HM Treasury - International Travel Writers Alliance



| | |

| |The Alliance |

| |bulletin |

|Issue 81 : September 2010 : |

Key information on a no-frills format for professional who travel to write, edit, broadcast or create images.

Ashley@

|In this issue |

Opportunities : for group and individual press trips

• Working with Alliance members : travel partners and their agencies

News : items of interest to travel journalists

Leads : story ideas

• What’s on : annual festivals and events

• Reasons to write about : destinations and travel pursuits

A place to stay :and review hotels, resorts and other accommodation

Ongoing initiatives

Alerts : ongoing press trip opportunities

Travel products and services : of interest to travel journalists

Travel guides : that will offer review copies

• The International Travel Writers Alliance and AllWays

The media contacts listed in the bulletin will be delighted to hear from Alliance members worldwide

|[pic] The International Travel Writers Alliance |[pic] writersalliance |

|[pic] The International Travel Writers Alliance | |

|Registering with the Alliance |

To register with the International Travel Writers Alliance visit : , click to enter the site and click on Register as a member/editor/partner or agency.

|Opportunities |

Alliance members looking to take advantage of any of the following opportunities should be on assignment, with a commission or able to obtain one.

For ongoing opportunities for Alliance members see Alerts (below) or visit : .

Playgrounds of the World

Playgrounds of the World will be delight to hear from Alliance members who are interested in the agency’s press trip opportunities planned for the latter part of 1010 and into 2011.

These are to destinations including :

Africa (East & South)

Egypt

Morocco

Thailand

Bali

Myanmar/Cambodia

Vietnam

Tahiti

Mexico

Costa Rica

Italy

New Orleans

Arizona

Colorado

New Mexico

Utah

Miami

Commissions should be for the luxury, spa, culinary, adventure, golf, eco, wedding/honeymoon markets.

Visit : . Contact : Cindy Ferguson at Cindy@.

Orlando VIP Passport

The Orlando Tourism Bureau will offer Alliance members visiting on-assignment a complimentary Journalist VIP Passport.

The passport and its brochure includes complimentary attraction and museum admission, dining offers, arts and culture performances, shopping discounts for up to two people.

Visit : . Contact : Amy Voss at amy.voss@.

Tongole Wilderness Lodge, Malawi

Tongole Wilderness Lodge is a new eco tourism venture set in the 1,800km² Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, the third largest protected area in Malawi and one of the least known.

Tongole will be the first luxury lodge in the area, and has been designed for those who seek a wilderness experience in one of Africa’s unspoilt wildlife areas.

With a focus on ethical and responsible practices, Tongole’s objectives include transforming disadvantaged local communities and benefiting biodiversity conservation. Profits will be used to help fund local projects focusing on education, conservation, health and economic empowerment.

Visit : . For press trips contact : Jovanka Ristich at jovanka@independentpr.co.uk.

Æther mobile

Alliance members can get a 10% discount on aether mobile – the global roaming mobile service, which offers savings on using a mobile phone when abroad.

The service is aimed at both leisure and business travellers travelling outside of their home country, and allows them to save a substantial amount on their mobile phone bill. Discount is offered on initial SIM+credit orders, plus 10% on all subsequent top ups

The quality of reception is of the highest quality, and it is used by inserting the aether mobile SIM card into any unlocked phone.

Among the features and benefits :

• service available in 206 countries worldwide on over 565 mobile networks

• up to 80% off the cost of making a call from abroad

• free to receive calls in 65 countries

• free to receive an incoming SMS and sending an SMS is 10p in Europe and 34p for the rest of the World.

• voicemail service accessible from any location

• no line rental, contract or service fees

• pay as you go with no penalties for non use

• full itemised billing

All æther mobile SIMs have a UK telephone number; +44 7.

Visit : aether-. Contact : Samantha Osborough at samantha.osborough@aether-.

Red Mangrove Galapagos Lodges

Widness & Wiggins is now representing Red Mangrove Galapagos Lodges, which offers a land-based alternative to exploring the Galapagos that heretofore was a cruise-only destination.

With upscale waterfront lodges strategically situated on Santa Cruz, Isabela and Floreana it is the only company offering high quality, branded accommodations and services on multiple islands in the Galapagos.

Widness and Wiggins specialises in adventure, active and eco-responsible tourism companies.

Visit : . To discuss press visits contact Dave Wiggins dave@.

Health retreat press trips on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Alliance members are invited to apply for places on a five-day health retreat press trips to Vancouver Island (held monthly) that will focus on cleansing and detoxification.

Those attending will be able to place features in health and wellness travel publications.

Visit : . Contact : Pamela Irving at livingcomms@.

England’s Atlantic Links, South West England

 

England’s Atlantic Links, a group of five premier golf courses in the South West of England, will be pleased to offer press trips to Alliance members in return for guaranteed commissions.

 

This quintet of legendary clubs comprises the undiscovered gems of :

• Burnham & Berrow in Somerset

• Royal North Devon and Saunton in Devon, and

• St Enodoc and Trevose in Cornwall

Visit : atlantic-links.co.uk Contact : Helen Heady at helen@headypr.co.uk.

The Red Lion Inn, Stathern, Leicestershire UK

Michelin-starred chef, Sean Hope, will be demonstrating a 3-course menu at The Red Lion Inn, his historic traditional village pub at Stathern, Leicestershire on Tuesday 26 October and Tuesday 30 November 2010.

Sean Hope has appeared on BBC2 ‘Hairy Bikers’ and ITV’s ‘Real Cooks’ with Gino D’Acampo (star of I’m a Celebrity…) and is shortly to be featured in a new TV programme by FIVE called ‘Street Market Chefs’.

Tickets cost £35, including lunch with a complimentary glass of wine and copies of the demonstrated recipes to take away.

Visit : theredlioninn.co.uk. For a press ticket contact Linda Parkhouse at parkhousepr@.

|Working with the Alliance |

The following travel partners and agencies have registered with the Alliance and are keen to work with Alliance travel writers, editors, broadcasters and photographers.

