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cuba cruises

Carnival Corporation will begin offering full-week Cuba cruises from Miami beginning May 1, now that the Cuban government has given its approval.

They will be the first approved cruises from the United States to Cuba in more than 50 years. Cruises will depart from PortMiami on Sundays and visit Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba before returning the following Sunday.

Passengers will sail aboard the 704-passenger MV Adonia, and will be able to enjoy Cuban-inspired menu options as well as Cuban and other Caribbean-inspired music and films. The cruises also will offer conversational Spanish lessons; an orientation to Cuba’s history, customs and culture; entertainment; and casual, fun enrichment activities.

“We are excited about Cuban approval and are ready to take travelers there through an extraordinary guest experience on the beautiful MV Adonia,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. “This is a historic opportunity, and we know there is pent-up demand amongst Americans who want to experience Cuba. We believe there is no better way to experience so much of Cuba in seven days.”

Prices for the trip start at $1,800, including all meals on the ship, onboard experiences and ground activities. The cost of Cuban visas, taxes, additional fees and port expenses are not covered.

The cruises will be offered through Carnival’s newest brand, Fathom. Carnival, the world’s largest cruise company, has expressed interested in eventually deploying ships from some of its nine other brands to Cuba.

In July, the U.S. government granted Carnival approval to offer Cuba cruises after the operator agreed to offer culturally rich, people-to-people programs. On Monday, Carnival Corporation executives met with Cuban authorities from Havanatur Celimar and several other agencies, and signed agreements that authorize the cruises to begin.

The agreements are part of a flurry of recent U.S.-Cuban activity, including a historic visit by President Barack Obama to the island; Starwood receiving authorization to renovate, rebrand and operate three existing properties in Havana; and Google reaching a deal to expand Wi-Fi and broadband access in Cuba.

Expect Carnival Cruises to Cuba

Large Hotel Brands Plan to Penetrate Cuba

Cuba Makes Way for Online Travel Business

sharing economy Novotel New York Times Square, an AccorHotels property

In February, AccorHotels announced it invested a 30-percent stake in Miami-based Oasis Collections, which operates an accommodation-sharing model that incorporates some hotel-style amenities.

The French hotel giant’s move into the sharing economy model might be the start of a growing trend, and further proves the Airbnbs of the world aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

The funding will accelerate Oasis’ global footprint—which launched in 2009 in Buenos Aires—expanding from 17 markets to 30 in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia by the end of the year, with the goal of reaching more than 50 by 2018. (The recent investment boosted that goal to reaching 70 gateway cities by 2019.)

“We have been looking at this space for a while, prompted by Airbnb having so much momentum,” Vivek Badrinath, deputy CEO at AccorHotels, told Skift. “This is very much a learning experience for us because we want a better grasp of the sharing platform space and how to manage it.”

The Oasis Collection’s model can’t exactly be compared to Airbnb, however. Employees of the brand are located in each destination and are available 24/7, acting as both a concierge and local guide. The brand has partnered with activity companies like SoulCycle and clubs to give guests comparable gym and lounge access they’d receive in most hotels.

There are no booking capabilities for the Oasis Collection on AccorHotels’ site yet, and a time frame has not been set for its availability.

The market, as Skift points out, is an interesting one: travelers who want to feel like locals but still expect the quality and uniformity that come with hotel stays, referred to as the “home meets hotel” experience.

accor-oasis1 A one-bedroom home within an apartment building in the NYC financial district offers a balcony and views of the city. (Photo courtesy Oasis Collection)

“We appreciate the confidence AccorHotels has in our value proposition, and their expertise and resources will be transformative for Oasis,” said Parker Stanberry, Oasis Collection co-founder. “We share the same hospitality DNA and ambition to deliver exceptional experiences to guests all over the world.”

Oasis initiated an expansion strategy last summer, opening simultaneously in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London and Barcelona. Further expansion is planned in Austin, Texas; Madrid; Mexico City and Milan by June.

Oasis also plans to introduce a more robust technology platform in the first quarter of the year, including seamless booking and a mobile app featuring city guides, perks for Oasis guests in each destination and direct messaging with local concierges.

