|
Welcome to the Fifth Issue
|
Dear Reader,
This is certainly one of our busiest times of the year as we prepare to attend IMEX 2008 in Frankfurt, Germany between 22nd and 24th April. Travel Contacts will be exhibiting with many of our exclusive members at stand G685 and we all look forward to welcoming you and your colleagues there and to provide as much information and help as possible for your future travel requirements.
This issue we are also pleased to welcome our new member DMC for Montenegro - Talas-M DMC present this exciting destination.
Also in this newsletter you will find updates from many of our member companies, all of whom can be contacted directly or through our website.
As always, please take the time to visit www.travelcontacts.com for regularly-updated information on each of our exclusive members or email me directly on jo@travelcontacts.com.
|
 |
|
|
Talas-M DMC joins Travel Contacts to exclusively represent Montenegro
|
 |
 |
Nestled on the pristine waters on the Adriatic, and abounding in natural wonder including Europe's southernmost fjord, second deepest canyon in the world, an array of high mountains and virgin forests, Montenegro will offer every guest a memorable stay. No country offers so much in such a small amount of space.
Visitors can see and do a lot in a short amount of time.
The newest country in the world, Montenegro also has some of the oldest settlements in the region. A melting point of cultures over the centuries, Montenegro has preserved its monuments and continues to impress at every turn.
From the narrow cobble stone streets of old city Budva, to the spectacular sunsets over the bay of Kotor, Montenegro is sure to amaze. A new and exciting destination, friendly people, great location, and amazing scenery will enhance your five star luxury stay at Hotel Splendid Conference and Spa Resort and your Talas-M DMC.
For more information visit www.talas-montenegro.com or e-mail on snezana@talas-montenegro.com
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Poland DMC, HAXEL Events & Incentive, brings news of a new 5* Hotel Conference Centre & Spa Resort.
The new Sheraton Sopot Hotel Conference Centre & Spa will be an example of internationally-minded destination resort development in Poland. The hotel will be located in Sopot, a small town of 40 thousand inhabitants situated on the Baltic Sea Coast, between Gdansk and Gdynia - a natural centre of the Tricity.
It is a fashionable place associated with prestige, luxurious housing and dynamic business sector. It offers visitors from Poland and abroad its unique natural assets such as a healthy marine climate, curative brines and wonderful beaches, but also an amazing Art Nouveau architecture, the longest wooden pier in Europe, the charming Forest Opera resounding with voices of outstanding artists, the galleries, the theatres and hundreds of cafes, clubs, restaurants and discos.
Sheraton hotel will offer 189 guest rooms, an extensive congress centre with more than 4300 sqm of meeting space including a Ballroom of over 400 sqm The hotel will also have 2 all-day dining restaurants, 2 Bars and Lobby Lounges with a fireplace & library corner. The resort will boast over 2000 sqm of Spa first-class facilities with natural daylight.
Do not wait any longer to visit Poland! This hotel opens: 1st July 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
WELCOME TOURISTIC, Vienna, kicks off culture.
There simply can't be a mega-event such as the UEFA EURO 2008 in the art and music city of Vienna without concerts, exhibitions, and a splendid ball.
To launch EURO 2008 on June 6, "shake a leg" applies to the soccer field as well as the festive and renowned Concordia Ball at Vienna's City Hall (Rathaus), where one can also dance in the open air. Instead of a team scarf, it is advised to don a tie.
Highlights are two open-air concerts in front of the magnificent backdrop of the Schönbrunn Palace with opera stars Plácido Domingo, Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón and with Chinese pianist Lang Lang with the Vienna Philharmonica directed by Zubin Mehta.
A concert series in the Hohe Warte Stadium with Sir Elton John, a recital with the opera stars Elina Garanca, Edita Gruberova, Ramon Vargas, Paata Burtschuladse, and Carlos Alvarez as well as the Vienna Boys' Choir, among others.
We have rooms for all games in Vienna at the:
HOTEL BEIM THERESIANUM***, Favoritenstraße 52, A-1040 Vienna.