Other Alliance partners and agencies can be found at .

Partners

Lot Valley

Organising the development of tourism in the Lot Valley, Southern France around inland navigation.

Visit : lot-. Contact : Stephanie Khaou at lotvalley1@



offers an unbeatable service to enable our customers to put together their perfect holiday at the lowest market price available. With our team of travel experts and our unique technology, is able to offer not only the lowest priced flights and cheapest accommodation but also an extensive range of other holiday options including transfers, insurance, airport parking and car hire.

Visit : . Contact : Kathryn Pouwer at kathrynp@

Reveal Greece

Reveal Greece specialises in up-scale concierge and luxury rentals services in Greece.

Visit : reveal-. Contact : Eleni Koi at ek@reveal-

Warwick Travel

Warwick Travel is a full service travel agency serving the global community since 1975. Warwick Travel has two physical offices, both located in Virginia, with professional travel counselors standing by to help you with all your travel needs and dreams.

Visit : . Contact : LaDonna Allen at l_allen@

maiden-

maiden- is a global social network for professional women who travel for business. Visit : maiden-. Contact Carolyn Pearson at carolyn@maiden-.

The Harlowe Group LLC

The Harlowe Group runs a unique collection of properties worldwide. Visit : . Contact : Tracey Harlowe at tracey@.

Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and Quintas da Madeira

PR representatives for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and Quintas da Madeira. Visit : . Contact :Laura Shelbourne at laura@

Destination Travel Dubrovnik

Destination Travel provides the full range of services for travel to Croatia including lodging or a transfer, or something more complex such as arranging of an all-inclusive package, sight-seeing excursions, or fully-serviced conferences, is the right choice.

Visit : . Contact :Damir Dobroslavic at damir@

Epicurean Ways

Epicurean Ways designs and organizes culinary tours in Spain. Tours can include cooking classes, wine tours, artisan product tastings. Trips for meeting the creators of Spanish food and wine. Custom groups, chef-led groups and wine groups are welcomed.

Visit : . Contact : Jane Gregg at jane@

Equador Travel

Equador Travel runs tours that cover all aspects of travel throughout Ecuador and Perú. Visit : . Sebastian Sierra at sebastian@

Ska Travel

Ska Travel is a travel and tour company based in London which specialises in flights and tours to Africa particularly Ghana.

Visit : . Contact : Seth Anorson at skatravel@hotmail.co.uk

MexicaChica Getaways

MexicaChica Getaways is a group travel company that provides luxury learning vacation to women. Thematic workshops include art, culinary, Spanish immersion and Fitness getaways.

Visit : . Contact : Claudette Elizondo at claudette@

Goin’ Off Safaris

Goin’ Off Safaris is a locally owned and run business showcasing the very best secrets of South Australia’s untouched Eyre Peninsula through local knowledge and love for the area.

These take in jagged coastlines and spectacular, rugged uninterrupted cliff-top views, to footprint-free pristine beaches and untamed national parks filled with birds and other native wildlife.

Other optional activities include hand-feeding kangaroos and koalas, sand-boarding towering dunes, snorkeling and kayaking in crystal clear waters, surf fishing the beaches, cruising the beautiful waters of Coffins Bay, exploring the Talia Caves, trekking part of the Great Australian Bight, relaxing after a private massage or soaking up the sun!

Visit : .au. Contact : David Doudle at info@.au.

Agencies

BCPR

BCPR is one of the UK’s leading boutique travel and lifestyle PR consultancies. As an independent public relations consultancy, Beth Cooper PR offers its clients a bespoke, personalised service.

The teams are small and perfectly formed, are experts in travel and have been lucky enough to work with some of the world’s most glamorous brands. Boutique bolt-holes, high-end hotels, destination resorts, tourism bodies and tour operators across all five continents – BCPR consistently delivers great results across the board!

Visit : bethcooperpr.co.uk. Contact : Gael Lucas at gael@bethcooperpr.co.uk

Naefe PR

Katrin Naefe is a public relations consultant with more than 10 years experience in

the planning and implementation of international, UK and German communication programmes.

Visit : naefepr.co.uk. Contact : Katrin Naefe katrin@naefepr.co.uk

Core Communications : Utah

Core Communications is now handling the US state Utah account.

Utah is home to five national parks (Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion), 43 state parks, seven national monuments and two national recreation areas.

It has the Rocky Mountains in the North with fabulous skiing (including the Olympic town of Park City) and the Desert Southwest.

Visit : utah.travel. Contact : Caroline Corfield-Rose at caroline@corecommunications.co.uk.

Mercury PR : UK West Country press trips

Cornish based PR agency Mercury PR is able to provide press visit opportunities to the far West of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for journalists with a commission or able to secure a commission for a travel destination feature.

Press visits are able to be offered in September and October for those wanting to run features in late 2010 and early 2011.

The Isles of Scilly

The UK's only Island archipelago, which lies in the Gulf Stream, 28 miles off the tip of Lands End, the Isles of Scilly - five inhabited and over 100 uninhabited Islands offer stunning white sand beaches, crystal clear azure waters, flora and fauna that cannot be found anywhere in the UK.

simplyscilly.co.uk

St Ives

The picturesque fishing harbour is now home to a wonderful array of boutique shops, pubs, restaurants, galleries, the Leach Pottery and of course the Tate.

Aspects Holidays has over 200 holiday properties in and around St Ives, from ultra modern penthouse apartments to fisherman's cottages and former artists studios.

stives-cornwall.co.uk

West Cornwall

Venture past Padstow and St Ives and the there are some simply stunning locations the further West you head, that still remain for many who visit Cornwall, untapped.

Coves like Lamorna and Prussia, stunning beaches of Sennen, Gwenver and Porthcurno and fantastic fishing villages steeped in history such as Newlyn and Mousehole.

