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Study finds journalism in transformation
Study
finds journalism in transformation Journalism
in 2004 is in the midst of an epochal transformation
that is complicated by cost-cutting and a
public mistrust of the media, a US study by
the Project for Excellence in Journalism has
concluded.
The
first of an annual look at electronic, print
and online journalism paints a picture
of a business going through fragmentation
and convergence at the same time.
For
example, Americans are turning to more and
different sources for news, yet outlets are
increasingly owned by a few giant companies.
Online, ethnic and alternative media are the
only sectors seeing growth.
The
circulation of Spanish-language newspapers
has tripled in the past decade,
as English-language newspaper readership shrinks.
Much
of the new investment in journalism goes toward
distributing the news,
not gathering it, the study said. Newspapers
have about 2,200 fewer
newsroom employees today than in 1990.
At
the same time, the public is taking an increasingly
dimmer view of journalists.
The number of Americans who think news organisations
are highly professional shrunk from 72 per
cent in 1985 to 49 per cent in 2002.
People who feel journalists try to cover up
mistakes rose from 13 per cent to 67
per cent in the same time, according to polling
done by the Pew Research
Centre for the People and the Press. Source:
www.newsobserver.com
Opportunities
Invite to Prisoners of the Tower
Travel
writers are invited to the press viewing of
Prisoners of the Tower
on 27 April 2004.
The
special exhibition, which runs at the Tower
of London from 28 April
to 5 September 2004 will explore the incarceration
of many of its most
interesting and intriguing prisoners.
Displays
comprise unique personal possessions, rare
documents and artefacts, furniture, clothing,
3d models, film footage, and works of art
including the
personal Prayer Books of Lady Jane Grey and
Anne Boleyn; papers containing
the signature of Rudolf Hess; the Episcopal
Staff and Ring of Bishop Flambard,
the first Tower prisoner; and the chair in
which Josef Jakobs, the last prisoner
to be executed at the Tower, was shot.
The
exhibition will also tell the stories of lesser
known prisoners: from the very first in 1100,
who also became the first prisoner to escape,
to the 20th-century Germans accused of espionage,
and it will explode the Victorian myth of
the Tower's dripping dungeons. Visitors will
learn how most prisoners of state were kept
in relative luxury, the punishments some endured
and the variety of reasons for being 'sent
to the Tower', as well as what fate awaited
those who became Prisoners of the Tower. Travel
writers' wishing to attend the press preview
or the exhibition at any time should contact
Natasha Woolard at natasha.woollard@hrp.org.uk
or 020 7488 5662.
Launch
of the Airline Public Relations
Organisation
Directory
CIoJ
Travel Writers' are invited to the launch
of the Airline Public Relations Organisation
directory 2004/5 launch at the Waldorf Hilton,
Aldwych, London
WC2 on Wednesday 14 April 2004 from 18.00
to 20.00. The event will give
the chance to get a copy of the APRO 2004
directory and learn more about
the organisation, hear about the take-over
of the Wardorf - of one of London's
grand hotel - by the Hilton group, and enjoy
a pleasant networking evening.
Confirm attendance to Malcolm Ginsberg at
apro@abtn.co.uk.
The
Art of Travel Writing
The Tourism Society is staging a high level
discussion on the Art of Travel Writing at
The French Institute, Kensington, London on
Wednesday 26 May 2004 from 18.00 to 21.30.
The event is being organised in association
with the 24 Hour Museum and Eurostar. The
Tourism Society is keen to work with the CIoJ
and has offered CIoJ Travel Writers' £7 off
the entrance fee of £25. Full details from
www.tourismsociety.org or contact Flo Powell
at
flo@tourismsociety.org or 020 7488 2789
The
Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Springs'
The
owners of the Springs Resort & Spa in downtown
Palm Springs' are extending a two-night stay
at the resort to qualified journalists on
assignment from an audited publication or
news outlet.
This
stylishly appointed courtyard retreat is the
latest example of downtown Palm Springs' ongoing
renaissance and redevelopment. The Springs
is a boutique resort property featuring 25
artistically designed suites with courtyard
and mountain views. Similar in style to its
sister property, Andalusian Court, the Springs'
architecture and design is Spanish/Moorish
with a more communal, social flair. All of
the hotel's custom made furnishings, from
the bureaus and desks to the bed and nightstands,
compliment the 1930's Spanish Revival period.
