On Saturday May 30th at the French Tennis Open, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development unveiled its first tourism package, “Enjoy the China Open, Visit Beijing”, or how to combine sport and visits to the cultural sites of Beijing. This comprehensive package includes three days of guided visits to the city’s most beautiful tourist sites, as well as three days to experience the China Open, featuring the world’s top players. With a host of options, the package will meet the needs of sports fans and cultural travel enthusiasts alike.
This exclusive package comprises a joint offer by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development and the China Open. It will include several visits to key tourist attractions in the city, such as Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and even the Great Wall of China. At the same time, travellers will also be able to take advantage of 3 days courtside, at the China Open, a WTA premier mandatory event and an ATP 500 event, which is the biggest international competition in Asia.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7535351-visit-beijing-tourism-china-open/
The Hangzhou Tourism Commission (HTC) announces the official launch of a social media campaign called, Global Tour 2015, which will send one U.S. and one Chinese family, along with a media “Storyteller,” on a free 30-day trip around the globe from July 24th through August 22nd.
The campaign was created to promote U.S. travel to a destination emerging on the global stage: Hangzhou, China, known for its beauty, perfect blend of traditional and modern Chinese experiences, and has become China’s top launch pad for tech start-ups, including home of e-commerce giant, Alibaba.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7536951-hangzhou-tourism-global-tour-2015/
One lucky homeowner is going to be living the life in the mountain town of Asheville, North Carolina, location of the HGTV Urban Oasis® 2015. Viewers can now enter for a chance to win the grand prize package valued at more than $500,000 that will be awarded this fall. In addition to this approximately 1,300-square-foot residence and all its furnishings, the grand prize winner will receive a 2016 Acura TLX and $50,000 cash provided by national mortgage lender Quicken Loans.
During the giveaway period, which runs through September 24, eligible viewers can enter twice per day online at HGTV.com/UrbanOasis and can sign up for daily email reminders. HGTV Facebook and Twitter fans (#hgtvurbanoasis) can check in for ongoing updates and new details.
Decorated by interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn, the fully furnished HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 features an open-concept floorplan with two bedrooms and two baths. All the renovations on the home were overseen by HGTV house planner Jack Thomasson, which included raising the original roof to include a loft over the dining room. Designed by Wilson Architects and fully renovated by JAG and Associates Construction, the home remains indicative of the Asheville style: bold, transitional, creative, vintage, and handmade, with an emphasis on art and practicality.
To view the multimedia release visit:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7582251-hgtv-urban-oasis-2015/
Wine connoisseurs and novices alike can experience the art of winemaking at BLEND aboard Holland America Line’s new ms Koningsdam when the ship debuts in April 2016. In collaboration with Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State’s oldest and most acclaimed winery, the intimate venue will enable guests to blend their own wine and enjoy it at dinner or in the privacy of their stateroom.
BLEND — the first of its kind for Holland America Line and the only purpose-built wine-blending venue at sea — will have a tasting table that accommodates 10 guests who can create their own blend from a selection of five barrels of single-vineyard red wine. In addition to participating in the blending process, guests also will learn about wine from the ship’s wine expert, who leads the blending session.
“At the core of every Holland America Line cruise is our desire to offer unique, immersive and innovative experiences, and BLEND by Chateau Ste. Michelle is all of those things and more,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “The BLEND experience on Koningsdam is designed to appeal to everyone, and it will be exciting for our guests to create an exclusive wine tailored to their personal taste that they can enjoy onboard with our exceptional cuisine.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7363852-holland-america-line-ms-koningsdam/
As a founding voice in the world of holistic wellness, Canyon Ranch® has the wisdom and expertise of spending nearly 40 years helping its guests achieve well-being. Now, the life-enhancement brand that’s built a devoted global following, is finally going global itself.
Under the guidance of the brand’s new Chief Executive Officer, Susan E. Docherty, the Company announced today the development of its first-ever international destination, Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort at Kaplankaya, on a spectacular peninsula of the sun-kissed Aegean coast. The initial phase of the Canyon Ranch development, which will open in July 2016, will include a strikingly modern resort and luxury real estate offerings. The property will integrate the signature wellness and lifestyle programming that has earned Canyon Ranch a famously loyal clientele worldwide.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7634751-canyon-ranch-resort-kaplankaya-turkey/
As 2015 starts to wind down, Americans are already starting to make travel plans for 2016. But what are Americans–particularly Baby Boomers–looking for in their 2016 vacations?
A new survey released today from AARP Travel (http://travel.aarp.org), a valuable resource for America's 76 million Baby Boomers who spend over $120 billion annually in leisure travel, provides some great insight into how Americans want to get away in 2016, from desired destinations to lodging options to favorite trip planning tools.
“The vast majority of Baby Boomers are planning to drive, fly or set sail on leisure trips in 2016, with an average of 4 or 5 trips already in the works,” said Stephanie Miles, VP, Products & Platforms, AARP. “Boomers make up a large segment of the traveling public, and so it's particularly important for the travel industry to be aware of what Boomers are looking for in their vacations going into 2016. This new survey finds that their travel desires often differ greatly from younger travelers.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7488431-aarp-travel/
Crystal Lagoons broke the record for the “World's Largest Crystalline Lagoon” with the completion of its latest project in Egypt.
