Incentive - November 2008 - (Page 34)

TRAVEL News continued from page 33 the world that offer VAT reimbursements, including Canada, Indonesia and France. These reimbursements are offered to encourage tourism and are based on the assumption that since visitors aren’t going to be using their purchased products in the country, they shouldn’t be taxed for them there either. Though four companies in Mexico are currently licensed to offer the reimbursements, Mexico City–based Tax Back is the first to promote themselves through the Mexico Tourism Board. The company has been working to get the word out to incentive planners by holding a press conference at The Motivation Show in September. By the first week of December, Tax Back will have booths at airports in Los Cabos, Mexico City and Can- new arrivals Luxury and adventure meet in the newest vessel to join the fleet of Silversea Cruises, the 66-suite Prince Albert II. “The ship is a perfect size for a corporation to take exclusively for themselves, coupled with the fact that it is in French Polynesia most of the year, which is a destination that has long had great appeal for corporations in North America, Asia and Australia,” says Sean J. Mahoney, vice president of worldwide charter and incentive sales for Silversea Cruises. While it has the usual Silversea amenities—like a crew ratio of nearly one-to-one, full-service spa, gourmet menus designed by Relais & Chateaux, and The Humidor, a fine cognac and cigars lounge—it is no ordinary Rooms at the Hotel New Yorker evoke Art Deco era. yacht, even in Siversea’s rarefied class. Prince Albert II (named for Monaco’s head of state) is a purpose-built expedition vessel, with a hull reinforced for ice that lets it visit the poles. • The New Yorker Hotel is completing a $65 million renovation of the classic but faded structure that has towered over Midtown since 1930. Taking a modern twist on an Art Deco style, 912 guestrooms have been polished for a cleaner, luxurious feel, with exclusive furniture, new carpets and wallpaper, and the installation of a new heating and air-conditioning system. Close to Madison Square Garden and Broadway theaters as well as the Jacob Javits Convention Center, the property has renovated its 25,000 square feet of meeting space comprising two ballrooms and 14 conference rooms. Views from the upper-story suites span as far as the Statue of Liberty. The renovations are scheduled to be complete this fall. on the horizon cun, and plans to expand into nine other cities within the first half of 2009. “We are growing quickly, but we’re going to be careful to not grow too quickly,” says Tax Back CEO Hannan Zanzuri, emphasizing that the economic situation has led to a higher demand for its services but at the same time makes it important to expand cautiously. Tax Back is working to make the process as simple as possible. Travelers fill out one simple form and the company handles the rest of the paperwork. To receive the reimbursement, travelers must have spent at least $120 at any specific retailer, with no maximum cap if purchases were made with a credit card (purchases made with cash have a cap of 3,000 pesos, or about $350). “Especially in this particular economic situation worldwide, every dollar is important,” says Zanzuri. “Even if it’s $15 or $20 and you can enjoy your lunch at the airport and know you’ve got this money, people will take advantage of it.” Hyatt Hotels & Resorts will manage the new 394-room Hyatt Regency Toronto on behalf of King Street Enterprises. The Hyatt Regency is steps away from Toronto’s vibrant city center bustling with restaurants, nightlife, theaters and galleries. All guestrooms and suites will undergo top-to-bottom renovations, decoratively graced with the signature Hyatt Grand Bed and state-of-the-art 42-inch LG flat- screen televisions. Set to debut in January 2009, the Hyatt Regency will be Hyatt’s second property in Toronto, joining Park Hyatt Toronto. As finishing touches, the hotel will feature a wine bar in the lobby serving an array of fine wines and Canadian beers coupled with a contemporary Each Hotel Indigo is different. This room is Canadian restaurant. • Intercontinental Hotel Group announced in the London-Paddington property. its plan to launch Hotel Indigo, a new brand in the Asia-Pacific region. The upscale brand, which debuted in Atlanta in 2004, moves to Asia-Pacific as the result of customer research into whether travelers there prefer boutique, lifestyle-oriented properties or traditional corporate-style hotels. No two Indigo hotels will look alike, but all feature intimate service. —Karen Yi 34 | Incentive | November 2008 | incentivemag.com http://www.incentivemag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Incentive - November 2008

Incentive - November 2008 Editor’s Note Headlines Cover Story: Pop, Fizz! Incentive Interview Cracking the Recognition Code Primer Travel News Canada, City Style Potentials Here and Now Cameras: Picture of Innovation The Spirit of Giving Advertiser Index Last Word

Incentive - November 2008

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