Jetsettersblog

EVERGREEN, CO – While a traditional Gamewatchers safari takes place in a comfortable 4×4 Land Rover continuously delighting guests with the quantity and closeness to Africa’s wildlife, today Gamewatchers Safaris is pleased to introduce a new opportunity for travelers to interact with the African bush – Samburu-led walking safaris in Northern Kenya. The Samburu people have for thousands of years called the Northern Kenyan bush their home and now travelers can experience a safari on foot with these long-time experts.

“We offer walking safaris in Kenya spending two nights or longer in the bush in simple but comfortable mobile camps, with supplies and equipment carried by camels and staffed by the outstanding camp team who look after guests throughout the expedition,” said Jake Grieves-Cook, Managing Director of Gamewatchers Safaris. “Sleeping under the African stars, listening to nightjars calling, and the singing of Samburu warriors in the distance, all combine to create unforgettable memories of being close to nature in the wilds of Africa.”

The trek passes through terrain of plains and mixed bush with a variety of wildlife and stunning scenery. Nights are spent in a tented camp with campsites selected for game viewing and sweeping views. The safaris actively support the communities through which they pass by paying conservation fees and purchasing locally produced goods.

These walking adventures are available year round except during the rainy months of April and May. Departure is from Porini Rhino Camp, Gamewatchers’ newest camp located in the Ol Pejeta

Conservancy between the foot hills of the Aberdares and the magnificent snowcapped Mount Kenya. Like all Gamewatchers Porini camps, Porini Rhino Camp is extremely environmentally friendly, using an eco-friendly solar power system and adhering to a land and water conservation policy. Additionally, Gamewatchers Safaris believes in setting up private conservancies, where possible, to ensure protection of the wildlife and flora and to provide a direct monetary benefit to the surrounding local communities through a per tourist fee and by providing employment.

Gamewatchers Safaris has been operating in Kenya for over fifteen years and offers a range of safaris to some of the best wildlife reserves and parks in Africa. The emphasis is on personal and exclusive, using small safari camps. Every guest enjoys an authentic travel experience and the opportunity to experience the magic of the African bush while helping protect Africa’s wildlife, ecosystems and cultures.

The Netherlands Board Of Tourism & Conventions announces the launch of http://us.holland.com, a fully Web2.0 based site, as well as the official launch of the world’s first National Tourism Board in Second Life, www.hollandsecondlife.com

Holland.com

Consumers now have a terrific new website to their disposal. The new Holland.com is a fully web2.0 based website. It offers not just a quick and easy way to find information about travel to Holland, but also invites you to be part of an interactive Dutch travel community. Registered users are a valuable piece of this mutually beneficial community and permit you to share first-hand information about your past trips, contribute articles, videos and images, allowing the site to evolve and strengthen on a continuous basis. Not only do users contribute content, but this Holland.com site automates content collection through XML and RSS feeds, such as Google news, Yahoo Travel, Flickr and YouTube. Furthermore, by rating and commenting on virtually everything throughout the site, users force the most informative content to become prominent and useful for everyone.

Special features for registered users include:

• My Suitcase, a personal archive of your favorite content on Holland.com saved by a simple click of the mouse.

• Print a Brochure, allowing you to convert the items from your suitcase into a printable format to take with you on your travels.

• Tagging, by tagging entities you participate in the Tag Cloud system of navigation. Your tagging will reveal what types of entities on the site our users favor and it will encourage more detailed information about these subjects to be revealed.

• The best Travel Deals, try our Deals page for the latest Holland vacation packages and when you are searching for the best fare, try our Kayak.com fare locator.

• Subscriptions, bookmark your favorite users to be alerted when they have posted new content.

• Messaging, send messages to other users through the website as a safe method of communication without revealing your personal email.

• Customizable Profiles, including profile images.

• Access to any features that http://www.holland.com/ releases in the future.

Registering is fast and easy, it only takes seconds.

