We Live in a Visual World

 An Urban Renaissance Transforms Downtown

Salt Lake

A New Development Emphasizes Urbanism in  

Utah’s Capital City

Salt Lake City (January 18, 2012) — A new urbanism is at work in downtown Salt Lake with a massive reinvention that will undoubtedly be a game changer for residents and visitors alike.

In March of 2012, 165 years since the founding of the city by Mormon settlers (when it was still part of Mexico), a new breed of city dwellers and tourists will experience a dynamic, walkable downtown where residents have returned to live, work and play. A 23-acre, multi-billion dollar project called City Creek Center is at the heart of the renaissance. Thanks to funding by partner City Creek Reserve, City Creek will open debt-free and is slated to be the first-ever Silver LEED Certified mixed-use development; a sustainably-designed, pedestrian community of residences, offices and retail stores across three expansive downtown blocks.

Other U.S. urban centers have been given a strong boost by mixed-use developments, such as Denver’s Cherry Creek and West Palm Beach’s City Place. By design, Salt Lake’s City Creek Center will also radically reshape Salt Lake’s urban core. Developed by Taubman Centers Inc., City Creek Center is adjacent to Temple Square and the Salt Palace Convention Center in the heart of downtown. This outdoor shopping center features fully retractable glass roofs to ensure a year-round, climate-controlled environment as well as a pedestrian skybridge over Main Street.  

The pathways in and around City Creek have been strategically designed to make shopping, eating and strolling along the tree-lined streets an ideal experience for pedestrians. City Creek’s unique mix of retail, restaurants, offices, condominiums and apartments is expected to revitalize downtown Salt Lake and turn it into a mecca for young professionals, empty nesters and visitors alike, drawn by the vibrant energy of the city’s new nucleus. Combined with the recent openings of two groundbreaking museums, the Natural History Museum of Utah and The Leonardo, it’s clear Salt Lake is in the midst of an urban Renaissance with a strong cultural slant.

Dinosaur fossils are just one of the many astounding exhibits at the newly opened Natural History Museum of Utah. The 161,000 square-foot, Gold LEED-Standard museum has eight permanent exhibit spaces featuring 1.2 million objects of natural history, and a 1,200 square-foot children’s gallery. The Leonardo–inspired by namesake Leonardo da Vinci–is a visionary interactive museum of science, technology, and art, housed in the former SLC Public Library. The Leonardo offers visitors exhibits, dialogs, hands-on workshops, performances and major traveling exhibitions.

While the exceptionally wide streets of Salt Lake were originally designed to allow a team of four oxen pulling a wagon to effortlessly turn around, transportation of a different sort is on the minds of 21st century planners. By late 2012, visitors will be able to ride the new Utah Transit Authority Airport TRAX Line into the heart of downtown, a connection that will take 20 minutes to reach City Creek Center, the centerpiece of Salt Lake’s dynamic downtown.

For more information, go to VisitSaltLake.com.

Dine, Delight and Date in Santa Monica this Winter with a Chance to Win a Valentine’s Romance Hotel Package

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Santa Monica is home to beachfront hotels, world-class restaurants and this January, Cirque Du Soleil’s OVO ! The beachfront tent from Cirque du Soleil returns to the Santa Monica Pier starting January 20th. Ideal for a date night or an in-town getaway, Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau (SMCVB) is rolling out the red carpet for OVO ticketholders with creative hotel packages and dining and retail specials throughout the months of January and February. 

Over 45 Santa Monica restaurants from Downtown Santa Monica to Montana and Ocean Park neighborhoods will participate in dineLA Restaurant Week 2012  from January 22-27 and January 29-February 3, 2012.  The specials are available with a pre-fixe menu: Deluxe Dining is $16 for lunch and $26 for dinner; Premier Dining is $22 for lunch and $34 for dinner; and Fine Dining is $28 for lunch and $44 for dinner (beverages, tax and gratuity are not included; participating meal periods vary by restaurant).  

To celebrate date night, SMCVB  will be giving one lucky couple a Valentine’s Romance hotel package at Loews Santa Monica Beach hotel, which includes a one night stay and romantic dinner for two at Ocean & Vine.  Couples can enter to win during dineLA Restaurant Week 2012 by doing the following:

• Take a photo of your experience enjoying dinner at one of the Santa Monica’s participating dineLA restaurants or attending Cirque du Soleil’s OVO at the Santa Monica Pier.

