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Lead Story
SeeAmerica Media Marketplace
The SeeAmerica Media
Marketplace, the biggest USA travel media
event in the UK, takes place at the
London Marriott Grosvenor Square near the
Bond Street Tube on Tuesday 22 June from
15:00 to 18:00
It is followed by the SeeAmerica Reception
from 18:00 to 19:30.
The SeeAmerica Media
Marketplace is a free event and the best
opportunity this year to find out what's new
with USA travel, plan your next press trip
to the US or get the materials you need to
write a story about America that really
sells.
Meet 65 U.S. destinations
and travel companies in one room and learn
about America’s new UK travel marketing
campaign.
To sign up for the event
log on to
www.tia.org/uk or e-mail Gabriella
Vecchio at
Gevecchio@tia.org.
Industry news
London means business
A report published by
Visit London and the London Development
Agency (LDA) suggests a clear 'vision' for
London is needed to help attract big
business tourism to the Capital. The report
suggests that a 'London means business'
vision, developed by Visit London, would
generate more clarity and understanding for
the sector and the customer about London's
offering.
The report also suggests
five key development proposals to make
London
more attractive to business tourists, who
spend over £3 billion
in the capital each year.
These include a central
accommodation service facilitated by Visit
London for group bookings; visitor welcome
at transport gateways; better Industry
intelligence and a civic pride campaign
targeted at service providers, e.g. taxi
drivers, shop staff and restaurants.
Contact Jill Hawkins on
020 7917 1767 or
Alexs@Fridays-group.co.uk.
The Dublin pass
Dublin Tourism has
launched the Dublin Pass, a sightseeing
‘smart’ card, which gives visitors free
entry to 33 top Dublin attractions as well
as a host of discounts and benefits and
queue jumping privileges. The Dublin Pass
follows the success of similar schemes in
London, New York and York. Contact Ruth
Reinicke on 020 7907 1533 or
ruth@leisurepassgroup.com.
Virgin Atlantic's new trade scheme
Virgin Atlantic Airways has launched
Colours, a new travel agent commission
scheme. Nearly 500 agents have signed up and
will enjoy commission rates of up to 7% for
the sale of economy tickets, well above
British Airways' flat rate of 1%. Contact
Charlotte Tidball at
charlotte.tidball@fly.virgin.com
or 01293 747 373.
Express in the Middle East
InterContinental Hotels Group is to launch
its highly successful budget chain, Express
by Holiday Inn, in the Middle East and aims
to be operating over 20 of the new
properties in the next five years. Contact
Lisa Woodman
lisa.woodman@ichotelsgroup.com or 01753
410 100.
London Town Hotels
London Town Hotels (LTH), which has five
hotels in central London, has entered into a
long-term partnership with Cendant Hotel
Group Europe (Cendant) to develop a
portfolio of franchised properties,
principally under the Days Hotel brand, in
locations outside London. Contact Caroline
Murdoch at
caroline@redworks.co.uk or 01869 810
443.
Rezidor SAS in Iran
Rezidor SAS will manage the Dariush Grand
Hotel on Kish Island, making Rezidor SAS the
first international hotel company in 25
years to enter the Iranian hotel market.
Contact Louise Frosell at
louise.frosell@brightergroup.com or 020
7603 2168.
Visit Japan
This Japanese Government is dedicating
£16,234,000 to promoting tourism to Japan
through its Visit Japan Campaign. Contact
Kylie Clark at
kylie@jnto.co.uk or 020 7734
6870.
Media newsletter from Croatia
For all the latest news from Croatia contact
Jules Ugo at
jules.ugo@brightergroup.com or 020 7603
2168.
Scottish wildlife website
VisitScotland, Scotland's National tourism
agency has launched a new wildlife website
on the back of an increasing demand from
tourists to see Scottish wildlife in its
natural environment. Contact Karin Finlay at
karin.finlay@visitscotland.com or 0131
472 2338
Storyboard
Concerts in Benidorm
Benidorm is gaining a
reputation on the stadium concert circuit
with visitors seeing their favourite
performers as part of a sunshine break.
