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Wildlife Tourist Attractions

Most tourist attractions around the world offer an innocuous dose of cultural entertainment and are popular among travel groups. But those involving animals likely pose a threat to visitors and wildlife. A study from World Animal Protection discovered that three out of four wildlife tourist attractions practice some form of animal abuse and raise conservation concerns.

As many as 550,000 wild animals around the world are held irresponsibly and harmed in captivity for tourism purposes. Animal tourism is a big industry for many African, South American and Asian countries and has experienced rapid growth in recent years. It is estimated that approximately 110 million people visit cruel wildlife attractions each year and most visitors are unaware of animal mistreatment.

The 10 Most Cruel Wildlife Entertainment Activities Include:

1. Riding elephants
2. Taking tiger selfies
3. Walking with lions
4. Visiting bear parks
5. Holding sea turtles
6. Performing dolphins
7. Dancing monkeys
8. Touring civet cat coffee plantations
9. Charming snakes and kissing cobras
10. Farming crocodiles

Abuses range from capturing young animals away from their mothers to being beaten and harmed during training. They become passive enough to give rides, perform tricks or pose for selfie photos with tourists. Some of the worse offenses involve bear, elephant, tiger parks and turtle farms.

“We need to stop the demand for elephant rides and shows, as well as hugs and selfies with tigers and lions, by exposing the hidden suffering behind wildlife attractions,” said Elizabeth Hogan, U.S. wildlife campaign manager at World Animal Protection. “If you can ride, hug or have a selfie with a wild animal, then you can be sure the attraction is cruel. Vote with your wallet and don’t go.”

The report is based on research regarding welfare and conservation of wildlife tourism and is the first to address the issue on a global scale. It includes an analysis of TripAdvisor reviews left for wildlife venues. Of 50,000 reviews, 80 percent gave positive ratings for animal attractions with poor welfare records. The investigation was conducted by University of Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit on behalf of World Animal Protection.

Interactions with wildlife place humans in danger, warns Hogan. “It’s clear that thousands of tourists are visiting wildlife attractions, unaware of the abuse wild animals face behind the scenes,” she says. “As well as cruelty to animals, there is also the very real danger to tourists, as we saw with the very sad death of tourist Gareth Crowe in Thailand.”

At present, there are no global regulations imposed on wildlife tourist attractions and the way animals are being used. World Animal Protection hopes to end animal cruelty with the cooperation of the tourism industry. So far, the organization has received commitments from 87 travel companies, including The Travel Corporation, to stop promoting elephant rides and shows. For more information, visit worldanimalprotection.us.org.

luxury-properties-in-hawaii Meeting planners can say aloha to three new luxury properties in Hawaii; two on Oahu and one on Lanai. On travelweekly.com, Shane Nelson illuminates the additions to Hawaii’s luxury accommodations market, which will be ready to welcome guests in the coming months.

The Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina

This property, located on the west coast of Oahu, is wrapping a $500 million renovation and rebranding from what was formerly the JW Marriott Ihilani. The new resort, scheduled to open in spring, will feature 357 guest rooms, including 52 suites. Guests will enjoy six new restaurants and lounges, a revamped spa and wellness center, enhanced meeting spaces and a tennis academy run by former pro Jim Courier. Guests will also have privileged access to the Ko Olina golf club. A second phase of construction on the resort’s 150-unit luxury residence tower will begin later this year.

Guests coming to the property from Honolulu International Airport (HNL) can take a helicopter or a 75-foot yacht; those arriving on private jets can opt to land at the closer and smaller Kalaeloa Airport (JRF), where they will be picked up in one of the property’s BMW convertibles.

New recreational activities for guests will include cultural treks led by native guides through areas of the island previously unavailable to the general public.

The Ritz-Carlton Waikiki

The Ritz-Carlton Waikiki, a condo-hotel property where all units will feature unobstructed ocean views, is also slated to open in the spring. They are now accepting reservations for the 307-unit tower for stays beginning June 1. A second tower with 250 residential units is under construction, with plans to open in mid-2018. Although the property boasts magnificent ocean views, it is not located on the oceanfront.

