NEWS
CHILE LOOKS TO SKIES FOR OUT OF THIS WORLD VISITORS
Jennifer Morris, news editor
Chile is seeing a growth in “astrotourism” ahead of the 2020 total solar eclipse. The tourism board (LA500) will be
highlighting this at WTM London, along with the country’s off-the-beaten track adventures and new sustainable and responsible tourism initiatives. The solar eclipse will be most visible
from Pucon, in the Araucania region in December next year, the tourism board said, with Chile’s dark skies making it one of the premier destinations for amateur and professional stargazers alike. The evening before the eclipse
coincides with the peak period of activity of the Geminid meteor shower, where observers have the chance to see 120 meteors per hour. A Chilean National Tourist Board
spokesperson said: “Visitors to Chile can also delve into deep space at the Alma observatory in the Atacama Desert, home to the largest radio telescope on earth.” Meanwhile, six Santiago properties
have joined the Zero Carbon Hotels project to neutralise their annual carbon footprint. Four Accor hotels – Novotel Santiago
Providencia, Pullman Santiago Vitacura, Novotel Santiago Las Condes and
RABBIE’S EXTENDS ITINERARIES TO EUROPE Rob Gill
Scotland-based tour operator Rabbie’s Tours (UKI300) will be promoting its first season of itineraries in continental Europe at WTM London. The fast-growing travel firm has
previously concentrated on tours in the UK and Ireland, but is now offering European tours for departures in 2020. Robin Worsnop, founder and CEO of
Pullman Santiago El Bosque – plus Plaza San Francisco hotel and the upcoming Hotel Santiago, have all committed to monitoring their electricity consumption, waste management, heating and other emissions. It comes as responsible tourism- focused hotel group Selina arrives in Chile, introducing 16 new projects across the country.
Other Chile updates include planning for the Lollapalooza Music Festival in Santiago from 27-29 March 2020, which will be celebrating its 10th anniversary, while development of Chile’s Ruta de los Parques – Route of Parks – continues, spanning 1,500 miles between Hornopiren and the Beagle Channel.
GROWTH AMBITION FOR FORT MYERS
Franki Berry
A new United Airlines stopover route will make Fort Myers and Sanibel a more accessible destination. The route, from Washington Dulles International and Southwest Florida International, launched on 29 October. Flights will take off twice a day all
year round. Deputy director of The Beaches of
Fort Myers and Sanibel (NA200) Pamela Johnson said the new stopover will make the region more appealing to visitors. “It is so important to have good
connectivity because it needs to be as easy as possible to get here,” she said. “It affects our visitor numbers if people can’t get here, so airline service is really important to us.” Five million people visited Fort Myers in both 2018 and 2017, but total spending increased by 3.5% to $3.1million. Just more than 70% of visitors arrive to
the area by plane. Johnson added: “We have not been focusing on increasing the number of visitors to our area but increasing the spend of the visitors. “That’s our strategy, to keep them
Rabbie’s, said: “2019 has been another year of double-digit growth for Rabbie’s with just shy of 200,000 guests.” Rabbie’s expansion this year saw it add two new departure points in Aberdeen and Manchester as the operator “increased its reach across the UK”. “With 32 new tours, we are going to
provide new travellers and old friends with exceptional experiences that they will love,” added Worsnop.
here a little bit longer and providing experiences they can do and that would increase spend, which would have economic impact in our community.” Half of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel’s marketing budget is dedicated to attracting visitors through digital channels such as social media. This comes as Southwest Florida
International airport benefits from a $175 million renovation.
05.11.2019 WTM OFFICIAL EVENT DAILY 27
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
