowl extravaganza, known as Big Game Week, Chris Forbes, the Barbados resort's general manager, said that plans are in place to add about six treatments rooms to the resort's spa. The spa expansion, said Forbes, is part of an "aggressive" move to attract more North American guests to the resort, which currently has mostly European guests. Feb 10, 2008

Sandals Resorts

First 21-and-Under Club Opens at Beaches Negril. Sandals Resorts has announced the opening of Beaches Negril in Jamaica, which will house a new club that Sandals says is "the first of its kind at a 'Luxury Included' family resort." Liquid at Beaches offers guests under 21 a place to relax and be entertained at night without parental supervision-parents are not allowed in the club. The lounge was designed to resemble an underwater scene and will host of variety of guest DJs. Feb 10, 2008

Florida Introduces New Ad Campaign and Enhanced Website. New advertisements to lure visitors to Florida will begin appearing February 11 on TV and the Internet. The Florida tourist office's new Sunshine campaign involves a multi-platform strategy that will produce three versions of a 30-second commercial targeting various audiences, which will air on network TV; interactive ads on such websites as CNN.com and Weather.com; and ads in several publications. The state is also revamping its Visit Florida website to include blogs and videos from Florida experts. The site will also have an area called My Trip Planner, a personalized folder where visitors can store information. Feb 10, 2008

DreamWorks

First DreamWorks Animation Theme Park in Dubai. Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holding, and the Hollywood studio DreamWorks Animation (which produced the "Shrek" movies, "Madagascar" and "Flushed Away") have allied to create the first DreamWorks Animation Theme Park in Dubailand-an entertainment destination that spans three billion square feet. The two companies will also develop DreamWorks Animation-themed restaurants, hotels and retail outlets in the area. Feb 7, 2008

Kenya Tourism

Kenya Tourism Board Reports Calm in Country. The Kenya Tourist Board reported that Kofi Annan succeeded in quickly bringing the two opposing sides of Kenya's civil conflict together in talks aimed at solving the current political crisis. The government and opposition sides have each chosen a three-person team to negotiate a political settlement, with Annan as mediator backed by a team of eminent Africans, including Graca Machel and the former president of Tanzania. After their first full morning meeting last week, both sides issued a joint statement which expressed optimism that a peaceful solution to the political crisis would be arrived at soon. An agenda has been agreed that one of the first objectives should be to take immediate steps to stop the violence and thereby resolve the immediate crisis within a 15 day time-scale. Feb 6, 2008

Kenya Tourism

The Kenya Tourism Federation is continuing to monitor the security situation to ensure that any areas considered unsafe for tourists are avoided. The following areas continue to be off-limits for tourists until further notice: Nyanza Province, Western Province, and the western area of Rift Valley Province including roads to the north of Narok to Bomet, Sotik and Njoro, the areas surrounding Kericho, Molo, Londiani, Nandi Hills and Eldoret. These places are not normally visited by tourists and members of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators have avoided the whole area since the onset of the post-election problems. Currently the situation in most of these places is reported to be calm but in recent weeks there have been frequent disturbances and civil unrest in Kisumu and in the areas around Kericho and Eldoret. Feb 6, 2008

Kenya Tourism

The U.S. State Department has updated travel information for Americans traveling to Kenya on www.travel.state.gov. For more information please visit www.travel.state.gov. Additionally, travelers can visit the U.S. Embassy site in Nairobi at www.kenya.usembassy.gov. U.S. travelers into Kenya should register themselves through the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi at http://travelregistration.state.gov. Feb 6, 2008

Rocco Forte

Rocco Forte Expands Into Middle East. The Rocco Forte Collection signed a management contract for a hotel in Abu Dhabi, marking the luxury hotelier's first venture in the Middle East. Slated to open in 2010, the Abu Dhabi hotel will have 282 rooms, including two Presidential Suites and 29 other suites. The 12-story property will also contain a swimming pool, a spa, extensive meeting space and several restaurants and bars, including a bar suspended on the fifth floor of a 10-story atrium. Rocco Forte currently has 11 hotels in major European cities, with a Prague hotel due to open this year. The group will also add a property in Marrakech, Morocco, in 2010. Feb 6, 2008

Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Introduces Air-Inclusive Packages. For the first time ever, Universal Orlando Resort is including flights in packages booked through its Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations arm. Bookings must be made online, and the airfare component will be commissionable to travel agents. As a bonus, travel agents will get $25 in Universal Dollars for every air-inclusive booking made in February for 2008 travel, using promotional code UNIUOBUCKS. These dollars can be used by agents or for their clients. Feb 6, 2008

Vail Plaza Hotel

Vail Plaza Hotel & Club, which opened its door in December, is the first newly built property to open in Vail Village in 43 years. Centrally located in Vail Village and surrounded by a pedestrian area with boutiques, restaurants, galleries and apras-ski beacons, the privately-owned Vail Plaza Hotel & Club features 100 guestrooms and 38 suites. The suites and fractional ownership condos are comprised of furnished one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom residences and penthouses, all with unobstructed mountain views from decks and balconies. The entry features an enclosed stone archway and exterior atrium for vehicles. Forty feet above, in the alpine-inspired lobby, a cantilevered cathedral ceiling with glass windows provides a view. Feb 6, 2008

