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Opportunities

Discover the real Shakespeare
Shakespeare's Globe on Bankside offers facility visits for journalists year round. The Globe, across the River Thames from St. Paul's Cathedral, was founded by the pioneering American actor and director Sam Wanamaker and has become one of London's most successful theatres and top visitor attractions. Contact Gerry Halliday gerry@shakespearesglobe.com 
or 020 7902 1406.

Dutch roadshow
The Netherlands Board of Tourism (NBT) will be hosting their fourth annual Holland Road Show on 22 - 24 March 2004 in Holland. The Holland Road Show is one of the NBT's biggest networking events for the UK travel trade, introducing UK operators to Dutch tourism partners including hotel chains, tourist attractions and regional tourist boards. Christa Enter at center@holland.com 020 7539 7950.

Fjord Norway images
Fjord Norway has an extensive database of high quality images on its online photo service. The images can be used free of charge for travel features. To order the images visit www.fjordnorway.com/imageshop. You will receive a password of placing your order and you can then download immediately.

South Africa launches Sunsation
South Africa Tourism is working with South African Airways on its Sunsation campaign, which runs between April and August 2004. The availability of flights, accommodation and a temperate climate during these months makes South Africa a highly attractive long haul destination. South African Tourism is organising press trips to promote its Sunsation campaign. Contact Angela Spain at Angela.Spain@collegehill.com or 0207 457 2020.

Idaho Rivers press trips
River Odysseys West (ROW) invites travel writers’, who have a personal interest in adventure travel and write for a major publication (100,000 circulation or more) or are on assignment as a freelancer, to accompany them on one of their summer expeditions.
ROW offers rafting trips on a number of Idaho Rivers including the Snake River in Hells Canyon on the Idaho - Oregon border, the Middle Fork of the Salmon, the Bruneau and Owyhee, Moyie, Lochsa and St Joe as well as the Clark Fork in Montana. Visit www.rowinc.com for a complete description of our trips and offerings or contact Nancy Pfeiffer, Adventure Travel Media Source, nancy@atmstravelnews.com, or call 307.433.1495.

Mersey River Festival photographic competition
Photographers are invited to enter the Mersey River Festival photographic competition to celebrate the city's new status as European Capital of Culture 2008. Categories are Merseyside: People, Places and Events', Messing About on Water and Faith In One City. Contact Lisa on 0151 707 2566 or lisa@healthstart.co.uk.  The deadline for entries is May 7.

Press trip to northern San Diego
Northern San Diego is rapidly becoming home to some of California’s largest and most sophisticated casino destinations. The recently opened Pala Casino Resort & Spa sits in a sunny valley, surrounded by the Palomar mountains with a constant ocean breeze. The press trip on the weekend of April 30 – May 2, 2004 will include a cocktail hour with Robert Smith, chairman of the 800-member Pala Band of Mission Indians; dinner at Mama’s Cucina; a morning of spa treatments or golf; afternoon winery tour and free time for exploration. Story assignment preferred but not required. Inclusions: Accommodations, meals, spa treatments, guided wine tour, golf (as available) Exclusions: Transportation, incidentals and alcohol at property restaurants. For more info on the resort visit www.palacasino.com. To participate, email Stephanie Penner at stephanie@baileygardiner.com.

Industry News

New website for journalists reporting on the EU
The European Journalism Centre has launched a new website to help journalists reporting on the European Union. The EU for journalists - Brussels in brief website ( www. eu4journalists.com) simplifies the maze of information available on the EU so reporters can easily get to grips with the key issues and players.

How will homeland security affect international arrivals 
Ian Jarrett, editor of Travel Talk Asia Pacific, would like to speak with travel industry experts about the impact  homeland security measures at airports will have on international visitor arrivals in 2004. Contact Ian at ianjarrett@compuserve.com.

Holiday Choices In England
The 2004 editions of VisitBritain's Where to Stay series of accommodation guides are now available and boast a whopping total of 22,600 places to stay. Contact Anne Jenkins anne.jenkins@visitbritain or (020) 8563 3351.

