Global Travel News

Earn 2,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points Every Day at Aloft Bangkok

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Bangkok, Thailand, May 07, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Aloft Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11, a Marriott Bonvoy hotel launches its new promotion “2K Every Day” for this spring and summer. This is the perfect promotion for both business and leisure travelers who are seeking a stylish city sojourn in Bangkok.

Starting from THB 3,037++ per room and night, guests will receive an additional 2,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points per night every time they book a minimum of two-night stay. Guests can book from now until June 30, 2023, for stays until July 19, 2023. Additional terms and conditions apply.

The “2K Every Day” promotion is only available for Marriott Bonvoy members. Not a member yet? Click Join now to sign up for free today!

Experience a loft-inspired design with free Wi-Fi, and a great social scene, Aloft Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11 is a distinctive select, modern, fresh, and fun hotel. With savvy design and free-flowing energy, guests can celebrate in style in the unique openness of a no-walls, no-limits space. An easy breezy adventure awaits all guests in Thailand’s hippest hotspot, Aloft Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11 is just steps from the best shopping, nightlife, and dining destinations, and a quick 5-minute stroll to Nana BTS Skytrain and Sukhumvit MRT Subway stations for easy access to Bangkok’s biggest attractions.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort Earns High Acclaims

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OUTRIGGER Khao Lak Beach Resort has gathered three leading guest satisfaction accolades in the last few weeks.

Tourists travelling with HolidayCheck have praised the resort which has earned the accolade “Recommended on HolidayCheck 2023”.

HolidayCheck enables package travel reviews and bookings in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, under the HolidayCheck brand.

Booking.com has also awarded the resort 9 out of 10 in its Traveller Review Awards 2023.

The resort also earned a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Winner Award 2023.

“Our hosts work hard to make guests feel special,” said Sujittra Rongmuang, Resort Manager of the OUTRIGGER Khao Lak Beach Resort. “When visiting families and couples experience our OUTRIGGER Way service standards, combined with our wonderful beach location, it makes for a great holiday — as many reviews now show.”

The 158-key garden resort in a delightful beachfront setting on peaceful Bang Sak beach is a 90-minute drive north of Phuket international airport.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

RETAIL ROUND-UP: In Jamaica with Escapes.ca, plus F1S, Travel Leaders and TRAVELSAVERS

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The Jamaica Tourist Board recently teamed up with Playa Hotels & Resorts to host an exclusive FAM trip for travel advisors from Escapes.ca. Twelve lucky agents were selected to visit the island for an immersive destination experience that included tours of Playa’s five Jamaican properties and a full itinerary of island activities.

Advisors from British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario flew to Jamaica with WestJet Vacations and stayed at Jewel Paradise Cove, Hilton Rose Hall and Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall. The group also conducted site inspections at Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort and Spa.

The five-day trip gave agents the chance to discover a wide variety of attractions near Playa’s Montego Bay properties, with activities such as climbing Dunn’s River Falls, a tour of Rose Hall Great House, shopping along Main Street Rose Hall, sampling authentic jerk cuisine at famed Scotchies, and ice cream at Devon House.

Ahead of their return flight, the agents were treated to VIP airport services from Club MoBay and took in the brand-new departure lounge at Sangster International Airport.

“This unique FAM trip offered a great balance and gave advisors the chance to really immerse themselves in all that Jamaica has to offer,” said Emma Madsen, JTB Business Development Manager – Western Canada. “Playa was able to fully showcase their Jamaican resorts while the JTB gave agents a chance to experience local attractions, culture and food close to the properties.”

“Our team was very grateful for the opportunity to have an exclusive FAM trip hosted by the Jamaica Tourist Board, Playa Resorts and WestJet Vacations,” said Chris Rollingson, Co-President, Escapes.ca. “The agents were very impressed with the hospitality, service and quality of the resorts and excursions we visited in Jamaica. Our hosts did a wonderful job of providing very valuable information and I can confidently say, our team’s ability to sell this wonderful destination has increased tenfold.”