The resort is also home to the desert's newest
full-service spa, called Rituals, which specializes
in unique, customizable couples therapies
and treatments. For a press kit or to inquire
about travel arrangements contact Aaron Heier
at aheier99@yahoo.com.
NEWrotic
New York City Tours
NEWrotic
New York City Tours helps travel writers'
discover unknown NYC Attractions and offers
unique New York Tours. For most travellers,
the borough of Queens is about airports whereas,
in reality, Queens New York City is the most
ethnical diverse piece of real estate on planet
earth. It is the new Ellis Island and completely
undiscovered by the travel industry.
Travel writer looking for a good New York
City travel story should contact
Marc Preven at marc@NEWroticNewYorkCityTours.com.
Dominican
Annual Tourism Exchange
BlueSky PR invites journalists to consider
the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (April
28-30) in Puerto Plata, Domincan Republic.
The event serves as a networking platform
for both buyes and sellers to meet and contract
to increase tourism and revenue in the Domincan
Republic.
Media
representatives from trade publications will
have the opportunity to interect with both
buyers and suppliers, providing a welcome
venue to launch advertising initiatives. Please
respond with a letter of assignment or for
further information contact Anju Sodhi at:
Anju.Sodhi@discoverblue.com.
Cycling
tours of the Loire Valley
Journalists
interested in cycling tours of the Loire Valley
are invited to join, expert cyclist, Frank
Pettee, for a week-long stay at Le Vieux Moulin,
the only home based bicycling and walking
center in France.
Only
two hours from Paris, Le Vieux Moulin, the
"Old Mill", is devoted to recreational cyclists
of all abilities. Daily cycling tours are
offered to over twenty different destinations
ranging from 20 to 50 miles, depending on
interests and abilities. Journalists specialising
in cycling, mature travel, outdoor life, historic
destinations, French cuisine, and wine tasting
are invited.
For
more information about the 2004 press invitation
to Le Vieux Moulin, contact Frank Pettee at
mailtinfo@lvmoulin.com.
Kayak
journey in the San Juan Islands
Outdoor
Odysseys hosts a three-day sea kayak journey
in the San Juan Islands in summer 2004. Writers
with assignments will be given priority.
Journalists
will be considered based on the criteria of:
national exposure, circulation of publication,
Letter of Assignment and clips/tearsheets
and track record. Print and broadcast media
is desired in the areas of adventure travel,
family travel, outdoor interests, watersports,
etc. Contact Nancy Pfeiffer at nancy@atmstravelnews.com.
The
Swag Country Inn, North Carolina
Secluded
atop a spectacular 5,000-foot mountain ridge
in western North Carolina, The Swag Country
Inn (www.theswag.com) commands fifty-mile
vistas (including legendary Cold Mountain),
private access to the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park, and unique guest rooms boasting
hand crafted interiors, stone fireplaces,
Jacuzzis and steam showers for two.
Press
trips to The Swag Country Inn are available
with options for freelancers and staff journalists
covering romantic travel, luxury travel, adventure,
food or historic categories.
The
Inn is open from late April to mid November.
With a confirmed assignment in a reputable
publication, the inn offers courtesy accommodations
during open season for freelancers and staff
journalists on week-days only beginning
May 1 through July 30, 2004.
All
press and media guests pay a 15% service charge
(to cover all gratuities) based on the respective
room rates. Contact Tom Swanson at tom@swanson-pri.com
Industry News
KLM
to introduce internet check-in
KLM
Royal Dutch Airlines is hoping to introduce
its fully functional internet check-in across
the UK later this year. The service, already
available at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, enables
KLM passengers flying from the airport to
check-in from the convenience of their home
or office up to one hour before departure.
Customers can choose their seat online and
print out their boarding pass at the click
of a mouse, before heading to the airport
to drop off luggage at specially designated
points and proceed straight to the gate. The
Department for Transport is set to allow KLM
and other carriers to introduce the service
this spring. Contact Jason Wakeford at klm@consol.co.uk
or 0207 208 2702.