US travel on the up
The Travel Industry Association of America’s (TIA) Industry Performance Indicators (IPI) for November show international air travel levels rose 4.2 percent. For the seventh consecutive month, hotel/motel room demand grew on a year-over-year, increasing 3.9 percent over November 2002, and Amtrak levels jumped 19.2 percent.
The TIA is the national, non-profit organisation that represents the U.S. travel industry in promoting and facilitating increased travel to and within the United States.|
Contact: Cathy Keefe (Manager, Media Relations) at ckeefe@tia.org

Poland for 15p
Polish airline airpolonia have guaranteed 1000 seats at 15p one way, plus taxes, for early bird reservations. It means the lowest ever one-way fares start from £12.50 (inc tax) from London Stansted direct to Warsaw, Poznam and Katowice. Airpolonia is the first low fare carrier from the UK to Poland. Contact Eryk Klopotowski at eryk.klopotowski@airpolonia.com.pl

Intelligence Squared
The Intelligence Squared series of debates, sponsored by the Evening Standard, for 2004 include the European constitution is a setback for democracy (11 February); The best way we can help Africa is to leave it alone (3 March); let's get rid of Scotland (17 March); World affairs are too important to be decided by the UN (21 April) and Culture begins across the channel (4 May).
Debates will take place at the Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 (entrance to the debate is on Exhibition Road). Tickets £20. Contact 020 7494 3345 or email info@intelligencesquared.com

New Plaza hotels
Park Plaza Hotels Europe is opening new 4-star deluxe hotels in central London and Cardiff and its partner Carlson Hotels Worldwide is opening new Park Plaza’s at Buffalo Airport and Toronto Airport as well as hotels in New York, Colorado and Texas.
Entering Spain for the first time, Park Plaza Hotels Europe have also announced that they have reached agreement with Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels Ltd to put the Park Plaza name on Club La Costa’s new resort hotel which is due to open in autumn 2006.
Contact Julia Stone at jstone@parkplazahotels.co.uk or 020 7034 4815

Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer
Virgin Atlantic has unveiled the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, which will be piloted by Steve Fossett later this year in his attempt to break the last great aviation record by attempting the first solo non-stop flight around the world. Contact Lori Levin on 001 609 897 7865 or virginatlanticglobalflyer1@aol.com

Travel by age
According to the Travel Industry Association of America’s (TIA) ‘baby boomers’ (age 35 to 54) generate more travel than any other age group registering more than 241 million household trips last year. Mature travellers (55+) took 31 percent of all household trips and the 18-34’s took 26 percent.

Direct flights from Manchester to Bergen
SAS Scandinavian Airlines' partner airline Widerøe has launched a new daily direct service from Manchester Airport to Bergen and also increased its service to Bergen from Aberdeen Airport.

Increase in low cost flights to Oslo
From 1 April 2004, low cost airline Norwegian will be increasing its London to Oslo flights from five to 12 a week, offering a morning and an evening departure except Saturday. The morning departure gives passengers the opportunity to connect with low cost flights from Oslo to all of Norwegian's domestic destinations throughout Norway.

Manchester to Orlando and Singapore
Virgin Atlantic has expanded its Codeshare Agreement with Singapore Airlines (SIA) enabling passengers to travel direct between Singapore and Orlando via Manchester from 1 February 2004. The agreement allows SIA to sell seats on Virgin’s five times a week service between Manchester and Orlando. Virgin Atlantic already code shares with SIA on its daily Singapore-Manchester service. Contact pressreleases@fly.virgin.com or 01293 747 373.

Libya
Libya is set to be a popular destination in 2004 with Cox & Kings eight-day seven night escorted group being the third best-selling Middle East tour. British Airways are also increasing their number of direct flights from London to Tripoli from three a week to six a week, making Libya more accessible than ever before. Contact Michael Pullman at michael.pullman@coxandkings.co.uk or 020 7873 5006.

Storyboard
Story provides snippets of information that might give a lead or two. It is compiled from a range of sources including travemedia.com

The Tower of London gun salutes take place as follow :.
1300h 21 April 62 Gun Salute – HM The Queen’s Birthday
1300h 2 June 62 Gun Salute – Anniversary of Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
1300h 10 June 62 Gun Salute – HRH Prince Philip’s birthday
1300h 14 June 62 Gun Salute – HM The Queen’s Official birthday
Time and date tbc 41 Gun Salute – State opening of Parliament
Contact Natasha Woodward at Natasha.Woollard@hrp.org.uk or 020 7488 5662

Great Lakes Host's American Grand Prix
Great Lakes of North America host's the fifth annual Grand Prix - one of the largest single day sporting events in the world in Indianapolis on 20 June. The event will attract motor enthusiasts and travellers from around the globe.  Contact Rachele Grieve rachele@celletpr.co.uk or 0207 491 1112.

Low cost to Budapest
Hungarian Airlines (www.hungarianairlines.co.uk) have announced a £46 (ex taxes) return fare Budapest to London Stansted from 13 February 2004.

Art of pub crawling
The pocket-sized Fifty More Great Pub Crawls is now available from CAMRA. Contact Tony Jerome at tony.Jerome@camra.org.uk or 01727 867201.