Travel Leaders Network

Travel Leaders Network reports that it’s lead-generation tool resulted in a record-breaking 12,000 leads for members in 2022 – a whopping 224% growth from 2021 and a 145% growth from the pre-pandemic high of 2019. The leads represented $20 million in sales with preferred supplier partners and $2.5 million in commission earned by members, says the organization.

As of the end of the first quarter of 2023, TLN members had received 97,000 leads since January 1, 2023, putting lead generation numbers on the path to surpass 2022 by 54%.

“Bringing in solid leads that will become bookings is a core priority for most travel advisors,” said Stephen McGillivray, Chief Marketing Officer of Travel Leaders Group. “With the post-pandemic travel boom, the issue has become not only how do advisors get clients, but how do travellers find the perfect advisor for their trip? TravelLeaders.com, powered by Agent Profiler, is the answer that ‘matchmakes’ these two groups for a great solution for both.”

TRAVELSAVERS

TRAVELSAVERS Canada team: Monique Lalonde, Jane Clementino, and Elizabeth Grundon.

TRAVELSAVERS Canada continued is inaugural Dine & Discover event in Toronto on May 30. The event at the Casa Ricca Banquet Hall attracted approximately 80 attendees, including advisors, managers, owners and 16 supplier partners to provide affiliates with insights on their latest products, trends, and tech tools.

“This is a great event by TRAVELSAVERS, and I think it’s awesome to get all the sellers here and rediscover what’s going on in the industry,” commented Alfiero Cavallo, owner of Verona Travel Ltd.

WestJet Vacations BDM Michelle Lanoue-Williams, added, “It’s a way for us as suppliers to interact with a larger majority of the selling team.”

The first event in the series took place in Laval, Que.

F1S

First in Service is reporting that for the second consecutive year, travel bookings are up year over year among its travel advisors in both Canada and the US, but more importantly year over year compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic).

According to a members’ survey, international travel demand continues to soar, as nearly 70% of all advisors characterize their bookings as “up” over those in 2022, with more than 23% saying they are “up significantly.” When comparing this year’s international bookings with those in 2019, more than 65% of all advisors say there are “up,” with just over 23% indicating they are “up significantly.”

F1S advisors are increasingly focused on the international travel boom. Even though domestic travel lags, a plurality of both Canadian and US advisors, 46.5%, say their domestic bookings are even with where they were in both 2022 and 2019.

Fernando Gonzalez, CEO of F1S, observed that while luxury and premium leisure travel continue to lead the travel comeback over the past two years, the post-pandemic era is ushering in increased sales for its corporate and entertainment travel segments.

He added that “given the current trajectory, F1S is poised to easily have its best year yet with over US$300 million in annual sales.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

NEW MARGARITAVILLE OPENS IN RIVIERA MAYA

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Margaritaville Beach Resort Riviera Maya has officially opened its doors, welcoming guests – “all of those tourists covered in oil,” as Jimmy Buffet sang in the song – ¬to the first adults-only resort within the all-inclusive Island Reserve collection.

The resort invites guests to a world of debuts for the Jimmy Buffet brand, like the first oceanfront LandShark Brewery, new room categories and suites, nine restaurants and bars, a 930-sq.-m. spa, and exclusive wedding and event venues.

“We’re delighted to welcome our first guests to Margaritaville Beach Resort Riviera Maya,” said Grecia Lopez, General Manager. “The world-class all-inclusive resort offers the ultimate in adults-only escapes, inviting guests to indulge in five-star global dining, unparalleled service, luxurious amenities, spectacular entertainment, unparalleled views, and so much more.”

Luxury accommodations

Each of the 355 suites at Margaritaville Beach Resort Riviera Maya features comfortable amenities, the option to connect with an adjoining room, and coastal-inspired decor. All accommodations open to a furnished private balcony or terrace overlooking the ocean or the resort’s pools or gardens. Whether guests spend their getaway soaking up breathtaking sea views in a King or Queen Paradise Room, taking dips in the Luxury Paradise Suite’s private swim-up pool, or indulging in total luxury in a top-of-the-line Coral Reefer Signature Suite, they’re in for a five-star stay with 13 luxury room types to choose from.