West Cornwall Cottage Holidays is the leading holiday accommodation provider in this area with over 150 properties in wonderful locations in the West of Cornwall - perfect for exploring this unspoiled tip of the UK.



Contact Karen Baker at karen@mercury-pr.co.uk.

|News |

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises has designed three new 12–night itineraries sailing roundtrip out of Istanbul. The introduction of these new itineraries marks the first time the cruise line has offered roundtrip cruises from the city on the famed Bosphorus Strait that connects Asia and Europe.

 

Visit : celebritycruises.co.uk. Contact : Briony Peters at bpeters@.

WinAir

WinAir has resumed its service between major Caribbean hubs and Dominica.

Located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean, the independent nation of Dominica is the largest and most mountainous of the Windward Islands.

Visit fly-. Contact : Marie Rosa at system@enr-.

Trekking in eastern Bhutan

The Merak & Sakteng region of Bhutan is scheduled to open to the world for the first time in September 2010.

From 8 to 18 May 2011, One World Trekking is offering a small group of twelve trekkers the opportunity to participate on a research trek through this culturally unique and remote area of eastern Bhutan.

Visit : . Contact : Andy Crisconi at andy.crisconi@.

Prague City Card sightseeing pass

Smart card technology operator the Leisure Pass Group has expanded into its fifth country with the Prague City Card sightseeing pass.

The Prague City Card includes admission to attractions such as Prague Castle, the Old Town Hall, the Charles Bridge Towers, plus many more cathedrals, palaces, museums and gardens.

The company also operates sightseeing cards in the UK, US, Sweden and France.

Visit : . Contact : Katie Wright at katie.wright@sirenpr.co.uk

|Leads |

Alliance members looking to take advantage of any of the following leads should be on assignment, with a commission or able to obtain one.



is an Open Directory that provides links to tourism, travel and destination websites for all countries in the world.

Visit : visitors. Contact : Johan Schoonen at johan@.

Nisbet Plantation, Nevis

Nisbet Plantation on the island of Nevis has been voted the #1 resort in the Caribbean and #6 in the world on the World’s Best Awards list. Part of a two-island nation with St. Kitts, Nevis is hailed as one of the remaining unspoiled places on earth.

Visit . Julie Harper at julie@.

Aqua, Hawaii

Aqua has 17 properties located across the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Lanai and Molokai, Hawaii ranging from budget conscious hotels, full service resorts to the Aqua Boutique Collection.

 

Visit : . Samantha Preece at samantha@firstpr.co.uk.

Caley Cruisers

Caley Cruisers in Inverness has recently launched a luxury new love boat built for two as the latest addition to its 29-strong floating fleet, aimed at enticing romantic couples and honeymooners looking for intimate breaks in the Highlands to explore the waterways of the Great Glen, including Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal.

Visit: .  Contact: Caroline Keith at caroline@thekeithconsultancy.co.uk.

|What’s on |

Information for professional travel writes, editors, broadcasters and photographers on annual events and celebrations worldwide.

Dominican Republic Fashion Week 2010

18th to 23rd October 2010

The Caribbean’s main fashion event. This year, the event will be dedicated to Dominican fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.

Visit : . Contact : Estjher Smith at esp@.

Events in the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, Florida

The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida includes: Sanibel & Captiva islands, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & Outer islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres.

21st Annual "Ding" Darling Days, J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge,

Sanibel Island

17-23 October 2010

A week of eco-activities with free refuge tram tours and live wildlife presentations, birding and kayaking tours and environmental speakers. The festival celebrates the birthday of the refuge's namesake, conservationist and Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist J. N. "Ding" Darling.

Visit : .                          

 

25th Annual Octoberfest, Cape Coral

22-24 and 29-31 October 2010

The celebration of German culture, food, music and dancing hosted by the German-American Club includes authentic musical groups from Germany. 

Visit : gasc-.

24th Annual American Sandsculpting Championship Festival, Fort Myers Beach

10 to 14November 2010

Twenty master sculptors will create complex works of art including dolphins, great blue herons, giant computers, entwined lovers and Neptune, god of the seas:

Visit :

Annual Christmas Luminary Trail and Open House, Sanibel and Captiva islands

3 and 4 December 2010

This event draws visitors from all over the world as they join local residents to celebrate the season. 

Visit : sanibel-.

Holiday Nights at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers

10 December to 1 January 2010

Millions of lights celebrate Thomas Edison's contribution to modern life and the festivity of the season at this 34-year Lee County tradition enjoyed by more than 30,000 visitors each year. Lights and decorations fill 20 acres of gardens, the restored Edison buildings and the Estates’ historic homes.

Visit : .

Visit fortmyers-. Contact : Hamilton, Nancy at NHamilton@.

The Montserrat Volcano Half Marathon

27 November 2010

The 2nd Montserrat Volcano Half Marathon will take place on Saturday 27 November 2010 along a route that takes in some of the key tourism attractions on the island including the active Soufrière Hills Volcano.

Visit and . Contact : Tom Panagos at tom@saltmarshpr.co.uk.

Women's Fiction Festival, Matera, Italy

23 to 28 September 2010 (annual, 7th)

Only international writers' conference where writers learn about the market, sell their books and find a literary agent. Includes conferences, workshops, talks with authors and the presentation of the Baccante Literary Prize to a writer who has made major contributions to women's fiction.

Visit : . Contact : Mariateresa Cascino at mtcascino@.

Melbourne International Arts Festival, Australia

08 to 23 October 2010 (annual)

One of Australia's leading arts festivals.Features dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia and outdoor events.

Visit : .au. Contact : Prue Bassett at p.bassett@.au.

|Reasons to write about |

Alliance members looking to take advantage of any of the following should be on assignment, with a commission or able to obtain one.

Asian Art in London

Eskenazi Limited, one of the world’s most respected dealers in Chinese art, is celebrating its golden jubilee with an exhibition of twelve exceptional pieces which have been acquired over the past ten years and set aside especially for this event.

