StarCite Destination Solutions Travel BLOG

News From Peru!

SUMAQ MACHU PICCHU HOTEL RECEIVED THE 5-STARS CATEGORY From september 23th, Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel holds the 5-stars category, granted by the Dircetur Department of Cusco. Therefore, Sumaq becomes the first 5-stars hotel of Machu Picchu. The Sumaqs are proud and satisfied about the award after a year of operations and satisfactory accomplishment of the trial concerning infraestructure, security and health conditions to obtain the category.

THE CHAIN OF ACQUA HOTEL RESORT SPA CHANGES ITS NAME AND EXPECTS TO OPEN A HOTEL IN LIMA The chain, which first hotel will start operations in Sacred Valley in Sacred Valley in next december will change of name to ARANWA HOTELS & WELLNESS. The aim of this renaming points towards a better identification with the areas to be operated, and thus to strengthen the offer to local and foreign market. Likewise, the chain of hotels ACQUA RESORT HOTEL SPA expects to open a hotel in Lima , as declared by the vice-president of operations of the company: "This way we will close our tour, as the passenger arriving in Lima will also be able to remain in one of our hotels". The executive stated that the location of the new hotel is still to be confirmed, however is expected to be located near the airport or in the financial center of the capital city.

CARETAS MAGAZINE STANDS OUT AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE TO MACHU PICCHU Caretas Magazine shows an interesting option: it is about a new Inca Trail, through a different path, less traveled and hence fantastic. The travelers can arrive in Machu Picchu staying in special lodges on the way, instead of tents. It is an alternative to the saturated Inca Trail operated by Mountain Lodges of Perú.

CUSCO NEW LUXURIOUS HOTEL WOULD SET IN THE URUBAMBA VALLEY If deals are settled between the Indonesian Hotel Chain AMAN RESORTS (A.R.) and the owners of ranch Huayocari Urubamba, the Urubamba Valley would have a new luxurious hotel for visitors to enjoy. Apparently local negotiations to start operations in the near future are already set off. The hotel would operate in the facilities of the ranch, considered one of the most representative of the valley due its architecture, decoration and geographical location.

Dear Fabiola and Monica : I shall congratulate you for the excellent service offered to us during our stay in Peru . The truth is that we do not have anything to complain of, quite the contrary, we were surprised in repeated times at your kindness, attentions and services. Everything was splendid ! We are very satisfied with the tours chosen, the guides provided to us, the hotels reserved, LAN, the Vistadome, etc, etc. Everything 10 points and even more. Really if I have an opportunity to recomend a tourism agency, it will be you definetly. We got the same opinion about you when asking for references and actually they did not fail. Thanks you very much for everything. Regards,

Restaurant Week In Sao Paulo Brazil - August 8th - 31st

If you happen to be in Brazil Ausgust 8th - 31st:

More than 60 of the best restaurants in the city are offering “Special Menus” made up of entrée, main course and dessert, at very special prices (lunch R$ 25 + R$ 1 and dinner R$ 39 + R$ 1) and will be collecting from those delighting in these delicacies a donation of R$ 1 for the Fundação Ação Criança [Children’s Action Foundation]. Please check for participating restaurants: www.restaurantweek.com.br

And find out more about Sao Paulo Brazil on StarCite where you can even watch a recorded online webinar presentation.

 

Peru - A journey of sight, sound and sensation

In the fall of 2006 I was fortunate enough to visit Lima, Cuzco and The Sacred Valley in Peru with a full-day on the magical Machu Picchu.

The video below gives you a glimpse of the many facets of Peru and might get your mind thinking of how an exciting and memorable incentive trip might leave permanent impressions on your event attendees.

During my day at Machu Picchu I stood on the edge of one of the amazing hand-carved stone walls with the wind against my face - actually holding me up as I leaned ever so slightly into it. Still to this day, whenever I feel a good breeze, I think of that moment.

View Peru for yourself, and contact StarCite's Destination Solutions Team to find out more about making your own memories in Peru.

Chip Stockman

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

Guatemala for meetings and corporate incentive trips? Yes!

The StarCite Destination Solutions Team is proud to be able to connect Corporate Meeting Planners around the world with great hotels and service companies in Guatemala ready to host your incentive and meeting events in this amazing location of our world. Below are links to these service companies, contact informaton and even PDFs of sample travel informatin to Guatemala.

Besides a great Destination Management Company (DMC) STS Special Travel Service, hotels include: The Porta Antigua Hotel, Hotel Vista Real and The Westin Camino Real. Find more information on these organizations by following their links, or contact a StarCite Destination Solutions Team member in your area to discuss your global meeting needs. As always, our services are FREE to qualified meeting planners so what do you have to lose?