Dinner with a view

As part of the all-inclusive experience, the boasts five restaurants, with plenty of outdoor seating and an expansive terrace that opens directly onto the pool. For elevated date nights with authentic Old-World fare, guests can look to brand staples like Frank & Lola’s or JWB Steakhouse for a classic steakhouse experience with a contemporary twist.

The resort will also debut two new concepts, including Far Side Of The World, a concept exclusive to Margaritaville’s all-inclusive resorts, with Pacific Rim cuisine inspired by faraway places, unique culinary selections, bamboo shacks, and the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. And the Salted Rim Margarita Bar & Lounge, which invites guests to revel in Caribbean elegance with authentic and extensive tequila and mezcal selections to create an array of adventurous creations.

LandShark Brewery

Margaritaville Beach Resort Riviera Maya features the first LandShark Brewery (photo) in Mexico and the first oceanfront brewery location in the Island Reserve collection. The brewery offers smokehouse classics and signature LandShark lagers brewed on-site. There is also plenty of outdoor seating – including two terraces overlooking the Caribbean. Guests can drop by to meet the brewmaster, enjoy a beer sampler tray or beer-matching menu, and jam out to live music and performances.

Entertainment and relaxation

In addition to poolside performances by local bands, DJ-driven pool parties, mixology classes, dance lessons, Caribbean parades, guests can enjoy trivia, pickleball, cornhole, and tequila tastings to make the most of every moment at the all-inclusive resort.

Guests can also relax and unwind at the St. Somewhere Spa, complete with nine treatment rooms, featuring an array of tropically inspired spa services designed to awaken the senses, strengthen circulation, soothe nerves, improve digestion, and promote a balanced metabolism with custom-designed treatments, such as an invigorating Gingerita Body Scrub or a Watermelon Basil Vodkatini Pedicure. The St. Somewhere Spa also includes a couple’s suite and state-of-the-art Fitness Center with a outdoor terrace.

Wedding Experiences & Events

At Margaritaville Beach Resort Riviera Maya, guests can exchange vows with their toes in the sand. Couples will find an array of venues with stunning views, fit for weddings of all shapes and sizes. The resort features the largest sky wedding terrace in the region and across the all-inclusive Island Reserve resort collection, Island Overwater Wedding Packages that elevate the couple’s ceremony as they exchange their vows over the pool on a transparent platform, and ballrooms with over 460 sq. m. of premium space for up to 400 people with three breakout rooms boasting unobstructed views of the Mexican-Caribbean Sea.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

SUNWING MAKES DISCOVERING CAYO LARGO E-ASY

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I recently travelled with Sunwing to pristine Cayo Largo, an island on the southern tip of Cuba. It was my first trip to Cuba and an opportunity to see for myself why folks rave about the silky white sand and impossibly turquoise waters. Back in November 2022, Sunwing, secured exclusive operating rights to Cayo Largo for the Canadian market.

We stayed at Memories Resort, where Sunwing’s Chief Marketing Officer, Samantha Taylor, and I enjoyed flutes of Bellinis at the resort’s palapa-style Ranchon restaurant overlooking the beach as we discussed what Taylor described as the three E’s: Enjoy, Explore, Embrace.

What’s to ENJOY?

Let’s start with 25 km of gorgeous beaches (some of them “clothing optional”). Unlike many of the sunspots in Mexico and other Caribbean islands, there are no pesky vendors. You can park yourself on a chaise lounge with a good book and never be hassled. And sargassum, a brown seaweed that floats in island masses and has been invading many Mexican, Caribbean and Florida beaches, has thankfully avoided Cuba.

There are myriad activities to enjoy, including tennis, pickleball, and water volleyball. I took advantage of a relaxing massage in the spa. The talented musicians and dancers at the various resorts perform nightly. Or one might take a dance lesson and master the Mambo!

