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Welcome to Issue 17
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Dear Reader,
Welcome to the latest edition of the Travel Contacts Newsletter, which brings you news and ideas from some of our many experienced and creative DMCs from around the world.
With this issue we welcome another new member into Travel Contacts. Eventcore Scotland has joined us to represent Scotland, and information regarding the services offered by this DMC, as well as our other DMCs around the globe, is to be found below. Further information about their various services may be found on each of their Member pages within our website www.travelcontacts.com.
RELEASE OF THE 2010/11 TRAVEL CONTACTS WORLDWIDE DIRECTORY.
If you have not yet received your copy, or would like to order extra ones, kindly email jo@travelcontacts.com.
As always, please take the time to visit www.travelcontacts.com for regularly-updated information on each of our exclusive members or email me directly on jo@travelcontacts.com.
Best regards,
Jo
Sales & Marketing Director
Travel Contacts
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Eventcore join Travel Contacts to exclusively represent Scotland
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They send news from key developments on the Scottish scene!
Eventcore is thrilled to have joined Travel Contacts, and we hope you will find this newsletter of interest. We want to discuss some key developments on the Scottish scene and tell you a bit about our current work.
Our company was established in 2004 and is owned and run by Catrina Mills. We have always been proud of our professional service combined with a personal twist and by committing ourselves to continuous excellence we have secured a loyal client base as well as new and exciting customers throughout the years. We are also supported by a team of highly experienced and motivated people and have, through the years, built up an extensive network of excellent suppliers to trust and work alongside.
This first edition comes at a time when we are taking on a new member of staff. Judith joins us, bringing with her exceptional skills within the industry.
So, all involved with eventcore, are looking forward to an interesting and diverse 2010/11 and up for the challenge of working with as many organisations as possible in the coming months!
We would be pleased to receive your feedback and look forward to working with you in the coming months and years. We are, of course, happy to assist you with Venue Finding, Conference Management, Incentive Travel, Hotel Bookings, Corporate Hospitality and Event Management.
For further information about how any of this could become an exciting part of your next MICE event in Scotland, contact eventcorescot@aol.com.
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Dubai is set to be one of the big travel hotspots in 2010
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As our UAE member, Belhasa Tourism & Travel explains, Dubai is set to be one of the big travel hotspots in 2010, according to a report by a UK-based travel association. They also present Hatta, an exciting attraction.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), which represents over 5,000 travel agencies and around 900 tour operations in the UK, published its 'Travel Trends Report 2010' recently and included Dubai as one of the locations it believes will be a tourist favourite in year 2010.
Figures from Hotels.com showed that online searches for hotels in Dubai rose 570 percent since the beginning of the year; the website also reported that prices for hotels in Dubai were set to drop by up to 17 percent in early 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
One of the destinations attracting attention is Hatta - a town, a heritage village and a mountain. The Hatta Mountain is situated in the northern part of UAE at a distance of 115 km eastward of Dubai City.
The Hatta Heritage village was built recently in the year 2001 and is a famous heritage spot. Hatta in Dubai is situated at a higher altitude than the main city and therefore the climate here is quite mild. There are two military towers in Hatta, as the area was used for the defence purposes in the 18th century. These two fortresses are often referred to as 'two stones'. Another famous building in Hatta, Dubai is the 'Juma Mosque', which was built in the year 1780. Juma Mosque is the oldest building standing in Hatta today. The village has 30 mud houses and, in the heritage village, there are scenes depicted that are based on everyday life as it used to be in the past.
For further information about this destination and other exciting adventures in UAE, email khaled@belhasatravel.com or visit www.belhasatravel.com.
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JC TOURS details some delightful locations in Portugal.
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JC TOURS, Travel Contacts' member for Portugal, details some delightful locations within the country that are ideal for MICE events.
The Pearl of Atlantic
The Madeira Archipelago, discovered by the Portuguese in 1418, is made up of the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo and the uninhabited islands of Selvagens and Desertas. Events such as The Flower Festival, the Atlantic Festival and The Madeira Wine Rally attract tourists from many different places.
Oporto the Old & New combines
Set in the famous Douro port-wine region of Portugal, Porto is the country's second-largest city and strikingly different to the capital. Whilst Lisbon is elegant and showy, Porto is hard working and down to earth. Events as the Fantasporto (Cinema) and The Wine & Gourmet's Essence make it worth visiting.
Lisbon a City with History
Lisbon, a city of contrasts, offering so much to discover and surprise, still maintaining the marks of its early history along with a rich cultural heritage, is one of the most beautiful capitals of Europe. Two of the greatest events will be Rock in Rio 2010 (www.rockinrio-lisboa.sapo.pt) and also the Lisbon Marathon.
Algarve Coast
The Algarve is the most southern area of Portugal. Every year the Algarve welcomes millions of visitors who are attracted to this region by its pleasant Mediterranean climate as well as the natural local hospitality. Events like FIESA (the international sand sculpture festival) and the Algarve International Race Circuit (Formula 1 and Superbikes race) make it an unforgettable place.
For more information please contact: info@jctours.pt
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FELIX EVENT MANAGEMENT present the destination of Lugano
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FELIX EVENT MANAGEMENT, TRAVEL CONTACTS' MEMBER FOR SWITZERLAND, PRESENT THE DELIGHTFUL DESTINATION OF LUGANO.
Lugano, the capital of Southern Switzerland, also known as the Ticino, is often overlooked as an attractive incentive destination. But from spring to autumn, one can enjoy the mild to tropical climate and beautiful sights.
During a 3 nights' stay you can enjoy the mountains, the lake, excellent food and maybe a car rally with old timer cars.