• Post a Twitter update including @GoSantaMonica and the hashtag #SantaMonicaDate.

The winning couple will be notified by February 6, 2012. For more information on the contest, visit www.santamonica.com/date.

OVO ticketholders can enjoy special deals, weekend getaways and other creative offers during their visit to Santa Monica for Cirque du Soleil. Amenities include signature cocktails, tasting menus, complimentary valet parking, and even trapeze lessons.  Cirque inspired hotel packages and discounts can be viewed at www.santamonica.com/cirque-du-soleil/.

Cirque du Soleil is thrilled to return to the Santa Monica Pier with its critically-acclaimed and family-friendly big top touring show OVO opening January 20, 2012 for a limited engagement under the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top). Since its world-premiere in Montreal in 2009, OVO has charmed over 2 million spectators in North America. Santa Monica will be the only Southern California stop for a Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) production in 2012. For more information

MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE Celebrates Belgium, Seattle and Outaouais!

Montréal, January 12, 2012 —Belgium’s Wallonia-Brussels region, Seattle, along with the wine growing regions of Washington and Oregon, and Quebec’s Outaouais region will be featured on the menus at the 13^th edition of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE scheduled from Thursday, February 16 to Sunday, February 26, 2012. Each year, over 900,000 participants attend the festival that has become the largest culinary showcase in North America and one of the largest winter celebrations in Canada!

Come and take part in Montreal’s amazing midwinter party that has so much to offer as a Canadian winter get-away with spectacular dinners, food and wine tastings, culinary seminars and tours. In addition to the Gastronomy Program, MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE includes an arts and entertainment program, free outdoor activities geared to families, and the incredibly popular Nuit blanche à Montréal with over 180 events.

The Festival’s Gastronomy Program offers over 300 gourmet food and wine events

·        Honorary President’s Dinners: Chef Yves Mattagne, double-starred by the famed Guide Michelin and whose Restaurant Sea Grill has hugely contributed to the gastronomic renown of Brussels, creates a spectacular menu paired with wines at Toque! February 16, 17 & 18.

·        Air France Finest Tables: Chefs at more than 50 of Montreal’s best restaurants team with guest chefs from Belgium, Seattle and Quebec’s Outaouais region to present spectacular dinners paired with wine. February 16 to 26.

·        Wallonia-Brussels Convivial Meal: Michelin-starred Chef Nicolas Scheidt creates Belgium dishes featuring local and seasonal Quebec products along with Walloon chocolate maker François Deremiens at Marché Bonsecours. February 25.

·        Outaouais Region at Jean-Talon Market: Farmers and producers from the Outaouais region present their fine regional products with tastings and demonstrations at Montreal’s Jean Talon Market, the largest outdoor farmer’s market in N.A. February 18 & 19.

·        Jean-Talon Market Showcase Series: Ten culinary workshops featurie chefs from the Outaouais region who share their know-how and recipes inspired by their local products. February 18 & 19.

·        MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE Culinary Tours: A variety of five culinary tours of the city held over two weekends of the festival feature visits to specialty shops, markets and neigbourhoods. Tours include Microbreweries, maxi flavours; Tales and Tastes of Atwater Market; The Quartier des Spectacles; A Taste of Little Italy; Flavours and Aromas of Old Montréal. February 18 & 25.

·        Air France Culinary Workshops: Epicures take part in culinary workshops to hone their cooking techniques and prepare dishes to recreate at home featuring typical Belgian and Quebecois ingredients. February 16, 17, 18, 24 & 25.

·        Lunching Around the World: Several of Montreal’s international restaurants offer prix fixe lunches for $12.95. February 20 to 24.

·        Presenting: Quebec Chefs and Cheeses – Four chef finalists compete for the Grand Prize of $5,000. Dinner guests judge the chefs’ cheese creations at Fairmont, The Queen Elizabeth. February 18.