There’s plenty to EXPLORE

Sunwing partners with Nexus on Cuba’s Sunshine Coast to provide fun activities and excursions for all ages. Among them:

• Cayo Largo offers some of the best diving conditions in the Caribbean with more than 30 dive sites, a protected marine reserve and 200 ancient shipwrecks.

• Take a catamaran cruise to Playa Sirena with snorkelling stops and a chance to take a “selfie” with a starfish.

• For special occasions Nexus can arrange a romantic sunset cruise.

• At the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre, visitors can release baby turtles back to their natural ocean environment. We learned that there are seven types of sea turtles in the world – Cuba is blessed with three of them and tiny Cayo Largo has two, the Green and Loggerhead species. Approximately 10,000 of the shelled creatures are released every year.

There’s much to EMBRACE

Memories resort

Taylor touts the new wellness programs being offered at the resorts. During our “famcation” there were morning sessions of Pilates, yoga and meditation held in an idyllic palapa overlooking the deep blue sea. “We want to attract guests who will embrace the concept of wellness and digital detox,” says Taylor. “This serene setting offers the perfect backdrop so you can restore balance and mindfulness.”

During COVID, the resorts on Cayo Largo were closed for about two-and-a-half years, but as we toured the various hotels run by Blue Diamond Resorts, we noticed lots of renovations and improvements. Such as:

• The family-friendly Starfish resort has a new theatre, pizzeria, and lots of “show cooking” areas in the new air-conditioned buffet restaurant.

• Grand Memories is being totally renovated and is expected to open in winter 2023/24.

• Capriche is an adults-only resort that appeals to LGBT travellers.

• At Villa Linda Mar we enjoyed succulent lobster tails hot off the grill.

• The top-end adults only Sanctuary Resort offers 24-hour room service, butler check-in, nightly turn-down service and WiFiI throughout. Its Bellini bar serves creative cocktails.

• With just 24 rooms, Villa Soledad offers some unique activities such as dance and mixology classes.

Havana

Taylor is also excited about a private, half-hour plane transfer from Cayo Largo to Havana that will be available in winter 2024. Visitors can spend a day exploring the capital’s fascinating history and culture and perhaps visit some Hemingway haunts. There will also be options to spend a few days in Havana at a Sunwing partner hotel.

Sunwing

   The Sunwing group enjoying Cayo Largo

In 2023/24, Sunwing will offer six flights per week from Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa and a new one from Halifax.

Most of the staff at the Cayo Largo resorts come from the Isla de la Juventud (Youth Island). They spend 20 days working on Cayo Largo and then return home for 10 days off. It’s a formula that seems to work well: Friendly and helpful Cuban hospitality is all part of the Cayo Largo all-inclusive bargain.

For Anita’s full interview with Samantha Taylor, see below:

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First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

What’s a Walt Disney World Thrill feel like?

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It feels like the wildest ride in the wilderness. Like soaring high above Pandora—on a banshee. Like meeting a favourite Disney Character face to face for the first time. And like taking control of the Millennium Falcon…with your crew.


Adventure through an incomparable collection of thrilling attractions across all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks. Breathtaking adventures that catapult you into both new excitement and so many of the timeless stories you know and love—from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to the Star Wars™ saga to infinity and beyond. Best of all, these are thrills everyone can be part of. Laughing together. Screaming together. And trying to keep it together—together.


A Disney Thrill is something unique to each of us. So how will you and your family react? Maybe it’s happy screams. Nonstop laughter. Or even jaw-dropping, silent awe. One thing’s for sure—the moment it’s over it becomes a shared triumph.