This represents the first Ritz-Carlton property on Oahu and only the second in Hawaii. (The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua is on Maui.) Onsite dining options at the upscale property will include Dean & Deluca, BLT Market and Sushi Sho, run by master chef Ari Kawata. It will also boast a full-service spa, fitness center, Ritz Kids lounge and entertainment center.

The Four Seasons Resort Lanai

The Four Seasons Resort Lanai on the nearby island of Lanai, shuttered since 2014, has just reopened. The 217 guest rooms at the luxe oceanfront property have been refreshed, and visitors will discover a major remodel of the pool oasis, F&B offerings, lobby and meetings and events spaces. New landscaping will offer more privacy and a better view of the Pacific.

The Lodge at Koele, a nearby upcountry hotel that is also operated by The Four Seasons Resort Lanai and has been closed to guests since June 2015, is also reopening, most likely in the fall.

napa-valley Napa Valley will be getting a new luxury meeting and event venue in 2018, when Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts opens a property in the spa-centric city of Calistoga. Calistoga Resort is expected to have 85 guest rooms, 20 private residence villas and a dozen event spaces, including its own winery and a party barn.

“As we extend our presence in California, having a property in Napa Valley, a preferred destination for our luxury guests, is essential,” says J. Allen Smith, president and CEO of Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “This is a unique opportunity to combine a privately-owned and operated winery and vineyard with a world-class luxury resort. We look forward to working with Alcion and Bald Mountain to bring Four Seasons legendary quality and service to Napa Valley.”

Alcion Ventures is owner and developer of the resort in partnership with Bald Mountain Development.

Calistoga forms the northern border of Napa Valley. It’s been a popular destination for the rich and famous since the mid-1880s, when hot springs were discovered and began to draw wealthy business leaders from San Francisco, which is about an hour away.

Hoping to set itself apart from other Napa Valley properties, Calistoga Resort will feature a fully operational winery and vineyard, creating a grape-to-glass experience sure to wow meeting-goers. Acclaimed winemaker Thomas Brown is expected to produce a limited collection of wines onsite.

Napa Valley Luxury

Designed with executive retreats in mind, the resort will feature three food and beverage offerings, multiple pools and a state of the art fitness center. The world-class spa will take advantage of natural geothermal waters unique to the Calistoga region.

The project will include one- and two-story residence villas managed by Four Seasons. The villas will offer master suites, an owner’s wine cellar, and indoor and outdoor dining and entertainment spaces.

“This is Bald Mountain’s third project with Alcion, and our first with them in Wine Country,” says Kelly Foster, principal at Bald Mountain. “Together with Four Seasons, all partners share a complementary vision that will bring true luxury to Napa Valley and create the finest grape-to-glass five-star resort.”

terrorism-a-major-concern-for-planners The meetings industry is experiencing cautious optimism and growth, although terrorism has become a significant concern, according to a new survey.

Some 68 percent of planners and other meetings professionals predict favorable business conditions in 2016, according to survey results in the winter 2016 edition of Meetings Outlook, a quarterly report published by Meeting Professionals International.

However, 44 percent anticipate making changes in how meetings are run due to the ongoing threat of terrorism, and 28 percent already have done so. The safety and security concerns are the strongest in the history of the survey and were likely heightened by the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California, both of which involved meeting venues.

For MPI chapters, one challenge is to take a proactive approach without unnecessarily frightening members and others. The survey shows that meetings industry professionals are boosting security in several ways, including:

Provide more employee training: 19 percent
Do more destination research and communications regarding risk: 15 percent
Add more security staff: 15 percent
Develop more security plans: 14 percent
Update procedures and contingency plans: 9 percent
Provide more attendee screening: 5 percent
Work with local law enforcement: 5 percent

Also, 48 percent of respondents expect the costs of meetings to increase because of the need for more security. Supplier costs are already increasing, and some professionals reported that meetings were being cancelled due to terrorist threats, resulting in costs to suppliers and planners.

exclusive-culinary-events Starwood is offering preferred guests enrolled in its loyalty program the ability to bid on an exclusive series of culinary and supper club events hosted by celebrity chefs. The once-in-a-lifetime experiences, offered through the company’s SPG Moments program, are a recipe for success—melding world-class cuisine and luxury travel. The SPG Moments program already offers members the opportunity to bid on musical and sporting events around the world.