Singles
market booming
The
singles market is now bigger than ever with
almost 48% of the UK adult population being
single and set to increase further. This means
that a huge 15 million adults over 25 are
single in the UK.
However
due to the cost and complications of booking
single rooms going on holiday if you are single
can be a daunting experience. As a one-stop-shop
for single travellers, Solo's Holidays are
exclusively for single people but do not incur
a single supplement.
Travel
Channel forms alliance with CECTA
The
Central European Countries Tourists Associations
(Cecta) and the Travel Channel have formed
an alliance to develop programmes on Central
Europe for the satellite TV travel channel.
The
Travel Channel broadcasts to over 80 countries
and up to 68 million people throughout Europe,
Africa and the Middle East.
The
first programme being planned will highlight
the cultural tourism offerings of Vienna,
Bratislava, and Budapest. Contact Gill Wilson
at gill.wilson@cecta.org
or 01844 338332
Tourism
society debates accommodation
standards in UK
The
Tourism Society is hosting an event entitled
'Accommodation Standards, The Quality Review',
on 26th April 2004 at The Berners Hotel, London
W1.
This
will continue a debate that began with discussions
with the AA, RAC and Tourist Boards. The Review's
recommendations will be made to the chairmen
of the three National Tourism Organisations
(VisitBritain, VisitScotland and the Wales
Tourist Board) and then passed on to government.
Tickets
for the event start at £5 for students, £20
for members.
Further information at www.tourismsociety.org.
Park
Plaza Croatia
Park
Plaza Hotels Europe has announced a franchise
agreement with the Wren's Hotel Group to operate
Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts in Croatia.
Contact Julia Stone at jstone@parkplazahotels.co.uk
or 20 7034 4800.
Pre-paid
internet services
Pure
WorldWide Internet's new prepaid Internet
service solves many problems for travelerswho
need reliable Internet access on the road.
Contact Jeff
Miller at jeff@pwi.net.
PlacesToStay.com
Pure
WorldWide Internet's new prepaid Internet
service solves many problems for travelerswho
need reliable Internet access on the road.
Contact Jeff Miller at jeff@pwi.net.
Hotel
reservations website PlacesToStay.com, offers
bookings with over 35,000 distinctive hotels,
bed and breakfasts, inns and resorts across
160 destinations worldwide. Pre-travel extras
include airport transfers, museums, rail travel,
sporting events and theatres. Contact Katrina
Walker at katrina.walker@rooster.co.uk
or 020 7691 3939.
Prague
the tops
Paris
has been replaced by Prague as Brits' number
one destination reports Onlinetravel.com,
the independent travel website in the UK.
New York is also witnessing a boom in demand,
as the pound's soaring value Stateside means
we're hungrier than ever for a bite out of
the Big Apple. Contact Katrina Walker at katrina.walker@rooster.co.uk
or 020 7691 3939.
Netherlands
Tourism
The
Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions
has been formed following the official merger
of the Netherlands Board of Tourism and the
Netherlands Convention Bureau. Contact Christa
Enter at center@holland.com.
SN
Brussels Airlines
SN
Brussels Airlines has improved its in-flight
catering service in economy class. A 'Brussels
Bistro' menu has been introduced on all SN
Brussels Airlines flights serving up healthy
breakfasts, hot meals, snacks and salads,
using the freshest of ingredients. All the
meals are being presented in boxes, for ease
of stowing on aircraft and handing out to
passengers. Contact Sue Heady at sue@heady.demon.co.uk
or 078 5595 0705.
UK
weeklies report rising sales
Britain's
local weekly newspapers are thriving. One
in two of the weeklies recorded sales increases
when the Audit Bureau of Circulations reported
on the regional press.
Over
the past ten years their readership has increased
by a remarkable 15 per cent and they now sell
5.7 million copies a week. Another 24 million
free local weeklies are distributed every
week.
About
99 per cent of regional papers, in the jargon
of the trade, are now "actively purchased",
which means that sales figures aren't inflated
by giveaways and that their buyers pay the
full cover price.
They
have 40 million readers. Most of the regional
dailies, however, seem to be suffering from
the same trend of decline as the nationals.