Twelve Crystal Lagoons totaling 250 acres will be the centerpiece of the $5.5 billion dollar, 1,850-acre development in Citystars Sharm El Sheikh. The record-breaking lagoon is 30 acres of crystal-clear water surrounded by white sandy beaches - perfect for swimming, sailing, kayaking and more.
Citystars Sharm el Sheikh's crystal lagoon get its salt water supply from wells in the middle of the desert that are otherwise useless, allowing for a tropical crystalline lagoon in the desert. In addition, the salt water used in the crystal lagoon features higher levels of purity and will be used for reverse osmosis desalinization processes, lowering the costs of water treatment.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7689951-crystal-lagoons-guinness-world-record/
An island off Ireland’s south west coast is wowing audiences at screenings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Unveiled in the film’s closing minutes, this closely guarded secret ending to Episode 7 was filmed in September 2014 on Skellig Michael Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Since 1977, the record-breaking movie franchise has travelled through many galaxies, and this time, director JJ Abrams along with cast and crew jetted into a little village called Portmagee, County Kerry, on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. From here, they travelled eight miles (12 Km) by sea to a dream film location, Skellig Michael.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7718351-ireland-feels-the-force/
After successful exploration runs in 2013 and 2015 the Dutch polar cruise company Oceanwide Expeditions has announced two new expeditions to the Ross Sea in 2017. The ice-strengthened vessel “Ortelius” will be accommodated with helicopters for the two Antarctica cruises, sailing from the South-American continent to the Antarctic Peninsula, crossing the Polar Circle, further west to Peter I Island, sailing in the Bellingshausen sea along the ice-edge of “deep Antarctica” into the Ross Sea. The voyage continues to the uninhabited sub-Antarctic Campbell Island and ends after 32 days in New Zealand. The second cruise offers the same itinerary, but in reverse.
The Ross Sea Challenge
The Ross Sea region of Antarctica has always presented a dream but also a challenge to visit to explorers. The Ross Ice Shelf prevents a full seasonal operation and distances are enormous. Apart from the extremes, landing sites are still difficult to reach. “With the advantages of the “Ortelius” in combination with the use of helicopters, our travelers are having some great opportunities exploring Antarctica’s most fascinating sites”, says CEO Michel van Gessel.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7726051-oceanwide-expeditions-new-ross-sea/
Tourism Australia has launched its latest campaign, which is focused on highlighting the country’s world-class aquatic and coastal experiences, in a bid to lure more international visitors to Australia.
The new creative, the latest instalment in Tourism Australia’s global There’s Nothing like Australia campaign, was officially unveiled at an event in New York on Australia Day eve attended by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs the Hon. Julie Bishop.
Guests at the event were treated to immersive ‘virtual reality’ displays and aquatic-themed images being projected onto the ice rink at the famous Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park alongside the reveal of a new broadcast ad, featuring a voiceover by Australian actor and new Tourism Australia global ambassador Chris Hemsworth. The event was hosted by Australian chef Curtis Stone and guests enjoyed a specially designed Australian menu by Luke Mangan.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7742051-tourism-australia/
SC Johnson, the world’s leading manufacturer of pest control products, is using its 60 years of insect expertise to educate consumers as the Zika virus continues to spread. Immediately following the initial outbreak in Brazil, the company assembled its experts and began developing educational resources for consumers to understand how to best protect themselves against mosquitoes that may carry disease.
In addition to educating consumers, SC Johnson is actively working with organizations around the world to donate and distribute product to those in need. In coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation, SC Johnson supported the Zika Action Plan Summit held by the White House and the CDC on April 1, and also donated to the CDC’s Zika Prevention Kits. Additional donations have been made to AmeriCares, the Rio de Janeiro-based Children’s Health Association and the County of Hawaii Civil Defense Agency.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7787731-sc-johnson-zika-mosquito-protection/
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) today announces the newest evolution of the Holiday Inn® brand’s Journey to Extraordinary campaign. This campaign, now in its third year, celebrates the unique journeys of the many guests who walk through the doors of Holiday Inn hotels each day. In this new year of the campaign, the Holiday Inn brand will highlight the extraordinary journeys of two small businesses – Sword & Plough and Perfect 10 Foods – and how Holiday Inn hotels can be a valuable partner in helping them succeed.
Eric Lent, Vice President, Holiday Inn Brand, Americas said: “The Holiday Inn brand carefully researched nearly 300 businesses before deciding to partner with Sword & Plough and Perfect 10. Both of these inspiring companies have a purpose-led mission to change the way business is done in their respective fields, and therefore have an incredibly unique story to tell. Sword & Plough and Perfect 10 embody the entrepreneurial spirit that is the foundation of the Holiday Inn brand. Founder Kemmons Wilson grew the brand from a small, family-owned business into a global brand that offers a consistent and affordable hotel experience that makes travel more enjoyable for all, and in doing so, changed the way people travel.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7824951-holiday-inn-journey-to-extraordinary/
