news to use J U N E 2013


Two new hotels for Christchurch


THE recovery of Christchurch, New Zealand, following the devastating earthquake of February 2011 took another significant step forward with the soft opening of the centrally located 171-room/suite Rendezvous Hotel


(rendezvoushotels.com/


christchurch) in May. Formerly the Marque Christchurch, the hotel is just one block from Cathedral Square in the heart of the city. Hoetl facilities include a bar and restaurant. Following this September will be


Accor’s 150-room Novotel Christchurch,


also on Cathedral


Square. The hotel – just a year old when the earthquake struck – will be a short walk from the city’s emerging areas such as the new Regent Street art deco shopping precinct and the innovative Re:Start


shopping and


eating precinct. Other Accor developments include the opening of So Spa in Auckland’s Sofitel


Viaduct Harbour, the


completion of the 145-room Novotel Rotorua refurbishment, the upgrade to 4.5-star in the Novotel Wellington’s Qualmark assessment following an interior makeover of its 139 rooms and, next


year, the


opening of the 130-room Sofitel Wellington. accorhotels.com


Chile promotes diversity


BY ANDY HOSKINS TURISMO Chile is urging visitors to discover the country’s diverse activities with a new campaign launched at World Travel Market (WTM) Latin America. In the spotlight are activities such as trekking in the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine National Park, one of the best nature destinations in the world; rafting down rivers surrounded by ancient forests and towering volcanoes; skiing the best slopes in the continent with the Andes as a backdrop and experiencing the ancient culture of Rapa Nui on Easter Island. Geographical,


climatic


contrasts play a fundamental role in the campaign, which is more focused on the


travellers’ experience of the landscape


and use, and the emotions they convey. The tourism board promises messages


laced with ‘humour and irony’ that convey the essence of the local culture. Chile has six key messages to promote the country: Natural Inspiration, Adventure and Sport, Culture and Heritage, Flavours and Wine, Health and Wellbeing, and Urban Life. International tourist arrivals grew


and cultural


by 13% in 2012, reaching 3,468,475, making Chile the fastest-growing country in the region, according to figures from the World Tourism Organization (WTO). The UK has been identified by Turismo Chile as a key target market. chile.travel


Summer is fast approaching in the UK…. we hope! But in the Caribbean it’s always summer, so why not offer your clients some guaranteed sunshine and warm blue seas by selling them a Caribbean holiday? As the UK summer holidays approach and families start looking for a destination that can be enjoyed by all ages, the Caribbean is the perfect solution. It really offers something for everyone! Many Caribbean hotels and resorts have


special kids’ clubs and baby-sitting services, allowing parents to relax in the evening outside of their room. There is also a myriad of sport facilities at the resorts that allow kids to join in but also cater for all the family. From zip-lining to trekking, kayaking to river


Brand USA puts agent memories in the frame


BRAND USA, the tourism marketing body for the USA, has re-launched its travel agent photo competition and website in the UK and Ireland. The online competition,


found at


famphotoUSA.co.uk, allows agents from the UK


and Ireland to upload their


photographs from any fam trips to the USA in 2013 and agents have the option to ‘like’ and share their favourite photos, generating a peer to peer social element. Users will be able to access the site through the Fam Photo Facebook app as well as automatically enter photos via Instagram,


using the hashtag


#famphotoUSA2013. The website allows entrants to add details and locations of the photos, enabling the gallery to be filtered by USA region or category. The closing date is midnight Thursday


November 7 2013 with winners announced on Friday November 15 2013. The winning 12 travel agents will have


their photographs printed in a 2014 Brand USA desk calendar, which will be distributed to UK and Irish travel agents. The overall winner will win a place on Brand USA’s 2014 Megafam. brandusa.com


EVA Air has special fares to Bangkok


SPECIAL-offer fares to Bangkok have been released by EVA Air, which operates daily Heathrow-Bangkok flights and an onward srvice to its international hub in Taipei, Taiwan. Return economy fares are from £605 (including taxes) to the Thai capital from London for travel until July 10 and for travel from August 21 to December 8. Tickets must be purchased by June 30. EVA Air operates Boeing 777-300


aircraft on the route in a three-class configuration. Special fares are also available in other classes, from £940 return for Elite (premium economy) and £2,080 in business class. evaair.com


www.sellinglonghaul.com


rafting, snorkelling to sailing, horse riding to mountain biking, there really is so much to keep the whole family occupied for the duration of their trip. If you would like to learn more about what


is on offer in the Caribbean, and improve your knowledge of the region, sign up now to join the brand-new and upcoming Caribbean Online Training Programme. Register your interest by sending an email


to Ann-Marie Brooks at abrooks@caribtourism.com or by calling: 020 8948 0057.


CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANISATION


CAROL HAY UK Manager CTO


Guaranteed sunshine!


Contact: Caribbean Tourism Organisation 22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1BP Tel: 020 8948 0057 Fax: 020 8948 0067 caribbean.co.uk or onecaribbean.org


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