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Greg Norman named Global Golf Ambassador for Sandals® Resorts International

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Greg Norman and Sandals Resorts International announced today that the renowned golf pro will serve as the Global Golf Ambassador for all of Sandals Resorts’ premier golf destinations spanning three islands including Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma, Bahamas, Sandals Golf Club at Sandals Regency La Toc, Sandals St. Lucia Golf and Country Club at Cap Estate in St. Lucia and Sandals Golf and Country Club in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  

In his new and expanded role, Norman will appear in strategic marketing campaigns for Sandals Resorts across print, digital and social media, as well as through personal appearances and special events for the Luxury Included® resort company and its golf destinations. He will also serve in an advisory role and provide tactical direction for the niche golf and travel market to bring world-class golfing experiences to Sandals Resorts for players at every skill level.

“It is almost unheard of for one hotelier to have so many premier and exotic pieces of Caribbean real estate, prime for world-class golf courses, catering to guests from all over the world. My good friends at Sandals have done just that, and it is an honor to be asked by the Stewart family to officially represent all of these properties,” said Norman. “Already renowned as the name behind the world’s only five-star luxury included resorts, I am confident that our expanded partnership will amplify the Sandals Resorts golf experience and further set them apart. “

To celebrate the expanded partnership between Sandals Resorts International and Greg Norman, the resort company is launching a “Play Like ‘The Shark’ Golf Sweepstakes,” giving one lucky couple the chance to win a 4-day/3-night stay to any one of their six Luxury Included® Caribbean golf resorts now through July 9th, 2021, including: Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas, Sandals Ochi and Sandals Royal Plantation in Jamaica, and Sandals Regency La Toc, Sandals Grande St. Lucian, and Sandals Halcyon Beach in Saint Lucia.

Additionally, guests can elevate their stay by booking a limited-time “Play Like ‘The Shark’ Offer,” valued at $1,250, at any of Sandals’ golf destinations. Reservations of four nights or more made now through July 9, 2021, for travel between July 1, 2021, and December 26, 2022, are eligible to receive:

  • Complimentary Green Fees and Transfers
  • The use of Golf Carts, Clubs and Shoes for multiple rounds of golf
  • $150 Spa Credit to utilize at the Resort’s Signature Red Lane® Spa to unwind after a day of play
  • Custom Tips and Tricks from Sandals’ Global Golf Ambassador, Greg Norman
  • 20% Discount on all Greg Norman Collection merchandise from the Sandals Golf Course Pro Shops

To enter the “Play Like ‘The Shark’ Golf Sweepstakes” or take advantage of the “Play Like ‘The Shark’ Golf Offer,” visit www.sandals.com/playliketheshark/.

“Greg Norman is an incredible partner who understands and shares our philosophy of consistently delivering more than the customer expects,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “For many travelers, golf is the reason for the vacation, but even for those new to the game, our partnership with Greg and his team ensures that guests of Sandals’ golf resorts across the Caribbean enjoy an incredible, world-class experience.”

Most recently, Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD) has collaborated with Sandals Resorts to completely redesign Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate in Gros Islet, St. Lucia. The remastered 18-hole, par 71 championship caliber layout boasts 7,000+ yards of dramatic elevation changes with undulating greens backdropped by the lush Caribbean vegetation of St. Lucia and the island’s remarkable natural beauty.

“We can hardly wait to unveil the extraordinary transformation that has taken place at Sandals St. Lucia Golf and Country Club at Cap Estate. Our plans include an official ribbon cutting in late Summer to commemorate this remarkable design project,” Stewart continued. 

Sandals is home to four courses across three islands within the Caribbean, including two Greg Norman-designed championship courses:

Bahamas:

Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course (Great Exuma, Bahamas)

Located directly on property at Sandals Emerald Bay Golf, Tennis & Spa Resort and designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Greg Norman, this award-winning golf course preserves the landscape’s pristine beauty and natural barriers and is recognized as one of the most scenic ocean-side golf courses in the Caribbean. From 2017-2020, the resort’s championship golf course proudly served as host of “The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay,” a PGA-sanctioned Korn Ferry Tour event.

