Have A Care-Free Wedding By Using These Tips

Remember that your wedding day is designed to be a once in a lifetime event, so it should be a harmonious and joyous event. A marriage ceremony is a solemn commitment of love that needs to be carefully planned. Use the expert tips ahead to help you plan the perfect wedding.

Have your wedding at a friend’s home. Having your wedding in someone’s yard or even farm can reduce wedding costs. The only real cost would be to hire someone to clean beforehand and afterwards.

You may want to utilize ethnic dishes for a unique reception. Think outside the traditional choices of chicken or steak. Variety is the spice of life and it is sure to make your wedding dinner something to remember!

Spend some time writing your vows. These words are important for your new spouse. Marriage is very serious and is a strong way to commit to someone, understand that you both might have to make some sacrifices. Express your unconditional love for your future spouse in your vows.

If you’re terrified at the thought of spending a fortune on a wedding cake loaded with calories, talk to local bakeries about something with a smaller portion size. You may be able to find a bakery willing to provide freshly-baked cupcakes that are low-calorie and available in healthier options for family with special dietary needs such as gluten or sugar-free.

“Destination” wedding guests will appreciate a thoughtful gift of vacation items awaiting them in their rooms. The basket should contain useful items such as a map, sunglasses, disposable cameras and a hat. You can also put in a guide to restaurants that are local.

Keep your dress at the shop in which you have purchased it until the wedding day. It could get stained or wrinkled in your closet. Keeping it safely at the shop will ensure that it is in pristine condition and ready for your wedding day.

Craigslist is a good outlet for locating local talent for your wedding. To ensure your safety, meet the interested party in a public place before giving them any money.

If you want to have multiple courses during your meal, give them some sweets and appetizers on every table to keep them busy as serving takes place. Sugar roses that blend with your wedding colors would be a nice touch.

Borrow something from a friend to put on for your wedding day. This can allow you to look the way you want to and add an element of charm to your wedding.

A nice menu combining contemporary with fusion dishes may be just what you need. Throw in a bit of ethic themes with special desserts and drinks.

You can incorporate different cultural backgrounds and religious preferences into your big day in many different ways. This will ensure that all parties are happy and satisfied.

Any children in your ceremony need to be dressed comfortably. Make sure all their clothes are not scratchy or binding. If they are going to have new shoes, you should let them wear them a few times before the ceremony to break them in. Paying attention to the clothes children wear will allow kids to enjoy their wedding experience without being uncomfortable.

This is the moment when two people commit to each other until death do they part. For that reason alone the planning should be as pristine as the bride and the execution flawless. The tips in this article can help you plan a wedding that is all that you have ever wanted.

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Celebration For Success Ideas

These ideas have been known to improve relationships, enhance creativity, make people feel appreciated, and build an invisible web of goodwill.

Most of the ideas below come from a survey of the most popular ideas used at medium to large organizations in North America. All the ideas have actually been tried, and more importantly, they have been accepted with joy and appreciation and have produced positive results for the organizations that tried them. Use these ideas or let them inspire you to customize your own for your group environment. Most of them cost little or nothing and require virtually no time beyond informing people about what’s happening. You can weave them into your day or use them to plan a special event. The most important thing is to not just talk about these ideas, but actually do them.

A. Fun Rituals:

1. Champagne Celebration: Maybe the office has just landed that big, long-fought-for account, or, perhaps the division has just had a productive week together. Why not celebrate working together—for any reason—with some champagne (or sparkling grape juice if you prefer)?

2. Kazoo Applause: At Apple Computers, during a quarterly meeting, they gave out kazoos to the whole group. Rather than applauding by clapping hands (how passé!), they hummed their acknowledgment with kazoos. How about trying slide whistles instead of gavels for formal meetings? In fact, how about asking for a standing ovation . . . right now?!

3. Noses: There are a variety of rubber animal noses and red foam or plastic clown noses—bring ‘em in and wear for staff meetings, tough times, on Fridays, etc.

4. Laugh a Day: The corporate office of Bank of America issued a “Laugh a Day Challenge” to all its Northern California employees. For the entire month of April, employees were challenged to bring in a joke or cartoon every day to share with their co-workers. Those people successfully completing the Challenge were given a Corporate Challenge T-Shirt, and a book, internally published, filled with the best responses. [It's important to note the spirit of the "challenge" NOT the "competition". They weren't looking for the best jokes to "win", but simply the willingness to participate. Thus everyone wins, even the employees who did not bring in jokes, but who nonetheless got to hear them.]

5. Thanks in Advance: Sure we enjoy and deserve to celebrate and be acknowledged for our contributions when we retire. But, why wait?! How about a party and a celebration on the first day of a person’s joining your company/organization? What a great way to set the tone and include them as a member of the team.

6. Contests: Try these at lunchtime or at social events: Balloon shaving, Lip synch, Air band (or air orchestra), Worst Hair Day, Giant bubbles, Golf course.