AccorHotels made headlines in December with the purchase of FRHI Hotels & Resorts, consisting of three prestigious luxury brands—Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel—for $2.89 billion. This, in addition to their investment in Oasis Collection, ensures they’re reaching travelers on both ends of the spectrum.

selfie1

It seems as though catering to millennials has been a topic for as long as millennials have qualified as a market in the hotel and travel industry. In 2015, an estimated $6.4 billion was spent to improve amenities and services like tech upgrades, better Wi-Fi connectivity, and new food concepts to impress the tech-savvy generation Y.

But, as any successful business person knows, you must keep looking forward and anticipating what’s next. Forward-thinking hotels are not just keeping the baby boomers and millennials happy–they’re bracing themselves for what’s next by marketing to generation Z.

Comprised of 70 million people born after 1995, members of generation Z have been described as digital natives who tend to be more pragmatic, cautious, money-conscious, and globally minded than their predecessors.

Their size and potential spending power make them a hugely important market to start considering, even if its oldest members can’t even legally drink yet.

“Age is irrelevant,” Melanie Shreffler, senior editorial director at Cassandra Report, told Skift. “They already have money of their own and even if they aren’t doing the actual booking, they are highly influential. Never underestimate them and their needs.”

A 2015 study from Cassandra Report shows that 77 percent of generation Z consumers feel it’s important for brands to reach out to them with offers, promotions, and messaging.

Shreffler predicts, based on findings from the study, that travel will be of major importance and view it as a major milestone.

How Hotels Are Marketing to Generation Z

Visual, meaningful, memorable, and entertaining are the qualities the next generation is looking for and reacting to. Take what Marriott Content Studios is doing, for example: In February, they launched the second installment of their promotional short film, Two Bellmen (titled Two Bellmen Two). Here is a trailer for the first video:

Marriott also launched a full marketing campaign in 2014 using Snapchat—a social media platform used heavily by millennials and Gen Z alike. What’s more, Marriott chose four influencers to co-create the campaign—a strategy many brands are starting to do to make users/ audiences feel like a part of the creative process.

W_hotels_campaign W Hotels’ Snapchat campaign

W Hotels took a similar approach, launching a Snapchat campaign that allowed users to create travel postcards with the W Hotel logo branded onto the photos.

Hotels looking to use Snapchat as their next vehicle for social campaigning should be cautious in how they use it; younger audiences are looking for interactive engagement that doesn’t feel like marketing. Hoteliers can use it to share behind-the-scenes experiences and tell their property’s story in a personal way. Here are some ideas Cloudbeds.com offered on what to share to grow your audience:

–Snap a video of your cook preparing today’s breakfast

–Show your bartender whipping up your famous cocktail

–Show your front desk staff checking in guests and showing them to their room

–Share pictures and videos walking around your property explaining what’s going on that day

–If your property offers tours, you can have the guide snap pictures and videos of the experience

jw-marriott-in-japan

Marriott International is planning to debut its first JW Marriott in Japan in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, giving locals and tourists alike the opportunity to say “kon’nichiwa” (Japanese for “hello”) to the luxury brand.

JW Marriott Hotel Nara, which will be located in the Kansai region of Japan, is being built in partnership with Japanese real estate development company Mori Trust Group. The ancient city of Nara is home to many of the country’s oldest surviving palaces, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

Spaopportunities.com published the following statement from Marriott CEO and President Arne Sorenson about the business move. “Introducing the JW Marriott brand to the country, and in particular to the historic and culturally rich city of Nara, is an exciting milestone, and we very much look forward to working closely with Mori Trust Group on the project.”

The Japan Times reports that the cost of acquiring the land to build the seven-story, 150-guest room hotel, will be around $4.2 million. Business leaders hope the project will help propel tourism in the region.

“The development of accommodation facilities (in Nara) has been slow, but once the high-ranked hotel is built, visitors will be able to enjoy the culture of Nara,” Nara Gov. Shogo Arai told The Japan Times. It is anticipated that a convention center, multipurpose outdoor park, bus terminal and other facilities will also be built.