Belgium takes centre stage

As exciting as this Gastronomy Program is, the MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE is so much more. This year’s Festival Arts Program will showcase the performing arts from theatre, dance, music to exhibitions, featuring the finest artists in their respective categories, including those of Seattle and Belgium. The Festival has conferred its honorary co-presidency upon a Belgian legend, Brussels harmonica legend Toots Thielemans. And he’s bringing friends, including Stromae, Été 67, My Little Cheap Dictaphone…

The Free Outdoor Celebration, now in the Quartier des Spectacles

The Free Outdoor Site of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE once again invites Montrealers and tourists to revel in the winter wonders of the city with an impressive array of open-air activities for the whole family, including the famed free outdoor concerts. And this year, the Festival returns to present the bulk of its activities in the Quartier des Spectacles, where construction is now virtually completed.  

And finally, what would the Festival be without its Nuit blanche à Montréal that returns bigger and better than ever on February 25, with hundreds of activities to have nighthawks flocking out to celebrate into the wee hours.

The Free Outdoor Site program will be announced on February 1, while the Nuit blanche program will be unveiled on February 7. The 13th edition of the MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE will be held from Thursday, February 16 to Sunday, February 26, 2012. For all the info, please visit the Festival website, montrealenlumiere.com.

SPRING INTO GREAT LODGING DEALS IN MASSACHUSETTS
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Get Outside and Melt the Winter Blues Away
BOSTON – January 12, 2012 –Longer days, lighter coats, pretty pastels and fresh scents mean one thing to those who have felt housebound for several months – Spring Fever. So put the snow shovels and wool sweaters away, and embrace all that spring has to offer in Massachusetts! With fantastic lodging deals and activities designed to melt those winter blues away, you’ll be inspired by the season.

For a complete list of spring deals and daily updates on events and attractions, please visit www.massvacation.com, like us on Facebook at Visit Massachusetts or follow us on Twitter @VisitMA.

Greater Boston

YOUUUUUUK! Package, Liberty Hotel – The YOUUUUUUK! Package is perfect for every Red Sox fan. Kick off the baseball season by spending a weekend night or two at The Liberty Hotel and help raise funds for Kevin Youkilis’ charitable organization, Youk’s Kids. A portion of the proceeds from this package will go to Youk’s worthy charity. This luxury package includes: overnight accommodations, an original Kevin Youkilis signed baseball and breakfast for two at CLINK. Contact The Liberty Hotel for pricing.  www.libertyhotel.com

Eco Chic Package, Lenox Hotel – Appreciate the environment and spring’s warmer temps with the Lenox’s Eco Chic Package. After being one of only four hotels in the world to be named to Conde Nast Traveler’s Green List, the Lenox is proud to be a pioneer in the ecotourism movement. The urban Eco-Chic package is a perfect get away that includes comfortable accommodations, an Urban AdvenTour Bike Tour of Boston and more. Package includes a night in an elegant accommodation, organic wine upon arrival and a donation to the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM). Rates starting from $439 per room.  www.lenoxhotel.com

Freedom Trail Discovery Package, The Fairmont Copley Plaza – The Freedom Trail features sixteen historic sites, all significant in America’s early struggle for freedom, connected by a 2.5 mile red brick line that not only links one place to another, but the past to the present. The Fairmont Copley Plaza celebrates Boston’s rich history and the 50th Anniversary of this legendary attraction with its Freedom Trail Discovery Package. The package includes one night in an elegant guestroom, two passes to the Walk Into History tour with an 18^th-century costumed guide, two tickets to the three Freedom Trail historic museums (Old South Meeting House, Old State House and Paul Revere House) and a copy of The Freedom Trail: An Artist’s View.  www.fairmont.com/copleyplaza

North Of Boston

Minute Man Historic Park Family Fun Package, Bedford Plaza Hotel – Nothing says springtime quite like spending time in the park, especially at Minute Man National Historical Park. Check out their daily ranger programs, guided tours and a range of special events featuring Revolutionary War reenactors, musical performances, story telling and more! Bedford Plaza Hotel offers a Family Fun Package that includes admission for two adults and two children to Minute Man Park. Younger guests also receive a Kid’s Welcome Bag and the whole family will enjoy complimentary continental breakfast in their restaurant, Atrium Café. Rates starting at $95 per night.  www.befordplazahotel.com