Elton John kicked off his European tour a
while ago, Sting has just played the island
and
Bob Dylan
(9) and
The
Corrs
(19) appear in July. Contact Maria Montiel
at mmontiel@benidorm.org.
White
Nights
A 'White Nights' break from Russian Travel
Company gives travellers the chance to live
in 24 hours of daylight. The leading tour
operator has launched 7 and 10-night
packages to Finland, Russia and Estonia.
Contact Laura Bradley at
laura.bradley@rooster.co.uk
or 0207 6913939.
Nevada USA's highest overseas tourism gain
The Nevada Commission on Tourism's (NCOT)
aggressive marketing of the Silver State as
a tourism destination is credited with
achieving the USA's biggest increase in
overseas visitors, a 7 percent rise in
2003. Nevada was among only three states to
increase overseas tourism in an Office of
Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI) survey of
34 states and U.S. territories. Contact
Melanie Jones at
melanie@celletpr.co.uk or
020
Epic cruises from Radisson Seven Seas
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises are accepting
bookings for a 108-night Grand World Cruise
and a 59-night South America Voyage onboard
the 700 guest all-suite, all-balcony,
sisterships 'Seven Seas Voyager' and 'Seven
Seas Mariner'. Contact Jennifer Jackson at
jennifer@mccluskey.co.uk or 0208 23
Bespoke
travel for the Tour De France
Follow the Tour de France and enjoy its
unique atmosphere by rail without getting
saddle sore. Two hundred of the world's top
cyclists battle it out over the 3,500 km.
circuit, starting in Liège on 3 July and
finishing in Paris on 25 July. Contact Peter
Mills at
pmills@raileurope.co.uk or 01732
526714
Monaco's Hotel Metropole re-opens in June
Monaco’s Hotel Metropole re-opens in June
following a complete re-design by the famed
interior and architectural designer, Jacques
Garcia. The privately owned Hotel Metropole
first welcomed guests in 1886 and quickly
became synonymous with the glamour of
Monte-Carlo.
Contact Sibyl Darrington at
sibyl@ktapr.com
or 020 7352 1088
UK’s Lake District
The Waterhead in Ambleside has re-opened, as
the first 4 star Town House Hotel in the
Lake District, following a major £3
Million re-development. Contact Rachel
Mather at
sales.marketing@elhmail.co.uk or
015394 33773.
Shangri-La launches 'Feast For Senses
Asia Pacific's luxury hotel group,
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, is to stage a
lifestyle and culinary extravaganza this
spring and summer. 'A Feast For The
Senses'. will be a series of events
celebrating fine food and wine, the passion
of cooking, business analysis and cutting
edge fashion. Contact Karen Luard
karen.luard@shangri-la.com or 020 8747
8484.
Long
haul travellers choose Kuala Lumpur for
stopover
Long haul airline passengers are
increasingly choosing Kuala Lumpur as their
preferred stopover following a retail boom
in the city according to leading tour
operators. Contact Lucy Edwards at
LucyEdwards@SealGroup.co.uk or 0121 455 7788
Slovenia takes top UK travel award
Slovenia has been voted `Favourite European
Country' at `The Guardian, The Observer and
the Guardian Unlimited Travel Awards' for
2004. Contact Mary Stuart-Miller at
mary.stuart-miller@virgin.net
or 01403 738844
Tel Aviv becomes World
Heritage Site
Tel Aviv's "White City" has become a UNESCO
World Heritage Site and will join the other
two Israeli sites, the Old City of Acco and
Massada that hold this distinction. Contact
Michelle Cohen at
michelle@igto.co.uk or 020
7299 1113.
Britannia in top award
The Royal Yacht Britannia's gift shop has
been named 'Best Visitor Attraction Gift
Shop' runner-up at the GREATS Gift Retailer
Awards 2004 in London. This follows other
recent accolades for the five-star visitor
attraction in Edinburgh, including 'Best UK
Attraction 2003' runner-up and 'Most
Excellent Venue UK 2004' for corporate
events by Condé Nast Johansens. Contact Lucy
Quinton at lucyq@tryb.co.uk or 0131 555 8800.