Twelve Chinese Masterworks will be held at 10 Clifford Street, London from Thursday 4 to Tuesday 30 November 2010.

The exhibition coincides with the 13th staging of Asian Art in London, 4 to 13 November 2010, an annual event that unites London’s leading Asian art dealers, major auction houses and societies in a series of selling exhibitions, auctions, receptions, lectures and seminars that attract visitors from around the world.

Visit : . Contact : Annie Roper at annie@suebond.co.uk.

Black rhino in Namabia

Fifteen black rhino have been released into the 13,500 sq km Kunene region of North West Namibia in a project supported by Conservancy Safaris Namibia in collaboration with WWF.

Namibia is home to the largest free roaming population of black rhino in the world and the newest additions are being released into the Puros and Orumpembe conservancies of Kunene.

Conservancy Safaris’ tours offer in-depth excursions into this vast, arid land, giving guests an insider’s view of community-based conservation in action.

With 100% of the ownership of Conservancy Safaris Namibia vested in the Himba and Herero people, there is a real incentive for local communities to protect their natural heritage and stamp out poaching, one of the biggest threats to this endangered species.

Visit : kcs-.na. Jovanka Ristich at jovanka@independent-pr.co.uk.

Iceland’s new volcanic craters

The recent eruptions in Iceland have created two new volcanic craters and a new lava field in Iceland and visitors can get up close on a three-day trekking tour.

The new craters and lava field, located at Fimmvörduháls, have been christened Magni and Módi, after the sons of Thor, the Norse God of Thunder.

The names were chosen because of the craters’ proximity to Thórsmörk Nature Reserve, which means ‘Thor’s Woods’. The new lava field is now called Godahraun after Godaland, the name of the area in which it is located.

Fimmvörduháls is one of Iceland’s most popular hiking trails, running between Skogarfoss waterfall and Thórsmörk. The three-day trekking tour with Iceland Mountain Guides takes intrepid travellers between the recently-created volcanoes.

Beginning in Thórsmörk, hikers will pass by the Godahraun lava flow which is still hot and steaming and see the new craters whilst on Fimmvörduháls, before overnighting in a simple mountain hut between the between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull, (site of the most recent volcanic eruption) and Mýrdalsjökull. The next day the trek will descend into Skógar along the gorges of the Skógaá River.

Visit mountainguides.is. Contact : Clair Horwood at clair@saltmarshpr.co.uk.

Vancouver Island, Canada

The small chain of islands, situated between Vancouver and Victoria in the province’s Georgia Strait, is being promoted as an arts archipelago.

Salt Spring Island, the most populated of the southern Gulf Islands, has a dozen art galleries, many tucked, charmingly, in the woods. While on the island, there is the popular, artistically-bent summer Saturday Market and sculpture-filled gardens at the quaint Hastings House Country House Hotel.

The remaining southern Gulf Islands also have artists studios and workshops year-round.

Visit : gulfislands and vancouverislandmedia. Contact : Carla Mont at Carla.Mont@gov.bc.ca.

The west coast of the North Highlands of Scotland

 

Scotland’s only global geo-park

Stretching from Loch Erribol as far north as Cape Wrath, this 2000 sq km area offers a different type of trip for adventurous families, ramblers and outdoor lovers.

 

Inverewe Garden : a garden which is warmed by the Gulf Stream and able to sustain exotic plants from across the world – take a ranger guided walk to round off the visit.

 

Gruinard Beach : Overlooked by imposing mountains such as An Teallach

 

A Hebridean Whale cruise Spot Minke Whale, Porpoise Dolphin and even Basking Sharks on the Atlantic. On the horizon are the Outer Hebrides while to the south are the majestic peaks of the Isle of Skye.

 

Handa Island The largest breeding colony of Guillemots in the UK – approx 120,00 breeding pairs. Also puffin, fulmar, shag, razorbill, artic and great skuas, kittiwake, gulls and terns. Boat trips around the island depart twice daily

 

Visit . Kirsty McNaught at kirsty.mcnaught@robson-brown.co.uk.

Top 10 natural wildlife encounters in South Africa

Whale Watching

A major highlight on any trip to the Western Cape is seeing the Southern Right and Humpback Whales. Whale season takes place from June until November.

Boulders Beach

The beautiful beach at Boulders is famous not only for its turquoise tidal pools and giant granite boulders, but for its colony of over 3000 jackass penguins.

Great White Sharks

The Western Cape is renowned for sightings of Great White Sharks, particularly in areas like Gansbaai where the past-time of cage diving with sharks has become extremely popular.

Seal Island

A land mass located off False Bay known as Seal Island is home to a huge number of Cape Fur Seals and a wealth of bird life. Because of the dense population of seals, Seal Island also attracts a number of Great White Sharks.

Bird Island Nature Reserve

100 metres offshore of Lambert’s Bay is Bird Island - one of only six sites world-wide where Cape Gannets breed. It is also the only breeding site easily accessible to the public.

Karoo National Park

Dominated by the Nuweveld Mountains, The Karoo National Park is home to unique fauna including 20 pairs of black eagle and five different tortoises (the highest density of species per equivalent area in the world) as well as Cape Mountain Zebra and Springbok.

Cederberg Wilderness Area

Rugged mountainous terrain covering 71 000 hectares, The Cederberg Wilderness Area is renowned for the spectacular landscapes and rocky outcrops. The local mammal population includes leopard, baboon, grey rehbok, dassie, duiker and honey badger.

Goukamma Nature and Marine Reserve

This nature reserve is situated across 14 kilometres of coastline (and 2 500 hectares). View Southern Right Whales and Dolphins and sight land creatures such as grysbok, bushbuck, bushpig. Goukamma has over 220 species of birds.

De Hoop Nature Reserve

At De Hoop you’ll find the rare bontebok, eland, baboon and occasional leopard. Marine mammals such as seals, dolphins, and Southern Right Whales are plentiful. There are 260 species of birdlife both resident and migratory.

