New Zealand

New Zealand: 3 Million Tourists Can’t Be Wrong

New Zealand is out to capture the hearts of tourists around the world, and with all that it has to offer, that shouldn’t be too hard to achieve. New Zealand is stepping up their game with a new tourism campaign that shows how diverse and breathtaking their beautiful landscape really is. Their new message, “Where one journey leads to another,” becomes apparent when we discover the majestic countryside of New Zealand.  From waterfalls to diving to historic sights, this country has the scenic journeys that will make tourists fall in love with this land of splendor.

Many people from all over the world have started to take notice of the awe of New Zealand. Travelpulse.com notes that there has been an increase in tourism to the country. In fact, they state that over 3 million tourists visited New Zealand in 2016, which is impressive as the population of New Zealand is only 4.5 million. The country’s tourism council expects the number of visitors to grow, perhaps exceeding the number of its country’s own citizens.

The many guests of this beautiful country can’t be wrong. The vast and expansive landscape and various activities give these tourists much to discover. Find out for yourself why so many people are flocking to New Zealand. With so much to see and do, you won’t have a hard time.

Ireland

2017 Tourism Trends: Ireland

Have you ever dreamed of experiencing Irish culture firsthand? If so, you’re in good company. In a recent Travel Pulse article, Donald Wood reports that tourism in Ireland has grown this year. Wood cites an Irish Times article in which statistics from the Central Statistics Office of Ireland show that the country welcomed 943,300 visitors this May, as well as a 3% increase in visitors from January to May compared to those months in 2016. Markets of growing interest to the Irish tourism industry are North America, Europe, and Australia.

2017 has seen a 23% rise in visitor numbers from North America—a priority market for holiday travelers and tourist spending—per Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland. On the other hand, Tourism Ireland shares that visits from British tourists have decreased by 6.8%, which is partially attributed to Britain’s choice to leave the European Union. According to its CEO, Tourism Ireland is aiming current marketing efforts toward tourists wishing to learn more about Irish culture. Wherever visitors come from, tourism is vital to Ireland’s economy—as about 281,000 residents of the Republic of Ireland make their living from tourist spending. So if visiting Ireland is on your wish list, now may be the time to make that wish come true.

Calling All Walking Dead Fans: The 2018 Walker Stalker Cruise

Are you looking for a way to work your favorite TV show into your travel plans? Do you want to take a cruise next year? If so, we may have the dream vacation for you! In a Travel Pulse article, Donald Wood shares news worth celebrating for viewers of The Walking Dead. Per the Walker Stalker Cruise website, the zombie show-themed cruise, aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl, starts out from New Orleans on January 26, 2018; thus begins a 4-night journey including a visit to Cozumel, Mexico, before the ship’s January 30 return to the U.S.

While passengers enjoy the cruise ship’s features, they will also be treated to a fantastic lineup of special Walking Dead-themed events, like the chance to meet the actors playing fan favorites like Daryl and Maggie, along with the creator of the original comic book series and other behind-the-scenes contributors. This cruise also offers activities for zombie apocalypse aficionados, as well as live musical performances. For $895 per passenger (when booking for 2 guests) plus taxes and fees, you could be one of the estimated 2500 fans aboard the 3^rd annual Walker Stalker Cruise.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam at a Glance

Will you be on board one of the 300+ ships sailing out of Amsterdam’s port between July and October this year? If so, you’ll want to spend a couple days before or after your cruise checking out the city’s offerings. Even during a short visit, you can experience Amsterdam (famous for its canals and architecture) by planning your activities wisely. In a Travel Pulse article, Eric Bowman recommends starting with 5 goals for your stay as well as choosing your best mode of transportation. One option is the I Amsterdam City Card, available for purchase online. The purchase price includes access to public transit, a city map, and special offers (like a scenic canal cruise). Other options include catching available buses or taking a bicycle tour.

However you choose to get around the city and surrounding neighborhoods, there’s so much to see and do. From street vendors and outdoor cafes to fancy restaurants, Amsterdam offers visitors several opportunities to enjoy Dutch dining. Other notable tourist attractions in the city centre include the Anne Frank House—tickets are available for purchase online and photography is prohibited inside the house—and the “I amsterdam” sign (a very popular photo op). Outside the city centre, you’ll find diverse local attractions like the Heineken Experience in De Pijp and art museums in Oud-Zuid. For those who wish to visit the famous Red-Light District, it offers new tourist attractions among older establishments. Whatever you decide, enjoy Amsterdam!   

Newsletter May 2017

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Do it All or Do Nothing at All

 That is the best part of a vacation; you can do it all or do nothing.  One of those places where you can take either option is Grand Cayman Island.  There is so much to see and do on this island.  Yet, with some of the most gorgeous beaches, it is a great place to do nothing.

This is a major port for the cruise lines.  There can be a lot of people hustling and bustling around town, which can create a lot of high energy.  It also has it "get always" for a more peaceful adventure such as on the East End.

Some of the beaches on Grand Cayman to consider are Cemetery, Governor's, Seven Mile and Smith Grove.  While it is great to stretch out and maybe catch up on your pleasure reading, don't forgot you are in a Tropical area and take heed of the Sun.

Of course there are all kinds of active things to do that involve the water.  I will only name a few here and you can look them up on the Internet for more information about any one of them.  You can actually get in the water with Stingrays; this has been voted as the number one activity.  There are also riding horses on the beach and taking them into the water for a swim.  There are all kinds of reefs, natural and artificial to go snorkeling and scuba diving.  The ex-USS Kittiwake was sunk to make an artificial reef and a great adventure to dive down and see it.  There is another item, I haven't done this but sounds like fun is called Paddle Boarding again, you can check it out on line.

Lets not forgot about the places to see on land.  There is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, the Pedro St. James National Historic Site and the Cayman Islands National Museum.  Couple of other interesting exhibits is the Cayman Motor Museum and the Cayman Turtle Farm.  Of course there are plenty of hiking trails and Lighthouses to see.  If you're into shopping then a stop at Camana Bay is a must.  There is so much to do here and a great place to start would be at the National Trust Visitors Center. 

Yes, the Cayman Islands has it all for those want to Do it All or to Do Nothing. 

Foodies Vacation

Food - What can I say about it that hasn't already been said and written about?  So, for this installment of my blog I not going to write about food but, what people have shared about food.

One of the reasons I get from time to time from a client who does not want to take a cruise is because they don't want to gain weight.  When the first person told me that, they must have thought I was nuts because all I could do was to stare at them like I was dumbfounded.  Actually, I was!  Since then I have become more attune to client concerns regarding their personal needs and preferences including their cruise food adventure.

Yes, one has the availability to eat 24 hours a day while on most cruise ships.  I also have to assume that most of us have food available at home on a 24-hour basis.  Yes, most of the food can be considered gourmet and you may eat a little more at dinnertime than normal.  The thing is that you have a program for eating at home and it's not going to change much on the ship, if at all.  So, while you may consume more calories (weight gain) you more likely will be expending more calories with all the activities while taking this fantastic foodies vacation. - Bon Appetit!