All
of the top 20 evening papers recorded falling
sales (London's "Evening Standard" is excluded
from the table of the top ten) as did all
but three of the morning papers.
Austrian's
direct Services between
Dublin and Vienna
Austrian
commences three times weekly direct services
between Dublin and Vienna from 30 March to
30 October 2004, increasing to four times
a week between 26 May and 22 September. Contact
Melanie Grubb at melanie.grubb@virgin.net
020 7766 0300.
Be
Yourself. Enjoy England
VisitBritain
has launched 'Be Yourself. Enjoy England'
to entice UK residents planning their holidays
to see England as a country that will surprise
and delight visitors. Contact Elliot Frisby
at Elliott.Frisby@visitbritain.org
or 020 8563 3035.
WHEREWILLWEWGO
Wherewillwego.com's
on-line magazine has a new design and contains
interesting trips and offers from some great
tour operators.
Two
new routes from easyJet
Low-cost
airline easyJet, have announced two new additions
to its Dortmund base, with daily services
to Budapest and Prague. Contact Samantha Day
at samantha.day@easyjet.com
or 01582 525 546
Nottingham
hosts conference on business tourism
Experience
Nottingham has been selected to hold the Second
National Conference on Business Tourism on
15 and 16 November 2004. The conference will
be held in association with Business Tourism
Partnership. Contact Sue Kelly at sue.kelly@experiencenottingham.com
or 0115 915 9232
New
domestic Australian airline
Jetstar,
Australia's newest domestic airline, would
commence flying on 25 May with flights from
Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to 10 eastern
Australian destinations. Contact Melissa Heyn
at
Melissa@shinecom.com or 0207 553 3333.
New
tourism speakers' directory
The
Tourism Society has joined forces with VisitBritain
publication Insights to create a new resource
centre for speakers who are available on tourism
issues. Contact David Curtis-Brignell at david.curtis-brignell@mill-cop.com
or 020 7872 2472.
Easyjet
record
EasyJet
had record numbers of passengers this half-term,
with almost 500,000 people travelling to its
destinations across Europe. easyjet has also
launched daily services from London Gatwick
and Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Cologne
Bonn Airport bringing its total network to
148 routes. Contact Samantha Day at samantha.day@easyjet.com
or 01582 525 546.
Afternoon
tea with unlimited champagne
Swissτtel
The Howard has introduced a brand new Afternoon
Tea with Unlimited Champagne. Contact Alison
Hull at alison@ahpr.co.uk
or 020 7837 8808.
EasyJet
flies from Ljubljana Airport starting in May
Low-cost
airline EasyJet starts daily flights between
London Stanstead and Ljubljana on 1 May. Prices
start at 45 euros return.
Meeting
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Convention Bureau has launched meetingedinburgh.com,
a new, specially designed interactive website
providing on-line information on over 200
Edinburgh and Lothians meeting and events
suppliers. Contact Clare Damodaran at Clare.Damodaran@eltb.org.
Opodo
Launches Charter Flights Service
Opodo,
the pan-European online travel service has
launched a new charter flight service on its
UK site: www.opodo.co.uk, in a partnership
with Avro, the UK charter flight-only company.
The new service provides travellers with a
wide choice of great deals, to key charter
flight destinations. Contact Gail Sinden at
gail.sinden@opodo.com
or 0870 099 5087
GB Airways
British
Airways franchise carrier, GB Airways, will
be flying more often to more places in Spain
than ever before this summer. Contact James
Christie on 01293 664634.
Businesses
urged to support marketing campaign initiatives
from VisitBritain
British
tourism businesses are being urged to put
their support behind a new series of international
marketing campaign initiatives from VisitBritain.
The campaigns, aimed at boosting visits and
spending by visitors from around the globe,
include City Breaks, Good Living, and Touring
throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland
and Wales and are set to play a key role in
VisitBritain's international marketing activity
over the next three years. Contact Elliott
Frisby at Elliott.Frisby@visitbritain.org
or 020 8563 3035
Storyboard
Story
provides snippets of information that might
give a lead or two. It is compiled from a
range of sources including www.travemedia.com.