No Hotel Details Yet

Exact details about the new hotel have been yet been released, but Japan has a history of opening attention-grabbing properties. Last year Henn-na Hotel (Japanese for “strange hotel”) opened in Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park in Sasebo, Nagasaki that recreates the Netherlands. It is run primarily by robots that have humanoid features and can interact with guests.

Respecting Cultural Differences

The JW Marriot brand is known for its impressive spas. It has not yet been disclosed whether the JW Marriott Hotel Nara will include a spa. If it does, it will have to address the controversial issue of offering spa services to foreigners with tattoos.

According to Japan Today, a survey by the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) found that 56% of Japanese hotels and ryokans (traditional inns) ban visitors with tattoos from bathing facilities.

The survey asked 3,768 hotel and ryokan owners in Japan if they would accept someone with tattoos into their public bathing facilities if the designs were covered with stickers. Only 13 percent of the 581 survey respondents said they would allow guests with tattoos into onsens (natural hot springs that can be found throughout Japan) if their tattoos were concealed.

With the 2020 Olympics on the horizon and tourism in general on the rise in Japan, JTA officials say it is important for local businesses to demonstrate tolerance for other cultures. Although one-third of foreign tourists cite onsens as a key reason for visiting Japan, JTA reports that visitors are routinely denied admittance to onsens if they are inked. Nearly half of onsen operators report that other guests have complained about tattooed individuals using the bathing facilities.

In a case that made international headlines in 2013, a Maori woman was barred from a public bath in Hokkaido because of her traditional face tattoos. An official from the public bath said the decision had been made to avoid making other guests uncomfortable. In another case, Japan Daily Press reported that the mayor of Osaka caused an uproar when he required city employees to document their tattoos.

The prejudice against those with tattoos in Japan stems largely from the fact that tattoos are associated with yakuza (organized Japanese crime syndicates.) Many everyday citizens are unaware of how acceptable and even popular tattoos have become with the general public in other cultures around the world. Yet intolerance for individuals with tattoos is expressed openly throughout the country. According to Japan Daily Press, clearly labeled signs are prominently displayed at fitness gyms, public swimming pools and onsens that state anyone with irezumi (Japanese for “tattoo”) are refused entry.

2020 Tokyo Olympics

The 2020 Olympics will be held in Tokyo, July 24 through August 9, 2020. Competitions will take place in 31 different sports, including archery, basketball, gymnastics and table tennis. Throughout the area, new venues are being built and existing venues are being spruced up in preparation for the festivities.

starwood merger St. Regis Saadiyat Island, a Starwood property

A consortium led by Anbang Insurance Group in China has tentatively acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts, although Marriott International still has an opportunity to submit another offer.

On March 14, the consortium—which also includes New York City’s J. Flowers & Co. and Beijing-based Primavera Capital Group—unexpectedly made a $13.2 billion, all-cash bid. This put in jeopardy a $12.2 million offer that Starwood accepted from Marriott International, consisting of $11.9 billion in stocks and $300 million in cash, in November. Marriott had expected to finalize the deal at the end of March, but its agreement included a $400 million breakup fee and enabled Starwood to consider other offers through March 17.

In a statement, Starwood wrote that “the Consortium’s proposal constitutes a ‘Superior Proposal’ and that Starwood’s Board intends to terminate the Marriott merger agreement and enter into a definitive agreement with the Consortium.”

Starwood was lured by Anbang’s higher, all-cash offer, and by its higher valuing of each Starwood share ($78, compared with Marriott’s $62 to $67). The Anbang deal was viewed as an opportunity to stave off job cuts, retain Starwood’s executive leadership and business strategy, and keep its brands and Starwood Preferred Guest Loyalty Program intact.

By choosing Anbang rather than Marriott, Starwood would give up the opportunity to be part of the world’s largest hotel company, however, and would lose considerable bargaining power with online travel agencies and competing hospitality companies.

