BACK ON TRACK: Travel to
Europe is back and bigger than ever, according to the European
Travel Commission in New York. The 33-nation marketing group said
that U.S. visits to Europe were up through June, indicating
possible growth of between 10% to 13% for this years peak season.
As proof, the ETC cited Dept. of Commerce figures showing 929,359
U.S. arrivals in April, up nearly 37% from the same month last
year, and preliminary figures showing a rise in eastbound
transatlantic traffic of 25% in May and 16% in June. For more on
the ETCs member countries, go to www.visiteurope.com.
SLOWER GROWTH: But the
British Incoming Tour Operators Association (BITOA) in London takes
a more measured view, noting overseas arrivals in the U.K.
Americans favorite European destination fell to "a more modest, but
equally welcome, 3.8% growth rate in June, down from 19.8% growth
in March, 19.2% in April and 9.2% in May compared with 2003.
Prospects for further growth this year remain uncertain, said the
BITOA, largely thanks to the weak U.S. dollar vs. an increasingly
strong pound sterling, coupled with volatile stock markets. The
group said aggressive marketing and keen pricing by inbound
operators will be crucial to continue the positive trends seen in
the first half of 2004. For more, see www.bitoa.co.uk.
FAB FOUR TOUR: Its been 40
years since the Fab Four first hit U.S. shores, and Icelandair
Holidays is offering Beatles-themed weeks in Britain priced from
$999 per person, double. The Ticket to Fly package includes
roundtrip air from Baltimore/Washington (BWI), New York (Kennedy),
Boston, Minneapolis/St. Paul or Orlando, Fla.; two nights hotel
both in London and Liverpool; one night in Manchester; daily
continental breakfast; a Rock & Roll Legends day tour in
London; rail transportation between London, Liverpool and
Manchester; and a flight between Manchester and Glasgow. Departures
starting at the $999 price (before taxes, surcharges and fees) are
on Fridays from Oct. 1 to May 15. Commission IS 10%. Call
Icelandair Holidays at (800) 779-2899 or visit www.icelandair.com.
ART NOUVEAU ON THE GO:
Tourism officials in trendy Scottish destination Glasgow introduced
a one-price pass that enables visitors unlimited access to citys
many noted art nouveau monuments. The new Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Trail ticket from the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist
Board costs about $18 and includes free bus and subway system
transportation. Its named for a leading proponent of whats termed
the the Glasgow style of architecture. Attractions covered by the
ticket include the Glasgow School of Art, Queens Cross Church,
Willow Tea Room, the Daily Record Building, the Hill House at
Helensburgh, the Mackintosh House at the Hunterian Gallery and the
Lighthouse center for architecture and design. The ticket is
available from the citys tourist information centers or online at
www.crmsociety.com. For more general information on Glasgow, visit
www.seeglasgow.com.
JOLLY GOOD TIME: Jolly
Hotels is offering half-off stays to travel agents, and discounted
deals to consumers, at its 49 Italian and other European properties
through December. Sample discounted nightly room rates for
retailers, based on double occupancy, include $81 in Naples, $87.50
in Rome, $90 in London, and $100 in Milan. Jolly also is peddling
hot deals for clients headed to Brussels, Cologne, London and
Paris: Rates start at $84 per person per night based on single or
double occupancy with most offers valid through October. For
example, the Jolly Hotel Lotti in Paris is offering a four-night
getaway at $546 per person, double, through Oct. 31, including
daily breakfast. Commission information was not available at press
time; for more, visit www.jollyhotels.com, e-mail [email protected] or [email protected] or call (800)
221-2626.
ANOTHER NIGHT: Le Meridien
Hotels and Resorts announced a Stay and Save campaign offering free
extra nights at 11 of its luxury resorts in Europe from Sept. 1
until Feb. 28. Under the plan, clients paying for four nights stay
one extra night free; those paying for five nights get two nights
free; and with seven paid nights, guests stay three extra nights
free. For example, five nights (with one free night) at Le Meridien
Penina Golf and Resort in the Algarve, Portugal, usually cost from
about $701, but the Stay and Save rate starts from about $563, a
savings of $138. The 10 other resorts offering the plan are Le
Meridien Limassol Spa and Resort, Cyprus; Le Meridien Garden Beach,
Juan-les-Pins, France; Le Meridien Nice, France; Le Meridien Grand
Hotel Palazzo della Fonte, Fiuggi , Italy; Le Meridien Rimini,
Italy; Le Meridien Chia Laguna, Sardinia; Le Meridien Villon,
Vilnius, Lithuania; Le Meridien Beach Plaza, Monte Carlo, Monaco;
Le Meridien Dona Filipa, Algarve, Portugal; and Le Meridien Moscow
Country Club, Russia. Commission information was not available at
press time; visit www.lemeridien.com or call (800) 543-4300.