If you are looking for a familiar, well-priced hotel close to the centre, we are the perfect place for you to stay. In direct vicinity to the hotel there is the Belvedere castle, one of the many historical sights in Vienna. It is surrounded by a beautiful park where many people take the opportunity to go jogging. The underground station is very close to the hotel. All our 54 comfortable rooms offer en-suite bathrooms, mini bar, direct dialling telephone, radio and cable-TV. Every type of room is available, from single rooms to rooms with 3 or 4 beds as well as non-smoking rooms.
|
|
To discover more please visit http://sheraton.pl. To book rooms please contact Dorota Goetzen on tel. +48 22 742 04 58, mobile: +48 605 425 905 or e-mail dorota.goetzen@haxel.pl
Haxel Events & Incentive will be exhibiting at IMEX at the Travel Contacts Stand - G685.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CUSTOMS CONVENTIONS, New Orleans, in Catering and Logistics.
Custom Conventions was called by a national bank, Capital One who was starting to do a IT conversion of several banks it had bought in the last several years. One of the banks was headquartered in New Orleans and the services that were requested were to feed some 200 employees three hot meals a day over a 10 day period. The employees were housed in three different buildings in downtown New Orleans. There was a further request for snacks, soft drinks, water and ice also to be provided on a daily basis as the conversion was to span 24 hours a day using various shifts of employees on some 10 different floors.
|
|
|
Customs Conventions had three days to secure the services of a caterer and plan all the logistics for this task. Menus had to be planned and various rooms in each of the building had to be secured so the employees could gather in a central place at each location three times a day. A very good caterer was employed and Custom began a series of meetings to make all the necessary preparations. In the final analysis the job went off perfectly with some 6000 meals being served and an untold amount of snacks and soft drinks were consumed. Needless to say this was not a normal DMC request but Custom Conventions rose to the occasion and received outstanding accolades for this highly unusual job.
For more information please visit www.customconventions.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Specialised Irish DMC, ADVANTAGE ICO, excels at a recent event.
A locally based International Banking client was to hold its annual global staff conference in Ireland. The client requested a region with good air access to facilitate charter flights from Frankfurt, London and Dublin, sufficient five star accommodations, large conference facilities and space for team building activities. The program had to be balanced to cater for the significant numbers of overseas delegates who were expecting the very best of Irish culture while at the same time meeting the needs of the participants from Ireland. Killarney, in the South West, was selected as the location as it best fit these criteria.
The 600-delegate conference commenced with a cocktail reception held in the gardens of the hotel, which had been taken over on an exclusive basis. The call to dinner was a veritable feast of fire and pyrotechnics from visual artists culminating in a buffet dinner and entertainment.
This consisted of incredibly energetic Irish music and dance in a purpose built marquee on the grounds of the hotel. The marquee contained purpose built bars, set, stage and an extensive lighting rig. After dinner various locations in the hotel were used for a variety of entertainers from a covers band to a pianist and a chill out DJ, allowing for different tastes to be catered for simultaneously.
The next day the conference was held in the hotel's conference centre, which was followed by team building activities at Muckross House, overlooking the world famous Lakes of Killarney. That evening guests enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a magnificent black & white themed gala dinner. Rattle and Hum (a popular U2 tribute band) provided after-dinner entertainment, which went on till late in typical Irish style!
|
|
|
On the final day the delegates met in the hotel conference centre for the final business meeting followed by a farewell brunch in the marquee. In the early afternoon 600 highly motivated delegates were transferred to Kerry, Cork, Shannon and Dublin airports for their return flights.
For more information visit www.advantageico.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CUSTOMS CONVENTIONS, Las Vegas, presents another must-see attraction.