The world’s first virtual National Tourism Board:

www.hollandsecondlife.com Holland is proud to announce the establishment of “New Holland,” an island in Second Life, a 3-D virtual world entirely built and owned by its residents, showcasing the best of Holland. The island has the look and feel of the city of Amsterdam, with a large canal crossing the entire island. It features cobblestone streets, bicycles, boats, typical Dutch and contemporary architecture, bridges crossing the canals, Dutch flags, and tulip fields near a Dutch windmill.

Party at “Club Gogh Gogh” or discover the ambiance of a typical brown café, marvel in front of Dutch masterpiece paintings at the museum or, simply, visit the island to obtain tourism information, located throughout “New Holland.” Maps can be located on the walls of the Canal houses “Het Gele Huis” and the Student Lounge. Billboards describe Holland’s Highlights. All information links directly to Holland.com. Sample itineraries can be found on walls near Club Gogh Gogh. Soon students can pick up the newspaper at the Student Lounge, which will lead you to www.trippist.com. And for that budget conscience traveler? Free postcards and tulips are given away to each visitor, enjoy a free bike ride, a free canal boat tour and free drinks at the club.

“Both Holland2.0 and www.hollandsecondlife.com are delivering consumers the next generation of travel research on the web and the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions is proud to be part of that,” said Director North America, Conrad van Tiggelen. “We invite travelers to join our New Holland virtual opening party on Friday, September 14th in Second Life.”

The Kimberley coast of Western Australia, where the outback meets the ocean, is one of the most remote and beautiful wilderness areas on the planet. The only way to see it properly is by small ship – hence the long waiting lists for the just-released Coral Princess Cruises 2008 Kimberley brochure.

Coral Princess celebrates 25 years of expedition-style cruising in 2008 and is the most experienced cruise operator in the Kimberley. Together with its two purpose-built expedition ships, this translates to an unmatched insight into the region.

Coral Princess operates 10-night cruises between Darwin and Broome throughout the dry season from April to September.

Accommodating a maximum of just 72 guests, Coral Princess’s ‘Oceanic Discoverer’ travels with a purpose-built excursion vessel, ‘Xplorer’, and inflatable Zodiacs which allow passengers to intimately explore the scenic gorges and remote archipelagos of this extraordinary destination.

‘Coral Princess’ accommodates a maximum of just 48 guests. In true expedition style, the itinerary may vary to take maximum advantage of opportunities to further explore the many waterfalls, river systems, reefs or other natural attractions.

Both of Coral Princess’s expedition ships are designed to provide all the comfort and facilities of larger cruise ships, yet are small enough to enable access to remote sites otherwise inaccessible to larger vessels. On board facilities include a large sundeck and spa pool, reference library, dining room, lounge areas and a cocktail bar.

On board naturalists and guest lecturers reveal the significance and history behind features along the way, including both Wandjina and rarely seen Bradshaw Aboriginal rock art galleries, sea bird rookeries, towering waterfalls and a large boab tree with a clearly visible inscription dating back to 1820.

Prices start at $6,200 per person twin share aboard the ‘Coral Princess’ and $7,400 aboard ‘Oceanic Discoverer’. The all-inclusive price includes accommodation, all meals, lectures and services of expedition staff on board, group transfers, activities and excursions during the cruise, and landing fees. There are regular departures from both Darwin and Broome between April and September 2008, and further departures scheduled for 2009.

The new brochure also includes the 11-night Across the Top of Australia cruises, departing April and October 2008, and cruising between Cairns and Darwin, via the Great Barrier Reef, Cape York, Torres Strait Islands and the coast of Arnhem Land. Prices start at $6200 per person, twin share, aboard the ‘Coral Princess’.

For further information and reservations contact 1800 079 545 or visit www.coralprincess.com.au

In 1998 Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck launched his own website in order to satisfy a desire to be involved in the music industry. Eight years later MuzikReviews.com has gone through several incarnations and become one of the leading Indie Music Reviews and Artist Publicity sites on the internet. The site is now being re-launched with a cutting edge look and an improved focus for the artists that the site supports.