Top
European dance acts perform In Prague
Visitors
to the Czech capital on 30 April 2004 will
be able to enjoy a unique light and dance
show with performances by stars of the European
dance scene Master Blaster, 666, Brooklyn
Bounce and Mark`Oh. It's all geared to celebrating
the Czech Republic's entry into the EU. Contact
Marc Di Duca at diduca@visitczechia.org.uk
or 0044 207 631 0427
Myres
Castle is Scotland's top house party venue
Myres
Castle, a luxurious 16th century baronial
castle on the outskirts of Auchtermuchty,
Fife has been voted top house party venue
by Peter Irvine, author of 'Scotland the Best
2004' This castle is currently offering a
special spring rate to guests until the end
of May 2004. Contact Caroline Keith at caroline@thekeithconsultancy.co.uk
or 01463 811 000.
New
short breaks from the world's oldest travel
company
Cox
& Kings has launched a brand new luxury
short breaks brochure featuring 27 of Europe's
finest hotels in 19 different locations. The
collection ranges from a relaxing beach break
at the famous La Residencia in Mallorca to a
cultural break in Lisbon; from the emerging
medieval gems of Tallinn and Riga to the
classical romance of Venice. Contact Michael
Pullman at michael.pullman@coxandkings.co.uk
or 020 7873 5006
Eastern
European thrill weekends
Brilliant
Weekends the UK provider of short-break experiences
for groups is offering Eastern European thrill
weekends with fighter jet flights in Lithuania,
bobsleighing in Latvia and jeep safari in
Estonia. Contact Daniel Johnson at daniel.johnson@rooster.co.uk
or 020 7691 3939
Antiques
in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
in the Vaucluse, just 20 minutes from Avignon,
on the banks of the river Sorgue has many
old canals and wooden mills, with houses built
over rushing water and is often described
as a provencal Venice. It also boasts one
of the largest number of antique specialists
in France with seven Antiques Villages and
more than 300 shops. Contact Ann Noon at ann.noon@franceguide.com
or 020 7399 3535.
Cruising
Loch Ness
Jacobite
Cruises offer five sailings on the world famous
loch departing from Tomnahurich Bridge near
Inverness and the Clansman Harbour on Loch
Ness. There are a selection of excursions
on offer from one-hour inspirational cruises
to longer coach and cruise combinations which
take in the scenery and history of the surrounding
area. Contact Karen Laird at caroline@thekeithconsultancy.co.uk
or 01463 811 000.
California
tourism launches visitor's guide
The California Travel and Tourism Commission
has published its 2004 California Visitor's
Guide and Travel Planner containing special
features, regional information and easy-to-read
maps that take the stress out of travel planning.
This year's guide features more than 2,000
listings including attractions, entertainment,
accommodation, outdoor activities, parks and
public lands, shopping areas and
more. Contact Lynda Daboh at lynda@firstpr.co.uk
New
Dutch theme park
Cape
Holland, a new national attraction focusing
on everything to do with the East India Company
and the wealth of the 17th Century, opens
on 28 April at Den Helder, on the northern
tip of the Dutch west coast.
The
historic fishing towns of Noord-Holland, including
Den Helder, were once the point of departure
for the East India Company vessels setting
sail for the Dutch colonies in South East
Asia.
Visitors to Cape Holland can experience sea-faring
life during the Golden Age through many of
the attractions and activities. Whether its
firing canons from the Prins Willem, a lifesize
replica of the East India Company's largest
trading vessel, facing a gale force 10 on
deck, or even enduring a near sinking with
the biggest Nautic simulator in Holland. Contact
Christa Enter at center@holland.com.
French-speaking
Switzerland
The
2004 edition of the catalogue "Vacances ΰ
la campagne en Suisse romande", lists some
300 farms and country houses offering holiday
accommodation and reveals the diversity of
holiday properties on offer in French-speaking
Switzerland. Contact info@tourisme-rural.ch.