Members can use their Starpoints to bid online for the eight memorable experiences, which include intimate kitchen tours, cocktails and tasting menus hosted by culinary bigwigs at world-renowned restaurants, plus VIP access to food and wine festivals in premier foodie destinations such as Monterey and Napa, California.

“Food often acts as the center around which life’s greatest moments are celebrated and shared,” says Chris Holdren, senior vice president of Starwood Preferred Guest. “Expanding our Culinary Moments program is an excellent way to provide members with opportunities to share these once-in-a-lifetime memories with their family and loved ones.”

In addition to the Culinary Moments program, starting in late February, SPG members can look forward to the launch of SPG Cravings, a new guide offering culinary content, and up to 30% off and Starpoints when members dine at 1,500 SPG restaurants and bars in more than 100 countries.

Exclusive Culinary Events

In 2016, members enrolled in SPG’s loyalty program can bid on the following unique Culinary Moments events hosted by renowned foodies, or food and wine festivals that will enable them to travel to new destinations where they can become immersed in regional cuisine.

Atelier Morimoto XEX with Celebrity Chef Masaharu Morimoto

February 11

Tokyo, Japan

Enjoy a cocktail reception, sushi demonstration and teppanyaki dinner with omakase menu

Girl & the Goat with Stephanie Izard

February 18

Chicago, Illinois

Enjoy a cocktail reception, sneak preview of Duck Duck Goat and tasting menu with wine pairing

South Beach Wine & Food Festival

February 24-28

Miami, Florida

Events include Amstel Light Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons and hosted by Rachael Ray; Fireman Derek’s Midnight Breakfast hosted by Chrissy Teigen; Goya Foods Grand Tasting Village featuring MasterCard Grand Tasting Tents & KitchenAid Culinary Demonstrations; and Chicken Coupe with a meet & greet with event host Chef Andrew Carmellini

Maude with Curtis Stone

February 25

Beverly Hills, California

Enjoy a cocktail reception and tasting menu with wine pairing

Daniel with Daniel Boulud

March 17

New York City

Enjoy a cocktail reception, kitchen tour, 5-course menu with wine pairing and cooking demonstration

Le Bernardin with Eric Ripert

March 24

New York City

Enjoy a cocktail reception, kitchen tours, 6-course tasting menu with wine pairing and cooking demonstration

Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival

March 31 – April 3

Monterey, California

Events include opening night reception; Fabio Viviani cooking demonstration with meet & greet; Booze & Bites; Lexus grand gasting; and Graham Elliot’s deliciously whimsical cooking demonstration

BottleRock Napa Valley Festival

May 27-29

Napa, California

Events include VIP & GA tickets with access to 70+ bands on four music stages; plus celebrity chef and vintner performances on the culinary stage

loyalty-programs Budgets are tight, even during this period of robust growth in the meetings industry, and some under-the-radar loyalty programs can help to make a big difference.

USA Today identified several loyalty programs that offer airline miles, points and more, including these four that are particularly relevant to meeting planners and their groups.

1. Thanks Again: This aptly named company partners with airlines to award miles for regular purchases at participating retailers, restaurants and service providers around towns and in the airport. Simply register your American Express, MasterCard of Visa (credit or debit) card and Thanks Again will then pair it with the rewards program of your choice, offering miles or points in addition to what you’re already earning.

2. RocketMiles: Some planners who book hotels, especially independent properties without a major loyalty program, sign up for RocketMiles, which awards airline miles based on how much you spend. A variety of programs participate, and in many cases bonuses are awarded for making your first reservation.

3. Uber VIP: It not only gives you access to the highest-rated drivers in your area, but also provides free perks, ongoing sweepstakes and occasional perks. Anyone who takes 10 or more Uber rides per month is eligible to be part of the program. VIP status is specific to a city, so while you might be a VIP in San Francisco, that doesn’t give you VIP access in other cities.