In early 2007 Hannaleck entered into a partnership with a marketing and services firm in Massachusetts and MuzikReviews.com was reborn with an entirely different look and additional services for indie artists. After several months of redesigning the site, implementation, and building the right partnerships, the site is ready to raise the bar for indie artists.

The look and feel has changed but the personal touch has not. The site and its staff intend to keep the personal contact with artists in place in order to maintain the longstanding tradition of efficient and personal customer service that the site was originally built upon.

For many years, MuzikReviews’ Pick Of The Week has been the centerpiece of the site for the music industry and fans alike. Under the revamped MuzikReviews process the featured artist will enjoy numerous new marketing features and benefits, should they be lucky enough to be selected as the Pick Of The Week. Any artist that opts for the CD review service consideration is then eligible to be chosen as Pick Of The Week with the winner receiving front page prominence on MuzikReviews.com, Google ad word marketing, recommendations to select internet radio partners for airplay, and much, much more.

“Being chosen “Pick of The Week” was an honor”, said Ruby Bird of the band Bird Mancini. The exposure on Evolving Internet Radio and the Preying Lizard podcasts have been great, increasing hits to our website, MySpace and CD Baby sites”.

Chip Schutzman, president of Mile High Productions says, “MuzikReviews continues to be a successful component of our marketing campaigns with his syndicated reviews and press release distribution services. I have been working with Keith since 2004 and his services are now embedded into our marketing and promotional sectors for most of our artist releases. Working with Keith is an absolute pleasure and his efforts bring significant value for both Miles High Productions and our clients.”

MuzikReviews.com will continue to upgrade their current service offerings with more benefits and strategic partnerships along with weekly giveaways featuring Indie artists on the rise. It is the intent of the site to offer the music industry and the consumer a destination for informative content and services revolving around music for a large cross section of artists and listeners. The new design will feature a searchable review database with an RSS subscription link on every page and a send to a friend link component.

Indie music is a primary focus for the site however major label reviews will always be a part of the mix as well, to continue the diverse offerings of the site. Stop by MuzikReviews.com to check out our new look and let us know what you think.

Company: MuzikReviews.com
Contact: Keith Hannaleck
Address: 290 Merrill Road, Suite 101, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Telephone: (413) 236-9800 x105
Email: info@muzikreviews.com Website: http://www.muzikreviews.com/

Mini Mania Inc. Announces La Carrera Panamericana 2007 Race Entry – The first late model MINI entry for the event Mini Mania Inc. announces the entry of the first BMW MINI Cooper S entry to the La Carrera Panamericana 2007 Mexican road race driven by Colin and Eric Herrick.

Mini Mania Inc. announces the entry of a 2005 MINI Cooper S entry to the La Carrera Panamericana 2007 Mexican road race held between October 26, 2007 to November 1. Driven by the son and father team of Colin and Eric Herrick, Mini Mania expects their entry loaded with Mini Mania performance products will be the first late model MINI Cooper S to start and finish this prestigious race.

The La Carrera Panamericana is a 50 year-old vintage car race with over 100 entries for this year’s event. For only the second year, the Unlimited category will allow late model cars such as the Mini Mania 2005 MINI Cooper S to participate. The course is a grueling seven day, 1935 mile route that starts from Oaxaca in the tropical Southern Mexico and travels north through altitudes rising from sea level to almost 10,000 ft. with temperatures ranging from near freezing into the 90′s. The race finishes in Nuevo Laredo at the Texas Border. The changing environment is an added technical challenge to the already difficult route.

“This will be a true test of Mini Mania products on this extremely challenging and technical event,” said Don Racine, president of Mini Mania Inc. “Despite the high attrition rate for the Pan Am, our goal is to finish the race in the top 10 for our category.”

About Mini Mania, Inc.

Established in 1974, Mini Mania Inc., is the leading supplier of aftermarket performance and accessory products for the BMW MINI and Classic Mini. Mini Mania products are available from dealers throughout the U.S. and abroad and on the company’s extensive web site. MiniMania.com is an information portal for Mini Cooper enthusiasts containing over 50,000 pages of unique content augmented with 1000′s of part numbers, technical articles and community forums.

