Luxury Delivered to Your Desk

By James Shillinglaw

Last week we finished the final interviews and panels for our Virtual Luxury Expo, set to go “live” Feb. 23 and 24. That’s when you can use your office or home computer or laptop to access a virtual trade show aimed at helping you better understand and profit from the luxury travel market. This second annual event will continue to be available on-demand for three months following its launch. And I have to tell you that this year’s Virtual Luxury Expo has some of the best content we’ve ever produced since we began our virtual shows two years ago, so take a look at www.virtualluxuryexpo.com.

Top Travel News

CTO Reports Tourism Numbers, Unveils Plans for Haiti

The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Winfield Griffith, director of research and information, and Hugh Riley, the organization’s secretary general, held an Internet press conference in Barbados on Monday, Feb. 8, to assess the state of business to the Caribbean in 2009 and in the early going in 2010. While the U.S. numbers to the region decreased by 4 percent, the Canadian market increased 8.6 percent.

Windstar Reports Record Sales, 94 Percent Revenue Increase

Windstar Cruises reported it experienced record sales during the first six weeks of the year for 2010 and 2011 sailings. Net revenue was up 94 percent this year over the same period in 2009, and 13 percent over the same period in 2008. Strong sales were driven by Wave Season promotions including the “Europe on Sale” offer and 2010 “Costa Rica and Caribbean One-Week Sale.” Net revenue for 2011 is almost double the same period in 2010 due to the strength of charter and incentive business.

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas to Debut a Week Earlier

Royal Caribbean International announced that the first revenue voyage for Allure of the Seas’ inaugural season will take place one week earlier than originally planned. The first revenue voyage will be a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary departing on Dec. 5. The Allure of the Seas’ new cruise is now open for booking. Guests booked on the original inaugural season sail date of Dec. 12 will be contacted by their travel agent or a Royal Caribbean representative and given the opportunity to move their vacation to the new Dec. 5 sailing.

CLIA's cruise3sixty to Recognize Women Leaders

With registrations already topping 1,100, Cruise Lines International Association’s sixth annual cruise3sixty, set for June 2 to 6 in Vancouver, will recognize women leaders in business and travel. In addition, the CLIA Hall of Fame will be headlined by Blue Man Group, presented by Norwegian Cruise Line, and 42Five, a five-part a cappella group from Florida that is a headline act for Celebrity Cruises. “Every year, cruise3sixty gets bigger and better and this year is no exception,” said Terry L. Dale, CLIA president and CEO.

United Makes New Appointments to Financial Management Positions

United Airlines has announced that it has named Rohit Philip to the newly created role of senior vice president -- corporate strategy and business development. John R. Gebo was named vice president -- financial planning and analysis, succeeding Philip in that position. Additionally, the company named Tyler Reddien as managing director -- investor relations, succeeding Gebo. The appointments take effect immediately.

W Debuts Global Flagship Hotel in Hollywood

W Hotels Worldwide unveiled the W Hollywood Hotel & Residences. Located at the historic intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, this $350 million complex, developed by Gatehouse Capital and owned in a joint venture by HEI Hotels & Resorts and Gatehouse Capital, in affiliation with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro), offers W’s guests, residents and Hollywood’s locals a fully integrated contemporary lifestyle experience.

Judge Denies Delta Efforts to Throw Out FlyersRights.org Suit

A federal judge has dismissed Delta Air Line’s efforts to throw out a lawsuit by an air passenger advocate alleging that Delta hacked into her computer in order to derail her campaign to shorten tarmac delays. U.S. District Judge Sim Lake ruled that a reasonable person could conclude that it was more likely than not that Delta had hacked into FlyersRights.org’s founder Kate Hanni’s computer.

Jamaica Unveils TV Ad Campaign Starring "World's Fastest Man"

The Jamaica Tourist Board secured the “World’s Fastest Man,” Usain Bolt, to give a tour of Jamaica for the next installment of the destination’s “Once You Go, You Know” TV advertising campaign. Three new commercials were created, featuring Bolt sprinting through Jamaica accompanied by the famous Bob Marley anthem, “One Love,” and stopping to admire some of Jamaica’s famous landmarks, as well as the people of Jamaica emulating their sports hero.

Azamara Club Cruises Sets April Relaunch with New Sailings, Amenities

Azamara Club Cruises is officially relaunching in April with celebratory maiden voyages and the addition of new amenities.

Disney Destinations' Garfield Offers Update on Parks, Cruise Line

Randy Garfield, president of the Walt Disney Travel Company and executive vice president of worldwide sales and travel operations for Disney Destinations, provided an update to the travel trade last week on new developments taking place at Disney Destinations.

Netherlands Board of Tourism Launches New Marketing Campaign

The Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions (NBTC) launched its newest marketing campaign on Feb. 4 in North America -- “Just Be. In Holland.”

Travel Impression Launches First Virtual Trade Show

Travel Impressions is launching its first virtual trade show for travel agents on Feb. 11, 2010, with the World of Romance show focusing on planning clients’ next romantic getaway, honeymoon or destination wedding.