Marriott has an opportunity to continue its negotiations with Starwood through March 28, and issued the following statement on Friday: “Marriott continues to believe that a combination of Marriott and Starwood is the best course for both companies and offers the best value to Starwood shareholders. Marriott is in the process of reviewing the Anbang consortium’s proposal and is carefully considering its alternatives.”

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., has nearly 1,300 properties in approximately 100 countries, divided among 11 distinct brands, including St. Regis, Sheraton, Westin, W and Le Meridien.

Is a Miami Convention Center Hotel Needed?

According to the Miami Herald, the mayor, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce and several local hotels believe a headquarter hotel that can attract citywide conventions is the linchpin to making the convention center renovation a success. They point out that the city’s economy would benefit from attracting large-scale conventions.

The proposed site of the 25-story hotel was the corner of 17^th Street and Convention Center Drive, across from Lincoln Road Mall. The space currently houses a parking lot and city office building.

Atlanta-based developer Portman Holdings intended to finance the $400 million hotel privately. Developer Jack Portman expressed disappointment with the March 15 vote. The “yes” campaign went down to defeat, despite $1 million spent in advertisements supporting it.

Beach Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, who was against the plan, is optimistic that a deal can be brokered that will entice another developer to propose a more acceptable design. “This is Miami Beach. This is one of the sexiest places to be in the U.S.” she told the Herald. “There will always be people bidding to build a hotel.”

Opponents suggest that a hotel with a smaller footprint that does not block Miami’s famed beach and create potential traffic jams would have a better chance passing muster with voters.

Melissa Farrar

Fairmont San Francisco appointed Melissa Farrar as director of marketing communications. Farrar previously served as the hotel’s public relations director, and returns from her most recent position as senior account executive at The OutCast Agency. In her current role, she oversees marketing and communications at Fairmont San Francisco, leveraging advertising and marketing programs and working with corporate public relations to develop brand initiatives.

Christina Wong

Christina Wong was promoted as vice president of ESM Productions, a full-service event company specializing in high-profile events and broadcast productions. In her new position, Wong focuses on client and talent relations, as well as community partnerships. She also oversees production crews and manages budgets, schedules and vendors. Wong has spent 10 years with the company. In addition, she serves on the board of trustees for Philadelphia University and the School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Career and Technical Education Hospitality Industry Advisory Committee.

John McGinnes

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno, Nevada, hired John McGinnes as director of convention sales. McGinnes comes to the AAA Four Diamond property from Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Illinois, where he was responsible for leading the sales team. Under his oversight, Crowne Plaza Hotel exceeded revenue totals year over year. McGinnes also lead the sales department at Eldorado Resort Casino in Reno. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Monmouth College.

Holly Turner

Omni Hotels & Resorts promoted Holly Turner as general manager of Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. Turner returns to the same hotel where she began her career in hospitality 19 years ago. She has held leadership positions at Omni Fort Worth Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, Omni Richmond Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, Omni Park West in Dallas and Omni Parker House in Boston.

Austin Blaylock

Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center in Walla Walla, Washington, appointed Austin Blaylock as marketing, communications and public relations director. Blaylock has five years of marketing experience outside of the hospitality industry. He is leading marketing strategies for the hotel, conference center and The Marc restaurant. Blaylock is also working to increase the property’s online presence and designing all advertising and collateral materials.

“Austin has a proven record of success, and we are proud to welcome him to the team in this key role,” said Dan Leeper, general manager for The Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center. “His enthusiasm for and dedication to the community will be invaluable as he continues to grow the presence of Marcus Whitman in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.”

Pina Purpero

Hyatt at The Bellveue welcomed Pina Purpero as general manager of the iconic Philadelphia hotel. Purpero will manage day-to-day operations of the hotel, as well as oversee a multi-million dollar renovation that will conclude this spring. Nearly 20 years ago, Purpero began her career in hospitality with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, starting at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale. Since then, she has served at seven other Hyatt properties, including Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego and Hyatt Westlake Plaza in Westlake Village, California.