The Austrian Tirol
Travel writing opportunities
in the Austrian Tirol include discovering
the rare Martagon Lily in its native Alpine
habitat to hopping off a mountain bike for
a concert featuring composers and musicians
from new EU members of Hungary Lithuania and
Slovenia. There's also taking a walking tour
of secluded valleys and dramatic peaks, over-nighting
in traditional Austrian huts. Contact Mary
Stuart-Miller at mary.stuart-miller@virgin.net
or 01403 738844
Twitching in Tasmania
Tasmania's
isolation and ancient landscape has created
a natural haven for some of the world's most
unique birds. Ranked beside Amazonian Brazil,
Galapagos and Mauritius, Tasmania is one of
the few places in the world where the entire
island is identified as an 'Endemic Bird Area'.
Contact James Brooke at james@mccluskey.co.uk
or 020 8237 7979.
Ghost
tours on the Queen Mary
The
Queen Mary has introduced a new the ghost
encounters tour aboard the haunted ocean liner.
Contact Robin Wachner at public.relations@queenmary.com.
Virgin's
flying without fear
Virgin
Atlantic is launching a Flying Without Fear
course at Manchester Airport on 25 April 2004.
The one-day courses to be run throughout the
year will teach sufferers how to overcome
their fear and will include an optional 45-minute
flight at the end of the day. Contact Virgin
Atlantic Press Office on 01293 747373
Easter
In Mexico
Easter
in Latin America is a colourful and deeply
emotional affair, nowhere more so than in
Mexico. Throughout Holy Week, or 'Semana Santa',
spectacular and colourful processions can
be seen in almost every town, village and
city. Cox & Kings' Highlights of Mexico escorted
group tour has a special Easter departure
for those who want to witness the festivities
for themselves. Contact Michael Pullman at
michael.pullman@coxandkings.co.uk
or 020 7873 5006.
Kanteen
in K West
Design
hotel K West, in Shepherd's Bush, has launched
its newly designed restaurant, Kanteen. Contact
Alison Hull at alison@ahpr.co.uk
or 020 7837 8808
Tall
ship race Around The Isle Of Man
Historical
Ships is offering passengers the chance to
race around the Isle of Man on one of the
world's largest tall ships during TT fortnight
in June - no experience necessary! And if
you want to visit the TT but find much accommodation
is sold out - you can stay on one of them!
Contact Linda Verrall at linda@saltmarshpr.co.uk
or 020 7928 1600.
The
Hearts In San Francisco
During
the spring and summer of 2004, more than 130,
five-foot tall heart installations, designed
by numerous artists and celebrities, will
bring whimsy and art to the sidewalks, plazas
and street corners of San Francisco and the
Bay Area. Till - September 2004, the Handlery,
located in Union Square and just steps from
the first two hearts unveiled on Valentine's
Day, is offering guests the "Heart Stopping
Art" package. Contact Gretchen Krueger at
gretchen@landispr.com
Japan
and South Korea
A
new trip from The Imaginative Traveller combines
a tour of Japan with a trip to South Korea.
Although only an overnight ferry divides the
two, each has its own strong social traditions,
profound religious beliefs and even distinct
cuisines. Contact Rena Brennecke at rena@imtrav.net
or 01473 636066.
Hooray
For Hollywood
US
specialist, Bon Voyage, is featuring short
break packages to Hollywood allowing 'star
struck' visitors can check out the Kodak Theatre
where the Oscar ceremony took place on 29
February. Contact Karen Niven
karen.niven@bon-voyage.co.uk
or 0800316 0194
Sweden
The
new 2004 Sweden brochure showcases this diverse
and exhilarating country. Contact Madeleine
Meech at m.meech@travelpr.co.uk
or 020 8891 4440
Sonesta
Beach Resort & Spa Bermuda
Sonesta
Beach Resort & Spa Bermuda will re-open on
May 15, after undergoing a major renovation.
All public spaces and guest rooms have been
refreshed, and a Water Park with 3 pools will
offer a water slide, waterfalls, fountains
and more. Every dining experience is new,
including a Sushi restaurant. Applications
for a Dolphin Encounter have been submitted.