BritRail

BritRail Enhances London Plus Pass. The BritRail London Plus Pass, which offers value to visitors touring southeast England by train, has added Airport Express train transfer vouchers and the inclusion of extended rail destinations like Bath, Bristol and Stratford upon Avon. A two-day BritRail London Plus Pass (including two Airport Express vouchers) is $145 in standard class. A round trip Heathrow Express ticket bought separately costs $64; so, for $81 more, BritRail's London Plus provides two days of unlimited rail travel all over southeast England and beyond. BritRail's London Plus offers London-based travelers who want to take day trips into the countryside, but return to their London hotel in the evening an option. It is totally flexible for short or long stays, allowing clients to use rail travel days non-consecutively. Feb 6, 2008

Hawaii

Hawaii Hideaways Website Rents Hawaiian Villas. Hawaii Hideaways has introduced a website that gives travelers the opportunity to shop for Hawaiian accommodations by location, occupancy, price, palm rating or amenities. The site also makes trip planning easier for repeat visitors by tracking personal travel preferences and allowing them to plan trip activities and reserve amenities any time, day or night. First-time and frequent visitors can now choose from a list of islands, areas and villas categorized to meet their individual needs. A host of services are also available for the discerning traveler to select from based on personal, business or family preferences. For repeat travelers, previous travel preferences are saved so that favorite activities and accommodations can be quickly retrieved. The site also provides last-minute deals and information on featured getaways. Founded in 2004, Hawaii Hideaways offers luxury vacation rental homes throughout the islands of Maui, Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai and Molokai. Feb 6, 2008

Mexico Travel

Mexico Travel Marketplace Announces 2008 Events. Travel professionals across the U.S. are being invited to attend the 14th annual series of Mexico Travel Marketplace. These events unite Mexico's most important tourism suppliers and tour operators with an audience of travel professionals in nine key U.S. markets. The events are being coordinated and produced by Oregon-based Destination Ventures, Ltd. Experts in Mexico marketing, Destination Ventures is best known as the organizers of the Magic of Mexico seminar series (sponsored by the Mexico Tourism Board) and Cancun Tourism Institute (sponsored by the Cancun CVB). In 2008, the tradeshow series will continue with a thematic structure. This year's theme is "Luxury, Lifestyle, Living." The theme will be infused into the destination and supplier presentations. Feb 6, 2008

New York City

NYC & Company, New York City's official marketing and tourism organization, officially opened its office in Canada -- the city's second-largest international market. To celebrate the opening, the organization will hold trade meetings and events with key tourism partners in Toronto and Montreal. The opening comes in the midst of a continued favorable exchange rate for Canadian visitors and as New York City continues to offer savings citywide with NYC Open: Book 2008, NYC Sunday Stays and Third Night promotions as well as a new Air Canada New York Weekender Pass. The number of Canadian visitors traveling to New York City has steadily increased since 2004. Canada is now New York City's second-largest international market with an estimated 880,000 visitors in 2007 -- up from 840,000 visitors in 2006. These increases come under New York City's recent announcement of a record-breaking estimated 46 million visitors to New York City in 2007. This includes 8.5 million people from overseas -- an unprecedented surge of nearly 20 percent over 2006. Feb 6, 2008

US housing woes bite Swiss taxpayers. In all the talk about its massive subprime losses, the impact of UBS s abysmal 2007 on the poor Swiss taxpayer has gone rather unnoticed. The former financial powerhouse paid about 60 per cent of its almost SFr3bn profit in taxes in 2006 in Switzerland hardly peanuts for a country of just 7.5m people. And that excludes the tax withheld on dividend payments to shareholders. UBS is declining to comment on what its estimated SFr4.4bn loss for 2007 means for its taxman. But apparently beancounters from Glarus to Geneva are bracing themselves for the consequences. Feb 5, 2008

Samak Sundaravej, Thailand s new prime minister, campaigned on a pledge to restore the can-do spirit of the energetic and upbeat Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister ousted in a 2006 military coup. But Samak, a 72-year-old political veteran, is far from the accomplished spin-meister of his exiled predecessor. The process of forming a cabinet has dragged on amid jockeying for posts by various members of the five-party coalition led by Samak s People s Power party. And in spite of the time it has taken to settle on the line-up, Samak has made it clear that he is less than thrilled with the result. The cabinet is due to be publicly unveiled on Wednesday, after the proposed appointments receive the assent of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. But Samak has already grumbled that he was unable to find competent outsiders willing to join the team, resulting in what he has described as an ugly duckling cabinet. It s far from the kind of relentless brave face that the Thai public expected from slick Thaksin, a master of marketing and self-promotion. Clearly Samak has a lot to learn to fill those shoes. Feb 5, 2008