St. Lucia:

Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate (Gros Islet, Saint Lucia)

The all-new Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate features a complete tee-to-green redesign with remarkable backdrops, dramatic elevation changes and lush tropical vegetation that can only be found in St. Lucia. The 18-hole par 71 design is rich in shot-making variety offering a course that’s both fun and challenging for Sandals guests and the club members alike. The Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate marks the second course designed by GNGCD in the Sandals portfolio.

Sandals Golf Club at Sandals Regency La Toc (Castries, Saint Lucia)

This sporty 9-hole golf course is nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by lush, villa-studded hills. Measuring only 3,141 yards, this course challenges you to sharpen your club-selection skills and several holes demand laser-like accuracy to chart their tunnel-tight layout.

Jamaica:

Sandals Golf & Country Club (Ocho Rios, Jamaica)

Consistently ranked amongst the best in Jamaica, the course rises over 700 feet above sea level and meanders through a rolling landscape offering sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea and majestic mountain range. Complimentary 15-minute transfers are available for Sandals Ochi and Sandals Royal Plantation guests.

For more information on the Sandals golf resorts and courses available to guests staying in The Bahamas, St. Lucia and Jamaica, please visit: www.sandals.com/golf/resorts/.

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MEDIA CONTACT: 1-888-SANDALS, info@sandals.com

Record turn-out for Centara World Masters 2019 as golf tourism continues to soar in Thailand

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Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has revealed that a record number of competitors from around the world will compete at this year’s Centara World Masters Golf Championship, which returns to Hua Hin this summer.

This acclaimed annual tournament will be hosted from 9th to 15th June 2019, gathering more than 500 amateur golfers from approximately 50 countries to this famous seaside town on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand. Competitors will come from many of Thailand’s most important visitor source markets, including the UK, Australia, China, Singapore and Hong Kong, providing a major boost to the tourism economy.

Guests will be hosted at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, the stunning beachfront heritage resort which dates from 1927 and is one of the country’s most famous and historic hotels.

“Centara is a proud supporter of golfers around the world. The global golf tourism sector is booming and Thailand is a major part of its success. The kingdom now offers a large collection of world-class courses, many designed by the sport’s most famous names. With its idyllic climate, stunning scenery and highly accessible location just a short drive from Bangkok, Hua Hin is the perfect destination for golfers in search of a tropical escape,” said David Martens, GM & Corporate Director of Operations Hua Hin, Krabi, Samui & Vietnam, Centara Hotels & Resorts.

“We look forward to welcoming all competitors to Hua Hin for the Centara World Masters this summer, and allowing them to experience our luxurious accommodation, facilities and timeless Thai hospitality. In future, we hope to attract many more golfers and their families to stay at our expanding worldwide collection of hotels and resorts,” he added.

2019 will mark the sixth consecutive edition of the Centara World Masters, and this year event will be bigger and better than ever, with a full week-long schedule of tournaments, dinners, social events and day tours.

Players will enjoy one round each at four of Hua Hin’s leading courses: Springfield Royal Country Club, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus; Black Mountain Golf Club, which was named as one of the “100 Best Courses in the World” by Golf Digest magazine; Banyan Golf Club, which Asian Golf Monthly selected as its “Best New Course in Asia Pacific”; and Lake View Resort & Golf Club, an Asian Tour venue.

With such an impressive selection of courses, it is little wonder that Hua Hin was named as the “Golf Destination of the Year” for Asia in 2019 by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).

After each day’s play, all golfers will gather back at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin to celebrate the day’s winners with “19th Hole” festivities, including exquisite Thai cuisine and refreshing beverages. The five-star resort will also host a welcome gala dinner on the opening night and poolside presentations later in the week.

Centara operates an extensive collection of hotels and resorts in many of Thailand’s leading golf tourism destinations, including Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai as well as other havens such as Danang, Vietnam and Muscat, Oman. It is also expanding its portfolio into many other international golfing hotspots, such as China and the UAE. By sponsoring the Centara World Masters Golf Championship once again, Centara is reiterating its deep commitment to golf tourism in Hua Hin, Thailand and across the globe.