Mini Mania is headquartered in a 16,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in Nevada City which is nestled in the Northern California foothills outside of Sacramento, California.

Adding New Social Scena For Urban Dinning Second floor restaurant to feature shared plates and cell blocks.

- Epoque & Avantgarde Hotels announces the first of the Liberty Hotel’s three planned venues for dining and cocktails with the unveiling of CLINK., opening September 5, 2007, under the leadership of Executive Chef Michael A. Goodman. Set on the lobby level of The Liberty Hotel, a national historic landmark that was once the storied Charles Street Jail, CLINK. offers urban dwellers and hotel guests a menu of tapas-style small plates, tasting pours of wine and exotic cocktails. The concept aims to create an energetic, social environment where dining and meeting for drinks occurs throughout the space – an adaptable place where dinner at the bar or just cocktails at a table is the norm.

“CLINK. isn’t a ‘hotel’ restaurant. It’s a place for our neighbors in Beacon Hill and our hotel guests to get together, have a good time and eat great food,” said Chef Goodman, whose work was recognized in Bon Appetit, Time Out Magazine and Travel + Leisure. “The menu fosters communal dining, with small plates that encourage sampling and sharing. In line with the concept, wines will be offered in 100ml, 250ml and 500ml pours to complement the food.”

Sexy, hip and lively, CLINK. offers patrons the option of sophisticated food and drink in either the 72-seat restaurant or the 30-seat bar, which was designed by Alexandra Champalimaud & Associates, Inc. of New York. The restaurant d cor is modern with a color palette of curry, sunburst and moss. Vestiges of the original jail cell doors provide a nod to the past while a dramatic open kitchen and butcher block tables and bar provide a warm and inviting setting for socializing.

The menu reflects Chef Goodman’s ability to delicately compose each dish, coaxing the most out of every ingredient. Truffled Caramel Popcorn with Smoked Sea Salt, Fried Green Tomatoes with Minted Watermelon Salad and Sangria Reduction, and Espresso Glazed Short Ribs with Honey Sherry Glazed Cipollini Onions are just a few of the tantalizing selections planned. Also unique to CLINK. will be Ishiyaki, the Japanese method of hot stone cooking that allows diners to order imported Kobe beef by the ounce and prepare it at the table.

In keeping with the theme that a small taste of the right flavors can make for a memorable meal, CLINK. offers approximately 50 wines by the pour with three tasting sizes available: 100 ml. (a taste or half glass); 250 ml. (one and one-half glasses); and 500 ml. (two-thirds of a bottle). Specialty drinks at CLINK. will be “chef’s cocktails,” created using original combinations of fresh fruit, herbs and spices mixed with the finest liqueurs.

CLINK. will be open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, from 6:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. (bar open until 1 a.m.). Breakfast is served “European table” style: artisan breads, croissant, pastry, fruit and cheese, dim sum, cured meats, smoked fish and a select number of hot items, which will change daily. The social urban food and drink concept begins with lunch and continues through the afternoon and dinner. Early afternoon offerings will include gourmet paninis, soups and salads, in addition to the regular menu. In the evening, the lighter lunch fare will transition into evening items and larger shareable portions.

A graduate of The French Culinary Institute who was mentored by Jacques Pepin, Chef Goodman cooked with some of the leading West Coast culinary masters, including Traci des Jardins, chef/owner of Jardini re in San Francisco. Recent positions in such exotic locations as Bali and Dubai have allowed Chef Goodman to travel extensively, indulging his cultural curiosity while broadening his international perspective.

CLINK. is located at The Liberty Hotel, 215 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114.

Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort has developed two Ultimate Golf Packages for the ultimate Naples golf vacation.

MARCO ISLAND, FL, – Calling all golfers! Florida’s Gulf Coast has been referred to as the Golf Coast and to celebrate this distinction, Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort has developed two Ultimate Golf Packages for the ultimate Naples golf vacation. The pièce de r sistance of this getaway is the custom-fit Callaway X-460 Titanium Driver that each golfer gets to take home (retail value $300)! And that’s not the only custom part of this getaway.