“I’m thrilled to take on this new role and continue my career with Hyatt,” said Purpero. “It has been very fulfilling working on these renovations, which are sure to make this iconic hotel an even more extraordinary experience for guests. I’m so happy to be back in Philadelphia after eight years – it’s exciting to see how much has changed and how much has stayed the same. I look forward to making my mark at Hyatt at the Bellevue.”

Traci Parker

Traci Parker was named director of corporate sales at Chattanooga Convention & Visitors Bureau. She has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality and the corporate market and is tasked with growing meetings business in Chattanooga. She is responsible for cultivating, securing and expanding the corporate market, thereby increasing meetings and hotel occupancy.

“I’m very excited to join the convention and visitors bureau team. I have lived in Chattanooga for 14 years and it’s been incredible to see how the city has grown. I’m looking forward to working with such an amazing team and using my experience to contribute to the success of tourism in Hamilton County,” said Parker.

Michael Murphy

Hyatt Regency Austin welcomes Michael Murphy as general manager of the hotel. Murphy has worked with Hyatt Hotels Corporation for more than 20 years. He returns to Austin after serving as general manager at Hyatt Westlake Plaza in Westlake, California, and before that as executive assistant manager at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Cedar Creek, Texas.

“I am very excited to be back in Austin and working at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Austin,” said Murphy. “I look forward to working with the property’s exceptional team to reintroduce the new and improved property to our guests and the local Austin community.”

Lisa Lindgren

Lisa Lindgren was named general manager of Hotel Boulderado in Boulder, Colorado. Lindgren brings more than 25 years of hospitality experience to her new role, where she is overseeing the first phase of a renovation expected to be complete this April. She most recently served as general manager of Table Mountain Inn, a boutique hotel in Golden Colorado. Both properties are owned by Concept Restaurants, Inc.

Lindgren was previously advertising director for Colorado Meetings & Events and Northern California Meetings & Events magazines for five years. She is also the current president of Destination Colorado, a nonprofit organization that promotes meetings and events in the state.

Vincent Vienne

Vincent Vienne joined The Quin Hotel in New York City as managing director. Vienne brings more than 18 years of leadership experience to the luxury lifestyle hotel. Prior to his current position, he has worked for a number of international hotel groups including Pullman Hotels and Resorts, Sofitel Luxury Hotels and AccorHotels. Vienne is fluent in English, French and Dutch, and conversant in German.

“It’s an honor to take the helm at The Quin hotel and to join the Highgate family,” he said. “I look forward to expanding on the hotel’s cutting-edge Quin Arts program, and continuing to provide a level of service that allows us to deliver the quintessential New York experience to our guests.”

Aloft Hotels Gap Year travel campaign kicks off March 17.

Aloft Hotels is better accommodating the fast-growing and multi-generational travel market embarking on year-long expeditions, known as Gap Year.

Gap Year has often been referred to as the time when high school graduates use their time to travel or explore opportunities before pursuing college or employment, but the trend has recently sprawled across generations, prompting people to take a break from school and jobs to travel cross-country or across the world.

Aloft Hotels, owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., is taking advantage of the influx of travelers by offering affordable hotel rooms in dynamic destinations. The brand is launching what they call a Global Gap Year Rate–40 percent off a second night’s stay–which is stackable (i.e. four-night stay receives two nights at 40 percent off). Any traveler who takes advantage of the program also receives a copy of Gap to Great: A Parent’s Guide to Gap Year, by Andrea Wien.

“We always say that Aloft Hotels doesn’t appeal to one demographic, it appeals to those of a similar psychographic—those early adopter, perpetually curious travelers who want something different,” said Paige Francis, vice president of global marketing, Aloft Hotels. “These travelers are the ones taking time off to find themselves or in some cases, lose themselves in local cultures and experiences. They love staying with us on these journeys, and fortunately, because of our impressive footprint, Gap Year travelers can find us just about everywhere.”

More than 100 Aloft hotels can be found in 18 countries around the world, including Mexico, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Costa Rica, United Kingdom, Germany and United Arab Emirates.

There are many more opening in the coming years, including two in Australia in 2017 and 2018; Dakar, Africa, in 2018; two in Shanghai in 2017 and 2018; Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2017; and New Delhi, in December.

