StarCite Destination Solutions Travel BLOG

StarCite Global Supplier Showcase - Happening Now in Toronto, Boston and Atlanta!

StarCite is again taking to the road to bring global representatives from Destination Management Companies, Hotels, Airlines and Cruise Ships for the East Coast StarCite Global Meeting Solutions Showcase June 16-18, 2008.

If you are a meeting planner near Toronto, Boston or Atlanta you'll want to plan on registering for one of these great events where you will be able to discuss actual travel needs with representatives from around the world. Regions already scheduled to appear include: Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States.

Meet face-to-face with destination representatives.
Get information about emerging destinations for events.
Great food and beverage will be served.
Exciting trips and regional prizes will be awarded.

Register today for this amazing opportunity to meet a great deal of valuable resources in a convenient event format near you.

Thank You
Chip Stockman
StarCite Destination Solutions Team

StarCite Global Meetings Showcase visits Toronto, Boston and Atlanta June, 2008 - Register Now

StarCite is again taking to the road to bring global representatives from Destination Management Companies, Hotels, Airlines and Cruise Ships for the East Coast StarCite Global Meeting Solutions Showcase June 16-18, 2008.

If you are a meeting planner near Toronto, Boston or Atlanta you'll want to plan on registering for one of these great events where you will be able to discuss actual travel needs with representatives from around the world. Regions already scheduled to appear include: Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States.

Meet face-to-face with destination representatives.
Get information about emerging destinations for events.
Great food and beverage will be served.
Exciting trips and regional prizes will be awarded.

Register today for this amazing opportunity to meet a great deal of valuable resources in a convenient event format near you.

Thank You
Chip Stockman
StarCite Destination Solutions Team

Matt Lauer (NBC Today Show) picks another StarCite Location!

OK, We're three - for four meaning that Matt Lauer and his team have picked three StarCite Destination Solutions locations out of four possible travel locations this week during the Today Show's Where in the World is Matt Lauer travel segment.

This morning Matt Lauer started the day in Istanbul Turkey.
Here at StarCite's Destination Solutions Team we know that Turkey is an amazing location and would like to introduce you to our destination management company affiliate in the area.

Visit O.D.S. Turkey (DMC), or download an Information page for assistance on your travels in this amazing area of the world, or learn more on our Destination Turkey web page.

Keep traveling and watch Matt Lauer on NBC's Today Show tomoroow to see what his final location is.
Chip Stockman

Conceptours awarded Partners in Success Award of Merit

We just learned that after a long lasting relationship between Conceptours, Greece and BI, on February 12, 2008 Conceptours was awarded the Partners in Success Award of Merit. This award was in recognition of the high standards of service and cooperation that Conceptours has provided BI over the years.

2008 Marks another milestone in Conceptours' history. The last 31 years have seen countless changes throughout Greece and within Conceptours itself. One thing however has remained constant, Conceptours' dedication to providing clients with, quality service, creativity, tailor made programs and more at the best possible prices.

StarCite is proud to call Conceptours a Global Supplier Member for DMC services to our Destination Solutions Team and its customers.

For more information please see the Conceptours listing on the StarCite Marketplace.

Chip Stockman
cstockman@starcite.com
StarCite Destination Solutions Team

StarCite.TV breaks 50,000 video and photo views!

StarCite.TV the video, photo and 360 degree photo tool designed to help meeting, incentive travel and events planners see destinations and hospitality locations right from the comfort of their desk has passed the 50,000 view mark.

We are proud of the recent historic activity point and invite you to do your own online search to hotels, destinations, special tours and more.

Chip Stockman
StarCite

StarCite's Global Supplier Showcase USA Tour Dates

StarCite's Destination Solutions Team is excited to be bringing hospitality and destination suppliers from around the globe to nine locations this year as part of our 2008 Global Supplier Showcase.

If you are in the meeting planning industry and are looking for interesting locations fromaround the globe you should make the time to visit these one-day events.

Watch our invite video and register via the links below.