Players of all ability will get to choose from three days of unlimited golf on The Rookery at Marco Island or a three-day Faldo Golf School class. Each golf experience includes deluxe resort-view accommodations with a balcony and a $100 gift certificate to Kurrents, the Marco Island resort’s specialty restaurant. Available from now until September 30, 2007, the Ultimate Golf Package/Ultimate Golf Instruction Package starts at $279 per person, per night, based on a three-night minimum stay at the Naples golf resort.*

Recently redesigned by the acclaimed Robert Cupp, Jr., The Rookery at Marco Island is an 18-hole resort private golf course featuring the Nick Faldo Golf School and brand new $10 million Clubhouse. As an Audubon-endorsed golf course, The Rookery at Marco is committed to conserving the ecosystem of Marco Island, focusing on birds and wildlife in their natural habitat on the island.

For reservations or additional information, please visit this link.

About Marco Island Marriott Golf and Beach Resort

Nestled on three miles of pristine southwest Florida white sand beaches, Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort is the perfect island within an island escape. Caressed by tropical breezes and inspired by a Balinese sense of harmony, balance and hospitality, this is simply, paradise found. From the magnificent new Quinn’s Pool, surrounded by lush landscaping and outdoor dining and meeting spaces, to our elegant spa, private resort Rookery Golf Course, and our luxurious rooms and lanai suites that overlook the dazzling Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Gulf Coast spa resort is the sanctuary for relaxation, rejuvenation, discovery and play. Our attentive concierge service, choice of shopping and Marco Island restaurants and recreational activities make Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort the choice for unforgettable family vacations and memorable business meetings. For more information, call (800) 438-4373, or visit this link.

*Rates are based on availability, double occupancy and do not include tax and service. Limited rooms are available for this promotion. Does not apply to groups of 10 or more. Fitted golf clubs will be shipped to guest’s preferred address.

AVENTURA, FLA – The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort and Club today announced that beginning on August 25th it will offer the renowned Willow Stream Spa’s signature total-body experience to South Florida residents. Until now, the spa has only been available to Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort and Club’s guests and members. Spa guests who sign up for any 60-minute session within the next 30 days will receive a complimentary gift.

Willow Stream Spas are offered exclusively in nine Fairmont Hotels & Resorts properties and reflect the indigenous region of each location and the outstanding service that is a hallmark of Fairmont. From tantalizing treatments such as the Florida Rain Massage that captures the essence of the sunshine state’s lush, tropical surroundings to the sensuous journey provided by the Australian Aboriginal Dreaming Body ritual, the spa offers a relaxing escape from the ordinary.

“South Florida residents have been calling the spa for the past three years to inquire about indulging in Willow Stream’s world-renowned services, and now we are pleased to offer them the perfect getaway without actually going away,” said Kenneth Ryan, Regional Director of Willow Stream Spa Operations for the Southeast U.S. and Mexico.

Whether it’s a customized Gentleman’s Barber Face Treatment after a day of golfing with the guys, or rejuvenating with the spa’s distinctive Earth, Air and Water experience after a night out with the girls, the spa offers a little something for everybody.

The 25,000-square-foot Mediterranean style spa consists of three levels which houses five facial rooms, three cosmetic stations, 14 massage rooms, two wet-treatment rooms (for body scrubs, mud and purifying wraps, etc.) with Vichy showers on each table, one hydro tub room, four manicure and two pedicure stations. All three floors are connected by an elegant spiral staircase and illuminated by natural lighting from a domed glass ceiling.

