The news last week that Swain
Tours has rejoined theUSTOA is apparently
the first of four announcements the company plans to release in
successive weeks. The one coming out this week reveals that Swain
will launch United's first African product; next
week's will have details about a 20th anniversary contest that will
award a travel agent $20,000; and the final announcement will
outline's Swain's entry into Egypt.
One of the
worst-kept secrets in the industry -- that
Abercrombie & Kent's Geoffrey Kent will become
the new chair of the World Travel and Tourism
Council -- was finally confirmed last week. Kent, a
founder of the WTTC, says he was drafted for the job -- "I
definitely did not seek it" -- but is keen to get
started.
"One concern is the
lingering perception that we're simply about networking. The
networking is great and helpful, but the reality is we're building
a legacy of achievement. I want to make that reality the perception
as well."
It was
billed as a multibillion-dollar development project on the
north coast of the Dominican Republic, targeted at
the luxury market with three resort communities, 28 hotels, 900
marina slips, six golf courses and 11,000 residential
units.
Now TC hears that
the Costa Bayana project is on hold indefinitely;
no reason given, but press kits and news releases have disappeared,
and attempts to reach any of the principals have failed.
Maybe it was just
too big after all.
Four
Seasons has for several years been trying to gain a
foothold in South Africa and is actively looking
once again in Cape Town and leisure resort areas. TC caught a
glimpse of what appeared to be a shopping list in the hands of a
senior executive and could decipher Chile, Brazil and
Panama among the destinations where they currently have no
properties as well as resort destinations in Argentina that could
complement its property in Buenos Aires.
Responding
to an increased demand for South Korea, TC hears
thatGeneral Tours World Traveler will roll out two
escorted tour programs for 2007. Previously the company only
offered an FIT program for Korea.