Jetsettersblog

Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces signed a management contract with JK Hotels, a private Moroccan company, to operate Taj Palace Marrakech. The hotel is set to launch in autumn 2011. The opening will increase Taj’s international portfolio to 17 hotels, including the Taj Cape Town, which opened in 2010. The Marrakech property has 161 guestrooms, including 25 Grand Suites and one Royal Suite. The hotel is designed to offer top-tier luxury, with panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains and palm gardens of the lush Palmeraie district.

American designer Stuart Church, known as an Orientalist, is responsible for the interiors and architectural design, which reflects the ornate traditional styles of Morocco. The rooms take on a diverse style, drawing inspiration from the aristocratic Berber Kasbahs of Morocco, as well as from Ottoman architecture, and other Oriental and Indian influences.

Taj Palace Marrakech will feature several restaurants and bars serving a range of cuisine from Moroccan specialties to the flavors of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. The hotel will also have a 40,000-square-feet Jiva Grande Spa, with 14 treatment rooms for Ayurveda and other India and African-inspired treatments, two large hammams and a state-of-the-art fitness center with Technogym equipment.

Both Arab and African, Marrakech is the heartbeat of Morocco, where palaces and monuments sit alongside Gnaoua drums pulsing constantly from the Jemaah el Fna Square — one of the most lively marketplaces in the world. The hotel will be located at the foothills of the majestic Atlas Mountains, where guests can explore Moroccan villages, different cultures and the scenic valleys. Marrakech is easily accessible from all major international locations and Taj Palace Marrakech is located just 30 minutes from the international airport.

Established in 1903, Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces is one of Asia’s largest hotel groups of hotels, comprising 92 hotels in 53 locations across India with an additional 17 international hotels in the Maldives, Malaysia, Australia, the U.K., the U.S., Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.tajhotels.com

As the summer travel season approaches, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is providing summer travelers with travel tips to assist with cross-border travel. CBP has implemented many important initiatives designed to facilitate travel while, at the same time, improving U.S. border security.

U.S. citizens traveling abroad must have approved travel documents when returning home. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 16 and older, to present a valid, acceptable travel document, such as a passport, a U.S. passport card, a Trusted Traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST) or an Enhanced Driver’s License that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea. U.S. and Canadian citizens under age 16 may present a birth certificate or alternative proof of citizenship when entering by land or sea.

A radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled travel document such as a U.S. Passport Card, Enhanced Driver’s License/Enhanced Identification Card or Trusted Traveler Program card expedites entry and makes crossing the border more efficient. There are currently 10 million RFID-enabled travel documents issued.

WHTI document requirements for air travel have been in effect since January 2007. Almost all travelers flying back to the United States need to present a passport or NEXUS card.

Visitors to the U.S. who are nationals or citizens of visa waiver program countries (VWP) are now required to have an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, and once approved, generally will be valid for up to two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Authorizations will be valid for multiple entries into the U.S. CBP recommends ESTA applications be submitted as soon as an applicant begins making travel plans.

CBP now offers a new small vessel reporting system which allows boat operators and passengers an alternative to the current reporting system. By applying online and visiting a customs office in advance, owners and passengers can now obtain entry clearance by phone. The system is available in Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as along the northern U.S. border. The program will be expanded during the coming year to cover small vessel entries country-wide. For more information, visit www.cbp.gov/svrs.

When returning to the U.S., declare all items obtained abroad. Don’t bring in fruit, meat or fireworks without first checking to see if they’re allowed. International border crossers should expect a thorough inspection process, even during busy holiday periods, when entering the U.S. CBP officers are authorized to conduct enforcement examinations, ranging from checking luggage to a personal search, without a warrant. For more information, visit www.cbp.gov

According to a report released on May 25 at the WTM Vision Conference in London, overseas visitors to the U.K. will not be deterred by high VAT providing sterling remains weak against key inbound currencies.

Euromonitor International Head of Travel and Tourism Research Caroline Bremner told delegates that the exchange rate plays a greater role rather than in-country taxes, although the latter will be a factor. Sterling weakness against the euro makes the U.K. attractive to visitors from key markets such as France and Germany, Bremner said. At the same time, sterling has strengthened against the dollar, making the U.K. less attractive to the key U.S. inbound market in the short to medium term. The recent Royal Wedding will result in an increase of visitors this year, which confuses the picture.

Furthermore, the report — Travel Industry Global Overview — states the U.K.’s VAT hike to 20 percent this year will have an impact on visitors’ spending while in the U.K., warning that “increased VAT may affect repeat visits over the long term.” It said visitors may return but for a shorter period of time, or look for cheaper accommodation options to reduce costs. The U.K. inbound industry can fight this by focusing on the guest experience and customer service to ensure the U.K. remains value for money. However, while the U.K. government is increasing VAT as a deficit-reduction strategy, other destinations have dropped their VAT rates in order to attract visitors. For example, Ireland slashed its VAT rate from 13 percent to 9 percent.

“The U.K. government’s increase in VAT as part of the deficit-reduction program stands in sharp contrast to other countries that are taking bold steps to boost their tourism competitiveness by reducing VAT in an effort to stimulate domestic and inbound tourism revenues,” Bremner said.

Overall, the trend remains positive with arrivals in actual terms increasing year on year over 2010 to 2015, reaching 32.1 million inbound arrivals compared with 29.3 million in 2010. For the current year, Euromonitor International expects 29.9 million.

In Olympics year, the U.K. should welcome 32 million, with a drop in 2013 to 30.9 million. Over the same timescale, U.K. outbound traffic will plateau at around 60 million, below its pre-crisis level of 67 million.

