Group Travel News
Jamestown Settlement Plans Special 2010 Exhibition
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:42:30 -0600
Jamestown Settlement, a living-history museum in the Williamsburg, Va., area, will feature a special exhibition, Werowocomoco: Seat of Power, May 15-Nov. 15, 2010. Werowocomoco was the principal residence of Powhatan, the paramount chief of 30-some Indian tribes in Virginia's coastal region at the time English colonists arrived in 1607. Recent archaeological excavations have revealed not only that the site was a uniquely important place during Powhatan's time, but also that its role as a political and social center predated the Powhatan chiefdom. The six-month exhibition, the first time artifacts from the Werowocomoco site will be displayed in a museum setting, will examine the relationship between material culture and political authority in the region from prehistoric times through the early years of the 17th century. (888-593-4682, www.historyisfun.org)
Read Full Article
Wayfarers Announces 2010 Walking Tours
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:54:20 -0600
The Wayfarers, a walking tour specialist, will open 2010 with a schedule of 85 walks through 14 countries. Pairing destination knowledge with enthusiasm for cultures and traditions, The Wayfarers introduces three new itineraries for its 27th season, including a new literary walk exploring the settings of Britain’s best-loved author Jane Austen. All 2010 itineraries are priced at or below 2009 rates and are all-inclusive and guaranteed in U.S. dollars. Walks are priced from US $2595 per person.In 2010, The Wayfarers builds on its “lit-centric” collection -- introduced last year with the “Brontë Trail” -- with the debut of “Jane Austen Country,” a six-day literary walk exploring the Hampshire countryside. Other new Walks are “Suffolk Coast & Cambridge,” a six-day program; and “Tuscany Gardens & Gourmet,” a seven-day fitness and culinary immersion. A sample of the walks:England: Jane Austen CountryAusten aficionados will delight in this exploration of the author’s favorite haunts, many of which formed the backdrop to much of her work. A discussion with an Austen expert is a highlight of this six-day Walk along Hampshire’s country byways, village lanes and footpaths. June 27, July 25 and Aug. 29. $3,595 per person.England: Suffolk Coast & CambridgeThe country lanes and footpaths of the Suffolk Coast reveal the charm that inspired artists John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough and composer Benjamin Britten. Highlights of this six-day walk include a river trip to Orford, the 12th-century castle built by King Henry II, and dinner in one of the College Dining Halls of Cambridge University.May 30 and Aug. 8 $3,595 per person.Italy: Tuscany Gardens & GourmetOnce the breadbasket of ancient Rome, Tuscany comes alive in walks through the region’s picturesque gardens, villas, farms, vineyards and woodlands. Culinary tastings – from olive and honey to prosciutto and Chianti – flavor this seven-day journey, which also includes a cooking lesson during a private visit to the Castello di Spannocchia.May 16 and Oct. 3 $3,895 per person.Northern Ireland: Giant’s Causeway & The Glens of AntrimMoorlands, wild flowers and mountain gorges punctuate this Walk through some of Northern Ireland’s most spectacular countryside. The Giant’s Causeway, a formation of thousands of basalt columns stretching into the sea; cliff-top Dunseverick Castle; Glenarm Castle, home to the Earls of Antrim, and Belfast are highlights. June 13 & Sept. 19. $3,695 per person. Greece: Athens & the PeloponneseFull immersion in Greek mythology, archaeology and ancient history is the goal of Athens & the Peloponnese, a nine-day walk through the unspoiled Peloponnese peninsula. Highlights include visits to the Royal Tholos tombs, the Sanctuary of Asclepius and the vaulted tomb of Vafio. From arid mountains and lush citrus orchards to sparkling blue seascapes, the walk uncovers the country’s striking natural beauty.June 22 & Sept. 18. $4,495 per person. AlaskaThe Wayfarers’ nine-day Alaska walk is an immersive introduction to the 49th state including visits to the Independence Mine historical site, Kenai Fjords National Park and a dog sled ride. Walkers will experience the wilderness, weather and wildlife of Alaska along trails well-lit by nearly perpetual daylight.June 20 & Aug. 22. $4,395 per person.The Wayfarers also offers walking holidays in Venice and the Veneto, Slovakia, the Basque Country, Croatia, Amalfi Coast, Czech Republic, Scotland, France, New Zealand, Maine and Southwest USA. Walks range from 5-12 days and are rated easy to challenging. (www.thewayfarers.com, 800-249-4620)
Read Full Article
Collette Foundation Benefits Kenya Children's Center
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:37:32 -0600
A group of Collette Vacations employees along with travel professionals from the U.S. just departed for Kenya on a tour that includes a visit to the Tenderfeet Education Center, located outside Nairobi, and selected as a recipient of funding from the company’s philanthropic effort, the Collette Foundation. The Collette Foundation, now in its third year, helps improve the quality of life of children in countries that Collette visits around the world.The Collette Foundation is employee-driven and the Kenya trip is the culmination of months of work by employees at Collette’s Rhode Island headquarters. Carol Wright, accounting administrator and one of the team leaders for the Collette Foundation’s Kenya initiatives, said, “The Kenya team researched viable projects that would be a good match for the Collette Foundation—and there were many in Kenya—but in the end chose to support Tenderfeet Education Center. We felt we could assist the 70 or so children of the center, most of whom were orphaned, many by AIDS, and who had no access to education.” Along with their own personal luggage, Collette employees Bill Dzuira, executive vice president, information technology; Lisa Corrente, senior account executive; Lucas Bialecki, district sales manager; and Jay Fehan, district sales manager, arrived in Kenya bearing PE (physical education) packs for each student. The packs consist of sneakers, socks, shorts, a T-shirt and personal note packaged in a backpack. The PE pack will allow the Tenderfeet students to participate in gym class. In Kenya, without the proper PE uniform, a school cannot hold physical education class.Tenderfeet Education Center was founded in 2000 and currently the school has two locations. The Collette Foundation is working with Lahash International, a grassroots partnership that operates in East Africa, to build a central site for Tenderfeet where all students will attend school in the same location. To date, the land purchase has been made with construction to commence by year’s end. The Collette Foundation also provides funding for the nutrition program, providing these students with two meals per day.