But there’s only one way to really know what a Disney Thrill feels like… go! Experience them firsthand, together with your family and friends. And know that one-of-a-kind feeling you can only get at Walt Disney World Resort. Where Disney Thrills us like nothing else can.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

SHIMMER AND SHINE ON DISNEY CRUISE LINE

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For 25 years, Disney Cruise Line has set a course for magical vacations at sea. On the way to dazzling destinations in the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe, you can play the day away with some favourite Disney Characters, enjoy Broadway-style shows, relax in adult-exclusive spaces and venture into incredible kids’ clubs. Plus, with special limited-time entertainment, themed offerings and more, this summer’s 25th anniversary celebration is sure to be shining, shimmering and splendid!

Kick off your celebratory cruise with an all-new sail away song to get you in the bright spirit. Enjoy all the magical entertainment you know and love with the added bonus of seeing some
favourite Characters in special anniversary attire. Plus, select sailings will celebrate with a bang as a new fireworks show lights up the evening skies at sea.

You’ll notice festive trimmings throughout your sailing as silver decor sparkles around the ship. And you can sparkle too, with all-new Silver Anniversary at Sea merchandise, themed in-room gifts and special celebration photo opportunities and backdrops.
Celebrate the Silver Anniversary at Sea on select sailings May–September 2023.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

AVENGERS CAMPUS

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Welcome to Avengers Campus: an all-new land now open at Disney California Adventure Park dedicated to discovering, recruiting, and training the next generation of Super Heroes. A hero training complex where you can team up with your family and friends and the Avengers to take on whatever the universe throws at you. A place where you can live your Super Hero dreams.

At the family-friendly WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, you’ll experience an action-packed attraction that puts your web-slinging skills to the test. Witness the gravity-defying feats of Spider-Man in a way you’ve never seen before as he swings high above Avengers Campus. Learn the secrets of the mystic arts from Doctor Strange himself when you discover the Ancient Sanctum and magical artifacts. Train with Black Panther and Wakanda’s elite guards, the Dora Milaje, or get caught up in the action as the Avengers team up to defend the campus against menacing villains.

Swing on over to WEB Suppliers and pick up the latest inventions and prototypes, including Spider-Bots, WEB Tech, and other tech projects to tinker with at home. Power up at the Campus Supply Pod with official Avengers Campus gear. And when it’s time to take a break from all your heroics, savour a meal and even some tiny treats at the Pym Test Kitchen featuring IMPOSSIBLE™.

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are ready to train a brave new generation of recruits. It’s time to team up and unleash the hero within us all. Heroes Assemble at Avengers Campus, now open at Disney California Adventure Park.


First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: May 29-June 3, 2023

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Quebec City rocked to Rendez-vous Canada last week, while in other round-up news, there was more tech trouble for Air Canada, BC assessed its COVID support, ACV unveiled its winter sun season, and the flip of the calendar to June marked the official start of hurricane season.

NEWS

Quebec City welcomed more than 1,500 participants from 29 countries to Rendez-vous Canada 2023, dubbed this country’s “Olympic Games” of the tourism industry. Organized by Destination Canada and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, with support from Quebec’s Minister of Tourism, the annual event concluded June 2, fostering commercial partnerships that will raise the profile of Québec attractions and tourism experiences across Canada and around the world while showcasing the Bonjour Québec brand. Edmonton has been named next year’s site.

Air Canada experienced more troubles Thursday and Friday causing flight delays for the second time in a week. The Montreal-based airline was advising travellers to check the status of their flights online amid delays caused by an IT issue. Close to 75% of both mainline and Rouge flights had been delayed and dozens cancelled on Thursday and a quarter on Friday.

BC’s auditor general said the province’s COVID-19 support program for the devastated tourism industry followed most required guidelines, though he raised some concerns about the way it was documented and monitored. Michael Pickup said there were “minor inconsistencies” with the otherwise well-designed and implemented destination development grant program that handed out more than $41 million in 2021 and 2022. He added that the grant came at a time when nearly two-thirds of people in the tourism industry lost their jobs in 2020 and was launched under a compressed timeline, raising the risk of applications being inconsistently assessed.