Monkeyland

Situated in Plettenberg Bay this eco-tourism sanctuary is the world’s first and (currently only) multi-species free-roaming sanctuary. Here the primates are free-roaming in a beautiful eco-friendly setting.

Destination South Africa

The Alliance has produced Destination South Africa, a detailed media dossier for the country. Copies from Ashley@.

Visit : . Alliance members who are interested in South Africa and the chance to visit the country to produce features and images should contact Ntsiki Mpulo at ntsiki@uk..

|A place to stay |

Alliance members looking to take advantage of any of the following opportunities should be on assignment, with a commission or able to obtain one.

GoldenEye, Jamaica

The new GoldenEye Hotel & Resort in the village of Oracabessa Bay on Jamaica’s North Coast will open this November. The Island Outpost property is owned by Chris Blackwell, Jamaica-raised founder of Island Records.

GoldenEye was the Jamaica home of author Ian Fleming and the location where he penned all 14 James Bond novels. Fleming’s original desk still stands in his former villa today.

Visit . Contact : Louise Swanne at louise.swanne@rivapr.co.uk.

Middlethorpe Hall, York UK

Middlethorpe Hall in York will be happy to offer DB&B and use of the Spa to Alliance members able to place a review. Visit : . Daisy Parker at daisy@iscott.co.uk.

Eurostars Hotels

The Eurostars Budapest Center 4 star has opened in the heart of the ancient city of Pest Budapest, Hungary. Three new Eurostars have also opened hotels in Spain:

• the Eurostars Las Canteras 4*, located on the beach of the same name in Las Palmas de Gran Canarias

• the Eurostars Executive 4*, in Barcelona, and

• the Eurostars Executive 4* in Madrid.

It brings the hotel chain’s portfolio to 56 hotels.

Visit : . Contact : Daniel Guillén at comunicacion@hotusa.es.

Coworth Park, Ascot UK

Luxury hotel brand, Dorchester Collection is set to open a new 70-room country house hotel, to be called Coworth Park, near to Ascot and bordering on Windsor Great Park, in late September.

The hotel, which stands in 240 acres of Royal Berkshire parkland will have an equestrian centre with stabling for up to 40 horses and will be the only hotel in the UK to have its own polo fields.

Visit : . Contact : Anna Glover at aglover@.

The Castle of Mey in Caithness, Scotland

The Castle of Mey in Caithness has been awarded the highest distinction - 5 stars – by Visit Scotland. The most northerly castle on the British mainland was once owned by HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

Visit : .uk. Contact : Jackie@p-pr.co.uk.

The Langham, Xintiandi, Shanghai

Langham Hotels International will open The Langham, Xintiandi, Shanghai, in October - its second property in the city.

The 24-storey luxury hotel is located in the Xintiandi district, with its designer boutiques, art galleries, eclectic restaurants and bars.

Visit : . Contact : Ian Mills at ian.mills@.

Kicheche Camps, Kenya

Kicheche Camps, the group of small, privately owned luxury wildlife camps in Kenya’s Masai Mara and Laikipia in Northern Kenya has launched a new itinerary, The Kicheche Triangle.

With emphasis on walking, wildlife, photography and conservation, the trip includes Bush Camp, Main Camp and Laikipia Camp and takes in the prolific and varied wildlife found throughout Kenya.

Visit : . Contact : Natalie Amos at Natalie.Amos@.

|Alerts |

Ongoing independent press trip opportunities for Alliance members

• Health retreats on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Visit : . Contact : Pamela Irving at livingcomms@.

• Orlando Tourism offers Alliance members visiting on-assignment a complimentary Journalist VIP Passport. Visit : . Contact : Amy Voss at amy.voss@.

• Red Mangrove Galapagos Lodges offers a land-based alternative to exploring the Galapagos that until now was a cruise-only destination. Visit : . Contact : Dave Wiggins dave@

• Midlethorpe Hall & Spa, Yorkshire, UK will be delighted to offer DB&B and use of the Spa to Alliance members. Visit : . Contact Daisy Parker at daisy@iscott.co.uk.

• Swaziland and Malawi : Geo Group will be delighted to consider press trips to either Swaziland or Malawi for Alliance members with suitable commissions. Visit : and . Contact: Kelly White at tourism@geo-group.co.uk.

• Hotel Bon Sol Resort & Spa, Hotel Tres and Hotel Dalt Murada, Mallorca will be pleased to offer accommodation to Alliance members with a commission. Visit : hotelbonsol.es, and . Contact Cathryn Hicks at cathryn@

• Holidaylettings, which offers a selection of chalets and apartments around the world will consider arranging accommodation at its listed properties. Visit : holidaylettings.co.uk. Contact : Lanisha Butterfield at lanisha.butterfield@holidaylettings.co.uk.

• Malta will be happy to consider for press trips for Alliance members. Visit : . Contact : Anna Sharp at anna@essence-.

• Peckforton Castle, Cheshire UK a grade I listed building, built in the 1840s in the style of a medieval castle will be delighted to host Alliance members on a review basis.Visit : peckfortoncastle.co.uk. Contact : Karen Floyd at karen.floyd@.

• Tongabezi Lodge, which is upstream from Victoria Falls, and the new eco-friendly Sindabezi Island are located on the Zambezi River in Zambia. Tongabezi would be delighted to consider press visits to their properties to Alliance members with a commission. Visit : . Contact Honour Schram de Jong at honour@.

• Ker & Downey Botswana, located in the heart of the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve, will be pleased to consider press visits to Alliance members with a commission. Visit : . Contact : Honour Schram de Jong at honour@.

• Adventure Life, which provides small group tours to Central and South America that have a positive impact on the local culture and environment, will consider press trip requests. Visit : adventure-. Contact : Adam York at adam@.

• Rosen Hotels will be delighted to host Alliance members who will be in the Orlando area, at the new 1500-room, 14-story Rosen Shingle Creek. Visit . Contact Mary Deatrick at mdeatrick@cfl..