Insight introduces new
tour to Iceland
Insight Vacations has introduced a new tour
to Iceland. Travellers can enjoy the
countries' spectacular scenery from
panoramic windows on Insight's luxury
coaches. The eight-day 'Natural Wonders of
Iceland' tour encompasses the whole island.
Contact Angela Saurine at
angela.saurine@bookttcuk.com
or 020 7468 4118
David Copperfield returns
to MGM Grand, Las Vegas
Las Vegas is set to host Master magician and
illusionist David Copperfield as he returns
to MGM Grand's 740-seat Hollywood Theatre
with his latest stage production show.
Contact Melanie Jones at
melanie@celletpr.co.uk
or 0207 491 1112.
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
For the second consecutive year, Four
Seasons Hotel Sydney is delighted to
announce that it was voted Favorite Hotel in
Australia, New Zealand and The South Pacific
by DEPARTURES Magazine. Contact Jennifer
Sailer at
jennifer.sailer@fourseasons.com.
Slovenia
With Slovenia having joined the European
Union EasyJet has started a new route into
Ljubljana. For Slovenia's tourism plans for
the rest of 2004 contact Mary Stuart-Miller
at
mary.stuart-miller@virgin.net
or 01403
738844
Florida
Nnearly 1.4 million Brits visited the
Sunshine State of Florida in 2003, an
increase of 6.5% over 2002. Contact Kate
Burgess-Craddy at
kate.burgess@kbc-pr.com or
01825 76 36 36.
Festivals by ferry
Sea' the best sights of
summer 2004 by ferry.
Ferrybooker.com, the
UK online ferry bookings website has
compiled a calendar of events across Europe
which can easily be reached by ferry.
Contact Katrina Walker at
katrina.walker@rooster.co.uk.
Free visas to Russia and
the Ukraine
The Russian Travel
Company is to offer free visas for visitors
to Russia and the Ukraine for summer 2004.
Travellers booking trips to the Ukraine with
Russian Travel Company will be given free
28-day tourist visas. Contact Laura Bradley
at
laura.bradley@rooster.co.uk.
North Devon
Downe Cottages & Health
Spa (www.devonspa.com) near Hartland on the
North Devon coast is offering special pamper
breaks during October and November. Contact
Karen Outred at
ko@freelancepr.fsnet.co.uk
or 01189 401893.
Spanish retreat
American psychotherapist
and Mind/Body specialist Dr Ronald Alexander
will hold his retreat ‘The Core Self: The
Alchemy of Change’ in the Spanish resort of
La Serrania, Mallorca from 11 to 18
September 2004. Contact Suzanne Evans on 020
8687 0173 or at
Suzanne@suzanne-evans.com
Cycling tour of Finland
Sherpa runs a seven-day,
self-guided ‘Archipelago Island Hopping’
cycling tour of Finland. Contact Victoria
Marley at
Victoria@beaconpr.co.uk.
Portugal unveils new look
The Portuguese Tourist Authorities have
launched a new brand image for Portugal
under the banner, 'Go deeper'. It hopes to
attract more adventurous and sophisticated
tourists to visit the country and to deepen
their understanding of Portugal in terms of
its diversity, contrasts and culture.
Contact Emma Roberts at
emma.roberts@icep.pt
or 020 7494 5708
Working cattle drives
The Dude Ranchers Association provides the
cowboy experience on a real-life working
cattle ranches. Contact Colleen Hodson at
colleen@duderanch.org or +1 307-587-2339
Corus introduces mid-week
'fitness club' at three
London hotels
Corus hotels is piloting a mid-week 'Fitness
Club' over the summer months to help
keep-fit fans at three London properties -
the Corus hotel Hyde Park, the Richmond Gate
Hotel and the Richmond Hill Hotel - stay in
shape while away from home on business.
Contact Nicola Johnson at
nicola.johnson@banc.co.uk or 01865 310 565
Small Luxury Hotels
cookbook
Master chefs from 76 Small Luxury Hotels of
the World in 30 countries have each offered
a signature recipe for inclusion in the
first-ever Small Luxury Cookbook. The book
contains recipes for meals from within
Africa and the Indian Ocean, The Americas
and Caribbean, Asia-Pacific, or from among
more than 10 countries in Europe. Contact
Charlotte Martins at
slhpr@hgal.com or 01372
224611.