4. PreFlight Airport Parking and TheParkingSpot: They are among the companies offering programs with benefits for those who frequently park with them.

mccarran-international-airport Las Vegas is a happening tourist destination. McCarran International Airport (LAS) welcomed 45 million passengers to the city in 2015, the third highest passenger count in the airport’s history, according to the Clark County Department of Aviation.

The department reports that this represents a 5.8 percent increase over 2014, which saw 42.9 million passengers pass through LAS. December 2015 was particularly popular. Approximately 3.7 million passengers came through the airport that month; an 8.9 percent increase compared to December 2014.

LAS, which has been open for 67 years, experienced its peak passenger traffic in 2007 when a record 48 million travelers passed through it.

Domestic travel was particularly strong in 2015. Frontier Airlines more than doubled its passenger count at LAS. Spirit Airlines, JetBlue and Virgin America also experienced double-digit increases.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) couldn’t be happier about the interest in the destination. “Las Vegas couldn’t have reached this achievement without the support of our resort partners and the dedicated workers who make the Las Vegas experience what it is,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of LVCVA. “Whether a first-time visitor or a returning Las Vegas enthusiast, the destination continues to astonish travelers from all over the world with luxury resort experiences, world-class dining and exciting entertainment.”

salamander-resort-and-spa Here at Salamander, group meetings aren’t just about gathering your team together to discuss pie charts and last year’s sales numbers. They’re an amazing opportunity for your team to explore, discover, find adventure and be inspired.

And now that Spring is almost here, Salamander is brimming with the kind of dynamic energy and outdoor activities to ignite your team with a new-found sense of camaraderie and confidence.

Located in the historic village of Middleburg on 340-acres of breathtaking natural scenery, Salamander Resort and Spa exudes quintessential Southern hospitality, charm and elegance. With everything from an exquisite 5,000 square foot ballroom to unique venues including a 100+ year old stone barn and spacious, award winning Equestrian Center, there’s a rich collection of flexible indoor meeting space designed to facilitate to groups of all sizes. Outdoor options are equally stunning, with countless acres of manicured grounds, culinary gardens, terraces and a 110,000 square-foot Grand Lawn for dining and social functions.

Of course, a destination surrounded by such lush scenery opens the door to a spectacular array of activities. Onsite, your guests will have the opportunity to explore the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains astride trail horses, fly across the canopy on our adrenaline-inducing tree top zip line tour, tee off at a signature Nicklaus course, play tennis or indulge at our spa and wellness center. We also offer the ability to create personalized programming for your group. You can choose from a diverse selection of teambuilding events that will further encourage camaraderie and leadership. Our unique offerings including bicycle building for charity, falconry, cooking competitions, blind tasting competitions, the award-winning Equi-Spective equestrian program and more.

Beyond the resort, some of Virginia’s finest wineries are easily within reach, not to mention numerous historic sites, museums, hundreds of unique shops and equestrian events. And since Salamander is just forty minutes away from the monuments, museums and events happening in downtown Washington, D.C., the entertainment and culturally enriching opportunities are truly endless.

Turn your next group event into something unforgettable.

international-travel Market Research Company Euromonitor International has releases their Top 100 City Destinations based on the international travel arrival statistics for 2014, a report they release annually.

For the past five years, Hong Kong has placed as the number one destination, and this year is no different, with 278.8 million arrivals in 2014, an eight percent growth from the year prior. That upward trajectory looks like it might keep going; The building of a third runway for Hong Kong’s international airport was approved in 2015 and is scheduled for completion in 2023, increasing connectivity and capacity.

London came in second, with 17.4 million arrivals, followed closely behind by Singapore with 17 million. London owes its climb to number two to the decline of Bangkok visitors. That, and the 2012 London Olympics boosted the iconic city even further.

Singapore, despite seeing its first decline in visitors since 2009, has the advantage of political stability, low crime, and English as a main language, not to mention it’s a major cruise destination and medical tourism target.

Rounding out the top ten cities for international travel are Bangkok, Paris, Macau, Shenzhen, New York City, Istanbul, and Kuala Lumpur, respectively.