World Travel Market Chairman Fiona Jeffery said, “The report’s findings are a positive sign for the U.K. inbound industry. Although, with other country’s reducing VAT to attract visitors the inbound industry should not be complacent, especially as a shift in exchange rates could have a detrimental impact on the visitor numbers.” For more information, visit www.reedexpo.com.

According to a recent study conducted by Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR) and the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau, of the 140,000 destination weddings held every year by Americans, Cancun is Mexico’s preferred wedding destination. An average of about 32 thousand American weddings are held each year in Mexico, generating almost $3 billion in economic growth, showing that Mexico is one of the fastest growing markets for destination weddings in the past years.

Mexico is displacing the traditional beach wedding destinations, such as Hawaii, falling behind only the Caribbean as the most popular destination, according to the Cancun CVB and SECTUR. About 76 percent of couples who have destination weddings have open-air/outdoor weddings, with 56 percent opting for beach locations and 30 percent choosing resorts.

Currently, Cancun is investing in what they are calling “Romance Tourism.” With the average cost per guest at about $1,620 and the average cost for the wedding at about $18,400, equating to approximately $92,920 in total for the event, it is an excellent opportunity for Cancun and for couples planning to marry. Based on these figures, it is easy to understand how “Romance Tourism” and destination weddings have become a $28 billion annual industry and continue to go exponentially, with more than 400 percent growth in the past 10 years. The growth in this segment is the result, among other things, of reasonable costs that still allow couples to add an exotic twist to the celebration. For more information, visit www.cancun.travel

ACP Rail International now offers domestic train routes as e-tickets in Spain including the high-speed AVE train. With ACP Rail’s train tickets section, bookers must enter journey details and select a “Renfe Ticket on Departure & Reservation” to get the e-ticket. Denis Grenier, vice president of marketing and business development at ACP Rail, said, “the new addition of Renfe’s complete range of domestic routes is a step towards offering an even more comprehensive product portfolio in Europe. These e-tickets, along with ACP Rail’s existing Eurail Passes, InterRail Passes and international train tickets, will provide customers with exceptional choice when it comes to Spanish rail travel.”

ACP Rail provides consumers, travel agents and tour operators access to a range of rail passes and train tickets. In addition to being the exclusive global BritRail distributor, ACP Rail also offers the Japan Rail Pass, Eurail Pass, InterRail Pass, BritRail Pass, German Rail Pass, Ausrail Pass and others. For more information, call 866-938-RAIL, email sales@acprail.com  or visit www.ACPRail.com

VIA Rail, which connects all corners of Canada, offers clients ages 60 or older year-round discounts. VIA Rail’s Trans-Continental Canadian route, for instance, features Sleeper Touring class, where a cabin for one, two, three or four people, or a suite are available. As Canada’s national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada’s mandate is to provide efficient, environmentally sustainable and cost effective passenger transportation, in the country’s two official languages. Every week, VIA operates 503 intercity, transcontinental and regional trains linking 450 communities across its more than 8,000-mile route network. For more information, call 888-VIA-RAIL or visit www.viarail.ca/en  or www.viarail.ca/en/fares/discounts/60

Delta Air Lines will launch a sixth nonstop frequency between Atlanta and Brazil’s capital city, Brasilia, on May 31. Delta operates flights between Atlanta and Brasilia using a Boeing 757-200 with capacity for 162 passengers — 15 in First Class and 147 in Economy Class.

Delta currently offers 32 nonstop flights between the U.S. and Brazil, including service connecting Atlanta, Detroit and New York-JFK to Sao Paulo as well as Atlanta and Rio de Janeiro. For more information, visit www.delta.com

AirTran Airways has begun daily nonstop service between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and L.F. Wade International Airport in St. George’s, Bermuda. Bermuda is the latest destination in AirTran’s international route network, which includes Aruba; Cancun, Mexico; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Nassau, Bahamas; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. For more information, visit www.airtran.com

JetBlue Airways has begun nonstop service to Martha’s Vineyard from its home at New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The flights will operate during the peak summer travel season from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, with up to five weekly flights commencing in May and daily service commencing in July.

Flights between New York and Martha’s Vineyard are on sale now through June 15 for as little as $69 each way. To qualify for this rate, which is subject to availability, travel must take place on Tuesdays or Wednesdays and be completed by July 20. For more information, visit www.jetblue.com

A $25 raffle ticket could put an Arizona Game and Fish Commission’s special big game permit for elk or bighorn in your pocket. How would you like a chance to pursue mule deer during the rut on the Kaibab for just a $20 ticket?

Welcome to the Big Game Super Raffle, where your dreams can come true.

A consortium of nonprofit conservation groups partner together to raffle off one each of the 10 special big game tags (issued by the commission) to raise funds for wildlife conservation projects that directly benefit those species (and many others indirectly) in Arizona.

Winners will be able to hunt for 365 days almost anywhere in the state of Arizona during a special 2011-12 hunting season.

To cover the administrative costs of the raffle there are two bonus items: an incredible Swarovski optic package valued at $7,000, ticket cost of only $10; and, a guided trophy elk hunt in New Mexico valued at $6,500, ticket cost of only $20.

For $150, you get one ticket for each of the 12 items up for raffle, that’s only $12.50 a ticket.

Now that you’re excited, here is the icing on the cake. While there will obviously be 12 very happy winners, the real winners are Arizona’s wildlife and habitats. The money raised from the Super Raffle goes right back on the ground to wildlife conservation in Arizona. So buy a ticket, support wildlife and we all win.

Tickets can be purchased by mail or online. The deadline for mail orders is July 15. Online orders are available until July 17. The public drawing will be held July 21.

For more details, order form, and deadlines, visit www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com