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  • New honeymoon trends grow to be gay and lesbian couples plan weddings

    As an instantaneous results of California’s Proposition 8 being struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, business for ChicGayHoneymoons.com, the bespoke luxury travel company that specializes in chic romantic getaways and complicated honeymoons for lesbian and gay couples, has surged overnight with quite a lot of new trends emerging.

    “For every couple it is rushing to get married, we predict five or ten fold who will take their time and plan their wedding and honeymoon in additional comprehensive ways”
    Many couples in long-term relationships are skipping the frilly wedding ceremony and spending their money on quality honeymoons. “These couples have considered themselves married, but just not legally, for a very long time. They’re choosing honeymoons to their dream destinations. South Africa, Italy, Greece, Bali and Tahiti are top requests,” says ChicGayHoneymoons Co-Founder Tom Stanley. “Many younger couples are planning weddings more traditionally with family and friends and picking out closer destinations reminiscent of Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean.”

    “We’ve received a great number of calls from couples across the country who’re planning to marry in California despite the fact that it’s not legal yet of their states,” says Laurie Wolfe, the company’s other co-founder. “We’re hearing from many who working with a gay-owned company is a concern. Their concern is that their long-fought-for honeymoons can be tainted by discrimination or awkwardness while travelling to the hotel, resort, cruises or destination. They’ve come to us knowing now we have vetted the honeymoon properties, cruise lines and destinations we sell.”

    Stanley and Wolfe predict sustained interest of their honeymoon and destination wedding products. “For every couple that may be rushing to get married, we think five or ten fold who will take their time and plan their wedding and honeymoon in additional comprehensive ways,” says Stanley.

    The ChicGayHoneymoons website features greater than 300 hotels, resorts, packages and cruises in gay-friendly destinations. All honeymoons or romantic destinations could be customized to offer the ideal romantic vacation for the couple.

  • News: United Airlines to extend weekly service to Central America

    United has began weekly year-round service between its hub at Washington-Dulles International Airport and both Guatemala City, Guatemala, and San Jose, Costa Rica, from April 13.  The airline will also begin weekly year-round service between its Chicago O’Hare hub and San Jose an analogous day.

    All routes would be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 16 seats in United Business, 48 seats in Economy Plus and 90 seats in United Economy class.  The brand new flights complement United’s existing service to Guatemala City and San Jose from the airline’s hubs in Manhattan and Houston.

    “These new flights strengthen United’s Latin American route network and supply less demanding travel options for our customers,” said Millie Uriarte , Director, Latin America Onshore & Caribbean Sales.

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  • Rosewood Little Dix Bay – The last word wellness escape

    Perched upon the lovely British Virgin Island of Virgin Gorda, Rosewood Little Dix Bay, complete with its cliff-top Sense Spa, dedicated fitness and yoga retreats, and vast array of land-based and water-based activities Rosewood Little Dix Bay provides the final word wellness escape.

    Fitness and Yoga Retreats : May and June 2013
    Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s four-day retreats has been crafted to provide a complete body revitalization experience through a delicately-planned agenda of yoga or fitness classes, healthy cuisine tailored to individual nutrition plans, and massage in SENSE, A Rosewood Spa. Spearheaded by well-known Manhattan based instructors, yoga classes, hosted by Johnny Anzalone, will leave guests balanced and strengthened while the more intense fitness workouts by Frank Baptiste of FranklyFitness, will combine strength, flexibility, cardio exercise and core training. Fitness Immersion Retreat : 8-12 May and Revitalise, Refresh, Renew Yoga 8-12 June ; 12-16 June 2013.

    SENSE Cliff-Top Spa Experience
    Perched high on a bluff overlooking the Caribbean Sea Sense Spa’s dramatic setting with 360° views is unparalleled. Using therapeutic practices and progressive concepts in health and wellness, a number of the treatments fuse the indigenous botanical resources proliferating in the grounds of the resort with traditional, spiritual and physical healing arts. Sample treatments include: Little Dix Bay Signature Ritual, Virgin Gorda Goat Milk & Honey Wrap, “The Baths” Hot Stone Therapy and Seaside Sedation Massage.

    A haven for sports enthusiasts
    Hiking – guests can see the correct of the region from one in all Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s hiking trails – Cow Hill Trail winds behind the spa at the west side of the resort and provides spectacular views of the bay and around the marina, whilst The Savannah Bay trail starts on the eastern end of the resort and provides a more rigorous and lengthily trail where the “reward” is a refreshing dip within the ocean at Savannah Bay.

    Tennis – having hosted the Legends Tennis Camp in association with Necker Island and Premier Tennis Travel last December, Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s luxurious tennis facility comprises three artificial grass courts and 4 hard courts at the doorstep of a powerful state-of-the-art indoor gym.

    Diving at Rosewood Little Dix Bay – for over 25 years, Dive BVI located at the beach of the resort, has offered Scuba instruction, certification and excursions to guests at Rosewood Little Dix Bay. Dive BVI offers all levels of SSI courses from Discover Scuba to Divemaster, with the chance for certification in either Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver levels.