Central USA - March 11-13; Minnesota, Chicago and Dallas
East Coast USA - June 17-19; Toronto, Boston and Atlanta
West Coast USA - October 14-16; San Francisco, Los Angeles and Orange County, California

I hope to see you at a location nearby very soon.

Chip Stockman
StarCite Destination Solutons Team

Trends: Eco-hotels, cruises, Croatia await in '08 (USA Today)

From The USA Today Website - January 2008

By Kitty Bean Yancey, Gene Sloan, Jerry Shriver, Laura Bly and Jayne Clark, USA TODAY

From hotels to cruising, adventure travel to destinations, USA TODAY asks travel industry insiders to predict the hottest trends for the new year. Here's what in the air — and on land and sea — for intrepid travelers.

Hotels

•Walking the eco-talk. "Probably the No. 1 trend is the greening of the hotel industry," American Hotel & Lodging Association president Joe McInerney says. But there's confusion over what green means, and which lodgings are truly eco-friendly. "Every hotel company has an environmental specialist, and we're working with them to develop a certification program in the next 90 days," he says. It will involve "an inspection, not just trusting" self-reported eco-programs. Inspection results may be tied to AAA ratings, he says.

•Viva Las Vegas! Vegas hotels are on a roll, with 2007 occupancy above 90%, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority says. More luxury Strip joints are on the way — The Palazzo, sister hotel to The Venetian, opens next week. Donald Trump is moving in with a condo hotel due later this year. Vegas "has a wonderful market in the USA and China, and they're raising the level of amenities," says Dick Johnson, editor of the Hotel-Online.com newsletter.

Read complete article at USA Today:

Read more about StarCite's Suppliers in Croatia.
Request information from the Croatia Meetings and Incentives Consortium
Download the Croatia Meetings and Incentives Brochure (PDF)

Chip Stockman
StarCite, Destination Solutions Team

Travel Itineraries and an online video for Croatia Now Available!

You can now download sample travel itineraries from Croatia.

The Beauty of the Mediterranean, The Style of Europe
Dubrovnik - The Renaissance Jewel
It has been called a classic medieval heart-stopper, with ancient fairytale spires and orange-tiled roofs draped over the high-cliffed Adriatic Coastline. A world Heritage Site, Dubrovnik is filled with fountains, palaces and cathedrals rich in history and culture dating back to the 7th Century.

Zagreb - Past Made Perfect
Boasting a rich cultural heritage that dates back to medieval days, Zagreb remains delightfully alluring ass both a historic gem and modern-day economic hub. It's ancient cobblestone streets, majestic ruins, landscaped promenades and stately architecture speak volumes about a past defined by the glories of the Roman Empire, centuries of Venetian rule and imprints of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Watch a short online video Unique Dubrovnik Dubrovnik Travel.

Download Sample Croatia Travel Itineraries now or contact StarCite's Destination Team at 1.800.628.1058

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts adding another hotel in Brazil

At Iberostar Hotels and Resorts we work to make your stay memorable, whether on business or for pleasure. We are always thinking of new concepts and activities to introduce, with the highest quality and the smile that is the hallmark of our services. Your loyalty has helped us grow in numbers of hotels and destinations, and here in Brazil it is no different.

After incorporating the Iberostar Bahia, in Salvador of Bahia, we are preparing to open the second hotel in the same Iberostar Praia do Forte complex, with another 530 rooms. We hope you will always enjoy your stay in one of our hotels in Brazil or Iberostar's other 35 destinations in 14 countries around the world.

Yours truly,
D. Miguel Fluxa

Find more information about travel options in Brazil at: http://www2.starcite.com/html/english/partners/destination_partners/destinations/south_america/brazil.htm

Postcards from the Water - Cruise Architects in Budapest

Hello from Budapest

I'm currently sailing aboard the River Empress on the Danube. 

Riverboats in Europe can be a exciting option for groups up to 150 guests.  Call us for a price quote for your group.

This Postcard from the Water was sent by Larry Silverness. Contact me by calling 763-588-7590 or email:  lsilverness@cruisearchitects.org.