Cape & the Islands

Family Vacation Package, Cape Codder Resort, Hyannis – Plan a springtime getaway that the whole family will love. The Family Vacation Package at the Cape Codder Resort includes two nights for a family of four, including up to a $40 meal allowance for breakfast, lunch or dinner at Grand Cru Wine Bar or Hearth ‘n Kettle Restaurant. Bring your family and enjoy admission to their spectacular Cape Codder Indoor Wave Pool, complete with 2′ waves 80′ water slides, soothing whirlpool, saunas, dancing water fountains, full spa services, a Heated Outdoor Pool and much more! Contact the Cape Codder Resort for rates.  www.capecodderresort.com

Girls Overnight Getaway Package, Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa, Sandwich – Get ready for a new season with this package designed to help you gather the Goddesses in your life for a relaxing Girls Getaway! Rejuvenate with this two night retreat, savor award-winning cuisine from their fine dining or tavern menus, pamper yourselves in the Beach Plum Spa with Beach Plum Foot Rituals and Massages and rediscover the importance of connecting with the Goddesses who help make you complete! Package includes: one or two nights accommodations, $50 meal voucher for Fine Dining or the Tavern, two Cranberry Pedicures, two 60 minute massages and a special gift. Contact the Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa for rates.  www.danlwebsterinn.com

Western Massachusetts

The Girlfriends Getaway / Mother-Daughter Retreat Package, Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club, Lenox – This package is the perfect way to relax as the snow melts and flowers bloom. The package includes one night Classic Resort accommodations, $125 spa credit, 10% discount on spa treatments, $25 dining credit at any Cranwell restaurant, unlimited fitness classes and full use of the Spa at Cranwell with heated indoor pool, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms and fitness center, welcome chocolates and shopping discounts at the nearby Lee Premium Outlets. Rates start at $299 per person. www.cranwell.com

About MOTT:
The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) is the state agency dedicated to promoting Massachusetts as a leisure-travel destination. An integral part of the state’s economy, tourism generates more than $915 million in state and local taxes and $14.4 billion in travel related expenditures and supports 121,500 in-state jobs.  www.massvacation.com

THE MARBELLA CLUB HOTEL· GOLF RESORT & SPA CELEBRATES VALENTINES DAY BY GOING THE SWEET DISTANCE FOR CANADIANS

-Fall in love all February with the Amor Marbella Escape-

 - Stay Three Nights and Enjoy the Fourth Night Complimentary-

Marbella, Spain (January 2012): Love is always in the air at the Marbella Club Hotel · Golf Resort & Spa. The sub-tropical climate, pristine Mediterranean Sea, fairy tale gardens and legendary Spanish hospitality create an atmosphere of pure uninhibited bliss year round. However, those Canadian couples traveling the distance this February will find that love is particularly sweet at the Marbella Club Hotel in February, with the Amor Marbella Escape package.

Set in a natural paradise on the shores of the Mediterranean, the Marbella Club offers the perfect way to say “I love you. “ Slow down and unwind in a luxurious guestroom, suite or villa, enjoy pure relaxation at Thalasso Spa, experience the culture of the Old Town and the excitement of Puerto Banús and indulge in a romantic dinner for two at the famed Grill restaurant, Marbella’s culinary landmark. This year, the hotel is celebrating the entire month with romantic offers from 1st to 29th February.   Starting from 585 Euros per night, the Amor Marbella Escape includes:

·         Complimentary room upgrade upon availability

·         Cava and fresh fruit upon arrival

·         Daily champagne buffet breakfast in the Winter Garden

·          Prince Alfonso Afternoon Tea service for two in the new Champagne Room

·          Thalasso Sweet Escape experience including a relaxing Thalassotherapy pool session, hydrating Multijet Bath with sweet honey and sensual MC Shitao massage in the exclusive double spa room

·         Pre-dinner glass of Champagne in the luxurious Champagne Room

·          Romantic prix fixe dinner for two at the Grill restaurant

And now, in celebration of Valentines, the hotel is offering a Fourth Night Complimentary, exclusively for Marbella Amor Escape guests:

Stay four nights, and your last night’s rate will be credited at check-out

Rates are based on double occupancy and require a two night minimum stay for the Amor Marbella Package and three nights to receive the fourth night complimentary. 