Meditainment on Virgin
Virgin Atlantic Airways is offering passengers Meditainment, the world’s first in-flight meditation programme. Meditainment blends traditional meditation techniques and audio entertainment to aid relaxation and sleep and to overcome stress and anxiety. Passengers can opt for meditative journeys to a Desert Island or Summer Meadow or, for the more adventurous, the Moon or the Arctic! Meditainment will be available on all Virgin Atlantic aircraft, which have the Vport in-flight entertainment system onboard. Contact pressreleases@fly.virgin.com or 01293 747 373 or log onto www.virgin.com/atlantic

Rubens 2004
A series of Rubens themed exhibitions will be held in Antwerp from March onwards to celebrate the life and works of its most famous son. Contact Dawn Page at dawn@visitflanders.co.uk.

Myres Castle
The 16th century Myres Castle, in Auchtermuchty, Fife is available for the private and exclusive use of one couple for the most romantic two-night Valentine’s or Leap Year weekend break for only £1500 per night. Contact Caroline Keith at caroline@thekeithconsultancy.co.uk

Lithuania
Le Méridien Villon Resort, Lithuania has opened its new Grand Opera Congress Hall and Convention Centre. It is considered the premiere conference venue in the Baltic States and one of the largest, most modern facilities of its kind in Europe. Contact Julia Clark at julia.clark@lemeridien.com or 020 7301 2000

Original London Walks
The winter programme of The Original London Walks is now available. Contact Mary Tucker at London@walks.com or 020 7794 1764.

Dutch German cross border campaign
The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) and the Netherlands Board of Tourism (NBT) have launched their very first cross-border motoring campaign in the UK. The campaign called ‘Drive Dutch – Drive Deutsch’, will focus on promoting driving holidays to Holland and Germany. Contact Christa Enter at center@holland.com or Michael Helmerich at michael.helmerich@d-z-t.com.

Newport Jazz fest
Newport, Rhode Island will celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the jazz festival between 8 and 10 August 2004.Contact Anna Catchpole at anna@celletpr.co.uk

World Town Crier Tournament
The second Lord Mayor of Chester’s Invitation World Town Crier Tournament takes place from 11 to 18 June. Contact David Atkinson at tourism@chestercc.gov.uk or 01244 402330.

Top chefs at Millennium Hotel
Top chefs Rick Stein and Brian Turner come together at the Millennium Hotel London Mayfair (Friday 12 March 2004). The evening features a live demonstration and entertainment on stage by Rick Stein the master raconteur and television chef. A 3-course dinner with accompanying wines will be served, prepared to Rick’s recipes in conjunction with the Millennium Mayfair’s resident celebrity chef, Brian Turner. This special celebration is to launch the second volume of "Rick Stein’s Food Heroes" which will accompany the BBC television series.
Tickets for An Evening with Rick Stein, which is from 7pm until 11pm, are available at £125 per person and include a champagne reception, 3-course dinner with wines, coffee and chocolates a signed copy of the new hardback book (per couple) and entertainment from Rick Stein.
Contact David Curtis-Brignell at david.curtis-brignell@mill-cop.com or 020 7872 2472.

Carnival in Catalonia
The town of Sitges in Catalonia goes carnival crazy from 19 to 25 February. Sitges is a well-known gay resort, but 'Carnaval' offers something for anyone who likes to party. Contact Faith Wootton at faith.wootton@thomascook.com or 01733 417271.

Gretna Green celebrates 250
Gretna Green celebrates 250 years of the Marriage Act, a statute of Parliament that turned this coaching stop in Dumfries & Galloway into the world-renowned Capital of Romance (26 March).  Contact Caroline Keith at caroline@thekeithconsultancy.co.uk or 01463 811000.

Latvia
The Latvian Tourism Bureau in London is joining forces with the Riga Information Centre to promote Latvia and its capital city. Eva Staltmare or london@latviatourism.lv or 020 7229 8271.

Plymouth’s artificial reef
The sinking of the frigate HMS Sclla at Plymouth’s Whitsand Bay in April will create an artificial reef and become a haven for divers. Contact Sarah Barnett at sarah@mccluskey.co.uk or 020 8237 7079.