Contact
medianews@sonesta.com
Babe
watch
The
new five star boutique hotel, the Asterias
Suites and its sister property Porto Sani
Village hotel in the resort of Sani, Halkidiki,
on the Kassandra peninsula, have introduced
a complimentary Babe Watch service for up
to 30 minutes a day. Contact Claire Griffin
at Claire@grifcopr.com
or 020 7736 9718
Traders
Hotel Dubai
Traders
Hotel Dubai, a Shangri-La Hotel, is set to
open in April and on the heels of the opening
of the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai. The Hong Kong-based
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently manages
42 hotels in Australia, mainland China, Fiji,
Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,
Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United
Arab Emirates. It has more than 20 projects
under development in Australia, mainland China,
Malaysia, Maldives, India, Dubai, Oman and
Qatar. Contact Sharon Garrett at sharon.garrett@shangri-la.com
Ski
naked
A
poll conducted by ifyouski.com has revealed
that 40% of voters 'could ski naked?' Every
week ifyouski.com posts an online poll, covering
everything from serious snow issues to winter
fun. Recent topics include 'Who would you
rather ski with' and 'worst ski Christmas
pressie'. Contact Laura Bradley at
laura.bradley@rooster.co.ukor 020 7691
3939.
Peru
Sonesta's
7 Peruvian Posadas del Inca, a collection
of city inns and country lodges, are located
in the top touring destinations in the country.
A converted 300-year old monastery in the
Sacred Valley is only a 1-hour train ride
from Machu Picchu. In Cusco, the ancient Inca
capital, the is just off the city's main square.
In Lima, the Sonesta Posada del Inca El Olivar
is located on the historic olive grove park
in the fashionable neighborhood of San Isidro.
Contact droker@sonesta-kb.com.
Melbourne
is world's best city again
Melbourne,
Australia, has retained its position as the
best city in the world to call home according
to a poll in The Economist. Contact Zoe Mason
at zoe@saltmarshpr.co.uk
or 020 7928 1600.
Blenheim
Palace unveils Secret Garden
Blenheim
Palace, which celebrates the 300th anniversary
of the Battle of Blenheim this year, has a
number of special events throughout the year.
Perhaps the most exciting news for garden
lovers is the rediscovery of 'The Secret Garden'
that has remained hidden for more than thirty
years. Contact Sarah Priddis at sp@leader.co.uk
or 01564 796200.
Solo
Iceland
Solo's
Holidays 'Icelandic Magic' offers the single
traveller an itinerary taking in some of the
most spectacular areas of the country with
accommodation at the Blue Lagoon Resort, a
guided tour of Reykjanes Peninsula, a Golden
Circle Tour including Thingvellir National
Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and the geyser area
and a tour of Reykjavik. Contact Anna Addison
at anna.addison@recognitionpr.co.uk
or 01325 363436.
New
Dutch Zoo
Dierenrijk
Europa, (Animal Kingdom Europe), Holland's
newest animal park on Gulbergen Estate in
Mierlo near Eindhoven, opens on 1 May The
zoo will be home to a variety of wildlife
species typical for Europe. Visitors will
walk through seven European theme areas, including
the Far North, the Alps and Beach & Sea. Well
over 60 European animal species will live
in the park, such as polar bears, wolves,
brown bears, lynxes and seals. Contact Christa
Enter at center@holland.com.
Events
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
British
Association of Conference Destinations Conference
The
British Association of Conference Destinations
(BACD) is holding its 2004 Spring Convention
and AGM at Austin Court, Birmingham from 9-11
June. The theme of this year's conference
is 'Building Better Bureaux' and the keynote
address will be given by Rick Taylor, chief
executive of the Cape Town Convention Bureau.
Contact Jill Hawkins at alexs@fridays-group.co.uk
or 020 7917 1767
Rotary
Steam, Horse & Vintage Rally, Victoria, Australia
Echuca's
Rotary Steam, Horse & Vintage Rally (12 to13
June) is the oldest and most varied of its
kind in Australia. Held in Victoria's Paddle
steamer capital it is a two-day display of
yesteryear's steam engines and transport,
old-time farming skills and heritage crafts
and cooking. Veteran, vintage and classic
cars and motorcycles are on display as well
as a children's farm yard and the famous Singing
Dog competition! Contact Zoe Mason at zoe@saltmarshpr.co.uk
or 020 7928 1600.
French
Quarter Festival, New Orleans |
