12 NEWS TO USE march
Pacific islands to boost profile
THE Solomon Island Visitors Bureau (SIVB) and Solomon Airlines have formalised
a Memorandum of
Understanding aimed at boosting the destination’s overseas profile and increasing international
visitor
numbers to the islands. Under the agreement both parties will jointly explore and implement activities to promote increased tourist traffic to the Solomon Islands in its existing mature source markets and also other markets seen as offering strong potential to the destination. The partnership will include the airline providing assistance with airfares,
Orient-Express becomes Belmond
allowing the SIVB to
participate in overseas travel shows and other promotional opportunities as well as supporting activities taking place within the Solomon Islands. “Together we can join resources and implement the changes we see as necessary
to transform the
perceptions with which the Solomon Islands are held on the international stage and, accordingly, lift tourism to the benefit of everyone involved,” says CEO, Josefa Tuamoto.
Visitsolomons.com.sb flysolomons.com
ORIENT-EXPRESS Hotels Ltd, owners and operators of 45 luxury hotels and travel experiences will market its collection under a new brand, Belmond, from March 10, 2014, a name that ‘embraces all that is special about this unique travel operator’. The launch of the Belmond brand is
expected to heighten awareness of the company’s collection of hotels, trains, safaris and river cruises among existing and potential guests by making it easier to recognise, navigate and explore.
“We are excited that we are entering the next chapter in our journey with a name that celebrates our character, resonates with our guests and encompasses the broad scope of our celebrated collection of hotels,
river
cruises and trains,” said John M. Scott, President & CEO, Orient-Express Hotels. “Each of our iconic and one-of-a-kind luxury
experiences evokes strong
customer loyalty and we are extremely proud of the heritage that makes us unique,” adds Scott.
NEW CAMP FOR THE NAMIBIAN DESERT
HOANIB Skeleton Coast Camp will open in August this year, located in Namibia’s private Palmwag Concession, straddling the Skeleton Coast National Park. The remote camp has a dedi-
cated air fi eld and is set among mountains, plains, and dry riverbeds. Despite its arid environs, it has one of the greatest concentrations of desert-adapted elephant in the area – along with gemsbok, giraffe, springbok, lion and black rhino. Its Classic Camp will comprise eight tents and incorporates low- impact design that is sensitive to the fragile environment. Wilderness Safaris has already added the property to its portfolio and offers itineraries which explore the territory on foot, by vehicle and by air, giving access to the previously restricted Hoanib fl oodplains and the option of scenic fl ights over the Skeleton Coast.
wilderness-safaris.com
“We will support the launch of Belmond with a sizable investment of $15 million in enhanced promotional and marketing initiatives,” said Ralph Aruzza, the company’s Chief Sales & Marketing Officer. “This investment will include new
websites, social media and our first ever large-scale advertising campaign.” The Belmond brand’s new website,
Belmond.com, will officially launch on March 10.
orient-express.com
Second Centara for Sri Lanka
CENTARA Hotels & Resorts of Thailand is opening its second resort in Sri Lanka this spring – Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa on the Bentota Peninsula, at the south of the island, with the Bentota River on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. The resort’s arrival lounge is situated
at Aluthgama, on the inland side of the river, with guests travelling across the water by barge, a five-minute journey. Centara’s first property in Sri Lanka,
Centara Passikudah Resort & Spa, is on the east coast of the island and opened early in 2013. “Bentota is one of the most exciting
new destinations in Sri Lanka, and our two resorts give us a very significant profile in this strongly growing market,” says Chris Bailey, Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Centara Hotels & Resorts. The resort has 165 rooms and suites, including family residences with bunk beds for children, with all guest room options featuring views across the river.
Centararesortshotels.com
www.sellinglonghaul.com
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