Willow Stream Spa massages and treatments:

• Florida Rain Massage begins at $129 USD

• Australian Aboriginal Dreaming Body Ritual begins at $289 USD • Customized Gentleman’s Barber Face Treatment begins at $119 USD • Earth, Wind and Water experience begins at $229 USDFor more information about the many sumptuous offerings available at the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort and Club please visit www.willowstream.com

More than $200 million in new properties and hotel renovations is slated for development in Monterey County, Calif. “Monterey County is in the midst of a renaissance,” said John McMahon, president and CEO of the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We’re about to see an increase of more than 1,000 rooms to our hotel inventory. This is the largest amount of capital invested in this destination in some time, and clearly, it’s the largest growth in new properties we’ve seen in two decades. We’re thrilled to see the energy that these developments will continue to generate.”

Among the investors are Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which will break ground early next year on a $100 million plus luxury mixed-use resort property north of Monterey in the Central Coast city of Seaside. Expected to open in 2010, the property will include a 330-room hotel, 24,000 square feet of meeting space, a 14,000-square foot Willow Stream spa, fine dining options, an outdoor pool and a residential component including 170 condominiums and 125 single-family lots. The property also includes the existing championship Bayonet and Black Horse golf course facility. The resort and two 18-hole courses are situated on a 440-acre site overlooking the Monterey Bay — part of the former Fort Ord prior to its transfer to Seaside under the Base Closure Act. Seaside Resort Development, LLC is developing the project. Visit www.ci.seaside.ca.us.

The Cannery Row Company broke ground in August 2006 on an $80 million luxury beachfront property at 750 Cannery Row. As the newest waterfront hotel on California’s Central Coast — and possibly the last — the property will feature 208 luxury rooms, 10,200 square feet of meeting space, 18,500 square feet of high-end retail, an on-site spa, and a 95-seat restaurant. Managed by Pacific Hotels Management, the hotel is scheduled to debut in spring/summer 2008. Visit http://www.canneryrow.com/  

The Cannery Row Company will also debut an IMAX Theatre inside the historic Edgewater Packing Company building at 640 Wave Street in Monterey. Scheduled to open May 1, the new 16,000-square foot IMAX Theatre will include 290 seats, 3D and 2D giant screens, crystal-clear images and 12,000 watts of digital sound. The venue will also feature the Edgewater Café & Bistro and a sushi bar located on the top floor of the building. The new IMAX is billed as one of only two such theatres in the United States that feature a perfect aspect ratio-the best possible venue for large-format viewing.

The Hyatt Regency Monterey began a $40 million three-phase renovation in late 2006. Renovations include all of the property’s 575 guestrooms, 32 suites, President’s House, lobby and front desk area, restaurant and exterior landscaping of the 22-acre property. The highlight of the resort’s multi-million-dollar transformation will be the addition of a new 8,000-square-foot spa that will include a health club and 12 spa suites focusing on solitude and rejuvenation. The initial renovation phase is scheduled for completion by February 2007 and the final phase is scheduled for completion by January/2008 when the Hyatt Regency will become the Hyatt Regency Monterey on Del Monte Golf Course Resort and Spa. The property is the largest hotel facility between the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. Visit http://www.hyattregencymonterey.com/

Moonstone Hotel Properties initiated an $8 million expansion project in November 2006 on The Monterey Hotel, an historic property built in 1904 in the heart of downtown Monterey. The renovation adds 24 new guest rooms (all with private fireplaces) to the current 45 rooms, as well as an additional 454 square feet of meeting space. Other changes include extra underground valet parking, a new elevator system, and a 1,500-square foot fitness facility, including a spa, treatment rooms and an exercise room. The interior design will remain consistent with the hotel’s existing Victorian theme, while adding an indoor garden conservatory on the lower level near the spa entrance. Visit http://www.montereyhotel.com/

The Salinas City Center Company, LLC has announced plans to construct a new hotel and condominium property in downtown Salinas. The property will be located next to the National Steinbeck Center in Oldtown Salinas and is expected to cover the majority of the block bounded by Main, Central, Salinas and Gabilan Streets. Current preliminary plans call for a 14- to 17-story facility with 140-160 hotel rooms and 120 to 160 luxury condominium units with integrated commercial space and parking. Additionally, the property will include banquet, meeting and convention facilities that will accommodate up to 500 participants. Partners have contracted with the Coastal Hotel Group to operate the full-service upscale boutique property. Construction in expected to begin in 2009 and will open no later than 2011. Visit http://www.ci.salinas.ca.us/

Additional projects in the pipeline include a 252-room hotel and conference center on Del Monte Avenue across from Roberts Lake in Seaside (the property is owned by baseball great Reggie Jackson), a boutique hotel in Seaside at the former Fort Ord’s Main Gate development, a 75-room Holiday Inn Express on Kern Street in Salinas, and two hotels (one 100-room property and one 400-room property) off Imjin Parkway in Marina.