For more information about Centara World Masters Golf Championship, please visit thailandworldmasters.com, and to discover Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, please visit centarahotelsresorts.com/centaragrand/chbr.

For more information about Centara, please visit centarahotelsresorts.com.

ABOUT CENTARA

Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 69 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, China, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands -Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara, Centara Residences & Suites and COSI Hotels – ranging from 5-star city hotels and luxurious island retreats to family resorts and affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology.It also operates state-of-the-art convention centres and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families.Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travellers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Over the next five years Centara aims to double its size with additional properties in Thailand and new international markets, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty programme, Centara The1 Card, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

Find out more about Centara at www.CentaraHotelsResorts.com   

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For more information and media enquiries, please contact:

Pornchanok Thongrungrot (Pao)

Corporate Public Relations Manager – International, Centara Hotels & Resorts

Email: pornchanokth@chr.co.th

Tel.: +66 (0)2769 1234 Ext. 6733    

Swiss-Belhotel brings special offers to Arabian Travel Market

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Swiss-Belhotel International has created exciting packages for wholesalers and tour operators that will be launched at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) taking place in Dubai from April 28 to May 1, 2019. Targeted at Middle East travelers, the group has put together a fabulous range of offers that will be available across its spectacular properties in New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of these exclusive packages that have been designed to provide unique experiences along with greater benefits and value to our Middle East partners as well as customers. We have superb properties located in some of the most sought-after destinations that attract large number of travelers from our region. With the summer holiday season around the corner, ATM presents us the ideal opportunity to launch these. Moreover, this year we are very excited about the ATM Holiday Shopper that we believe is a great addition to the show.”

The Special Packages offer a diverse choice of experiences at unbeatable rates: These include the following:

  • Special Golf Packages in Indonesia at various destinations – Jakarta, Batam, Bandung, Bali, Tarakan, Belitung, Surabaya, Jayapura, and in Vietnam in Da Lat.
  • Discounted wholesale rates for hotels in New Zealand and for hotels in Australia.
  • Early Bird discounts in the busiest destination in Australia, the hotel in Sydney offers 15% discounts for booking within April with stays valid till August and 10% for bookings until August with stays valid all throughout the year.
  • In Philippines, book at Makati and get a free room upgrade; and when you book at Manila get to enjoy the amazing introductory offer including breakfast for two.

Visitors to ATM can find Swiss-Belhotel International on stand HC0825 located in Sheikh Saeed Arena in Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

eTN is a media partner for ATM.

Travel News | eTurboNews

New sales leader at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC & Kimpton George Hotel

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Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC and Kimpton George Hotel announced the hire of Katherine Saad-Loman as director of sales and marketing for both boutique hotels in Washington, DC. Saad-Loman brings a strong resort, catering, and luxury hotel background to the position, as well as nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

In her new role, Saad-Loman will drive all sales and marketing activities for Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Washington DC and Hotel George. Saad-Loman’s day to day as director of sales and marketing for the two hotels will be spent with an emphasis on working with key corporate accounts while also leading the hotels’ expert sales, catering, and events staff. Under her guidance, the team will continue to create ridiculously personalized meetings, weddings, and creative event experiences, offering seasonally-inspired food and beverage in partnership with the hotels’ talented restaurant teams. Saad-Loman will also spearhead strategy for all sales segments and oversee the approach toward revenue, digital marketing, advertising and public relations efforts for the hotels.

Saad-Loman joins Kimpton with varied and impressive experience. She began her career at Hilton Singer Island Ocean Front Resort where she increased catering sales 350% across her three year term. After learning the ropes of a conference hotel, Saad-Loman gained experience as a director of food and beverage at Imperial Lake Golf and Country Club in Mulberry, Florida. She then cut her teeth in a number sales and operations roles throughout central Florida and Baltimore before joining the team at Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort as a senior sales and catering manager. She continued to advance her career at top hotels in the Florida market before returning to the Mid-Atlantic as a director of sales and marketing at Bethany Beach Ocean Suites in Delaware. Prior to joining the team at Kimpton, she was task force director of sales and marketing with Crestline Hotels & Resorts in Fairfax, Virginia.