Read Full Article
Illinois Holocaust Museum Slates Anne Frank Exhibition
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:41:11 -0600
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie, Ill., presents the traveling exhibition Anne Frank: A History for Today from Dec. 3-Feb. 28, 2010. It tells the story of Anne Frank and her family juxtaposed against world events before, during and after Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party's rise to power. The exhibition includes dozens of photographs of the Frank family and other occupants of the Secret Annex. Anne Frank: A History for Today introduces visitors to the events leading up to World War II, and the government-directed killing of Jews, Gypsies, the disabled, Slavs and others. The exhibition depicts those who chose to join the Nazi party, those who were bystanders and those who were willing to resist Nazi tyranny. It explores how racism, persecution and genocide were facilitated by political decisions as well as the actions of individuals. Anne Frank: A History for Today is sponsored by the New York-based Anne Frank Center USA, Inc.(847-967-4800, www.ilholocaustmuseum.org)
Read Full Article
NTA and UMA to Co-Locate Trade Shows in 2013
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:16:17 -0600
The National Tour Association and the United Motorcoach Association announce their plan to co-locate their two annual business events—the NTA Convention and the UMA Motorcoach Expo. NTA and UMA will introduce the first collaborative event in the first quarter of 2013. Earlier this year, NTA and UMA said the organizations were exploring the possibility of co-locating their annual events. Following months of due diligence, Lisa Simon, CTP, NTA president, said, “We had many details to resolve, but when your bottom line goal is to bring your members convenient and more affordable access to more business, it was easy for both the NTA and UMA leadership to make it happen.” "This partnership brings together the resources and brand power of two highly successful events to provide an even better experience for our attendees—from UMA's operators to NTA's travel packagers, not to mention hotels, attractions, destinations, restaurants and all those who service the dynamic group travel market—everyone will benefit," commented UMA President and CEO Victor S. Parra.NTA and UMA first entered into a strategic partnership in late 2007 resulting in collaborative work at each association’s annual event. Since then, UMA has managed the motorcoach exhibits at NTA’s Convention and NTA has developed the Destinations and Attractions aisle at UMA’s Motorcoach Expo.Fully integrating the association’s two main business events takes this collaboration to a new level and brings even more value and expanded opportunities for business to NTA and UMA members.Each association and its respective membership bring mutually beneficial strengths and expertise to the partnership. NTA’s 3,000 members represent 48 countries. The business mix of its 700 tour company members is very diverse, and motorcoach travel is an integral part of their business. The collaboration with UMA brings NTA’s diversity in touch with the more than 1,100 UMA members located across North America, offering more than 850 charter and tour bus operators who provide transportation services in all 50 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico. In the coming months, NTA and UMA will work to solidify certain details including the specific date and location.The World Religious Travel Association, which is co-locating its 2009 World Religious Travel Expo for the first time with NTA’s Convention in Reno, Nov. 14–18, also will continue this cooperative effort with NTA. This will bring three associations together for the inaugural event in 2013. The National Tour Association is the preferred association in the tourism industry for packaged travel professionals. NTA strives to provide value for its members by advancing the packaged travel industry through its advocacy efforts and progressive leadership. Connecting its members through business development, government relations, professional development and research, NTA has remained committed to serving its members with integrity and quality service since its founding in 1951. Today, the NTA membership represents 48 countries, and includes tour and travel packagers of all types. To learn more about the most important destination for packaged travel professionals, please visit www.NTAonline.com. The United Motorcoach Association is North America’s largest association for operators of motorcoach companies providing charter, tour and regular route services. Founded in 1971, UMA is comprised of over 1,150 members located all across North America, with more than 900 charter and tour bus operator members who provide transportation services in all fifty states, Canada and Mexico. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, UMA is dedicated to protecting and promoting the interests of the entire motorcoach industry and providing its member with programs and services to enhance the success of their operations. More information can be obtained by visiting www.uma.org.