On one day you feel like a bird when flying with a paraglide from the mountain down to the valley. And on another, like a sailor when you are on your sailing boat or a movie star when riding in one of our old timer cars.
This type of program is ideal for groups from 10-25 persons.
For further information contact Felix Schai on info@felixevents.ch.
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Why don't you try to rediscover Morocco with Original Events?
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Looking for a new destination for your events? Why don't you try to rediscover Morocco with Original Events?
With many international flight connections, creative programmes, great venues, a professional team and rates the definitely fit your budget… all the ingredients are gathered into the Tajine to guarantee your success!
Original Events is a DMC that specialises in incentive programmes and up-market FIT (Foreign International Traveller) services. Well-trained, professional and friendly staff aim to provide the best tours, programmes and event management possible. Solid partnerships with other travel and tourism operators in Morocco means that Original Events is able to offer competitive rates and exciting programmes to their clients. Special interest tours offered by Original Events include archaeological tours, culinary tours, charity group tours, botanical and garden tours, and Jewish Heritage tours; and some of the exciting activities on offer include Arab horseback treks through the Atlas Mountains, quad biking in the desert, hot air ballooning and camel-back treks.
We also offer a great selection of luxury bivouac camps in middle of nowhere, exclusive boutique hotels and charming riads particularly in Marrakech and Fes.
Morocco News:
June 25th, 2010: New opening of the highway between Marrakech, the Red City and Agadir, the blue pearl by the Atlantic Ocean. Only 2 hours and 15 minutes and you change completely the atmosphere of your event. New programmes and nice combination now available!
For further information contact:
Myriam Zaidane,
Managing Director
Landlines: +212 524 439036 / +212 524 423250;
Fax: +212 524 430555;
e-mail: info@originalev.com;
website: www.originalev.com
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First Incentive Travel, Inc., Florida, remind us why Miami is so great for MICE travel!
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Miami is also known as the City under the Sun and has more to offer than you can imagine. With a booming downtown area full of highrises, restaurants, bars with amazing views and a new entertainment complex opening soon, guests can enjoy the city experience as well as put their feet in the sand!
South Beach is known as Miami's 24-hour playground. This area attracts all different types of people, incentive groups, convention groups and vacationers. Offering a wide variety of boutique hotels, large beach property hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, this well known Art Deco district has what your groups are looking for and more.
A great Miami excursion we suggest!: Catamaran Ocean Sailing & Sandbar Raft-up
An unforgettable excursion awaits your group aboard one of Miami's state of the art catamarans. This exclusive catamaran will conveniently pick up your group at one of the select Miami Marinas. Your group will sit back while they cruise through Government Cut past the Port of Miami - home to many cruise lines and then set sail in Biscayne Bay through Biscayne National Park in the Atlantic Ocean.
Your group will have the opportunity to sail, swim, & snorkel. Our course is set for one of Miami's picturesque anchorages where the water is turquoise and the sand bars are abundant. Once we reach our destination, guests can sip a cool beverage, stretch out and soak up the sun, enjoy a relaxing swim or snorkel. For large groups we can also include an enhancement of water sports that guests can enjoy on the sand bar. While your group is relaxing the boat crew will set up a bountiful lunch buffet.
For more information about this and other great ideas in and around the Florida area, visit www.firstincentivetravel.com.
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Live like a Parisian, with 3 authentic tour ideas through the City of Lights, says Metropolis DMC!
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Enjoy a half-day walking tour of Place des Victoires and its neighbouring passages (approximately 3 Hours).
Depart from you hotel with your private coach & guide and drive to "Place des Victoires", one of the most beautiful squares in Paris. Designed by the architect Mansart in the 17th century, it is today the centre of fashion. You will discover the picturesque passages and the malls, built in the 19th century. The "Passage Choiseul" where the writer Céline lived, the "Galerie Vivienne" with its huge staircase and its recently restored circular hall, the "Passage Colbert" the newest of these malls but already known for its marvellous avant-garde boutiques.
Stop for a coffee en route in a typical "Café Parisien".
Take a half-day walking tour of the Marais (approximately 3 Hours)
Depart from you hotel with your private coach & guide and drive to one of the oldest section of Paris - Le Marais, where you will discover superb 16th, 17th, and 18th century "hotels particulars" (private mansions ). You may stay for a while in the heart of the Marais and the Place des Vosges with its remarkable arcades and lovely shops. A number of famous people lived in this square, such as Victor Hugo, whose house contains many of his life's souvenirs, and which you can visit.
Stop for a coffee en route in a typical "Café Parisien"
Enjoy a half-day walking tour of the Latin Quarter (approximately 3 Hours).
Lying around the Pantheon and Ste Genevieve "Mountain", the Latin Quarter is, with the Cité, the oldest part of Paris. On this hilland slopes, the Romans established their encampment in the 1st century BC and Romans vestiges may still be seen in the area (Cluny Museum*) Pantheon. Originally intended as a shrine to Ste Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, the Pantheon was completed the year of the French Revolution: 1789. Voltaire, Rousseau and other French heroes are buried here.
They will take the picturesque rue de la Montagne Ste Genevieve to the rue des Ecole. On the left, the 18th Century College de France: famous professors and researchers have been Claude Bernard, Ampère, Michelet and Paul Valery.
The Sorbonne the oldest college (1253) of the University of Paris.
Cluny Museum: built about 1330 on what was probably a vast Gallo-Roman public bath house (remais of which can be seen), this was the Paris mansion of the powerful abbots of Cluny, in Burgundy. Outstanding collection of medieval Flemish and Burgundian art (Unicorn Tapestries).
Stop for a coffee en route in a typical "Café Parisien"
Rates for these wonderful tours are available on request. For further information contact paris@metropolis-dmc.com.
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More Information
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