A world traveler and graduate of Catham College in Pittsburgh, Saad-Loman has called the greater DC area home for the past seven months. Outside of work, she can be found planning her next trip, finding places to use her fluent French and recommends everyone live abroad at least once in their lives. Saad-Loman is a member of Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) with a passion for mentoring those looking to hone their sales and leadership skills, and she also volunteers, teaching financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to first graders through Junior Achievement of Greater Washington in her spare time. Saad-Loman brings a stylish sense of leadership and a wide range of sales and marketing experience to both Hotel George and Hotel Monaco Washington DC.

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Dusit Princess Residences Dubai Marina opens at the end of April

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Dusit International has signed a Franchise Agreement with Al Masar Hotel Management LLC, to upgrade the former Dusit Residence Dubai Marina to the Dusit Princess Residences Dubai Marina.

Located at the Marina, a popular tourist destination and preferred residential area just off the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, which includes Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village, the 146-key property is currently being refurbished and will comprise Serviced Apartments, Holiday Homes and Residential units in a choice of one, two or three-bedroom configurations.

Designed to facilitate business and leisure, the upgraded property will feature meeting facilities, a fully equipped gym, a spa, a wellness-focused restaurant serving healthy and organic foods, and a bakery.

Damac Metro and Tram Stations, the Marina Mall, and The Beach Mall are all within walking distance. Attractions such as Mall of Emirates, Ski Dubai, Ibn Battuta Mall, Emirates Golf Club, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Park and Wild Wadi Water Park can all be reached in 10 – 15 minutes by car. The Dubai World 2020 Expo site is also only a short drive away.

“We are delighted to sign this franchise agreement with Al Masar Hotel Management LLC for Dusit Princess Residences Dubai Marina,” said Mr Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “The comfort and convenience of the Dusit Princess brand, and the property’s prime location, make it an attractive proposition for anyone looking for a short- or long-term base in the city, especially with the Dubai Expo 2020 coming up.”

H.E. Abdulla Alnuaimi, Chairman, Al Masar Hotel Management LLC, said, “By signing this franchise agreement we can further position the property to delight residents and guests with Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality. And we look forward to establishing Dusit Princess Residences Dubai as the premier place to live, stay, visit and conduct business.”

Known globally for its distinctive brand of gracious hospitality inspired by authentic Thai values, Bangkok-based Dusit International opened its first hotel in the Middle East more than 15 years ago, in Dubai. Today, the company operates five hotels across the region, including three in the GCC – namely Dusit Thani Dubai, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, and dusitD2 Kenz Dubai. According to its plans, Dusit will have nine hotels in operation in the GCC by the end of the year.

Dusit Princess Residences Dubai will be the third Dusit-branded property in Dubai, following Dusit Thani Dubai and dusitD2 Kenz. A fourth Dusit-branded property, Dusit Princess Rijas, is slated to open in 2020.

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India’s tea gardens beckon tourists

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India, one of the top tea producers in the world, is experimenting with tea tourism in view of the growing interest shown by tourists to visit tea plantations and tea factories. Ambling through a sprawling tea plantation with greenery all around in the early hours of the day watching a group of local women plucking two leaves and a bud at a fast pace with their nimble hands and collecting them into baskets slung on their shoulders is a winning sight for tourists. India now leads to give tea-buffs and tourists a closer understanding of tea by organizing tea tourism at places like Assam, Darjeeling (West Bengal), Nilgiris belt in Tamil Nadu, and a few pockets in Kerala and Karnataka.

Tea tourism is defined as tourism that is motivated by an interest in the history, culture, traditions and consumption of tea. Estate bungalows amidst sweeping acres of manicured tea plantations have now been converted into tourist accommodations. Not just staying in the midst of tea gardens, tea tourists  are taken to a tea factory, where they get to experience how the fresh green leaves are brought into the tea factory for withering to the rolling, drying and shifting stages, grading and packaging and followed by  a tea-tasting session where they could sip some of the finest tea that is grown in that area.