Download new Sample Travel Programs for Guatemala: Meetings or Incentives. They will give you a glimpse into what wondorful sights you and your meeting attendees can experience in Guatemala, but remember, a custom program can easily be created to make your event a huge success matching your needs, dates and objectives - just give us a call to start the process. We'll introduce you directly to the service organizations that will provide these memorable services.

Think about Guatemala, and vist our Guatemala photo album for more great images

Chip Stockman
StarCite Destination Solutions Team

Visit the Hotel Vista Real in Guatemala and in our online photo album

New photos have arrived from The Hotel Vista Real in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Located in the most exclusive residential area of the City, just 8 minutes from the important business, financial and entertainment districts this hotel will surpass your needs whil ein Guatemala. Complimentary round-trip airport transportation is available upon request from the La Aurora Int'l Airport which is only 5 mi/8 km away from the hotel, a 10 minute trip.

Be sure to view them in our Guatemala Photo Album and take a moment to see the Hotel Vista Real Guatemala on StarCite's Marketplace.

Keep Traveling
Chip Stockman
StarCite Destination Solutions

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

Caesar Club now at Caesar park Rio de Janeiro - Ipanema

Caesar Park Rio de Janeiro - Ipanema More Exclusive than Ever

Refined, with exclusive service, comfort, upscale location and atmosphere, the Caesar Park Ipanema has been a reference in the worldwide hotel industry since its inauguration in 1978, maintaining the tradition of a brand linked to modernity. One of the choice hotels for leisure or business travelers, oceanfront located, in the heart of Ipanema, the most charming district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Always ranking at the top of the best hotels, in the most renowned tourism trade media, it was chosen “The Best Hotel in Latin America” by “Latin Finance Magazine”, it is listed in the editions of 2003 and 2004 World’s Best Awards of the Travel & Leisure publication and was recently included in the Insiders' Select List by Expedia – world leader in on-line traveling.

Always focused on meeting the guest’s needs, the hotel is constantly investing in innovation and refurbishing and has just created the Caesar Club, a new concept in exclusive executive floors, featuring special services in a multifunctional lounge.

The Caesar Club boasts 30 guestrooms, 8 executive suites, 17 junior suites, 1 presidential suite and 1 imperial suite, with exclusive services, namely butler and shoe shine, all amenities by L'Occitane, first item of clothing ironed free and special wake-up service;

The new 100sq mt lounge (on the 20th floor) provides: private check-in, continental breakfast, soft drinks, snacks and two free internet access.

The Caesar Park Ipanema also features the Board Room, a state-of-the-art meeting room accommodating up to 14 people. Available to companies with staff not necessarily staying at the hotel. This new business space features the following high-tech amenities: an LCD 50-inch television with two complementary 19-inch screens; 120-inch projection screen; fully-adapted conference table with connections for 14 laptops; digital microphones for all participants; dry wall with acoustic insulation; multipoint (up to four) videoconferencing with a speed of up to 2MB; a total sound capacity of 480 watts; ergonomic chairs by Aeron; space to accommodate secretary; CD player; DVD and VHS players; laptop available with a DVD + R/RW disk drive; color multifunction fax; scanner, copier, and printer; and space for coffee breaks.

Sao Paulo shows its diversity

From Sao Paulo Turism:
Sao Paulo has diversity as its flag. It is the land of over 70 ethnic groups and origins. Immigrants and persons of all religions coexist in harmony in the city. Religious fests and events from the different immigrant colonies are celebrated by all Sao Paulo citizens.

Sao Paulo in May:
Skol Beats - Electronic Music Festival
Sao Paulo Horse Racing Grand Prix
Casa Cor Sao Paulo
Devine Spirit Festival
GLBT Parade and Gay Week

Coming in July:
Sao Paulo Fashion Week
San Vito Fest
Anima Mundi - International Animation Cinema Festival

Find out more about Sao Paulo, Brazil on StarCite.

Keep Traveling
Chip Stockman

Hola, from Buenos Aires!

That's how Matt Lauer, NBC's Today Show started the broadcast April 28, 2008 starting the week of his 9th Annual "Where in the World is Matt Lauer" Traveling news segment.

Millions of viewers watch this series every year as Matt starts the day in interesting and secret locations around the globe. Over the years he has appeared at the base of Mount Everest, The Taj Mahal, the Pyramids and at a casino in Monaco.

At StarCite we are pleased to see that Matt and the NBC Today Show recognize Buenos Aires as one of this year's most interesting locations by kicking off their year there. We've know for years that Buenos Aires offers our corporate meeting and incentive customers a great deal of excitment and selections.

Please take a moment to review the Argentina Photo Album here on the StarCite Destination Solution Blog, and find more details about Argentina including avaliable DMC services on our Argentina Destination Page.

Thanks Matt, for confirming Argentina as one of this year's most talked about cities! Follow matt on his 2008 tour. or see the Online Argentina videos from NBC Today Show

Chip Stockman
StarCite Destination Solutions Team