Calgary

Calgary, Alberta Celebrates Olympic Anniversary. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, the Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA) is holding a series of events through Feb. 17, 2008 at Canada's flagship Olympic venue, Canada Olympic Park (COP) in Calgary (www.canadaolympicpark.ca/winter.asp). The opening ceremonies for the grand celebration will begin at 5:30 p.m. MST on Feb. 13, 2008. As the Olympic cauldron burns again, cross-country skiers will slide across the park; dual slalom skiers will criss-cross down the hill; snowboarders will ride the half-pipe; and a ski jumper will catch big air, while making their way to center stage to kick-off this giant public celebration and free ski night. In addition to free skiing for the public, there will be big air (ski jump) demonstrations, a fireworks display, entry to the Hall of Fame, beer gardens, free hot chocolate, a Jamaican Bobsleigh-themed lounge and live music. The personalities of the '88 Winter Olympic Games will also be present including British ski jumper Eddie "the Eagle" Edwards, Jamaican Bobsleigh team pilot, Devon Harris, and Davis Foster, the composer of the theme song for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. Feb 5, 2008

Hawaii

New Trip-Planning Website from Hawaii Hideaways. Hawaii Hideaways has introduced a website (www.hawaiihideaways.com) that gives travelers the opportunity to shop for a vacation rental property by location, occupancy, price, rating or amenities. The site also makes trip planning easier for repeat visitors by tracking personal travel preferences and allowing them to plan activities and reserve amenities. Travelers can choose from a list of islands, areas and villas categorized to meet their individual needs. Repeat travelers will have their previous travel preferences saved so their favorite activities and accommodations can be quickly retrieved. Founded in 2004, Hawaii Hideaways offers luxury vacation rental homes throughout the islands of Maui, Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai and Molokai. Feb 5, 2008

Jamaican Tourism

Former Jamaican Tourism Director Henry Dies at 72. Jamaica is mourning the passing of Desmond Henry, the country's director of tourism during the late 1970s. Henry is being remembered for his achievements in solidifying Jamaica's position on the world map as a leading tourist destination. His innovative spirit and his tenacity made him an exemplary leader. Desmond's marketing theme, "We are more than a beach, we are a country," was first coined by his predecessor Adrian Robinson. The campaign delivered a message that Jamaica is a destination rich in history, culture and tradition, alerting the world to the real allure of Jamaica. Feb. 4, would have been Desmond Henry's 73rd birthday. Feb 5, 2008

Exotic cars may drive in tourists. A new gallery is hoping tourists and others are intrigued enough by some of the world's most exotic sports cars to turn them into Orlando's next tourist attraction. Exotic Car Gallery opened late last week in the space once occupied by the Millenia Art Gallery, at 4190 Millenia Blvd. It features a rotating display of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bentleys and other rare, high-end "supercars," all owned by an undisclosed, local private collector. Feb 4, 2008

Fairmont Hotels

Fairmont Opens Cairo Hotel. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of Fairmont Towers Heliopolis on Monday, the luxury hotel operator's fifth property in Africa and the Middle East. Fairmont will begin a renovation this quarter on a hotel adjacent to the Fairmont Towers Heliopolis; that property will complement the Towers, the hotelier says. The 247-room Fairmont Towers Heliopolis is five minutes from the Cairo airport. Its design takes cues from the name Heliopolis, which translates to "city of the sun." Sun-shaped designs are found in the atrium and other public spaces. Guest rooms have contemporary decor, including 32-inch flat-screen TVs. Elsewhere in the region, Fairmont has hotels in Dubai, Zanzibar and Nairobi. Feb 4, 2008

InterContinental Hotels

Crowne Plaza in Vegas. InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) revealed plans today (4 February) for a new 386-room Crowne Plaza in Las Vegas, expected to open in 2010. It will be in the city centre, just west of the Strip the famous road of major casinos and near the McCarran International Airport and Las Vegas Convention Centre, the third largest in the US. The property will feature 16,000 sq ft (1,500 sq m) of meeting space, a business centre and complimentary wired and wireless internet throughout the hotel. The Asian-themed Crowne Plaza will include a casino the norm in Vegas full-service spa, outdoor pool, fitness centre and three restaurants. There are nearly 300 Crowne Plaza hotels in 51 countries. Feb 4, 2008

Virgin Group, Northern Rock

Virgin Group emerges as top bidder for Northern Rock. Olivant Advisers, one of three possible bidders for Northern Rock, on Monday dropped a plan to buy the troubled British mortgage lender, increasing the chances of Virgin Group winning the auction. Olivant, a British investment fund, said that it failed to devise an offer that would meet both its own investment criteria and the British government's demands. Virgin Group, which is controlled by the British businessman Richard Branson, submitted a takeover proposal before the Monday deadline. Northern Rock's management also submitted a proposal Monday involving a reorganization and the sale of new shares worth at least u500 million, but it did not specify whether it was seeking to buy the bank. Feb 4, 2008

ZZ

Editorial eMail: [e-mail]

For Air Transport & Travel Business Experts contact our Director of Content Aram Gesar eMail: [e-mail]

To Advertise: [e-mail]

Copyright 1/2 2008 Pyramid Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. AirGuideOnline.com and AirGuideBusiness.com