Of the top ten, Istanbul saw the largest year-over-year increase, with 13.2 percent more international arrivals, and Bangkok, despite taking the number four spot, saw the biggest drop with a seven percent decrease, likely due to the city’s political unrest.

The study was compiled from the results of the global travel research program conducted in 57 core countries by in-country analysts, which follows Euromonitor International’s methodology and definitions for travel and tourism.

City arrivals data were sourced directly from national statistics offices, airport arrivals, hotel/accommodation stays or other methods for all 57 core countries and 93 market insight countries.

Asia Dominates City Tourism

More than a third of the top 100 cities are located in Asia. Hong Kong, Macau and Taipei benefited tremendously in 2014 from outbound Chinese travelers, according to the report, thanks in part to improved flight connections and relaxed visa restrictions.

China matched U.S. for the number of cities in the ranking—seven—making it the largest outbound market and making a name for itself in both business and leisure tourism.

Indian cities also saw growth in 2014, with Delhi and Mumbai each receiving over 4.5 million visitors, thanks to the new visa-on-arrival process and powerful promotion campaign (Incredible India).

For the first time, Vietnam saw three of its cities in the top 100: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Halong, which is also credited to promotional campaigns and better flight connectivity.

Unprecedented Growth

The FIFA World Cup had a huge impact on tourism, and not just for Brazil. Miami saw a 15.7 percent increase, due largely to Latin American travelers stopping en route to Rio de Janeiro. The host city itself moved up 12 places in rank from 2013, thanks to a 46.6 percent increase of inbound arrivals.

Cancun made history in 2014, beating Mexico City with over four million visitors, a 42.1 percent increase from the previous year.

U.S. Rankings for International Travel

Curious which U.S cities piqued the interest of international travelers? Here’s how they ranked in top 100 list:

#8 New York (+3.2 percent)
#18 Miami (+15.7 percent)
#22 Las Vegas (+1.4 percent)
#29 Los Angeles (+2.3 percent)
#34 Orlando (+4.3 percent)
#52 San Francisco (+2.3 percent)
#81 Honolulu (+2.6 percent)

You can see all 100 cities by downloading the free Euromonitor report here.

A visit to the legendary Napa Valley never seems to last quite long enough. All year round, guests are met with warm welcomes, postcard views, and, of course, world-class wine.

Time and time again, members of the business community have chosen this culture-rich oasis to inspire and reward their colleagues. Whether looking to host a large-scale event or an intimate retreat, the Napa Valley offers a host of unique venues, meeting space, and lodging options.

And let’s face it, saying, “I’m heading to the Napa Valley on business,” has such a fabulous ring to it.

The Napa Valley has been endowed with the perfect environment to cultivate some of the world’s finest wine grapes. There are more than 500 wineries, ninety-five percent of which are family-owned and operated. Many wineries can accommodate groups for meetings and events within their private tasting rooms, barrel rooms, or wine caves. They also offer activities that include educational tours & tastings and interactive wine blending and bottling.

Home to more than 125 restaurants, the Napa Valley is endowed with more Michelin stars per capita than any other wine region in the world. Here is where the farm-to-table culinary scene meets the creativity of some of the world’s best chefs. From intimate to expansive and modern to cozy, many Napa Valley restaurants welcome groups of all kinds to focus, relax, or refuel while savoring every bite.

Discover some of the country’s finest spas in the heart of the Napa Valley, as well as an abundance of exceptional outdoor pursuits. What better way to rejuvenate your team than with a hike through a nature preserve, hot air ballooning as the sun rises, playing 18 holes of golf surrounded by rolling vineyard hills, or taking a soak in the geothermal springs?

The artistic side of the valley may be its best-kept secret. Art is popping up all across the region with more than 40 arts and culture institutions and 70 wineries housing a total of more than 10,000 works of art. Along with multiple performance venues that can pack the house, there are many ways to find your muse within the Napa Valley.

Visit Napa Valley is your go-to resource for facilitating exceptional events and meetings. The sales team offers complimentary assistance with all of your needs, including lead sourcing, site selection guidance, maps and brochures, transportation and team building activities recommendations and more. Start planning your next meeting or event at VisitNapaValley.com/Meetings