• Migis Lodge on the shores of Maine’s Sebago Lake invites travel journalists to experience Maine Lakeside Luxury. Visit : . Contact : Susan Soltero at ssoltero@.

• The North West Development Agency area, which includes Cumbria, Lancashire, Manchester, Liverpool and Cheshire will be delighted to host Alliance members with commissions. Visit : nwda.co.uk. Contact : Oliver Bennett at oliverbennett@blueyonder.co.uk.

• The George Hotel, Edinburgh, Scotland will be delighted to host Alliance members with a commission. Visit : venues-and-hotels/the-george-hotel. Contact : Megan Davidson at megan@crimsonedge.co.uk.

• The Peace and Plenty, Bahamas will be delighted to provide accommodation to Alliance members. Visit: . Contact: Hazel Heyer at hazel_heyer@.

• The Grand Hyatt San Antonio, Texas is a 1003-room, 37-storey luxury hotel, which has just opened in the bustling heart of the Alamo City. The Grand Hyatt San Antonio, Texas will be happy to consider providing accommodation to Alliance members. Visit: . Contact: Alison Wood at Alison@ or on +44 (0)207 385 7090.

• Ranch Rider stays are steeped in tradition, allowing travellers to sample an authentic western experience.Ranch Rider will be pleased to consider press trip facilities to Alliance members. Visit: . Contact: Siobhan at siobhan@tionlondon.co.uk.

• Lower Zambezi, Zambia : Sausage Tree Camp, a luxurious tented camp located within the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia, offering walking safaris, game drives, canoeing, boat trips and fishing - will be pleased to consider press visits to Alliance members with a commission.  Visit : .  Contact : Honour Schram de Jong at honour@.

• Wiltshire, located in the heart of the south-west of England has a number of high quality luxury hotels and a whole host of unique attractions. Visit : visitwiltshire.co.uk. Contact : Samantha Marsh: samantha@infinitypublicrelations.co.uk.

• Knockomie Hotel, Forres, Scotland, will be delighted to consider press trips from Alliance members for a 2-night stay in one of their 15 individually-themed rooms and dinner on one of the nights in their recently refurbished restaurant, The Grill. Visit: knockomie.co.uk. Contact: Lee MacGregor at lee@.

• South Lakeland Parks is the north-west UK’s leading holiday park operator featuring nine sites within Morecambe Bay, Ribble Valley and Lake District. Visit : southlakelandparks.co.uk. Contact : Samantha Marsh: samantha@infinitypublicrelations.co.uk

• Cumbria Tourism, the tourism body for Cumbria, UK incorporating the Lake District will be delighted to let Alliance members sample its delights from the great outdoors and exciting attractions to stylish hotels and high quality restaurants. Visit : golakes.co.uk.

• South Luangwa, Zambia : The Luangwa Valley has long been regarded as one of Africa’s finest wildlife destinations.  Their portfolio includes Kapani Lodge and Kakuli, Luwi, Nsolo and Mchenja Camps.  Norman Carr Safaris would be delighted to consider press visits to their properties to Alliance members with a commission. Visit : .  Contact : Honour Schram de Jong at honour@.

• New York Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises will be delighted to host Alliance members with a

commission. Visit: Contact: Lisa Chamberlain at lisa.chamberlain@

• The Haweswater Hotel, a new art-deco hotel located next to the secluded Haweswater Reservoir, Cumbria, UK, will be happy to consider offering accommodation to Alliance members. Visit : . Contact : Samantha Marsh: samantha@infinitypublicrelations.co.uk

• Premier Cottages has a range of stunning four and five star self-catering holiday cottages throughout the UK, Channel Islands and Ireland. Visit : premiercottages.co.uk. Contact : Samantha Marsh: samantha@infinitypublicrelations.co.uk.

• St Mary’s Hall Hotel, the Isles of Scilly is happy to provide press trip opportunities to Alliance members. Visit : stmaryshallhotel.co.uk. Contact : Karen Baker at karen@mercury-pr.co.uk

• Woodovis Park, the independently run holiday park on the edge of Dartmoor, Devon UK invites Alliance members to review. Visit : .  Contact : Samantha Kirton at samantha@independentpr.co.uk

• 1066 Country which comprises the area of Battle, Bexhill, Hastings, Herstmonceux, Pevensey and Rye in East Sussex, UK. Visit : . Contact : Jane Ellis at jjmellis@.uk.

• The Wineport Lodge, Glasson County Westmeath, Ireland is happy to arrange press Alliance Members and can provide a range of story ideas related to food, wine, romance, weddings/honeymoons and spa escapes. Visit : wineport.ie. Contact: Nina Zapala at zapala@.

• The Inn on Fifth, a luxurious, 87-room boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown Naples in Southwest Florida will be delighted to consider offering accommodation to Alliance members. Visit . Contact : Kelly Grass Prieto at kelly@.

• Great Hotels Organisation, representing over 200 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts worldwide through Great Hotels of the World and Special Hotels of the World would be pleased to consider offering press trip accommodation to Alliance members. Visit . Contact: Brooke Jester bjester@.

• base2stay Liverpool will be delighted to offer accommodation for Alliance members able to review the hotel. Visit : press_page/Liverpool.html. Contact : Laura Leggetter at laura@rivapr.co.uk.

• Visit Chester and Cheshire and Visit Lincoln and Lincolnshire will be delighted to host Alliance members with a commission. Visit : and .uk. Contact : Oliver Bennett at oliverbennett@blueyonder.co.uk.

• Swiss-Belhotel International, manages hotels, resorts and residences throughout the Asia Pacific, Southeast Asia, China and The Middle East regions.  Visit : swiss-. Contact : Ayla Hass at aylahaas@swiss-.

• Pembrokeshire, South West Wales will be delighted to consider offering accommodation to Alliance members with a commission. Visit: . Contact: Pat Edgar PRMatters@dsl.