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  • Confederations Cup offers Brazilian tourism timely boost

    Foreign tourists and Brazilians visiting the six venues of the Confederations Cup brought greater than £90 million to the local economy in the course of the 15 days of the contest.

    The calculation, made by Embratur, was in keeping with the collection of tourists and the length of stay of every visitor within the six cities that were hosting the games, in addition to money spent by the delegations and teams participating inside the tournament.

    The tournament was, however, rocked by political unrest as millions of demonstrators took to the streets to complain in regards to the cost of the imminent FIFA World Cup. 

    A total of 13,759 tickets were sold to foreigners and 111,569 to Brazilians.

    According to Embratur, foreign tourists stayed on average for roughly ten days within the city, whereas Brazilians stayed for 3 days inside the locality of the sport.

    “These numbers show how mega-events bring a right away return on investment to the local economy.

    “A significant slice of those resources goes directly into the pockets of local shopkeepers, street vendors and small businesses”, said Flávio Dino, president of Embratur.

    “The world is being used to seeing huge mass demonstrations as a democratic and healthy phenomenon.

    “Brazil, one of many largest democracies on this planet, couldn’t remain an exception”, stated Dino.

    He talked about that the President, Dilma Rousseff, announced last week that she is going to demand a referendum to permit the nation to determine whether it wants a reform of the country’s political structure.

    “The government is responding quickly and boldly to demands from the streets.”

    Dino highlighted that, inside the Confederations Cup, which came about in the course of the protests, there have been no incidents involving foreign tourists.

    The Brazilian Association of Tour Operators (Braztoa) confirmed that there have been no cancellations of trips.

    “Tourism in Brazil carries on as usual,” summarised Dino.

  • News: DoubleTree by Hilton opens first hotel in South Africa

    Hilton Worldwide today announced the official opening of the primary DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in South Africa – the 183-room DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town – Upper Eastside.  Owned and operated by Upper Eastside Hotel (Pty) Ltd under a franchise license agreement, the newly renovated, upscale full-service property is found in Cape Town’s upcoming district of Woodstock, a dynamic area that’s home to an abundance of stylish art galleries, boutiques, music bars and stylish restaurants. The hotel becomes the fifth Hilton Worldwide property in South Africa and the third DoubleTree by Hilton in Africa.

    John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton said, “I am delighted we’re making our debut in South Africa in such an inspiring location and with a property which will both impress and pleasure.  The newly upgraded DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town – Upper Eastside offers superb facilities in a city in an effort to help to increase our commitment to welcome the world’s travellers to key destinations.”

    Accommodation ranges from executive rooms and suites to luxury, two-storey duplex loft rooms located at the penthouse floor with panoramic views of the city’s best known landmarks. With both business and leisure guests in mind, DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town – Upper Eastside offers a variety of amenities, including nine meeting rooms, a 350 -capacity function room and 24-hour fitness and business centres. Discerning guests could also enjoy Liberty’s Restaurant with its seasonal á la carte fusion-style menu created by executive chef Simon Kemp. Kemp is renowned for his professional creativity and a spotlight to detail. Guests and locals who would like to unwind can visit the eStreet Bar and Lounge, that is open for cocktails and drinks every evening until 1am, with live entertainment on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

    Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide, Middle East & Africa said, “Today’s opening is a major milestone for Hilton Worldwide as we underline our commitment to tourism development in South Africa and broaden visitor choice by bringing our third brand and our fifth hotel to this growing market.  Cape Town, specially, is an award winning city of adventure, gastronomy and cultural attractions and currently essentially the mostsome of the most popular destination resorts in Africa.”

    Guests of DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town – Upper Eastside will benefit from the characteristic features of greater than 330 DoubleTree by Hilton locations in 28 countries around the globe including a warm welcome for each guest at check-in with the brand’s legendary chocolate chip cookie, an array of upscale amenities and guest services, rewards from the Hilton HHonors guest loyalty programme, and a completely unique and committed culture of care. Gold and Diamond HHonors members can even receive complimentary breakfast and high speed internet access.

    Mike Flax, chairman of higher Eastside Hotel (Pty) Ltd, owners and operators of the converted hotel said: “The city’s status as a lovely tourism and events hub is becoming globally recognised and the hole of DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town – Upper Eastside may also help meet the growing demand for first-class, branded accommodation.”

    Positioned on the southern tip of Africa, Cape Town is likely one of the hottest tourist destinations for travellers to the Continent.  Called the ‘Mother City’, Cape Town is a celebrated wine-making region and boasts world famous landmarks similar to Table Mountain and Cape Point.  The town can be a major MICE destination playing host to various festivals and events including high profile conventions comparable to the realm Economic Forum in May 2013 and the Design Capital Exhibition in 2014.  Leisure travellers will note the celebrated 2012 World Travel honour awarded to town as Africa’s Leading Beach Destination.

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