Read Full Article
First RSAA West Coast Summit a Big Success
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:09:05 -0600
The Receptive Services Association of America (RSAA) is celebrating the conclusion of its first West Coast Summit which was held last week in San Francisco, CA. The show consisted of a number of networking opportunities and a full day business exchange on the San Francisco Belle. During the business exchange travel suppliers met one-on-one with the nation’s leading international inbound receptive tour operators. This marks the first major event for RSAA on the West Coast.“We are so pleased to be able to bring receptive tour operators and suppliers together for more than 800 business appointments in such a short time. This event allows the suppliers to meet directly with the decision makers so that business can be conducted on the spot”, said Todd Hamilton, RSAA Executive Director. Highlights of the event included receptions at the California Academy of Sciences and Sens Restaurant. RSAA also received support for the event from Country Hearth Inn, Hornblower Cruises, GrayLine San Francisco and the California Travel and Tourism Commission. RSAA anticipates the West Coast Summit becoming an annual event and plans on announcing the 2010 host city in the coming months. The association’s next major event is the 2010 RSAA Summit in Orlando in mid-February. This event will feature networking, educational sessions on the international inbound market and an extended business exchange.About RSAA RSAA is a travel trade association for international inbound receptive tour operators and suppliers that work with the international market. RSAA’s tour operators bring more than 7 million visitors to the United States each year. These visitors contribute more than $4 billion to the U.S. economy during their visits.
Read Full Article
Costa Names Next Two Ships
Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:58:21 -0600
After more than 16,000 suggestions from more than 40,000 travel agents and fans around the world, the names of the 16th and 17th ships in the Costa fleet have been selected. The two sister ships, set to debut in 2011 and 2012, will be named the Costa Favolosa and Costa Fascinosa. The selections were chosen as a result of Costa’s “Send Us a Sea of Names” project whereby travel agents and fans sent in name suggestions for the two ships. The Costa Favolosa and Costa Fascinosa, (114,500 gross tons with a double occupancy of 3,000 each) will be delivered in summer 2011 and spring 2012, respectively. The two new sister ships, built by Fincantieri at its Marghera shipyard, are part of a major fleet expansion plan for Costa with five new ships due for delivery between 2009 and 2012. This plan includes the launch of the Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica (June 2009) and the Costa Deliziosa (set to debut in January 2010). The Costa Favolosa will be the first of the two new vessels to enter service. The laying of the first “building block” is set to take place on Thursday, Nov. 5 at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard. The choice of names was guided by 40,000 travel agents in over 40 countries who submitted more than 16,000 pairs of names as part of the “Send Us a Sea of Names” project. The initiative encouraged travel agents, customers and web users all over the world to take part in the search for the names for the two new Costa flagships. The submissions were summarized in a list of 25 pairs of names posted on www.worldofcosta.com. All website visitors were invited to choose their favorite pairing. More than 42,000 votes were received.