Canada’s official languages commissioner says Francophone travellers are struggling to access services in their language. And it’s only getting worse. Raymond Theberge’s report shows some 495 complaints were lodged against federally regulated travel institutions between April 2022 and the end of March, with 276 of those complaints singling out Air Canada – a 10-year high.

Hurricane season officially began June 1, and forecasters are predicting a “near-normal” season.

BY THE NUMBERS

VIA Rail announced a 106.5% increase in ridership (451,200 passengers), and $50.9 million increase in revenues (147.1%) for the first quarter of 2023, reflecting a strong resurgence of interest in train travel. Approximately 874,700 passengers travelled with VIA Rail between January and March as the Corporation has reintroduced more frequencies across the network.

AIR

WestJet celebrated the launch of its first-ever service between Calgary and Washington on Friday. The carrier also commenced inaugural service between Edmonton and Minneapolis.

Also on Friday, Air Canada inaugurated two strategic non-stop routes from its Montreal global hub with the start of year-round service to Toulouse, France, and seasonal service to Copenhagen to complement its year-round services to the Danish capital from Toronto. The airline also completed its inaugural Montreal to Amsterdam flight with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner using sustainable aviation fuel.

American Airlines has signed a new lease at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport – the world’s second busiest airport – that will include US$4.8 billion to build a new terminal and renovate one of the five existing one. The $1.63 billion new Terminal F would include 15 gates. The deal also calls for $2.72 billion to renovate Terminal C and add nine gates in “piers” that will extend from terminals A and C. American will control those gates.

DEALS

Clients can score up to 38% off Fiji Airways flights to Fiji, Pacific Islands, New Zealand, and Australia with new sale airfares available until June 7. Fiji’s national airline currently flies twice a week between Nadi, Fiji, and Vancouver.

Through Sept. 20, kids, adolescents, and teens travel free with their families on all Quark Expeditions Arctic 2023 voyages.

TOURS

Elvi Cal

The US Travel Association and Brand USA awarded TravelBrands a prestigious Chairman’s Circle Honor for 2023 at the recent IPW event in Texas. On hand to accept the award, given to top-producing tour operators, was TravelBrands’ exec Elvi Cal (photo).

With a lineup of key seasonal sun destinations throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America, Air Canada Vacations unveiled its 2023/24 offerings aimed at early planners for the winter season. Clients can vacation in Grenada, Aruba, Los Cabos, Huatulco, Ixtapa, St. Vincent, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Great Exuma, Cayo Santa Maria, Holguin, Belize, Panama and San Juan, Puerto Rico, and will also benefit from additional frequency and capacity to Cancun and Punta Cana. New options this winter include La Romana, Dominican Republic; Los Cabos, Mexico; Fort-de-France, Martinique; and Monterrey, Mexico – all bookable through ePackages, ACV’s shopping tool.

HOTELS

Hard Rock Cafés, Hotels, and Casinos worldwide will be hosting a variety of Pride Month activations, including partnering with notable LGBT figures in local communities to create exclusive experiences like one-of-a-kind curated suites, unique food and beverage offerings, entertainment experiences, Pride playlists, and community fundraising events. To kick off Pride 2023, Hard Rock has announced a partnership with genre-bending artist Halsey and pledged a minimum of $250,000 to the Human Rights Campaign and Outright International.

Bookings are now being accepted for Raffles Boston, the much-anticipated luxury property, which will open Sept. 1. The property will mark the first mixed-use development in North America for the renowned 136-year-old Raffles Hotels & Resorts brand. Located in the heart of the city’s Back Bay, the 35-storey, 147-room/21-suite hotel promises “a sense of adventure and style, gracious and intuitive hospitality, and thoughtful, locally inspired design, all while enhancing the cosmopolitan charm of the Back Bay.” The first Raffles property opened its doors in 1887 in Singapore.

RESORTS

The Inclusive Collection, part of World of Hyatt, reports that its social groups program, ‘Social Stays That Pay,’ is now live for travel distributors in Canada. The program advances policies to meet market conditions and offers enhanced amenities, such as complimentary rooms and upgrades as well as other inclusions to further improve the social groups experience. For example, groups now have the ability to request specific bedding types at select resorts (for an additional charge).