Las Vegas has another must-see attraction with the recent opening of Town Square, located on the Las Vegas Strip, just south of Mandalay Bay Resort. One of the largest retail developments of its kind in the United States, at 117 acres, and the first of its kind in Las Vegas, this open-air, Main Street-themed one-of-a-kind shopping, dining and entertainment venue boasts more than 150 retail shops, over 12 restaurants, and an 18-screen theater complex. A "Town Square" venue in the center of the complex features special events and activities such as concerts, fashion shows and more. Town Square is a dynamic indoor and outdoor shopper's paradise designed for both visitors and residents and includes all the components destined to make it the greatest gathering place in Las Vegas.
|
|
|
Town Square will be anchored by RAVE Motion Pictures, Robb & Stucky, Borders Books, 24-Hour Fitness and the incredible Fry's Electronics store, which sells everything electronic, from computer components to big screen televisions. Additional shops include Abercrombie & Fitch, Apple, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, Chico's, Crabtree & Evelyn, Eddie Bauer, Fossil, Godiva, Guess, J. Crew, Oakley, Old Navy, Puma, Sigrid Olsen, Skechers, Solstice, Soma, Steve Madden, Victoria's Secret, Whole Foods Market, and many others.
Restaurants include Tommy Bahama's Tropical Café and Emporium, Yard House, gourmet wine bar The Grape and Texas de Brazil, all making their Las Vegas debut at Town Square. Well-known restaurants including Fleming's Steak House, Bar Louie, Brio and Claim Jumper, as well as Starbucks round out the wide range of dining options.
For more information please visit www.customconventionslv.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Curaçao: a Caribbean destination with European flavor! Explains our exclusive DMC FUNBINI.
Being part of the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curaçao is located in the Southern parts of the Caribbean, right in front of the coast of Latin America. Our neighbors are Bonaire and Aruba, which are located only 20 flight minutes from Curaçao.
The island is very diverse and unique within the Caribbean, because of its Dutch influences. A lot of the history of the island is being preserved. You find beautiful well kept plantations, old merchant houses and colored labor houses. Some of these plantations could be the ideal location for your meetings or team building activities. The architecture is a mix of European, Latin American and North American styles.
For groups it is fantastic to visit the African Night. You will first visit the Aloe Plantation, followed by a guided tour in a safari truck through the Ostrich farm, the largest farm outside of the African continent. Hand feeding these impressive birds will be the photo moment of your stay. After the tour you can enjoy a delicious dinner in the African restaurant.
Besides 17 flights from Amsterdam to Curacao every week, there are also daily flights from several Caribbean, Latin American and North American destinations to the island. As a result the guests on Curaçao are a nice mix of several nationalities. Although Curaçao is a growing destination and is getting more and more popular, it is absolutely not a mass tourism destination. You do not find huge hotels and resorts, they are all midsized. If you like you can go to the popular and busy beaches. But you will find nice and quiet beaches as well, where you could be all by yourself.
For groups & incentives the island is perfect. We have a lot to offer to make the stay great and unforgettable. It is a destination that is still very unique and something to talk about on return.
For more information please email Hans at hans.dekruif@funbini.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GB INTERNACIONAL TURISMO, Brazil, presents Deluxe Ship the Spirit of Brazil VII .
If you're looking for something different for your next group consider a great new attraction offering cruises within Guanabara Bay with all the comfort and high quality service of a deluxe private yacht. A superb restaurant offering new versions of the best dishes in contemporary Brazilian cuisine is aboard and it guarantees to be an unforgettable experience in an exclusive setting.
Basic Program and Net Prices per Person (excluding pier transfers)
- Cruise only - Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays - US$ 48.00
- Cruise with lunch - Saturdays and Sundays - US $ 94.00
- Evening cruise with dinner - Thursdays - US$ 94.00
Private charter available upon request.
Please contact Roberto de Almeida Dultra - info@gbinternacional.com.br
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our exclusive Croatia DMC, DUBROVNIK TRAVEL, remind us that with imagination everything is possible!
When you first encounter with a new city, island or region it causes an adrenaline rush, that means you have just been dealt a winning combination which will make your stay not only interesting but also unforgettable.