• The Rutland Hotel, Edinburgh, will be delighted to invite Alliance members to review this botique hotel. Visit . Contact Yvonne or Fiona at info@nicheworks.co.uk.

• Dubai Tourism will be interested in considering working with Alliance members on press trips to Dubai. Visit dubaitourism.ae. Contact Natasha Behrouz at nbehrouz@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk.

• The Galapagos Islands : Quasar Expeditions would like to invite Alliance members to cover trips aboard the M/Y Grace, its vintage yacht in the Galapagos Islands. Visit : gracepresskit.php. Contact : Paul Schicke at paul@.

• Focus Hotels invite Alliance members to review their three and four-star properties located in key destinations across the UK. Visit : focushotels.co.uk. Contact : Eleanore Longley at eleanore@.

    

• Champagne-Ardenne Tourisme, four departments boasting historic chateaux, walking & cycling routes, a variety of sports and superb natural scenery and of Champagne, will be pleased to consider press visits to Alliance members with a commission.  Visit : tourisme-champagne-Contact: Doug Goodman at doug@ or on 0208 614 1448.

• The 5* Blythswood Square Hotel, Glasgow, formerly headquarters to the

Royal Scottish Automobile Club, has been redeveloped by the Town House Collection

Visit or . Contact: Jo Murphy at Jo@.

• Aspects Holidays specialises in providing self-catering accommodation, from luxury apartments to traditional fisherman’s cottages in and around St Ives and the West Cornwall area of the UK. Aspects will be pleased to consider press visits to Alliance members with a commission. Visit aspects-holidays.co.uk. Contact : Karen Baker at karen@mercury-pr.co.uk.

• The Inn at Lathones, Scotland's only 4 star inn, is delighted to consider press trips from Alliance members.  The 17th-century listed building near St Andrews is one of Scotland’s oldest coaching inns and boasts 21 recently refurbished external rooms/suites, an award-winning restaurant, an intimate stone-walled bar and converted stables that host regular music events. For more information visit: theinn.co.uk  Contact: Lee MacGregor at lee@

• Cornwall Cottages will be delighted to consider offering accommodation to Alliance members. Visit: cornwallscottages.co.uk. Contact: Karen Outred at ko@freelancepr.fsnet.co.uk.

• Hartland Peninsula Arts, which runs landscape painting courses on the North Devon coast will be pleased to offer courses to Alliance members. Visit : landscapepaintingholidays.co.uk. Contact: Karen Outred at ko@freelancepr.fsnet.co.uk.

• The Discovery Collection, independent specialist in boutique breaks to North Cyprus, Turkey, Puglia, Sicily, Malta and Gozo, will be happy to consider offering press visits to Alliance members. A varied programme includes beach and city breaks, twin-centre stays, walking holidays and special interest tours. Visit : . Contact: Jill Guest at jill@ocean-advertising.co.uk or on 020 7436

• Frontier Travel organise tailor-made holidays to Canada in both the Summer (frontier-canada.co.uk) and the Winter (frontier-ski.co.uk). The company will consider offering individuals press trips for Alliance members. Contact: Dave Ashmore at dave@frontier-travel.co.uk or on +44 (0) 20 8404 2447.

• Sail Lofts St Ives, a group of 12 luxury holiday apartments just metres from Porthmeor Beach, will be pleased to consider offering accommodation to Alliance members with a commission. Visit: thesaillofts.co.uk. Contact: Peter Hutchinson at peter@thesaillofts.co.uk.

• The Alfajiri Villas and Galdessa Camp would like to invite Alliance members to stay at Alfajiri Villas () or Galdessa Camp ().Visit : . Contact Sarah Fazendin at sarah@.

• The Peat Inn and 5-star restaurant in St.Andrews, Scotland will provide Alliance members able to review the Inn will receive complimentary dinner, bed and breakfast including guest. Visit : . Contact : Megan Davidson at megan@crimsonedge.co.uk.

• The Isles of Scilly will be delighted to consider offering travel and accommodation to Alliance members on assignment, with a commission or who are able to obtain one. Visit: simplyscilly.co.uk. Contact: Karen Baker at karen@mercury-pr.co.uk.

• The Park Hyatt Istanbul-Maçka Palas, Turkey will be delighted to consider offering accommodation to Alliance members. Visit: . Kathryn Peel on +44 (0) 207 385 7090 or at Kathryn@.

• Helpful Holidays, UK will be delighted to consider offering accommodation to Alliance members. Visit: . Contact: Pat Edgar at PRMatters@dsl..

• and will be happy to consider offering flights and holiday opportunities. Contact: Louise Woodward at louise@lucre.co.uk or on +44 (0) 113 243 1117 .

• Wilderness Journeys will be delighted to consider offering press trip facilities to Alliance members. Visit : . Contact: Stevie Christie at stevie@ or on +44 (0)131 625 6635.

• Divi Resorts, the Caribbean will be happy to consider accommodation to Alliance members. Visit: . Contact: Jacqueline Burton at jburton@fwv-.

• Charming Hotel Madeira will be pleased to consider offering accommodation to Alliance members. Visit: . Contact: Cathryn Hicks at cathryn@.

• Sea Kayak Adventures explore Baja and Canada's newest marine parks and prolific whale watching destinations by sea kayak with Sea Kayak Adventures. Sea Kayak Adventures will be happy to provide press trip facilities to Alliance members. Visit: . Contact: Nancy Mertz at info@.

• The View Hotel, Monument Valley, Arizona, USA, which opened in September 2008, is situated on the Navajo Tribal Park, on the border of Arizona and Utah. The View Hotel will be delighted to consider offering accommodation to Alliance members. Visit: . Contact: Mike Finney at mike@.