A view of Tea plucking in a tea garden of Assam

Assam in the lead for tea tourism

The first name that crops up in mind for tea tourism is Assam, the largest tea producing region in India.  The Assam Tea Tourism Festival held at Jorhat every year is a big hit with tourists. Staying in a rustic  colonial-era planter’s bungalow has its own charm. Home to more than 800 tea estates in the state,  where amidst luxury and serenity one can drift back in time to days of that elegant colonial aristocracy.  The B & A Limited operates through seven quality Tea Estates in the India’s largest tea growing region of Assam. The Guwahati Tea Action Centre, one of the busiest tea trading facilities in the world, is a place not to be missed. Others  include Corramore Tea Estate, Teloijan Tea Estate and Khongea Tea Estate besides a host of others.

Another major development which is currently in progress is the tourist-friendly makeover of  world’s oldest and biggest tea research center at Tocklai (Assam), with edifices  that each have a story to tell. A.K. Barooah, director of the Tea Research Association, said recently that the Tocklai Guest House, a heritage building, was home to  British tea planters A tea museum will be built with suitable dioramas, models and displays. He said Tocklai can tie-up with other tea tourism enterprises like Kaziranga Golf Resort (Bura Sahib bungalow), Banyan Grove and Thengal Manor bungalow in Jorhat district, the Mancotta chang bungalow and Chowkidingee chang bungalow situated in the heart of Dibrugarh town.”

West Bengal is also fast catching up with Assam in promoting tea tourism. Its Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee last month mentioned that her government will consider tea tourism to benefit tea plantations in the state.

She said, “We have allocated more than Rs. 1,000 crore for the welfare of tea garden workers since 2011. Tea tourism is also under our consideration.”

The WB state government permits one acre of tea estates to be used for tourism purposes. Currently there are 87 operational tea gardens in Darjeeling district covering an aggregated area of about 19,000 hectares under tea plantation. Darjeeling surrounded by tea orchards that produce the famous light-colored and aromatic Darjeeling Tea has the right ingredients for tea tourism. Makaibari Tea Estate and Homestay in Kurseong, 37 kms from Darjeeling, is one of the top tea producing gardens in the world. In the vicinity of  Darjeeling is the Happy valley Tea Estate, one of the highest tea gardens in the world. Raj-era estates located in some of the most scenic destinations in India — the rolling Himalayan foothills of Darjeeling and Dooars beckon tourists. Some famous estates include Glenburn Tea Estate, Sourenee Tea Estate, Singtom Tea Estate and Resort, Ambootia Tea Garden, Barnesbeg Tea Estate and  Castleton Tea Estate among others. Goodricke Group Ltd. is offering tourism opportunities in one of its tea estates in  Darjeeling where it has five gardens.

South India also catching up fast

Besides the Northeast belt, in south it is Tamil Nadu which is home to some of the largest tea-growing belts in the country. Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu is the largest tea producing district in South India, and its tea is  renowned for its aroma and flavor. With Tamil Nadu producing  65% of tea in South India spanning an area of 65,000 hectares, the Nilgiris area offers great scope for tea tourism. Valparai, a quaint hill station located about 100 km from Coimbatore, is teeming with tea plantations. Billimalai Tea Estate at Glendale, about 10 kilometers from Coonoor, is a perfect place to experience  how tea is processed.

Munnar in Kerala is rustic belle of hill stations where acres and acres of tea plantations feast one’s eyes. A visit to country’s first Tea Museum at Nallathanni Estate is highly recommended at it narrates the history of tea production in the region. The Kundala Tea Plantation in Munnar offers tourists the tea making process in great detail. Tea Sanctuary here is home to refurbished vintage colonial style bungalows amidst misty tea plantations. Considered the  highest altitude tea plantation in the world, Kolukkumalai, near Munnar, is known for  preserving the British heritage in tea-making at the factory here. Wayanad in Kalpatta district produces substantial amount of tea whose lush green tea gardens are a feast for the sore eyes. The Wayanad Tea County in the midst  of the picturesque  395 acre estate, many  vantage viewpoints, and trekking routes is a better option.

