Jetsettersblog

In a commitment to advance green meetings and sustainable tourism, the Berlin Convention Office (BCO) has launched www.berlin-green-meetings.com an Internet platform profiling environmentally conscious providers and services, as well as introducing Berlin’s green initiatives and projects.

Developed by the BCO in cooperation with Berlin Preferred Agencies, the website lists local service providers who have actively implemented ecologically sustainable measures and are engaging in ecological practices.

Divided into 13 categories — from catering to incoming agency to entertainment to venue — meeting planners obtain a quick overview of Berlin’s green suppliers, including company profiles and contact information.

The website also provides information on green initiatives and projects taken by the city of Berlin.

These include energy-efficient refurbishment of residential buildings and the installation of around 5,356 solar thermal plants, which led to CO2 emission reductions of approximately 2 million tons.

The introduction of an inner city low emission zone, admitting only vehicles that meet specific exhaust gas requirements, is aimed to reduce fine particle dust and nitrogen dioxide.

Support programs for the use of public transport and the extension of cycle paths serve the same purpose.

These and other climate protection projects, initiatives and support programs are paving the way for a city that is progressively establishing itself as a “green” location.

For more information, visit www.berlin-green-meetings.com  or www.berlin-convention-office.com

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has launched the Hyatt Gift Registry for milestone events like birthdays, bar and bat mitzvahs, retirements, anniversaries, babymoons, honeymoons and holidays. The online service allows users to register for a variety of amenities, services and overnight stays at Hyatt properties worldwide.

Among the options are scuba diving at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, golf lessons at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, and overnight getaways nearby.

The registry is customizable and can be used to plan anything from a quick getaway to an extended vacation.

Once users register, purchases made by their friends and family will accumulate, and the recipients will receive a Hyatt Gift Card or Hyatt Check Certificate for the full value of the purchases made.

The gift cards and certificates never expire, do not carry blackout dates, and can be used anytime. In addition, registrants can use their gift cards and certificates toward any experiences of their choosing, even if it’s not what they originally registered for. Hyatt Check Certificates are redeemable at Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide, and Hyatt Gift Cards can be redeemed at properties throughout the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.

For more information, call 877-798-1472 or visit www.hyattregistry.com

Jerusalem.com has been launched as a virtual gateway to religious, historic and modern-day Jerusalem. It offers a comprehensive experience of today’s vital, fascinating urban center, providing unique religious, social and tourism services and bringing the Jerusalem experience to anyone in the world.

The site contains six hubs which are representing for the first time the many faces Jerusalem has, and offering unique services and information regarding the city.

One of the highlighted features the site is offering is the ability to submit vocal prayers that are actually being heard in real speakers overlooking the old city of Jerusalem.

The site is reporting that hundreds of prayers have already been submitted from more than 72 different countries the world over.

During the launch, the Jerusalem.com team has invited the Princess Padmaja from Rajistan, India, who has been visiting Jerusalem for the past few days, to post a voice prayer of her own voice and have sent her special prayer to be heard in Jerusalem’s old city.

The princess’s prayer can be heard at www.jerusalem.com/article_1044/Princess-Padmajas-Prayer

Other services include lighting candles at Jerusalem’s holy places, planting olive trees in the city surroundings, and exporting the different religious calendars. Another important hub on the site is the tourism and culture channel, which offers the most updated and comprehensive information about modern-day Jerusalem, with full guides for the city hotels, restaurants, events, attractions and more. Michael Weiss, the site’s founder, said that he “sees Jerusalem.com as a site that belongs to every friend of Jerusalem throughout the world who wishes to interact with the city and feels as closest as possible to physical Jerusalem.”

Bought for $750,000, Jerusalem.com is the most expensive domain ever bought in Israel, highlighting the seriousness with which the site’s founders have approached the endeavor of representing the city as a place worthy of connecting to. For more information, see www.jerusalem.com

While many budget-conscious Americans have scaled back their vacation plans this year, savvy travelers are taking full advantage of the major discounts offered by travel companies and trying out new destinations, activities, and adventures for their 2009 summer vacation.

America’s top houseboating destination, Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, is offering travelers NEW tips on booking the ultimate houseboat adventure without breaking the bank this year.

Houseboating is an adventure that all families should experience together – and serves up something for everyone, including fishing, swimming, waterskiing, kayaking, power boating or simply relaxing under turquoise waters and a star-filled sky. Regardless of how familiar travelers are with houseboating, Lake Powell Resort’s unique tips will offer insight on how to find the best deals, navigate the different tour and watercraft options, and familiarize all guests with the endless options of relaxing and exploring the beauty of Lake Powell.