Marbella Club

Reservations: 0034 95 282 2211

Email: reservas@marbellaclub.com 

www.marbellaclub.com

MAYOR bloomberg announces New York City has attracted a record number of tourists in 2011 and crowns HONORARY 50 MILLIONth VISITORS

City Expects to Welcome 50.2 Million Visitors by the End of 2011, Breaking Record One Year Ahead of Schedule

City to Generate a Record $32 Billion in Visitor Spending and $48 Billion in Economic Impact by Year’s End

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and NYC & Company Board of Directors Chair and Metropolitan Museum of Art President Emily Rafferty today announced that New York City will reach 50.2 million visitors by the end of 2011, achieving the goal of attracting 50 million visitors by 2012 one full year ahead of schedule. Throughout 2011, the City maintained its position as the number one city destination and overseas destination in the United States. In recognition of this achievement, Mayor Bloomberg today presented the Johnson family from Lichfield, England with a “golden ticket” to New York City and named them the honorary 50 millionth visitors to New York City. The announcement was made in iconic Times Square – the crossroads of the world – as video screens flashed “50 million” and more than 100 members of the tourism industry joined to celebrate the historic moment. Mayor Bloomberg was also joined by New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council President Peter Ward and members of the City’s tourism industry.

“Five and half years ago, we set an ambitious goal to reach 50 million visitors by 2015, and in 2008, we accelerated that goal to be the end of 2012,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Today, we know that we will exceed this significant milestone by year’s end.  New York City’s quality of life has contributed to this great success and we are confident we will sustain the success of our tourism industry in the months and years ahead.”

NYC & Company forecasts the City will attract a record-breaking 10.1 million international visitors in 2011, a 4 percent increase over 2010. The United Kingdom, which is home to the Johnson family, is the top market of origin for overseas visitors with more than 1 million visitors expected by the end of 2011 – a two percent increase. The City also expects to attract a record-breaking 40.1 million domestic visitors – 2.9 percent more than last year. New York City is also on track to generate $32 billion in visitor spending, $48 billion in economic impact and contribute to approximately 320,000 jobs across the five boroughs.  The City remains the number one U.S. city destination for tourism spending.

New York City continues to hold its position as the number one port of entry for the U.S. and the number one U.S. destination for overseas travel with approximately one out of every three visitors to the U.S. visiting the five boroughs. Since 2006, New York City has continued to increase its market share for all inbound international travel to the U.S. growing from a 28 percent market share to a nearly 33 percent market share for 2010. Each additional share point captured by New York City accounts for approximately $600 million dollars in spending to the five boroughs.  
 
            “Under Mayor Bloomberg’s leadership, tourism has become one of New York’s most important economic engines,” Deputy Mayor Robert K. Steel said. “Tourism brings visitors, investment – and most importantly, jobs – to neighborhoods in all five boroughs.”

“We’re thrilled to reach Mayor Bloomberg’s tourism goal one year ahead of schedule.  Our diverse cultural organizations throughout all five boroughs contribute so much to the continued success of our tourism industry.  We look forward to building on this milestone in the years ahead and inviting even more visitors from around the globe to experience the energy and excitement of New York City,” said Emily Rafferty, Chairman of NYC & Company and President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

“Achieving Mayor Bloomberg’s goal of attracting 50 million visitors one year early is a huge milestone and a very proud moment for NYC & Company as an organization,” said NYC & Company CEO, George Fertitta. “Without the Mayor’s vision and support, and with the partnership of our more than 2,000 members across the City’s tourism industry, this moment would not be possible. We have promoted New York City as a destination for all ages and interests that offers a new and different experience with every visit. As we continue to promote this message, we expect 2012 to also be a record-breaking year, and we look forward to building on our success to develop new initiatives that leverage the diversity, magnetism and vibrancy of the City to grow tourism across all five boroughs.”  