Read Full Article
Princess Passengers to Receive New Digital Documents
Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:46:15 -0600
Princess Cruises has debuted an innovative array of digital documents designed to transform the way passengers plan for and learn about their upcoming cruise. The all-new electronic format will deliver more information about their cruise than ever before, arriving conveniently by email and right to their computer desktop from the time of booking and continuing through departure. The timely digital documents include a brand-new email series filled with personalized pre-cruise information, a downloadable Princess Countdown Connection widget that delivers useful and entertaining information to a passenger’s computer, personalized online luggage tags and customizable shore excursion eBooks. The change from printed information to fully digital documents applies to all North American passengers on voyages departing on or after Jan. 21, 2010. Princess’ new digital documents include: Personalized Pre-Cruise EmailsAs soon as passengers book their cruise, they will begin to receive a new series of four emails that are timed to deliver just the right information needed for each stage of the cruise planning process. Replacing a printed Cruise Answer Book, the emails include the passenger booking details -- including the travel agency name -- and interactive content that gives passengers a fun, engaging way to learn more about the amenities and activities they will experience on their ship. The information will be customized to the itinerary and the ship the passenger is sailing, and greetings are featured from some of the senior officers who will be sailing on their cruise. Also provided are links to such things as ship videos and virtual tours, bridge cams, dining options, entertainment choices, shipboard features and amenities, travel logistics, weather information, packing tips, frequently asked questions, Captain’s Circle benefits, important notices and reminders, and how to stay connected to family and friends while onboard. Travel agents may view their clients’ pre-cruise emails at any time by visiting the Cruise Personalizer, which is available through Princess’ POLAR Online. Princess Countdown ConnectionTo help passengers anticipate and prepare for their upcoming sailing, the innovative Princess Countdown Connection widget is an eye-catching online clock that ticks down the days, hours and minutes until their cruise departs. The new application, which can be downloaded from the pre-cruise emails, can live right on a passenger’s computer desktop, and will automatically deliver an array of personalized information to them about their upcoming sailing such as dining, onboard activities, shore excursions and notices. Personalized Online Luggage TagsPassengers will also be able to print their own personalized luggage tags from their home or office computer. These new tags not only include the passenger's name, but also feature their Captain's Circle membership status, cabin number and embarkation information. Passengers will be able to print as many tags as needed to ensure all their luggage is properly marked prior to boarding the ship. The printable luggage tags debut for all voyages departing after Dec. 1, 2009, and are accessible through the Cruise Personalizer. They can be printed up to 75 days prior to the sailing date. Generic luggage tags will continue to be available at the pier for passengers who may need them. Shore Excursion eBooksBeginning in December, passengers will be able to print their own personalized shore excursion eBook for their cruise. Using this innovative tool, passengers will be able to select their favorite excursions from the wide array offered in each port, and create their own customized eBook of shoreside experiences. Further details will be available next month. Additional information about Princess is available through the line’s online travel agent center at www.onesourcecruises.com. To contact the travel agent customer service department, call 800-421-1700.
Read Full Article
Gettysburg Awaits Unveiling of Lincoln Statue
Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:51:00 -0600
The Gettysburg Foundation will unveil a life-sized bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln on Nov. 19, the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, at the front of the Museum and Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park. The sculpture is a gift from philanthropist Robert H. Smith, whose Robert H. Smith Family Foundation funds the David Bruce Smith Education Initiative, focusing on Lincoln programming.The sculpture is the work of Brooklyn-based StudioEIS and Ivan Schwartz, the studio’s founder and director; and an environment for the sculpture is being created by landscape architect Andrew Balderson of Donovan, Feola, Balderson & Associates. Landscaping work will begin later this month.The Foundation’s Lincoln sculpture is the latest in a series of presidential statues supported by Smith and created by StudioEIS. Their partnership has made possible statues of Dolly and James Madison at Montpelier, Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, George and Martha Washington at Mount Vernon and Abraham Lincoln at Lincoln’s Cottage. Gettysburg’s sculpture completes the series. StudioEIS also created life-sized bronze sculptures of the signers of the U.S. Constitution for the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, among many other public projects. (www.gettysburgfoundation.org)
Read Full Article
Mesa Releases 2010 Visitors Guide
Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:42:01 -0600
The Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau has just released its 2010 Official Mesa Visitors Guide, a fact-filled guide to Arizona’s third largest city. This year’s edition includes full-length features paired with comprehensive listings on Mesa businesses in the following categories: Museum & Cultural Venues, Attractions & Activities, Golf, Sports & Recreation, and Shopping. New sidebar features have been added on Green Tourism, Pet-Friendly Locales, Wine Bars and a two-page spread on Outdoor Adventure including popular hiking trails, tips before exploring the Sonoran Desert and stargazing in the desert. (visitmesa.com)
Read Full Article
Take advantage of our cutting edge group hotel booking forum for group discounts and special incentives customized for your group. Our network of group hotel sales managers will ensure you get the best group hotels rates for your business meeting, conference, wedding, reunion, religious or sports team travel.