New pet travel bags
Four new collections of pet travel bags by Gayle Martz of New York will be unveiled at the APPMA (American Pet Products Manufacturers Association) Show in Atlanta in February. Martz started Sherpa's Pet Trading Company® when she couldn't find a pet carrier for her Lhasa Apso, Sherpa. She discovered that a stylish, functional, lightweight carrier didn't exist. Contact Jennifer Juergens at Jennifer@sherpapet.com

Twelve Shangri-La’s get five star diamonds
Twelve of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts properties in Asia have been presented with the 2004 Five Star Diamond Award by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. Contact Karen Luard at karen.luard@shangri-la.com or 0208747 8484

Bath Music Festival
This year’s Bath International Music Festival takes place from 21 May to 6 June. Contact Julie Peacock at mail@peacockpr.com or 01225 463362.

Longest tree walk
The Australian state of Victoria has unveiled the longest and highest tree top canopy walk in the world. The Otway Fly Tree Top Walk is situated at Lavers Hill, just off the Great Ocean Road. Contact David Ezra at david@saltmarshpr.co.uk or 020 7928 1600.

Butlins own pop idle
Butlins is holding a number of Pop Idol style recruitment days across the country, searching for fresh new talent to join the Butlins ‘redcoat’. Contact Lesley Penniston at lesley.penniston@bourne-leisure.co.uk or 01442 203165.

Venice hotel reopens its annexes
The Hotel Cipriani's two exclusive private annexes, the Palazzo Vendramin and Palazzetto, will reopen in February with a special Winter in Venice offer valid until 1st April 2004.  Contact Vicky Legg at OEH.PR@orient-express.com or 020 7805 5067.

Discover Latin America
Travel 4's new 60-page brochure lists hotels, escorted tours, independent touring, sightseeing, adventure options and cruises throughout Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Argentina. Its Canada and Alaska brochure does the same for this country and state. Contact David Ezra david@saltmarshpr.co.uk 
020 7928 1600

La Dolce Vita by rail
Two relaxing itineraries taking in the best of Italy are on offer between April and October this year from Great Rail Journeys. Contact Ian Macbeth at ianmacbeth@greatrail.co.uk or 01904 521900.

Luxury Rail Journeys in the UK
Orient-Express Trains & Cruises has unveiled its new 2004/05 brochure 'Journeys in the United Kingdom' highlighting its two UK trains, the British Pullman and Northern Belle. Contact Kathryn Malone at OEH.PR@orient-express.com or 020 7805 5069.

New Destinations In France
Leisure Direction has included the Dordogne for the first time in its 2004 Summer self-catering programme. Contact Deborah Potts on 0208 324 4054.

Paint the town in NYC
NYC & Company are offering big savings on short-stay packages in the Big Apple until March 31 through its Paint the Town promotion. Contact Alex Bergin at alexbergin@hillsbalfour.com or 020 7922 1100.

1001 Walks in Britain
The AA’s 1001 Walks in Britain is in ring binder format to allow pages to be removed and placed in waterproof pockets for use on route. Contact Gavin Hill-Smith on 01252 700930.

Netherlands tourism exploits Girl with Pearl Earring
The Netherlands Board of Tourism has launched a national campaign highlighting one of Holland's most famous masterpieces to tie in with the release of the film Girl With A Pearl Earring. Contact Christa Enter center@holland.com or 020 7539 7950.

Mount Nelson opens champagne bar
Cape Town's Mount Nelson Hotel has opened a stylish and contemporary new bar called Planet where fashionable Capetonians and international visitors can gather to sip champagne under a twinkling fibre optic Milky Way or alfresco under the African night sky.  Contact Vicky Legg at OEH.PR@orient-express.com or 020 7805 5067.

In search of nomads
Sir John Ure, former British Ambassador, acclaimed travel writer and expert on nomadic people, will lead two special tours for Cox & Kings in 2004. He will give informal talks and offer fascinating insights on the group tours to Mongolia (departing 23 May) and Mali (on 13th October). Contact Michael Pullman at michael.pullman@coxandkings.co.uk or 020 7873 5006.

Longest passenger train in Australia runs from Adelaide to Darwin
Great Southern Railway has launched its transcontinental journey through the heart of Australia from Adelaide to Darwin. Contact Philip Engelberts at philip@pepr.com.au.

Italian makeover breaks
Hen parties can now experience the glamour of Milan, following the introduction of exclusive Italian makeover breaks by Brilliant Weekends. Each party will be escorted by their own personal style guide who will provide tips on everything from the latest trends to the most fashionable footwear, and the low-down on sourcing boutique bargains in the city's Golden Triangle and Ticinese quarters. Contact Daniel Johnson at daniel.johnson@rooster.co.uk

London’s sights and bites
London’s sights and bites, which is published by New Holland in March, will help visitors to the Capital find good places to eat and sights to see. Contact Catherine Holmes at catherine@nhpub.co.uk or 020 7725 9928

World Ice Golf Championships
The spectacular Arctic island of Spitsbergen will be the setting for the 5th Drambuie World Ice Golf Championships (2nd to 4th April 2004). Spitsbergen is the largest island in the archipelago of Svalbard, and sits half way between mainland Norway and the North Pole. Contact Wendy Hughes at wendy.hughes@ntr.no

Features

North America’s top events in 2004
The American Bus Association has produced its Top 100 Events in North America covering fairs, festivals, and parades, to exhibits, theatre and shows in 45 US states and 11 Canadian provinces.