Events
Trafalgar 200
The Royal Navy has
announced plans to commemorate the 200th
anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar (www.trafalgar200.com).
Events will take place in Portsmouth during
the summer and in London during October
2005.These start with a Fleet Review of
vessels from 30 countries at Spithead in the
Solent on Tuesday 18 June 2005.The
International Festival of the Sea takes
place in Portsmouth from 30 June to 3 July
2005.Public celebrations also take place in
Trafalgar Square on Sunday 23 October
2005.Contact Commander Pam Healey at
pressoffice@trafalgar200.com or 02392
720 063.
German Travel Show
The German Travel Show
2004 takes place at the Millennium Hotel,
Gloucester Road, London on 8 June. Contact
Vaughn Wrenn at
Vaughn.Wrenn@d-z-t.com
Miami spice restaurant
month
During Miami Spice
restaurant month (www.Miami-Spice.com)
throughout August and September more than 60
of the most celebrated chefs and restaurants
2004offer one price- $29.99 for a complete
dinner. Many places also feature great power
lunches for $19.99. Contact Lynda Daboh at
lynda@firstpr.co.uk.
Seville's flamenco
festival
Every other year,
Seville, the vibrant capital of Andalucia,
becomes a giant stage for some of the
world's most outstanding Flamenco artistes
to demonstrate their talents in lively
concerts and performances across the city.
The 13th Biennial Flamenco Festival (www.spainatheart.co.uk)
takes place from 14 September to 10 October
at venues throughout Seville, with impromptu
performances of singing, dancing and guitar
playing expected in the city's squares,
parks and gardens between. Contact Karen
Outred at
ko@freelancepr.fsnet.co.uk or 01189
401893.
Paxos music festival
Paxos, the jewel of the
Ionian Islands, is the perfect retreat for a
romantic getaway and the annual Paxos Music
Festival from 1 to 9 September has chamber
music, plus Greek music and dancing. Contact
Karen Outred at
ko@freelancepr.fsnet.co.uk or 01189
401893.
The Bermuda Jazz Festival
International jazz and
R&B musicians and singers will perform in
the oldest British colony of Bermuda during
its annual Jazz Festival, held from 6 to 10
October at the Royal Naval Dockyard and
other venues across the islands. Contact
Karen Outred at
ko@freelancepr.fsnet.co.uk or 01189
401893.
Tobago Fest
The tranquil Caribbean
island of Tobago sheds its peaceful,
laid-back image to host an array of parties,
costumed parades, dancing in the streets and
Carnival music as part of the annual Tobago
Fest (28 to 30 September).This is held in
and around the capital, Scarborough with
visitors are welcome to take to the streets
with locals, and should feel free to don
feathered and sequinned costumes. Contact
Karen Outred at
ko@freelancepr.fsnet.co.uk or 01189
401893.
Why Write About...
The Tryall Club on
Jamaica's Montego Bay
The Tryall Club, which is
set on more than 2000 acres of land
overlooking a private beach on Jamaica's
Montego Bay, is enjoying renewed interest
following a multi-million pound
refurbishment of the golf course writes
Karen Outred.
The course is known for
hosting the Johnnie Walker World
Championships in the nineties. For
non-golfers the Tryall Club offers the
opportunity to experience the millionaire's
lifestyle in a luxury five-star resort,
without paying the earth. This peaceful
resort offers a world-class tennis centre,
putting green, non-motorised water sports
such as kayaking, snorkelling, deep-sea
fishing and catamaran sailing, plus a
jogging trail, fitness centre, massage and
beauty salon.
Contact Karen Outred at
ko@freelancepr.fsnet.co.uk or 01189
401893.
Flight
Lines
Air Malta
Air Malta is to establish
new charter operations in the UK and
Continental Europe following Malta's entry
into the European Union. The airline have
launched services from key regional airports
in the UK, including Birmingham, Glasgow and
Manchester with flights to a number of
regions in Greece, Italy, Spain and
Portugal.