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of the Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort, its first Registry Collection Hotel in Europe. The 171-room, 5-star resort is located in Halkidiki, Greece, known for its pristine beaches, forests, and unique views of the Aegean Sea and Mount Olympus.

CRUISE

TravelBrands’ Encore Cruises is now partners with Virgin Voyages, a cruise line known for its playful yet sophisticated atmosphere. The cruise line offers an extensive array of amenities and entertainment options onboard stunning ships, catering to the travellers seeking a contemporary cruise getaway. In addition, travel agents booking Virgin Voyages sailings throughout June will earn a $100 bonus commission.

Carnival Cruise Line has announced that comedian Jay Leno will serve as its first- ever godfather to one of its ships, Carnival Venezia, at a celebratory event on June 14 when the ship is blessed and enters service from New York. In addition to serving as the Godfather, Leno will perform a special comedy show exclusively for guest.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

Canadians heading to Universal Orlando Resort can now get five days access for the price of two on the two-day, two-park ticket). The offer is in effect until Dec. 9 for travel in 2023. Meanwhile, agents booking a two-day, one park ticket by June 30 will earn 5% extra commission.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

This year, from June through August, over 20 hotels throughout New Orleans are offering travel advisor rates, which agents can supplement with a VIP pass to make the most of their visit to the Louisiana city. Starting at US$69 (plus taxes) per night through New Orleans & Company’s Summer Travel Advisor FAM, many hotel packages include discounted parking, free Wi-Fi, and discounts at hotel bars, available for qualified travel advisors (some blackout dates apply).

To register for the FAM rates, click HERE.

Air Canada Vacations reminds that it offers a 20% discount for agents to use for their personal travel. The agent discount can be applicable to packages to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe throughout the month of May with a travel window through Dec. 18.

EVENTS

The 2023 series of Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ exclusive Canadian Masterclass online sessions continue in June and throughout the summer, designed to inform travel advisors on the all-inclusive chain’s latest developments while offering monthly prize trip opportunities for all attendees, as well as helping achieve certified Sandals status and earning CTC and CTM accreditation (four ACTA credits). Remaining dates are as follows (all 10 a.m.-noon, local time): June 07 – Ontario; June 14 – Alberta; June 20 – BC; June 21 – Saskatchewan; June 28 – Ontario; July 12 – Alberta; Sept 20 – Saskatchewan; Sept 21 – BC. For information and to register, call your local BDM or Inside Sales at 1-800-545-8283, or click HERE:

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

ACTA held its annual general meeting on May 30, at which its new Board of Directors for the year 2023-2024 was announced: Liz Fleming, BC/Yukon and Treasurer; Peter Keyter, Alberta/NWT; Karen Schabel Saskatchewan; Melanie Carter, Manitoba/Nunavut, and Vice Chair; Monica Johnstone, Ontario; Geneviève Dupuy-Duplessis, Québec;  Gary Gaudry, Atlantic; Zeina Gedeon, Director at Large; Brian Robertson, Director at Large/Secretary; Appointed Directors – Shalene Dudley, Mary Jane Hiebert (also Board Chair); and Rocky Racco. Several long-time director left the board with thanks: Patrick Doyle, Mike Foster, Louise Gardiner, and Richard Vanderlubbe.

Visit Orlando has announced AVIAREPS as destination’s trade sales rep (for project work) in Canada.

DESTINATIONS

In Nevada, Reno, (photo) has a new-look downtown. The Reno Experience District (RED) features a new Element Hotel, artisan shops, dining, and curated entertainment, as well as a market hall and .8-hectare public park. This year, the city opened the new Reno Public Market, and several downtown hotels, including Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Grand Sierra Resort, Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, and Whitney Peak Hotel, are in the midst of renovations. New properties are also in the works, including a new Hyatt Place slated to open at the end of 2023 and a Kimpton, which is slated to open in 2025.