• The Menzies Welcombe Hotel Spa & Golf Club, Stratford-upon-Avon will be delighted to offer dinner, bed and breakfast at this country house hotel to Alliance members able to review the property. Visit : menzieshotels.co.uk. Contact : Tanya Aspinwall at tanya@marketingaloud.co.uk

• Bike The Whites is New England’s inn-to-inn biking tour experience, which offers customized route planning for cyclists of all abilities through the scenic beauty of New Hampshire’s White Mountains will be delighted to hear from Alliance members. Visit: . Contact: Marti Mayne at Marti.Mayne@.

• Rosen Hotels will be delighted to host Alliance members who will be in the Orlando area, at the new 1500-room, 14-story Rosen Shingle Creek. Visit . Contact Mary Deatrick at mdeatrick@cfl..

• The Peace and Plenty, Bahamas will be delighted to provide accommodation to Alliance members. Visit: . Contact: Hazel Heyer at hazel_heyer@.

• The Grand Hyatt San Antonio, Texas is a 1003-room, 37-storey luxury hotel, which has just opened in the bustling heart of the Alamo City. The Grand Hyatt San Antonio, Texas will be happy to consider providing accommodation to Alliance members. Visit: . Contact: Alison Wood at Alison@ or on +44 (0)207 385 7090.

• Ranch Rider stays are steeped in tradition, allowing travellers to sample an authentic western experience.Ranch Rider will be pleased to consider press trip facilities to Alliance members. Visit: . Contact: Siobhan at siobhan@tionlondon.co.uk

|Travel products |

The following providers of travel products and services will be happy to provide these to Alliance members in return for a credit or review.

Æther mobile

Alliance members can get a 10% discount on aether mobile – the global roaming mobile service, which offers savings on using a mobile phone when abroad.

The service is aimed at both leisure and business travellers travelling outside of their home country, and allows them to save a substantial amount on their mobile phone bill. Discount is offered on initial SIM+credit orders, plus 10% on all subsequent top ups

The quality of reception is of the highest quality, and it is used by inserting the aether mobile SIM card into any unlocked phone.

Among the features and benefits :

• service available in 206 countries worldwide on over 565 mobile networks

• up to 80% off the cost of making a call from abroad

• free to receive calls in 65 countries

• free to receive an incoming SMS and sending an SMS is 10p in Europe and 34p for the rest of the World.

• voicemail service accessible from any location

• no line rental, contract or service fees

• pay as you go with no penalties for non use

• full itemised billing

All æther mobile SIMs have a UK telephone number; +44 7.

Visit : aether-. Contact : Samantha Osborough at samantha.osborough@aether-.

Dollar rent a car

Dollar rent a car will be delighted to offer a discount to Alliance members on car rental in the USA in return for a credit. Discounts will be agreed on a case-by-case basis.

Visit : dollar.co.uk, Contact : Cheryl Richardson at Cheryl.Richardson@ or on + 44 (0) 20 7391 4622

The Leisure Pass

The Leisure Pass Group creates all-inclusive ‘smart’ passes, for cities around the world.The purchase price covers entrance to all attractions, fast-track entry at a number of attractions, and gives discounts at shops, theatres, service providers and restaurants.

Alliance members can get review passes for the cities covered.

Visit : . Contact : Katie Wright at Katie.wright@sirenpr.co.uk.

|Travel guides |

The following travel publishers will be happy to provide review copies to Alliance members.

AA Travel Guides

Visit : shop.store/travel-guides. Contact : Katie Stephens at katie.stephens@.

Anova Books

. Helen Ponting at hponting@anovabooks.co

Berlitz

. Julia Spence at julia.spence@ukonline.co.uk

Bradt Travel

. Debbie Hunter at debbie.hunter@

Brit's Guide

. Margaret Lashbrook at margaret.lashbrook@ or Sue Wilkins at wilkins@.

Cicerone

cicerone.co.uk. Contact : Sarah Spencer at sarah@cicerone.co.uk

Eland Publishing

travelbooks.co.uk. Barnaby Rogerson at barnaby@travelbooks.co.uk.

 

Fisher's Travel SOS

. Furgan Syed at furqan.syed@.

Global Travel Publishers

africa-. Kate Bandos at kate@.

Globetrotters LogBook

. Giedo Claes at giedo@

Inn House Publishing

. Kathryn McWhirter at kathrynmcwhirter@.

Insight

. Julia Spence at Julia.spence@ukonline.co.uk.

In your pocket guides

. Craig Turp at editor@.

Jane’s Smart Art Guides

. Jane McIntosh at MJM@

Jonglez Publishing

. Contact : Thomas Jonglez at

info@.

Kuperard Publishers

kuperard.co.uk. Contact : Geoffrey Chesler at geoffreychesler@.

Lonely Planet

. Europe, Middle East and Africa: Laura Lindsay at laura.lindsay@lonelyplanet.co.uk, North and Central America: Rand Freedman at rana.freedman@.au; Australia, New Zealand and Asia: Brynony Cole at bryony.cole@.au.

Morris Communications

. Contact Kate Bandos at kate@.

Odyssey Books & Guides

. Contact : Caroline Eden at caroline@

Oxygen Books city-lit

oxygenbooks.co.uk Malcom Burgess at malcolm@oxygenbooks.co.uk

Rough Guides

. Contact : press@roughguides.

Turnleft

Contact: Nick Buteau at nick@

|The International Travel Writers Alliance and AllWays |

| |The International Travel Writers Alliance |

| | |

| | |

| |The International Travel Writers Alliance provides information and support to who travel to write, edit |

| |broadcast or create images. |

| |  |

| |The Alliance reaches and influences professional travel journalists through : |

| | |

| |the bi-monthly Alliance bulletin |

| |Alliance alerts providing specific information on destinations or travel pursuits |

| |Destination dossiers, providing detailed media briefings |

| |Destination networking events |

| |planning and managing individual and group press trips and travel writer symposiums, and |

| |staging professional development workshops |

|[pic] |AllWays |

| | |

| | |

| |AllWays is the new consumer travel service from the Alliance, which allows Alliance embers to get their |

| |features and images to travelers worldwide. |

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