As 2015 starts to wind down, Americans are already starting to make travel plans for 2016. But what are Americans–particularly Baby Boomers–looking for in their 2016 vacations?
A new survey released today from AARP Travel (http://travel.aarp.org), a valuable resource for America's 76 million Baby Boomers who spend over $120 billion annually in leisure travel, provides some great insight into how Americans want to get away in 2016, from desired destinations to lodging options to favorite trip planning tools.
“The vast majority of Baby Boomers are planning to drive, fly or set sail on leisure trips in 2016, with an average of 4 or 5 trips already in the works,” said Stephanie Miles, VP, Products & Platforms, AARP. “Boomers make up a large segment of the traveling public, and so it's particularly important for the travel industry to be aware of what Boomers are looking for in their vacations going into 2016. This new survey finds that their travel desires often differ greatly from younger travelers.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7488431-aarp-travel/
Crystal Lagoons broke the record for the “World's Largest Crystalline Lagoon” with the completion of its latest project in Egypt.
Twelve Crystal Lagoons totaling 250 acres will be the centerpiece of the $5.5 billion dollar, 1,850-acre development in Citystars Sharm El Sheikh. The record-breaking lagoon is 30 acres of crystal-clear water surrounded by white sandy beaches - perfect for swimming, sailing, kayaking and more.
Citystars Sharm el Sheikh's crystal lagoon get its salt water supply from wells in the middle of the desert that are otherwise useless, allowing for a tropical crystalline lagoon in the desert. In addition, the salt water used in the crystal lagoon features higher levels of purity and will be used for reverse osmosis desalinization processes, lowering the costs of water treatment.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7689951-crystal-lagoons-guinness-world-record/
An island off Ireland’s south west coast is wowing audiences at screenings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Unveiled in the film’s closing minutes, this closely guarded secret ending to Episode 7 was filmed in September 2014 on Skellig Michael Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Since 1977, the record-breaking movie franchise has travelled through many galaxies, and this time, director JJ Abrams along with cast and crew jetted into a little village called Portmagee, County Kerry, on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. From here, they travelled eight miles (12 Km) by sea to a dream film location, Skellig Michael.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7718351-ireland-feels-the-force/
After successful exploration runs in 2013 and 2015 the Dutch polar cruise company Oceanwide Expeditions has announced two new expeditions to the Ross Sea in 2017. The ice-strengthened vessel “Ortelius” will be accommodated with helicopters for the two Antarctica cruises, sailing from the South-American continent to the Antarctic Peninsula, crossing the Polar Circle, further west to Peter I Island, sailing in the Bellingshausen sea along the ice-edge of “deep Antarctica” into the Ross Sea. The voyage continues to the uninhabited sub-Antarctic Campbell Island and ends after 32 days in New Zealand. The second cruise offers the same itinerary, but in reverse.
The Ross Sea Challenge
The Ross Sea region of Antarctica has always presented a dream but also a challenge to visit to explorers. The Ross Ice Shelf prevents a full seasonal operation and distances are enormous. Apart from the extremes, landing sites are still difficult to reach. “With the advantages of the “Ortelius” in combination with the use of helicopters, our travelers are having some great opportunities exploring Antarctica’s most fascinating sites”, says CEO Michel van Gessel.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7726051-oceanwide-expeditions-new-ross-sea/
Tourism Australia has launched its latest campaign, which is focused on highlighting the country’s world-class aquatic and coastal experiences, in a bid to lure more international visitors to Australia.
The new creative, the latest instalment in Tourism Australia’s global There’s Nothing like Australia campaign, was officially unveiled at an event in New York on Australia Day eve attended by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs the Hon. Julie Bishop.
Guests at the event were treated to immersive ‘virtual reality’ displays and aquatic-themed images being projected onto the ice rink at the famous Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park alongside the reveal of a new broadcast ad, featuring a voiceover by Australian actor and new Tourism Australia global ambassador Chris Hemsworth. The event was hosted by Australian chef Curtis Stone and guests enjoyed a specially designed Australian menu by Luke Mangan.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7742051-tourism-australia/
SC Johnson, the world’s leading manufacturer of pest control products, is using its 60 years of insect expertise to educate consumers as the Zika virus continues to spread. Immediately following the initial outbreak in Brazil, the company assembled its experts and began developing educational resources for consumers to understand how to best protect themselves against mosquitoes that may carry disease.
In addition to educating consumers, SC Johnson is actively working with organizations around the world to donate and distribute product to those in need. In coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation, SC Johnson supported the Zika Action Plan Summit held by the White House and the CDC on April 1, and also donated to the CDC’s Zika Prevention Kits. Additional donations have been made to AmeriCares, the Rio de Janeiro-based Children’s Health Association and the County of Hawaii Civil Defense Agency.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7787731-sc-johnson-zika-mosquito-protection/
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) today announces the newest evolution of the Holiday Inn® brand’s Journey to Extraordinary campaign. This campaign, now in its third year, celebrates the unique journeys of the many guests who walk through the doors of Holiday Inn hotels each day. In this new year of the campaign, the Holiday Inn brand will highlight the extraordinary journeys of two small businesses – Sword & Plough and Perfect 10 Foods – and how Holiday Inn hotels can be a valuable partner in helping them succeed.
