Travel and Tourism Industry News

San Luis Obispo, California is home to one of the most accessible of world-renowned wine countries; just halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, this highly reputed viticulture area boasts world-class wine amid scenic landscapes just miles from the Pacific Ocean, a charming downtown full of wine country delights, and a hospitable and unpretentious community.

Seven spring wine festivals provide the perfect reason for connoisseurs and wine enthusiasts to discover San Luis Obispo this season, and the 37 hotels of downtown San Luis Obispo offer every level of luxury, comfort, convenience, and affordability for a stay that suits every palate.

March 2010 kicks off the wine festival season by focusing on two popular varietals: the World of Pinot Noir, March 5 – 6 in Pismo Beach, and the much anticipated Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival, March 19 – 21, highlighting over 50 versions of the winegrowing region’s star varietal.

April 2010 promises to shower guests with wine at several exciting wine events. The Earth Day Wine & Food Festival, April 16 – 18, features over 200 purveyors of award-winning, sustainably produced food and wine. The Cal Poly Wine Festival, April 23 – 24, is an impressive student-run event featuring over 100 wineries and benefiting the university’s Vines to Wines Club and the “Learn By Tasting” philosophy. At the end of April, the Hospice du Rhône Celebration, April 29 – May 1, is the world’s largest celebration of Rhône variety wines, featuring over 130 international Rhône producers. Read the rest of this entry »

Cebu Pacific (CEB) has joined the ranks of global brands as it enters the highly competitive world of motorsport. The Philippines’ leading airline and Asia’s third largest low-cost carrier is sponsoring young Irish karting champ –-now Formula BMW Pacific contender — Gary Thompson, as he sets out to conquer the region’s circuits.

“Cebu Pacific has been great,” shares Thompson. “They’ve been really supportive and I hope they keep expanding in the future to bigger things.”

Ireland’s best driver meets Asian airline leader for a winning partnership on and off the track

The 17-year-old Dubliner has been called his country’s best bet in the Formula One calendar since Eddie Irvine drove for Ferrari in the 1990s, then Jaguar until 2002. Read the rest of this entry »

Unfortunately, many hoteliers are content with simply having a web site as the sum-total of their Internet marketing effort.

These same people wonder why their fair-share of reservation production is still eluding them.

Many hoteliers wonder what more they can do to drive business from the Internet. For the record, just having a web site is not nearly enough.

Even a perfectly designed web site will benefit from a promotional effort to produce business. Promoting your hotel online should be a high priority for every hotel, large and small. The payback is quick and the potential upside is big, Internet marketing makes sense for every hotel. Read the rest of this entry »

Nepal enjoyed sustained positive growth in international visitor arrivals since June 2009 and the trend continues even in 2010, according to figures released here on Tuesday.

Figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), show that visitor arrivals in January 2010, compared to last January, increased by 18.8 percent to 26,071.

In January 2010, India recorded positive growth of 9.9 percent. In the SAARC region, arrivals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka registered positive growth by 43.3, 37.3 and 9.9 percent, respectively.

Arrivals from Japan, Malaysia and South Korea had positive growth by 19.5, 57.2 and 87.2 percent, respectively.

However, China, Thailand and Singapore had negative growth of 18.3, 25.1 and 3.2 percent, respectively.

Overall positive growth of 34.9 percent showed from European markets with arrivals from major markets such as the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland up by 12.6, 17, 25.8, 40.9, 92.2, 62.4 and 5.8 percent, respectively.

Arrivals from Australia, Canada and the USA also showed growth of 17.5, 69.2 and 10.2 percent, respectively.

There is no doubt that the ever exciting life of a globe trotter seems glamorous, invigorating and only has one drawback: jetlag. Celebrities, business executives, socialites as well as the average Joe suffer from this pesky inconvenience when crossing time zones. However, the easy fix to this nuisance could be found around your wrist.

That’s right! Philip Stein watches aren’t only sophisticated in design; they actually provide a healthy benefit. The natural frequencies are all around us, but are interrupted by technologies we use daily; computers, cell phones, microwaves, etc. To put our body’s natural frequencies back in sync, enter Philip Stein. The technology, created to harmonize an individual’s biofield and energy is exclusive to Philip Stein products.

The Philip Stein timepieces have been noted to help people recover quickly from jetlag, reduce stress, sleep and focus better. An outstanding amount of reports filtered in from people that frequently travel; actors, business executives and flight attendants alike credit their Philip Stein watches for the quick recovery of jetlag.

“With the travel demands of my occupation, at times in the past I had trouble getting consistent and adequate amounts of sleep. Consequently my body wasn’t able to optimally recover following my daily activities and strenuous training. Since wearing the watch however, once I hit the bed I’ve been falling asleep sooner and able to sleep throughout the night. With so many of the body’s recovery mechanisms occurring during sleep, the deeper sleep I am able to get helps me feel my very best the following day; ready to endure the challenges, stress, intense workouts, and travel demands,” said Keon Weise, Athletic Trainer for Orlando Magic.

Fan’s of Philip Stein timepieces include; Rupert Murdoch, Madonna, Jessica Alba, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Alexander and Oprah Winfrey, who has twice named the watches as “one of her favorite things” are just a sampling of the brand’s enthusiasts.

Testimonials from users worldwide are received and cataloged for review. For a complete history of Philip Stein or technical information related to natural frequencies, please visit www.PhilipStein.com. For more information and product updates, please join the Philip Stein Facebook Page – www.facebook.com/PhilipSteinWorld .

Sonesta St. Maarten Resorts’ “The 40+ Sale” is the gateway to winter savings in the Caribbean. Travelers get a 40% discount on room only rates. PLUS, guests who stay four nights or more get $150 in food and beverage credits. This limited-time offer must be booked January 27-31, 2010 for travel February 1 – April 3, 2010 and is valid for stays at Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino and Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino.

Rates in “The 40+ Sale” from Sonesta St. Maarten Resorts, reflective of the savings, start at just $204 per room, per night based on double occupancy. Normal rates at this time start at $340 per room, per night.

Offer is contingent on availability and blackout dates. Rates are subject to 21% tax and service charges. For more information, call 1 800-SONESTA (1-800-766-3782) or visit www.sonesta.com/stmaarten

FACTS 1: Best available airfare (from Los Angeles) with departure dates 8th & 11th of June is currently $2300 and with departure dates 7th, 9th & 12 June it is $3300

FACTS 2: Best available airfare (from New York) with departure dates 7th & 8th of June is currently $2100 and with departure dates 9th & 10th of June it is $3800

When planning a trip to the World Cup in South Africa (from Los Angeles), you may want to research your departure dates carefully. A one day flexibility could make all the difference! You may be better off flying out on the 8th or 11th of June rather than on the 7th, 9th or the 12th because airfares are $1000 less! Read the rest of this entry »