“On behalf of the many thousand men and women working in New York City’s hotel industry, I would like to congratulate Mayor Bloomberg, George Fertitta and the NYC & Company team on this great accomplishment,” said New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council President Peter Ward. “With 25.8 million room nights sold in 2010, New York City has once again proven to be a place people from around the world aspire to visit. Of course, we will remain dedicated to providing world-class service and an unmatched visitor experience – as we set our sights on filling every single one of the 90,000 rooms across the five boroughs on a daily basis.”

“We are thrilled to be in New York City with our closest friends and family celebrating our marriage,” said newlyweds Craig and Lucy Johnson. “We traveled to New York City for the first time 10 years ago and it has always been our dream to return.  We can’t wait to experience a Broadway show, see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City, do some holiday shopping and much more. We thank Mayor Bloomberg and NYC & Company for selecting us to represent the 50 million visitors who came to New York City this year and for making this an unforgettable trip for our family.”

During the Times Square event, and surrounded by members of the tourism industry including the Travelocity Roaming Gnome, the Radio City Rockettes and dozens of members of the City’s tourism industry, the Johnson family was presented with the “Golden Ticket to New York City,” and a once-in-a lifetime experience made possible by NYC & Company, its partners and members. American Express, a longtime supporter of New York City and NYC & Company, as well as a Founding Sponsor of NYC Restaurant Week, has provided the family with a $10,000 American Express Gift Card. American Express is also partnering with NYC & Company to give away 50 $25 American Express Gift Cards via Twitter through New Year’s Eve. To learn more, find NYC & Company on Facebook  and follow @nycgo on Twitter. To encourage the family to return again in 2012, NYC & Company hospitality partner, Travelocity, and the Travelocity Roaming Gnome, have offered the Johnsons a travel package to New York City in 2012 valued at $10,000.

During their trip to New York City, the family will be given $1,000 gift cards from NYC & Company members and retailers Bloomingdale’s, Century 21, FAO Schwarz, J&R Music and Computer World, Macy’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue; $400 dining gift cards to BR Guest Restaurants, Tribeca Grill and Union Square Hospitality Group and; tickets to the Tony-award winning Broadway show Memphis and tickets to Radio City Music Hall (MSG) for the 2011 Radio City Christmas Spectacular.  

Craig Johnson, a self-employed carpenter and Lucy Foulger Johnson, a homemaker, live in Lichfield England, near Birmingham, and have traveled to New York City to hold their wedding ceremony at Top of the Rock on Tuesday, which will be planned by NYC & Company member Ultimate USA Weddings. The Johnsons first visited New York City 10 years ago and, for this visit, are joined by members of their family including their children Grace, three years old, and Thomas, one year old, to celebrate their wedding.  The Johnsons are visiting New York City through December 22.

To mark the occasion, signs across Times Square carried the message of the 50 million visitor milestone.  Participating screens included: 1515 Broadway (SL Green Realty Corporation & Orange Barrel Media), American Eagle Times Square Spectacular, the Clear Channel Spectacolor screen at 1560 Broadway, Hard Rock Cafe New York, NASDAQ and Reuters screens (Times Square2, A Reuters/NASDAQ Alliance), the Walgreens Times Square Spectacular and the Toshiba Vision Sign.   

            By year’s end, New York City will be home to more than 90,000 hotel rooms throughout all five boroughs, a 24 percent increase since 2006.  The City is also on track to sell a record 27 million hotel room nights, 4.5 percent more than 2010, when NYC sold 25.8 million room nights. NYC & Company plans to build on its overseas tourism growth in 2012, a market that makes up 20 percent of total visitors, but 50 percent of total visitor spending. The organization has plans to launch new tourism development initiatives in North America, including Mexico and Canada.

NYC & Company has also expanded its efforts to promote New York City as a destination for meetings, incentive travel, tradeshows and major events.  The organization has sales offices covering Washington DC, the West Coast and Midwest regions, as well as in the UK. New York City hosts nearly four million convention delegates annually and convention travel to the City accounts for approximately one third of all business travel generating almost $3 billion in directing spending and $5 billion in economic impact.  Overall, attendance at the annual tradeshows is up this year, with many experiencing record-breaking attendance despite the national trend. 