In Karnataka, Coorg, and  the Baba Budan Hills in Chickmagalur are tea-producing regions, but tea tourism is yet to catch here.

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St. Kitts shines in US Roadshow 2019

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A signature activity in US, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority conducted its 2nd annual Destination St. Kitts & Nevis US Roadshow 2019 from Monday, March 25 to Friday, March 29. The week-long series of 6 events were held in New York, New Jersey, Atlanta, Houston, Farmer’s Branch (Texas) and Dallas in order to grow visitor arrivals from these gateway markets and supporting flow markets. These events were designed to educate travel agents, tour operators, MICE buyers, wedding and honeymoon planners, media and experiential lifestyle consumers about everything the destination has to offer both business and leisure travelers.

“This year’s US Roadshow was a resounding success with record numbers of attendees for each event,” said the Hon. Lindsay F.P. Grant, Minister of Tourism for St. Kitts & Nevis. “Having attracted the sheer number of travel agents, MICE buyers, media and more who sell or publicize business and/or leisure travel demonstrates that there is growing interest and demand in these gateway markets for the tourism product that St. Kitts & Nevis has to offer.”

The first event was a brunch held at The Castle Hotel & Spa in Tarrytown, New York, an affluent suburb north of New York City on Monday, March 25. The second event was a dinner held at the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, New Jersey, an upscale neighborhood in the northern part of the state, also on March 25. On Tuesday, March 26, the third event was a dinner held at the Westin Buckhead, located in an affluent suburb just north of Atlanta. The fourth event was a luncheon held on Wednesday, March 27, at the Hess Club in Houston. A cocktail reception held on Thursday, March 27 at the Brookhaven Country Club in Farmer’s Branch, an affluent suburb of Dallas, Texas, was the fifth event in the Roadshow, while the sixth and final event was a luncheon held at III Forks Restaurant in Dallas.

All events supported St. Kitts’ non-stop flights and attracted a total of 300 attendees combined, all of whom were travel agents, MICE buyers, tour operators, wedding and honeymoon planners, media or experiential lifestyle consumers. Attendees were top travel professionals representing some of the most respected organizations in the business, including Maritz Travel, Cox Enterprises, Pro Travel International, Meetings Plus, Valerie Wilson Travel, Houston Style Magazine, Frosch, Questex LLC, Travel Impressions, and Westchester magazine.

“Developing lasting relationships with top travel professionals in our key gateway markets is a key component of our overall marketing strategy for the destination and our Roadshow provides us with the opportunity to connect with these individuals face-to-face,” added Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. “In order to continue growing arrivals, we need to maintain and expand our base of sellers to help fill our non-stop flights as we continue to build out new and increased airlift from the US.”

In addition to being treated to a meal and lively conversation with representatives from St. Kitts, the individuals played games, listened to presentations and won a variety of prizes from hotel stays to bottles of St. Kitts’ own Brinley Gold Shipwreck rum that were provided by participating local island tourism stakeholders. In addition, attending travel agents were offered a special $150 incentive for booking clients’ air only on the non-stop flights to St. Kitts or air in combination with a hotel reservation at participating destination hotels, all offering special Summer Sunsation rates, between now and May 17, 2019 for clients’ travel through August 17, 2019 when they log their productivity on St. Kitts’ website or via the Destination Specialist program with Travel Agent University. As a result, many attendees are now adding St. Kitts & Nevis as a featured destination they will sell to their clients.

The delegation from St. Kitts inclded: the Hon. Lindsay F. P. Grant, Minister of Tourism for St. Kitts & Nevis; Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority; Ambassador Jonel Powell, Chairman of the Artist Selection Committee for the St. Kitts Music Festival; Annie Sinzinger, US Marketing Manager for the St. Kitts Tourism Authority; Denise Zimber, Christina Mucha and Shayna White, Marketing Consultants for the St. Kitts Tourism Authority; Tom Jaronski, Golf Consultant for the St. Kitts Tourism Authority; and Candice Kimmel, CEO and Founder of Adams Unlimited, PR & Marketing Agency in North America for the St. Kitts Tourism Authority.