The Old Town Challenge is an incentive program offered by the Dubrovnik based Dubrovnik Travel agency which will give you two different, but equally pleasent, experiences: the first one will be getting to know the Old Town of Dubrovnik, and the other one, the rush of adrenaline that you will feel in the process. The tour of the Old Town is actually a race against time during which all the participants, divided into several groups, must pass through 10 check points marked on their maps.
|
|
The task is accomplished when the last tem member passes through the last check point. And all the check points are certainly worth the effort as they are some of the top attractions in the Old Town of Dubrovnik - the Aquarium, Big Onofrio's Fountain, Lovrijenac Fortress, the pharmacy of Little Brethren…
Another good source of pleasure and a guaranteed adrenaline rush are programs which take place in the Dubrovnik hinterland, also known as Konavle. One of them will take you on a real "safari"; another will be a jeep ride thorough the beautiful Konavle countryside with the unrivalled view of the City of Dubrovnik against the backdrop of the Elaphiti archipelago. There is also a program during which the Konavle beekeepers will teach you how honey is obtained; you will be hosts in a typical Konavle home where you will be served a delicious meal consisting of locally produced delicacies.
The same region offers you trekking of free climbing challenges… However you choose to "travel" through Konavle, all these programs will have certain things in common: a beautiful landscape and a taste of the traditional way of life with food to match. There are many interesting programs that the imaginative staff of the Dubrovnik Travel agency have put together for their guests, among them: A Treasure Hunt or Find Richard the Lion Heart, and many others. They are all a happy combination of adventure and pleasure which promise to leave a lasting impression on the participants.
Dubrovnik Travel was incepted in 1998 and has since confirmed its position as a reliable Croatian incoming tour operator with extensive experience in organizing special group programs, incentives and event planning, owing to a team of dedicated and highly knowledgeable professionals. In their work, they are guided by the principle which may be summed up in the following way: The perfect combination of rationality and creativity which renders every program unforgettable.
For more information visit www.dubrovniktravel.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
KONTIKI INCENTIVES, our exclusive member for Tuscany and Northern Italy, assists the launch of the new Renault Kerax 500 E.P.
Renault Trucks presented the new vehicle Kerax 500 E.P at the Samoter Fair that took place from 5th to 9th March 2008 in Verona. The product launch was designed by Kontiki Incentives, which created a unique presentation.
The event was a great success also thanks to Kontiki's ability to stress the advantages offered by the new version of Kerax 500 E.P. To focus the attention of the visitors on the peculiarities of the vehicle, Kontiki produced short and funny sketches played out by two professional theatre actors.
The show started with the entertainment of two dancing girls, who attracted the attention of the visitors. Thereafter, the actors highlighted with funny jokes and exhilarating shows, the features of the Renault Kerax. Gadgets, games and postcards made the event really attractive.
For further information on the services offered by Kontiki Incentives please visit www.k-incentives.it.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Wedgewood Britain, our DMC for England and Scotland, co-hosts US-agent Fam-trip to London and Wales with Visit London, Visit Britain and Visit Wales…
The Deluxe 5* country house hotel the Grove, located just on the outskirts of London, was just one of the destination highlights we showcased last month as part of a Fam-trip for US agents co-hosted with Visit London, Visit Britain, and Visit Wales.
The guests were able to enjoy a private cookery class, spa treatments, and cocktail-making.
Other highlights included a personalised visit to the Houses of Parliament, an exclusive champagne flight in the London Eye, a private brunch cruise, visit of the Crown Jewels with a Yeoman Warder and dinner in a private castle!
The feedback from the participants has been extremely positive…
"Your company is truly a great travel partner. Thank you again and again for a fantastic trip!" (Maritz Travel)
** WEDGEWOOD SPECIAL OFFER for LONDON… **
5* ALL-SUITE LUXURY BY THE THAMES @ £209.00 per person for 2-NIGHTS, inc. return airport transfers!
Contact Jerry Allanson - Wedgewood Britain: sales@wedgewood.co.uk or visit www.wedgewood.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