Virgin at the Motor Show
Virgin Atlantic will be
showcasing ‘The World’s Fastest Convertible’
– its revolutionary Upper Class Suite - at
this year’s Motor Show Live at The NEC,
Birmingham between 27 May and 6 June 2004.
Virgin Atlantic will be the first airline to
exhibit at the Motor Show. Contact Virgin
Atlantic Press Office on 01293 747 373 or
pressreleases@fly.virgin.com
Wizz to Budapest
New European low-cost
start-up carrier Wizz Air is introducing a
daily scheduled service between London Luton
Airport and the Hungarian capital, Budapest.
Contact Ian Briggs on 01582 395517 or ian.briggs@LTN.aero
Austrian supermarket
launches airline
Billa, a
well-known supermarket chain in Austria, has
launched its own airline after witnessing a
strong increase in demand for its travel
agency services. Billa is operating from
various Austrian airports, serving
destinations throughout the Mediterranean,
and anticipates carrying over 100,000
holidaymakers during its first year of
operation. Visit :
www.itsbilla.it
Eurofly offer
business class only
Business-class
only services are set to become even more
popular, with
Italian airline Eurofly becoming the latest
airline to announce plans to operate
transatlantic services from Milan and Rome
using a one-class aircraft. Visit : http :
www.eurofly.it
Gulf Air
With Dubai set to be one of the fastest
growing tourist destinations over the next
ten years, Gulf Air, who are to launch a
new daily service between Dubai and London's
Heathrow airport. Gulf Air is jointly owned
by the Kingdoms of Bahrain, Oman and the
United Arab Emirates. Visit :
www.gulfairco.com
Quantas
Qantas has
applied to operate additional services to
the UK. the new flights, if approved, would
increase Qantas services to the UK from 21
to 28 per week over the next two years,
including via Hong Kong for the first time.
Contact
Melissa.Heyn@shinecom.com
Ongoing
The Tourism Society
The Tourism Society (www.tourismsociety.org)
is the leading network of professionals in
the industry representing hotels,
attractions, destinations, operators, travel
companies, writers, academics, students and
consultants. Contact Adrian Clark at
tour.soc@btinternet.com
Travel website
wherewillwego.com is offering CIoJ
Travel Writers’ the chance to submit reviews
for its Travel reviews from around the
globe pages.
No fee is involved (on
either side) but it does provide a shop
window for your features and a way for
editors (worldwide) to see your writing
style. In return Robert Jones of
wherewillwego.com is publishing
information on the CIoJ Travel Writers’ and
will pass information on us to other travel
writers’ who approach him.
Bradt
Bradt Travel Guides are
happy to provide CIoJ members with complimentary copies of any of their
guides for research in return for a mention
of the guide in print. Please visit their
website to ensure a guide is published
before making a request.
For a full list see their
website
www.bradt-travelguides.com.
To request a particular
guide email
ashley@williamjack.co.uk.
Footprint
Footprint Handbooks (www.footprintbooks.com)
is providing the CIoJ Travel Writers’ review
copies of its best selling guides. Footprint
publishes detailed, full colour, guides
which provide a wealth of information to
journalists planning, visiting and writing
on destinations worldwide.
CIoJ Travel Writers’ can
request review copies of a Footprint
handbook although this support should be
reflected, where appropriate, in any copy
produced.
To request a particular
guide email ashley@williamjack.co.uk.
Response Source
Response Source (www.responsesource.com)
is a relatively new journalist enquiry
system, which is now being accessed by
thousands of journalists and PR
practitioners.
Response Source allows a
journalist to send requests for information
to public relations agencies in specific
sectors. These agencies then respond direct
if appropriate.
EU4journalists
The European Journalists
Centre has launched a new website to help
journalists reporting on the European Union.
The EU for journalists website simplifies
the maze of information available on the EU
so reporters can easily get to grips with
the key issues and players. Visit
www.eu4journalists.com
The next issue
The next issue of the
CIoJ Travel Writers’ bulletin will be out in
June 2004.
Send your
contributions to
ashley@williamjack.co.uk | 