After three years of construction and a cost of $300 million, the reimagined Nassau Cruise Port has opened its doors to cruisers (and land-based guests), not only offering enhanced service for cruises to the Bahamas’ capital city, but ushering in a regeneration of the city’s downtown core. Including the repair and the expansion of Prince George Wharf, Phase 1 of the revitalized cruise port features a sixth berth and new terminal building, and host of other amenities, including a Junkanoo Museum event and entertainment spaces including an art gallery and 3,500-seat amphitheatre; living coral exhibit; new food and beverage facilities; and 40 retail space.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1911, the British liner RMS Titanic was launched from its building berth at the Port of Belfast.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Tanah Gajah Ubud Goes Back to Family Roots

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Bali, Indonesia, May 28, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / A former family holiday home that is now a boutique resort is honoring its roots with a family package that ensures children and adults alike get the most out of their tropical getaway. From a private family photo session, set amid lush rice paddies, abundant green space and the fascinating stone sculptures of Tanah Gajah Ubud’s grounds to exploring the Ubud area in a sunflower yellow vintage VW safari wagon, ‘The Art of Family Fun’ pairs novel elements with essential inclusions that lighten the planning load for parents.

“When crafting this package we wanted to offer unique local elements that provided the backdrop for lasting memories,” said Deasy Swandarini, general manager of Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana. “But more than that we wanted to include other offerings that made the trip easier for parents – especially when it came to food.”

Dining opportunities are plentiful in the three-night package. There’s a family picnic, a bento-box lunch with western or Indonesian dishes served picnic-style overlooking the rice paddy fields; as well as an intimate Balinese lunch at Tanah Gajah Ubud’s sister property, Dua Dari, a Residence by Hadiprana. Guests are also offered each day: a la carte breakfast, seasonal fresh fruit served in villa, afternoon tea at Panen Padi lounge, sunset cocktails (or mocktails or fresh juice for the little ones) at The Tempayan, and a complimentary mini-bar inclusive of alcohol refreshed daily.

A family spa experience is part of the stay with parents being treated to 60-minute Balinese massages while children under 12 are pampered with an organic face mask or a kids manicure.

A half day tour by vintage wagon ensures no tired feet and allows guests to take in local Ubud sites at a family-friendly pace. Just as the children are getting hungry the tour concludes at Dua Dari for lunch, which is located in the jungle and is replete with mythical statues.

The package’s private photo session at Tanah Gajah Ubud gives guests the choice to dress in traditional Balinese clothing, if they wish, and after the 30-45-minute session the family will receive 10 digital prints.

‘The Art of Family Fun’ includes a stay in a Two-Bedroom Club Family Pool Villa, with an outdoor terrazzo bath and a seven-meter private plunge pool. The spacious abode comes in at 210-square-meters. A butler service for the villa ensures all family members’ needs are met.

Families can also enjoy daily laundry service of up to 12 pieces per villa per day (excluding dry cleaning), a car service to/from Ubud Centre with a private car from 8am to 6pm, yoga classes as per the schedule, access to wellness facilities (including two swimming pools), and a guided rice paddy trek along the rice fields and to a neighboring village.

The resort has a host of other activities families can book, including the island’s only hot air balloon ride, which climbs 50 meters above the rice fields and drinks in views of Mt. Agung in the distance. Last year the resort opened a family art room, filled with art supplies from water colors to coloring books that introduce Balinese culture. The property’s founder was an avid art collector and supporter of the arts in Indonesia.

The spacious resort features twenty individual villas that are spread out over six hectares, ensuring families have plenty of space to explore and enjoy.

“This property was first built by Hendra Hadiprana to bring the Hadiprana family together on holiday,” added Swandarini. “We hope families can create just as many happy memories here as the Hadipranas did and that the legacy behind Tanah Gajah’s creation continues on.”

The package is available till December 23, 2023 and prices start at USD 3,432 nett for a family of up to four people (2 adults, 2 children) for three nights.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News