The majority of renovations and new property developments are expected to be completed in advance of the 2010 U.S. Open at the Pebble Beach Golf Links.

For more information, visit http://www.montereyinfo.org/

Christchurch has launched its first ever national TV advertising campaign, urging all New Zealanders to visit the city this spring, following a successful North Island campaign for autumn.

This week Australians will be encouraged to do the same with the launch of a joint TV advertising campaign with Tourism New Zealand, showcasing springtime attractions in Christchurch and Canterbury.

Christchurch’s Be There in Spring campaign, launched on national TV last week, is boosted by Be There red arrow billboards, online banners and busbacks inviting New Zealanders to visit Christchurch for Spring events including the revamped New Zealand Cup & Show Week in November, French Fest in Akaroa in September and Southern Amp, the South Island’s biggest multi-stage outdoor live music festival in November. Spring skiing on Canterbury’s 14 skifields is also a drawcard for visitors, with many fields open until late October, thanks to the recent wintery conditions.

A website booking system at www.bethere.co.nz makes it easy for travellers to act straight away and book online.

Be There is a collaborative campaign supported by Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism (CCT), Christchurch City Council Events, Christchurch International Airport Limited and the New Zealand Hotel Council to promote the city during traditionally quieter periods of autumn and spring.

In Australia, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane viewers will be treated to Petra Bagust encouraging them to explore the Garden City and its backyard – Canterbury’s alpine high country – this spring.

What’s On in Spring Christchurch and Canterbury campaign launches in Australia is part of Tourism New Zealand’s multi-million dollar campaign there. It is a collaborative effort between CCT, Christchurch City Council, and Christchurch International Airport in conjunction with Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Air New Zealand Holidays and New Zealand travel wholesaler ANZCRO to promote Christchurch and Canterbury to East Coast Australia.

CCT chief executive Christine Prince said highlighting the seasonal delights of Christchurch and Canterbury during the off-peak months of spring and autumn is proving very successful.

“Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism (CCT) and Christchurch International Airport Limited (CIAL) have been working together for a number of years promoting autumn and spring to Australians.

“This year’s innovative Tourism New Zealand campaign gives us the opportunity to showcase the region’s major events and seasonal highlights,” Christine Prince said.

A Spring Pass promotes the spring special offers of Canterbury tourism operators to Australians via their mobile phones and through CCT’s dedicated webpage on http://www.newzealand.com/

Tourism New Zealand believes this is the first time a National Tourism Organisation has used technology to this extent to make contact with potential visitors.

Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said, “We are seeing people using their telephones for news, sports and weather so why not travel?”

Potential visitors downloading the Spring Pass will get offers sent to their phones and be guided to a newly created WAP site, as well as to www.newzealand.com , for special spring travel deals.

March’s What’s On in Autumn campaign resulted in excellent double digit growth in Australian arrivals to Christchurch International Airport during May, up 11.4% and June (up 13.7%) and increased sales results from Christchurch i-SITE with visitor spend up 116% in May.

Wyndham Hotel Group, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation announced that Aetos Capital, LP has committed to invest up to $50 million in Tian Rui Hotel Corporation, master franchisor of the Super 8 brand in China, to accelerate its hotel development efforts. Wyndham Hotel Group’s Super 8 brand was introduced to China in 2004. Tian Rui Hotel Corporation has opened 49 Super 8 hotels in China, representing more than 4,700 rooms, and has signed agreements to develop an additional 67 hotels.