In brief

New tourism divisions for Barbados

THE island of Barbados has launched its newest division of tourism affairs, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) and the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA). Built as a reform to the original Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA), the new divisions will work together to transform the current tourism landscape creating a bold new organisation focused on keeping the island top of mind in the dynamic and ever-changing tourism industry.

Travel agent training at cruise event

IN an ongoing effort to impart the value and revenue potential of the global cruise market to the callow Asian travel agent community, Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific will once again host a comprehensive travel agent training programme, presented by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Presented by cruise industry veteran Peter Kollar from CLIA Australasia, this comprehensive education programme will help agents better understand the cruise industry’s value and revenue potential and ensure the development of the retail cruise business moving forward in Asia.

Meliá opens adults-only hotel in Colombia

MELIÁ Hotels International continues its growth in Colombia with the new Meliá Cartagena in Cartagena de Indias, scheduled for opening in December 2016. Meliá Cartagena will provide 154 rooms, a destination-based restaurant and a buffet restaurant, a bar, spa, beach club and rooms for meetings and events, one of the fastest-growing segments in the region. The hotel is located on the beach and very close to the 18-hole Karibana golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, and will operate under an adults-only formula.

New penthouse suites in Houston

WITH new interiors as impressive as the skyline views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, Hotel Derek’s redesigned penthouse suites are ready to welcome their first guests.

The 1,200 square foot suites at Hotel Derek, A Destination Hotel, rest on the top floor of the hotel and were conceptualised by Texas-based design firm Flick Mars in collaboration with Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, one of the country’s premiere furniture manufacturers with a popular retail location just steps from the hotel.

Brand USA announces new campaign

BRAND USA, the destination marketing organisation for the United States, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Aviation, Choose Chicago and Discover Illinois unveiled a new “Market the Welcome” experience targeting international travellers.

Officials launched the campaign at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Terminal 5 during the press conference to kick-off World Routes 2014.

To accommodate the demand of international travellers, Brand USA is supporting destination and airport partners by implementing the “Market the Welcome” campaign, through the development of a customisable “plug-and-play” toolbox to improve the traveller experience in international arrival halls from the moment visitors deplane until they pick up their baggage. The toolbox will include localised imagery with a destination call-to-action and Discover America branding targeting international travellers. Plans are underway for additional components to combine Brand USA’s mandate to communicate US visa and entry policy with inspiring and welcoming messages through a variety of mediums including digital and video.

This new programme could serve as a resource for global travellers as they enter airport arrival halls and embassies. Brand USA’s marketing efforts generated 1.1 million incremental visitors to the United States during fiscal 2013 – a 2.3 per cent increase over growth. Those additional visitors spent $3.4 billion in the United States, including travel and carrier fare receipts, and supported the creation of 53,000 jobs in the U.S. economy, confirming the positive impact Brand USA’s marketing efforts are having on international arrivals and the US tourism industry.