The American Bus Association is the trade organization of the intercity bus industry with about 900 motorcoach owner and tour company members in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations and contract services. Another 2,300 members are travel and tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry. Contact Lori Levy at llevy@buses.org

To listen to interviews with some of the 3,000 delegates of this years American Bus Marketplace in NYC Jan 16 - 22, 2004. Click here. Pictures, interviews and tons of connections. Sandy Dhuyvetter, executive producer and host of Travel Talk Radio and Travel Talk News was on hand to broadcast a live remote show worldwide and to her audience in Southern California. www.TravelTalkRadio.com /aba_04.html

Peter Pantuso, president of the   American Bus Association   and Sandy Dhuyvetter,  executive producer and host of  Travel Talk Radio.

Sandy Dhuyvetter regularly covers the Top 100 Events awarded by the American Bus Association each year.

Peter has been a guest on Sandy's program many times representing the Motorcoach Industry. www.buses.org Sandy interviewed 21 delegates in Jan at the American Bus Marketplace in New York City. Click HERE to check it out! You can do a search on more information regarding the American Bus Association and Peter Pantuso by doing a search on the Travel Talk Radio Web site.  SEARCH Travel Talk Radio Web site  for additional information on Guests, Destinations and More!

Emirates line up Beckenbauer
Emirates, the Dubai-based airline has appointed German footballing legend Franz Beckenbauer as its Global Ambassador for Football. 

Emirates has a strong track record in sports sponsorship. In football, Emirates is an Official Partner of the Germany 2006 FIFA World Cup, as well as official club sponsor of Chelsea FC and Home United, Singapore.

In rugby sevens - Emirates sponsors tournaments in Dubai, London and George (South Africa) and recently announced sponsorship of the England sevens team. In horse racing Emirates has been title sponsor since 1996 of the Dubai World Cup (Group I), the world's richest event.

Other sponsorships include the PGA European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic; the Finals (in Dubai) of the UIMC Class 1 World Offshore Powerboat Championship, the Dubai Tennis Open, Collingwood Australian Rules football team and the International Cricket Council's international panel of umpires and match referees for all Test and One Day international matches.

Emirates operates from Dubai to 74 cities in 52 countries in Europe, North America (cargo only at present), the Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent and Asia-Pacific Rim.  It inaugurated new services to Auckland, Moscow and Brisbane during 2003.
Contact Claire Franck at cfranck@qbo-bellpottinger.co.uk at or 020 7861 2446.

Bradt
Bradt Travel Guides are happy to provide CIoJ members with complimentary copies of any of their guides for research in return for a mention of the guide in print.
For a full list see their website www.bradt-travelguides.com.
To request a particular guide email ashley@williamjack.co.uk.

Footprint
Footprint Handbooks (www.footprintbooks.com) is providing the CIoJ Travel Writers’ review copies of its best selling guides. Footprint publishes detailed, full colour, guides which provide a wealth of information to journalists planning, visiting and writing on destinations worldwide.

CIoJ Travel Writers’ can request review copies of a Footprint handbook although this support should be reflected, where appropriate, in any copy produced.
To request a particular guide email ashley@williamjack.co.uk.

Response Source
Response Source (www.responsesource.com) is a relatively new journalist enquiry system, which is now being accessed by thousands of journalists and PR practitioners.

Response Source allows a journalist to send requests for information to public relations agencies in specific sectors. These agencies then respond direct if appropriate.

 Why write about it . . .

Carnival in Basel
Russell Palmer from the Swiss Tourist Board explains why
Basel's carnival, from 1 to 3 March 2004, is one of the best and liveliest festivals in all of Switzerland.

Carnival, the feasting season before the beginning of Lent, is celebrated in one form or another in many European countries and is even the basis for New Orleans' famous Mardi Gras.

Many of the present Fasnacht customs date from the nineteenth century, but the celebration in its present form began in the days of the Reformation.Fasnacht begins with Morgestraich on the Monday after Ash Wednesday at 4 am. At that time all the lights in the city are extinguished so that the only light visible comes from the lanterns of the costumed cliques of revellers.