A number of tourism stakeholders from St. Kitts & Nevis were also part of the delegation, including: Troy Hendrickson, Carib Journey Masters; Tawanna Wigley, Sales Representative, Ocean Terrace Inn; Richard Berridge, General Manager, Kayanjet; Jaana Kuntonen, Sunlinc; Christine Marshall, Sales Manager, Park Hyatt St. Kitts; Sylvia Martinez, Director of Sales and Marketing, St. Kitts Marriott; Tim Thuell, Nisbet Plantation; Cyndi Miller-Aird, President, Miller + Aird Destination Marketing for Belle Mont Farm; Jamar Wilkins, Travel Industry Sales Manager, Four Seasons Resort Nevis; and Darren Thompson, General Manager, Royal St. Kitts.

Travel News | eTurboNews

New Cancun resort: Vacation like a Hollywood star

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Guests can get close to authentic Hollywood Memorabilia in a beachfront setting and dine at any of 16 world-class restaurants including Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint when the highly-anticipated Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Cancun rolls out the red carpet in late 2019 on the vibrant beaches of Mexico’s Costa Mujeres.

Following the successful opening of Planet Hollywood Costa Rica in late 2018, this new Planet Hollywood resort invites guests to vacation like a star. Located just north of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, Planet Hollywood Cancun brings a Vacation Like a Star™ experience to travelers of all ages looking to rewrite the script on all-inclusive vacations. ​

With no detail overlooked, Planet Hollywood Cancun brings curated entertainment experiences with refreshing pools, luxurious rooms, nine bars, four swimming pools, a lazy river, trampoline park, kids/teens club, and a mini-golf course, making it the ideal destination for work, family, romance and play.

Planet Hollywood Cancun’s professionally designed wellness program, PHIT, brings active vacationers the top-trending fitness regimes straight from Hollywood. Wellness enthusiasts can refuel at the Fix Juice Bar with refreshments such as freshly-prepared Watermelon Cucumber Juice on the menu. The Planet Hollywood wellness story continues at the PH Spa & Beauty Bar, featuring celebrity favorite and award-winning Eminence Organics Skin Care products.

Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts is now offering an introductory 50% off web-exclusive offer, making it even easier to Vacation Like A Star™.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Taiwanese spy targets Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Resort in Florida with malicious software

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Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida is a luxury property and travel club owned by U.S. President Trump. The resort was the possible scene of an attempted spy attack on the United States by Taiwan.

According to a local news report, a Chinese woman carrying a passport by the Republic of China, what is Taiwan, has been charged with making a false statement to the U.S. Secret Service after entering President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on bogus pretenses while carrying a thumb drive that contained “malicious software.

Yujing Zhang was questioned while President Trump was playing golf at the Trump International course nearby.

Zhang, after passing by at least five Secret Service agents and arriving in the main reception area of Mar-a-Lago told the Secret Service that she was there to attend a “United Nations Friendship Event” between China and the United States.

That event did not exist, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Southern Florida. The complaint noted that Zhang had traveled past several signs clearly stating that the areas she was visiting were under the jurisdiction of the Secret Service and that “persons entering without lawful authority are subject to arrest and prosecution.”

Zhang was carrying four mobile phones, a laptop computer, an external hard drive, and a thumb drive.

A preliminary forensic examination of the thumb drive determined it contained malicious software.The Secret Service declined to comment.

According to the criminal complaint, Zhang was admitted to Mar-a-Lago after passing through a Secret Service checkpoint, where she presented an agent with two Republic of China passports carrying her name, and her photograph, the complaint said.

Zhang was charged with making false statements to a federal officer, and entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds.

Zang was allowed by Mar-a-Lago security to enter the property “due to a potential language barrier issue,” the complaint said.

She was then picked up in a golf cart shuttle by a Mar-a-Lago valet driver, who asked her where she intended to go.

A Secret Service agent was notified after a receptionist checked all of the access lists for Mar-a-Lago to confirm whether Zhang was approved to be on the property, and found that she was not authorized, according to the complaint.

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