 In June of 2006 Mayor Bloomberg created the new NYC & Company, merging the existing NYC & Company with NYC Big Events and NYC Marketing to create the world’s leading municipal marketing organization. Since that time, NYC & Company has created programs and partnerships with community groups and public and private partners including American Express, American Airlines, Travelocity and Google to maximize tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, build economic prosperity and promote New York City as one of the world’s premier destinations.  In 2007, NYC & Company created the City’s first-ever global brand campaign, “This is New York City.”   Also in 2007, NYC & Company launched the “Just Ask the Locals” campaign, the City’s first welcome and thank-you campaign targeting visitors.  Other key campaigns include Get More NYC, Nine in ’09, Go Local, NYC I DO, Broadway Week, Off-Broadway Week and the Signature Collection.  The organization has also continued to grow major initiatives such as NYC Restaurant Week, Fashion’s Night Out and NYC Mayor’s Cup.  

BARBADOS TAKES OFF WITH TRANSAT

The large tour operator will offer direct service to the island for the winter

TORONTO (December 22, 2011) Barbados announces a Transat direct service this winter expecting to welcome more than 3,000 passengers to the island. Starting on Christmas Day and running through the winter months, on Sundays, until April 22, 2012, Canada’s holiday travel leader will be the first charter out of Canada to touchdown on the island through its brand Transat Holidays. 

“We are delighted Transat Holidays will be offering service to Barbados this winter,” said Cheryl Carter, Senior Business Development Manager of the Barbados Tourism Authority in Canada. “Canada is a very important market for Barbados which continues to grow. At a time when travel habits are changing and new competitors are entering the playing field, we are pleased that Barbados is offering a new service reflecting its strength as a tourism destination and igniting a confidence of its diverse appeal.”

The number of Canadians visiting Barbados has grown consistently and significantly over the past five years, quickly making Canada one of the island’s key markets.  And while 2010 was arguably one of the most disappointing years in tourism overall, Barbados saw Canadian arrivals increase by 13.8 per cent.  The new service will increase flight capacity from Canada to Barbados by six per cent in high season, bringing the island closer to achieving visitor arrivals in excess of 1979 – when Canada was Barbados’ top-producing visitor market.  Furthermore, reflecting the island’s diverse offering, the new service will provide Canadians with a selection of additional flight, property and package options.

Transat Holidays has partnered with a variety of properties on the island to ensure that there is practically anything for anyone. Transat Holidays will offer packages through Amarylis Beach Resort, Accra Beach Hotel & Spa, Almond Casuarina, Almond Beach Village, Almond Beach Club, Bougainvillea Beach Resort, Hilton Barbados and The Crane to provide a wide variety of choices – ranging from 3.5 to 5 star, all-inclusive to European meal plans, family to luxury accommodations and secluded to centrally located.

About Barbados

The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes, including The Crane Beach, St. Philips, voted on of the world’s beaches for 2008 by Concierge.com. Barbados is the first and only Zagat-rated Caribbean island with numerous internationally renowned chefs who masterfully put signature spins on local delicacies and traditions. Barbados is also an ideal stage for world-class events and has hosted numerous athletic championships, including the ICC Cricket World Cup Final 2007 and the 2006 PGA World Golf Championship-The Barbados World Cup. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation house and villas to quaint bed and breakfasts to award-winning five-star resorts. The newly renovated Grantly Adams International Airport offers non-stop and direct service from a Toronto daily on Air Canada and 9 times weekly in the winter and 2 flights weekly out of Montreal. WestJet commenced service November 2, 2009 with 5 flights weekly via Toronto. Barbados was voted #8 in the World by Trip Advisor’s ‘2008 Travelers Choice Destination Awards’ in its Top 100 Destinations category. Follow the Barbados beat and catch up on the latest news via the Barbados Facebook page at www.tinyurl.com/VisitBarbados and Twitter at www.twitter.com/Barbados. For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org or Call 1-800-268-9122 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            1-800-268-9122      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

About Transat Holidays

Year-round, Transat Holidays provides its customers across Canada with a full range of holiday products. It offers sun vacations, with a choice of more than 140 hotels, mainly in the Caribbean, Mexico and Florida, along with an impressive array of flights, packages and tours to some 30 European destinations. Transat Holidays also offers more than 100 cruises all around the world. www.transatholidays.com