Below are a few budget tips from Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas that families can benefit from when planning their houseboating adventure:

1) Scale back on the houseboat without losing the luxury amenities.

o Lake Powell Resort recently announced the addition of a new line of luxury class houseboats for the 2009 season. The new 62-foot “Journey” line has been designed for those who want a state-of-the-art houseboat, with all the amenities of a larger luxury vessel. Features include an upgraded kitchen, spacious cabins, a hot tub, 42-inch LCD TV and home theater system with a tracking satellite system, an outdoor gas grill, and much more.

For a complete listing of available houseboats, please visit www.lakepowell.com/houseboats/comparison-chart.cfm

2) Don’t break the bank on gas.

o Travelers often forget to budget in extra vacation costs like taxes or gas when booking summer getaways. To help guests spend less time worrying about money and spend more time enjoying their houseboating vacation, Lake Powell is offering the “Gas on Us” package through 2009, which offers gas credits for any houseboat rental. Houseboaters will receive $50 in gas credit per day for any standard houseboat, $75 per day for a deluxe and $100 per day for a luxury houseboat.

To book this discount, guests can go to

www.lakepowell.com/gasonus09  

and use the promo code: GASONUS09.

3) Skip the Houseboat and check out lodging and watercraft packages.

o While houseboating is the best way to get the full outdoor experience, Lake Powell offers many affordable lodging and watercraft packages, so that guests can still explore the red rock canyons and alcoves that make Lake Powell famous without breaking the bank on accommodations.

Lake Powell’s Bed, Boat & Breakfast package*, starting at $227 includes a one night stay in a Lakeview room and breakfast for two, along with tickets for the Antelope Canyon Scenic boat tour.

The Great Lake Powell Water Adventure package*, starting at $515 includes two nights accommodations in traditional, Lakeview, or Deluxe Lakeview rooms at Lake Powell Resort, full-day use of 19’ power boat to explore red rock canyons and alcoves, and daily breakfast for two.

4) Watch the weather: higher lake levels mean less money for travelers.

o Travelers can thank the weather for saving their wallets a few bucks this summer. With Lake Powell experiencing higher than average lake levels, Castle Rock Cut, a popular shortcut that shaves off 12 miles of travel between the upper and lower ends of the lake – is open this year.

The shortcut helps visitors save on time and gas and makes it easier to access remote and unspoiled canyons and beaches, including the Rainbow Bridge National Monument (the largest natural bridge in the world), Padre Bay and Warm Creek Bay.

5) Match travel plans with anniversaries and special dates.

In 2009, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, the largest natural bridge in the world, celebrates 100 years since its rediscovery—a centennial inspiring locals and visitors alike through its wondrous size, majesty and mystery. 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of Rainbow Bridge becoming a National Monument. Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas is offering a special Rainbow Bridge Centennial Excursion package*, starting at $460, which includes two night accommodations, breakfast for two, both days, and two tickets for the ½ day Rainbow Bridge Bout Tour.

Available through October 31, 2009, please call 888-486-4665 for more information.

6) Don’t forget the freebies!

o Many concessionaires are throwing in free products and services this year and Lake Powell is no different.

Since 2008, Lake Powell has been offering visitors renting houseboats a free personalized service to help prepare them for their houseboating adventure.

Travelers are provided with a single point-of-contact customer service specialist who provides check-in services, instruction, and itinerary planning assistance, including maps, upon arrival. The customer service specialist is also available to prepare boats for departure to help guests enjoy their houseboating trip without any worries and can even pull it in and out of the dock for guests.

To book any of Lake Powell’s packages, please call (888) 486-4665 or visit www.lakepowell.com

Read the Jetsetters Magazine featue about Monumental Houseboating on Lake Powell.

Imagine playing 18 holes of championship golf in a beautiful mountain setting. Choose from the following golf courses: Lakota Canyon, Ranch Golf Club, River Valley Ranch Golf Club.

Package includes one night lodging (lodging taxes included) and one round of golf for two people. Package begins at $288 per couple.

Certain restrictions may apply.

Visit www.Hotelcolorado.com  for more information.

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation announced its first new hotel in Chile, the 120-room Sonesta Hotel Concepción.

Opened on Thursday, July 16, this business-class hotel features a theater, business center, restaurant, meeting space and is attached to an 80,000-square-foot destination casino and shopping arcade.

In addition, the Sonesta Hotel Osorno will offer 123 business class guest rooms with first-class service.

This hotel will offer a business center, full-service restaurant, 3,000 square feet of meeting space and a casino with shopping arcade.