A Gap Year Travel Campaign

To celebrate the new rate, Aloft is launching a social campaign that will follow the travels of author Andrea Wien, who is embarking on a cross-country tour starting at Aloft Portland Airport at Cascade Station and wrapping up at the newly opened Aloft Boston Seaport and Element Boston Seaport dual-branded hotel complex at the end of April.

aloft-lounge Rendering of Re:mix Lounge at Aloft Boston Seaport

Wien will document her journey via Twitter, Instagram, and Periscope, using #AloftGapYear, sharing tips and stories along the way.

Explore the world. Follow @GaptoGreat's Aloft USA journey & book your trip at https://t.co/dsYC9cbkET #AloftGapYear pic.twitter.com/6EABWSgLng

— Aloft Hotels (@AloftHotels) March 16, 2016

Rates are bookable at alofthotels.com/gapyear.

renaissance-hotels

Seeking to allure millennial travelers, Renaissance Hotels is undergoing a major transformation to include more modern design, interactive tables and contemporary cuisine.

“The Renaissance Hotels brand is going through its own global renaissance to meet the needs of the diverse, creative class of the next generation,” said Toni Stoeckl, vice president of Lifestyle Brands for Marriott International.

The transformation is being sparked by the increasing purchasing power and prominence of travelers in their 20s and 30s—including meeting professionals—and their attraction to edgy design, cutting-edge culinary options and flexible places to work and play.

This is a major shift for the once-conservative brand, and was introduced at Renaissance Montreal, which opened in January.

“The contemporary Wanderlust design, unique programming and prime location of Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel will help usher in this new era for the brand, which is revolutionizing the lifestyle hotel experience for today’s business traveler,” Stoeckl said.

Renaissance Montreal’s lobby features local street art, live DJ entertainment and innovative cocktails created by a mixologist. Its East restaurant serves contemporary Pan-Asian cuisine, and the heated, covered rooftop terrace is a great gathering spot.

Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel in New York City, which is set to debut this month, will feature digital displays as guests enter the property. The displays will be projected along a hallway, and show experiences that are unique to the neighborhood.

Also, all revamped Renaissance hotels will have a Renaissance Navigator, a concierge designed as an interactive hub.

The Renaissance brand, which was acquired by Marriott in 1997, has increasingly become one of the company’s leading lifestyle brands by focusing on guest experiences and modern design.

destination capitol hill

More than 300 travel leaders descended on Washington, DC, March 16-17 as part of an annual fly-in called Destination Capitol Hill. Sponsored by U.S. Travel Association, the two-day event highlights the travel industry’s role as one of the United States’ strongest economic contributors. Representatives from 40 states participated in more than 295 congressional meetings on March 17.

“These two days are about celebrating travel’s essential economic contribution, and the need for pro-growth policies that keep travelers safely and efficiently moving to and within our country,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of U.S. Travel Association.

Travel leaders from a variety of sectors, including convention and visitors bureaus and state tourism organizations, urged Congress to embrace policies that are pro-growth, pro-competition and pro-traveler. Besides showing a united front before Congress, the annual Destination Capitol Hill is a time for travel leaders to combine a legislative day with advocacy training, guest speakers and peer-to-peer networking. Many delegates have stayed abreast of key issues via webinars in order to prepare for face-to-face meetings with their representatives.

Here are a few key issues that were discussed:

-Restoring choices to the overconsolidated U.S. airline sector

-Modernizing air and surface transportation infrastructure to keep pace with demand

-Ensuring the U.S. remains a welcoming destination for overseas visitors while maintaining strong national security.

Travel Leaders

U.S. Travel presented its annual Distinguished Travel Partner awards, honoring travel leaders and decision-makers who advance policies that strengthen travel. The winners are:

Distinguished Travel Champions
Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Rep. David Jolly (R-Fla.), Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan

Distinguished Travel Ally
Julie Heizer, Deputy Director of Industry Relations, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office

Grassroots Travel Champion
Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, led by Annette Rummel, Ph.D.