Recommend December 2010 - (Page 50)

double the love for TAHITI 14th annual goway wins again rca Best Tour Operator, 14th annual rca Best Selling Destination in the South Pacific; winner FOR AWARDS PIECES winner sarah muñoz readers’ choice award winner FINAL LOGO.indd 1 rca 14th annual Sexiest Romance/Honeymoon Destination in the South Pacific 11/10/10 4:46:57 PM FOR AWARDS PIECES South Pacific sarah muñoz rca 14th annual readers’ choice award winner FINAL LOGO.indd 1 It’s a magical place indeed if it garners two victories, but there’s no arguing the spell it casts. Recommend readers made Tahiti the clear winner in the South Pacific bestowing it with the Best Selling Destination in the South Pacific and, for the 11th year in a row, the Sexiest Romance/Honeymoon Destination in the South Pacific in Recommend’s Readers’ Choice Awards. “We’re extremely pleased to have the beautiful islands of Tahiti chosen as Recommend readers’ South Pacific’s Best Selling Destination. We’ve had the opportunity to profile our islands through several different TV shows, films, and of course with our own programs over the past few years—and we’re confident that the up-tick in Tahiti’s brand presence is due to these efforts from our team at Tahiti Tourisme in North America,” says Al Keahi, managing director of the organization. “Additionally, to have placed as the region’s ‘Sexiest Destination for Romance and Honeymoons’ for the 11th time is quite a coup! Overwater bungalows, private dinners on secluded islets, turquoise lagoons and ideal tropical weather year-round are certainly elements that help keep our destination at the top of this list.” Even though a photo alone can often sell the dream of this most idyllic place for romance, properties are also doing their part. SPM Hotels, for instance, has set up an online wedding registry so guests of the Manava Suite Resort Tahiti, Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa and their sister properties can personalize their honeymoon wish list for room upgrades and more. But as it rides high on the wave of this double win, Tahiti is keeping a few grand surprises up its sleeve but allowing a peek of what’s to come. “Currently under construction is a brand-new resort on a private island just 35 miles from the main island of Tahiti,” explains Keahi. “The Brando will be a luxurious, private, environmentally sustainable resort built in Marlon Brando’s vision. We also have the Kia Ora properties on the beautiful atoll of Rangiroa that are currently being completely renovated. These will both open in late-2011 or possibly early-2012.” The luxury and certainly romantic eco-resort known as The Brando, on the late actor’s private island of Tetiaroa—purchased by the actor in 1965—will offer 47 bungalow villas, each with its own plunge pool, as well as a spa and full roster of island-friendly activities, including archaeological tours of royal sites. The resort will be the only one on the island and is set to follow upon his hopes of developing an environmentally sustainable property. If you’ve yet to discover the magic of the islands, Air Tahiti Nui is offering a special roundtrip agent rate ($388) between LA and Papeete, good Feb. 1 through 28. The rate is good for a guest, as well. Agents and their guests can save up to 50 percent off inter-island fares through the same dates, plus enjoy special rates in top hotels such as InterContinental Resort Tahiti, St. Regis Resort Bora Bora and Le Meridien Tahiti, which just completed a multimillion dollar renovation that includes new interiors in guestrooms, additional Polynesian touches and a refurbished lobby. l contact information Tahiti Tourisme: tahiti-tourisme.com 50 december 2010 As it wraps up its year-long 40th anniversary celebration, Goway Travel is enjoying another coup courtesy of Recommend readers, which have chosen the company as the winner for the second year in a row in the Best Tour Operator, South Pacific category through Recommend’s Readers’ Choice Awards. “We’re absolutely over the moon over this. One win is great, but two shows consistency,” says Emma Cottis, Goway’s product and marketing manager. Goway’s wealth of options for the South Pacific, available on its World’s Most Idyllic Islands brochure, clearly shows how Goway has mastered the art of selling the South Pacific, with customized travel options, in-depth knowledge and a full array of affordable offers throughout Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Maldives, Seychelles and many others. “We’re very focused on enhancing the [travel] experience for clients,” says Cottis. Goway is always refining all of its offerings, especially the Holidays of a Lifetime program, which are smaller in size. One of the program’s flagship tours, The Waltzing Matilda, has been running for decades and is clearly dear to Goway’s heart, spending 22 days exploring Australia and New Zealand. Because of the pricing of the lengthy trip, explains Cottis, it’s also a chance for agents to earn a significant commission. The company has also been re-launching its Goway Special Agent program, which rewards agents with higher commissions, training programs and assorted marketing tools. Additionally, says Cottis, “We’ve now transitioned into a new reservation system where you have the option of receiving electronic receipts for instant delivery once they’ve paid in full.” l 11/10/10 4:46:57 PM contact information Goway Travel: (800) 259-2317; goway.com recommend.com http://www.goway.com http://www.tahiti-tourisme.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend December 2010

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk-Marriott International
Tour Talk-Globus
Services-SABRE; Apple Vacations & Travel Impressions
Ritz-Carlton
Hertz & Hawaii
Las Vegas
Tauck World Discovery
Florida
Southwest Airlines
France
Ireland
Italy
Delta Air Lines & Rail Europe
China
Thailand
Singapore Airlines
2011 Taiwan Travel Planner
Tahiti & Goway Travel
Costa Rica
Brazil & Avanti Destinations
Egypt
South Africa
Abercrombie & Kent & Isram World of Travel
Israel
Jamaica
Sandals & Beaches Resorts
St. Lucia
GOGO Worldwide Vacations
Cancun
RIU Hotels & Resorts & Apple Vacations
Riviera Maya
Celebrity Cruises & Royal Caribbean International
Princess Cruises
Carnival Cruise Lines & Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Crystal Cruises & Viking River Cruises

Recommend December 2010