THE SWEDISH
TRAVEL TOURISM COUNCIL is changing its name to VisitSweden
in a move to attract more international visitors to the
destination. The council was founded in 1995 and is owned equally
by the Swedish state through the Ministry for Industry, Employment
and Communication and the Swedish tourism industry. VisitSweden has
been charged with the task of marketing the brand name of Sweden
and increasing revenue from tourism from overseas. The Swedish
tourism industry accounts for 2.58% of the gross national product.
Visit the tourism council on the Web at www.visitsweden.com.
CONTINENTAL
AIRLINES is poised to introduce daily nonstop service
between New York/Newark and Barcelona, Spain, May 17. This service
will offer the only year-round, nonstop flights between the U.S.
and Barcelona, a city that receives more visitors from the U.S.
than from any other country. Continental also operates daily
service between New York/Newark and Madrid.
THE CLARION
HOTEL BERLIN completed the first phase of a major
refurbishment, adding 270 guest rooms and 30 suites and revamping
190 existing superior rooms. Features designed to appeal to
business travelers include wireless LAN in every room, wide
flat-screen TVs, voicemail and fax and modem connections. In
addition to function and meetings space, the property features two
restaurants, with a third and a bar planned for phase two of the
renovation.
JDB FINE
HOTELS & RESORTS launched four Independent Excursions
to Italy that include private tours, cooking programs, gourmet
dining and spa treatments designed for upscale travelers. The
three-night Discover the Magnificent Truffles of Piemonte tour, for
example, combines truffle hunting, accompanied by a private guide
and a truffle hunting dog, with a cooking lesson incorporating
truffles in regional dishes. The package, which features
accommodations at the Lovera Palace Hotel in Cuneo, is priced at
about $490 per person, double, including dinner in the hotels
Michelin-starred restaurant. For details, visit www.jdbhotels.com/excursions.
INSIGHT
VACATIONS created a Country Roads, Gardens and Stately
Homes of Britain tour that includes visits to the Royal Botanic
Garden in Edinburgh, Warwick Castle and Castle Howard. The land
price of the 14-night program starts at $2,599 per person, double,
and includes two nights in each destination, sightseeing excursions
to Winchester and Salisbury cathedrals, St. Andrews University and
Old Golf Course, Edinburgh Castle and Hadrians Wall, among other
sites. Groups are limited to 40 passengers. Insight pays a minimum
of 10% commission on land, 10% on air. Details on the package are
available at www.insightvacations.com.