Eric Lent, Vice President, Holiday Inn Brand, Americas said: “The Holiday Inn brand carefully researched nearly 300 businesses before deciding to partner with Sword & Plough and Perfect 10. Both of these inspiring companies have a purpose-led mission to change the way business is done in their respective fields, and therefore have an incredibly unique story to tell. Sword & Plough and Perfect 10 embody the entrepreneurial spirit that is the foundation of the Holiday Inn brand. Founder Kemmons Wilson grew the brand from a small, family-owned business into a global brand that offers a consistent and affordable hotel experience that makes travel more enjoyable for all, and in doing so, changed the way people travel.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7824951-holiday-inn-journey-to-extraordinary/
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) today announced an agreement with Miami-Dade County to construct and operate a dramatic new cruise terminal at PortMiami, on land leased from the County. The new terminal will be a striking addition to PortMiami, and will serve as homeport to Royal Caribbean International ships, including a 5,400-passenger Oasis-class ship, the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ships. The agreement will come before the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners on July 6, 2016.
“We are truly excited to be working with Miami-Dade County and PortMiami to create not just another cruise terminal, but a truly iconic building,” said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “This new terminal is a symbol of our commitment to Miami, the city where our company first started almost 50 years ago. We can’t wait to bring an Oasis-class ship to PortMiami.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7657052-royal-caribbean-miami-dade-cruise-terminal/
Turkey’s most fascinating leisure and entertainment park, The Land of Legends Theme Park, was designed and built as a joint venture by Rixos Hotels, Emaar Properties PJSC and Dragone Productions. It takes children, youngsters and adults on the journey of their lifetime, an experience full of adventures and excitement, with a new interpretation of entertainment. Located in Belek, Antalya as the epitome of entertainment, it has brought a brand new concept to Turkey with its spectacular architecture as well as the impressive stage and visual art designs by Franco Dragone, known as a genius in the world of imagination and fantasy.
The Land of Legends Theme Park offers an unforgettable holiday experience, including the world’s first musical boat feast and the “Kingdom”- the realm of children, Turkey’s first hotel specially designed for children. Marvel at the Water World, the Tower of Legends and the Water Coaster - 43 m high with a speed of 86 km per hour. Do not miss a wonderful experience in the 5D cinema, where guests enter with their swimsuits on, as well as surf and wave pools; and the highlight: shows performed by original and breathtaking characters specially designed for the park and a variety of surprises.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7888251-rixos-land-of-legends-opened-gates/
Fall football, pancakes, selfies: The Holiday Inn Express® brand and its clever Creative Director, actor/comedian Rob Riggle, know that these are a few of guests’ favorite things. InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is hitting the road again this month with the latest Pancake Selfie Express mobile breakfast tour to allow fans in the Big Apple, the nation’s capital and beyond to experience the simple genius of a laser-printed selfie on a pancake. During its multi-state tour, the high tech food truck, part of the brand’s latest Stay Smart® campaign, will travel to select Southeastern Conference (SEC) football games this fall to celebrate game day. The brand is also introducing Snoozapalooza, a new promotion that extends both breakfast and check-out time until noon every weekend throughout the fall, so fans can rest and refresh after the big game.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7877851-holiday-inn-express-pancake-selfie/
Holland America Line turns its culinary programming up a notch with the introduction of dynamic shipboard cooking shows produced in partnership with the long-running public television show America’s Test Kitchen, the most popular how-to-cook show on TV. Holland America Line is a sponsor of America’s Test Kitchen on public television, and is proud to make this experience possible at sea. The initiative was announced today in New York City at a press conference at the prestigious Institute of Culinary Education.
Holland America Line’s shipboard Culinary Arts Center will be transformed to replicate the television set where the prominent America’s Test Kitchen TV shows are recorded for broadcast by more than 350 public television stations nationwide. Designed specifically for Holland America Line, the shipboard shows will be hosted by Holland America Line chefs trained by America’s Test Kitchen culinary experts. Shipboard cooking demonstrations and hands-on workshops — with topics ranging from shaping Asian dumplings to making the perfect pie crust — will combine foolproof, accessible recipes and cooking techniques that are rooted in the rigorous testing and science-based approach of America’s Test Kitchen.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7363858-americas-test-kitchen-joins-holland-america/
In a grand launch event at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Miral unveiled the new identity for the Yas Island destination. Designed to reflect the destination’s ethos, the new brand identity is a vibrant representation of an Emirati-bred, world-class destination that is home to a multitude of leisure, cultural, social, and business attractions suited for all audiences.
HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, commented: “Through its efforts to develop a world-class leisure and entertainment destination, Miral is playing a key role in supporting the efforts of the Abu Dhabi Vision. Tourism is a significant pillar of the Emirate’s growth and development plans, and the evolution of the Yas Island brand is a natural next step as the destination itself continues to evolve. The way in which Yas Island is being developed ensures that it will continue to be a major proof point for Abu Dhabi as a truly global destination.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7936651-miral-unveils-new-identity-for-yas-island/