These two hotels are the result of a partnership between GHL Hoteles and Sonesta.

Each of the two Sonesta hotels feature guest rooms with first class amenities, a full-service business center, full-service restaurant, lobby bar, room service, 24-hour concierge service, Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, fitness center, meeting space for up to 300 guests, and an executive floor with breakfast daily.

For more information,

call 800-SONESTA

or visit www.sonesta.com   Or click the banner below.

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel in North Carolina held ceremonies last Friday and broke ground on its new 532-room luxury tower, part of a $633 million expansion that will position the property as the premier gaming destination in the Southeast and a world-class entertainment and tourism destination.

The master plan for the property is currently the largest hospitality expansion project underway in the Southeast and one of the largest in the United States, offering the greatest number of hotel accommodations in the state.

In addition to the new tower, the expansion plan includes a 3,000-seat events center, entertainment and VIP lounges, 16,000-square-foot spa, all new state-of-the-art digital poker room, Asian gaming room, a variety of new restaurant and retail outlets, and new hotel and casino parking garages.

For more information, visit www.harrahscherokee.com

Pan Pacific Hotels Group welcomes British Airways Executive Club members and United Airlines Mileage Club members with the expansion of Global Hotel Alliance’s global airline partnership program.

This brings Pan Pacific Hotels Group’s airline partnerships to a total of 17.

The partnership with British Airways and United Airlines is applicable for all properties across both brands,

Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts and Parkroyal Hotels and Resorts that Pan Pacific Hotels Group owns and/or manages across Asia and North America. British Airways Executive Club Members can now earn 500 BA Miles while United Airlines Mileage Club members will be able to earn 500 Privilege Club Miles for eligible stays across Pan Pacific and Parkroyal hotels and resorts.

Guests need only provide their British Airways Executive Club or United Airlines Mileage Club membership number at the time of reservation or show a valid membership card upon check-in at the hotel.

For more information, visit www.pphg.com

The Westin New York at Times Square has partnered with Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises to help travelers celebrate the 400th qnniversary of Henry Hudson’s journey down his namesake waterway with its Summer Sightseeing package.

Valid now through Sept. 30, 2009, the getaway includes accommodations in a newly renovated guestroom and two vouchers for a two-hour cruise around Manhattan. Nightly rates start at $259 per room.

Vouchers for the cruise can be redeemed at guests’ convenience at Pier 83, where the cruises depart from, and just a quick 10-minute walk or short cab ride from the hotel.

For hotel reservations and information, call 888-627-7149 or visit www.westinny.com and enter rate codes CIRCLE7, CIRCLE8, CIRCLE9 or CIRCLE10.

Brazil Community Reforestation Program, one of Planeterra’s more than 30 global community outreach projects, is providing landless people uprooted by change the skills to grow their own food and reforest the communities of Parana and Sao Paolo, Brazil.

This program, resulting in 450,000 trees planted by the end of 2009, will also provide the communities of Marilia and Londrina with access to training workshops and seedlings, thus enabling them to increase food production, create natural barriers on their lands and provide shade and fodder for livestock and other animals.

Richard G. Edwards, director of the Planeterra Foundation, said that some of the deforestation of Brazil’s tropical rain forest, in essence the “lungs” of the planet that absorb carbon dioxide, “can be reversed by expanding protected areas and developing methods of sustainable forestry.

It’s critical that local peoples have ownership of the restoration because they will benefit economically while helping to maintain the natural ecosystems.”

Planeterra is working with Trees for the Future (TFTF) to support local community groups in taking back their lands and in creating a sustainable relationship with their environment.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., TFTF has been committed to reforesting areas and planting indigenous species since 1989.

Through seed distribution, agro forestry training and country programs, TFTF empowers rural groups to restore tree cover to their lands.

Edwards said that travelers can contribute to the development of new programs in other communities around the world.

Additional funding and donations received will be used to develop new programs in Africa and Asia.

For details on Planeterra’s global reach and the opportunities it offers travelers to roll up their sleeves and assist communities at the grass roots, visit www.planeterra.org/pages/projects/2.php

   Planeterra Foundation is a global non-profit dedicated to sustainable community development through travel.

It was founded in 2003 by G.A.P Adventures, the largest independent adventure travel company in the world. Edwards is also a member of G.A.P’s executive management team, where he helps oversee the company’s rapid growth. Planeterra evolved out of a long history of travelers committed to finding ways to give back to the people and places they visit. Planeterra selects the projects and works with G.A.P Adventures and other partners to arrange voluntour travel programs, and support local community projects.

For more information, call 416-260-0999 or visit www.planeterra.org