7. Secret Pal: Have everyone in the office/organization/division/etc. write his/her name, address, phone number, birth date (actual date of birth for those with nothing to hide!), and a short list of things they like (such as: flowers, sports, chocolate, funny hats, exotic post cards, music, etc.). Fold and put slips in a hat. Then each person picks a slip — making sure that no one has picked their own name (if so, all slips go back in and try again). Once all slips are distributed and everyone has someone else’s name, the fun begins! You are the Secret Pal to the person whose name you’ve picked. Over the course of the Secret Pal experience (we recommend at least three months) your “mission” is to do creative, spontaneous, fun, and enlivening things for your partner…all anonymously of course. You might send flowers to his/her home; leave a note on her desk about how much you enjoy working together, or admire her professional competence, or appreciate his contributions to the organization; or, perhaps, simply send a Valentine’s card in September with a note that you just couldn’t wait until February to send your love. The important thing is to make it fun and uplifting–and impossible for your partner to guess who their Secret Pal is. And, of course, the extra special fun is that while you are being a Secret Pal to your lucky partner, someone else in the group is your Secret Pal, and is doing fun things for you! At the end of the predetermined time span, have a public event where Secret Pals are revealed.

B. Theme Days:

1. Clothes: Hats; socks (one only? mismatched?); tacky tourist; tacky/ugly tie; clashing clothes; have Casual Dress Day once a week/month. (it’s a way to acknowledge those “secret identities” we all seem to have; the sides of ourselves that our friends see, but that our co-workers–who, let’s face it, we may actually spend more time with—rarely get to see). In Hawaii, on occasion even the television newscasters wear Aloha shirts rather than “business clothing” during broadcasts. It’s a real nod to the playful, joie de vivre spirit in all of us; certain colors (eg. one color, or color family only, ebony & ivory, etc.); inside-out; crazy T-shirts; pajamas; eccentric accessories.

2. Food: Have a backward meal; notes on orange rind; hot dog bananas; use food colors to change colors of food (blue potatoes? purple pasta?); senior management can cook and serve food to employees; do-it-yourself banana splits; gourmet lunch; food Olympics…

3. Celebrate: Special holidays; un-birthdays; Tuesdays; your giggling friends; standing ovations (at meetings, in the cafeteria); crazy awards (to bosses, to employees, part-time staff); a person’s first day on the job; airport arrivals; Christmas in July; summer beach party in February; helium balloons (notes inside, give ‘em away, decorate or write messages on the outside); $1.00 present anonymous gift exchange; celebrity for a day; decorate your boss’ office…

4. Flowers: Bring ‘em in to adorn the office; give ‘em away with a note of acknowledgment; have a bouquet that someone keeps for an hour and then passes on to the next person; balloon bouquets…

5. Photos: (baby, pets, cars, kids) For the bulletin board; for newsletters; awards meetings; the training room.

6. Special Person Days: Secretaries Day celebrations; Family Day: bring in photos or bring in the family for lunch, have a lunch out; special office picnic day; Gopher Day: delegate things to people (ie, will you please go-fer this or that) or, if you come in and see your shadow, you leave and don’t return to work for six weeks; offer massages on April 30…

7. Be Kind to Others Day: (Of course this should really be every day!) Do spontaneous, anonymous kind things for each other—eg., clean all the tea cups in the staff room; finish a colleagues report; finish your assistant’s filing…

8. Excuses: Put up a sheet of paper and ask people to contribute the best excuse they’ve ever heard or given for: being late, returning merchandise, not paying their bill, etc. (use a real one, or make one up)

9. Awards: Night Each person gets given the name of someone else at work. They choose an award title and a fitting prize to go with it. Choose upbeat, non put-down prizes. Here are some examples of titles and awards:

o Best blow-dried hair…can of salon mousse.

o Perkiest phone voice…new phone headset.

o Most good-natured morning person…gift certificate for 10 cups of chai at local tea shop.

o Most legible handwriting… pen embossed with their name and company name.

C. On Going:

1. Humor Area: Create laugh books (people write in funny anecdotes and non-toxic jokes; bind them and distribute at the end of the quarter or year); cartoon corner; jokes/cartoons on memos and newsletters; smile more; cartoon treasuries or funny magazines in waiting areas and bathrooms; laughter cart; a laughter room; comedy library of books, CD’s and DVD’s…

2. Games: Non-competitive/cooperative games; charades; skits; secret word (upon hearing the word, everybody crosses legs or looks up or changes seats, etc.); treasure hunt…

3. The Great Job Exchange: Trade jobs, clothes, offices for a day. OK, OK, at least try an hour. 10 minutes?

4. Elevators: Smile, introduce people to each other (you don’t have to know them either) face everyone else; have cartoons on the side walls call an elevated meeting.

5. What’s Good?: Begin meetings by asking each person “What’s going good in your dept?”

6. Joy Break Box: Instead of having coffee or tea at 3:15, take ten minutes off to do, read or play something fun (read a novel, thumb through a “Far Side” cartoon book, check out the movie pages for a comedy film to see later, listen to a comedy tape on your headphones); try to have a rule: “no-work-talk” on breaks; create a Joybreak Committee to plan occasional group break-time interactions and activities.

7. Stroll Meetings: For 2-3 person meetings, go on a walk together in nature

(bring a mini recorder to capture ideas and decisions for the minutes).

8. Best Mistakes: Stories allot 5 minutes during meetings for people to share any recent embarrassing or funny stories from their work or personal life.

9. Mural: Put up a large piece of paper in a common area. Pick a theme and ask people to contribute to it over a period of time. They can draw pictures, doodles, write words, poetry, paste magazine clippings, etc.

10. Lunchtime Fun: Go out to lunch with co-workers all wearing noses or fun hats. Give an outrageously good tip to the waiter. Sing the waiter a song for doing such a good job.

11. Unbirthdays (pick anyone and give them a surprise birthday party)

12. Decorate the boss’s office with streamers, flowers and balloons

13. Way to Go notes: Have you ever wanted to tell someone what you admire, respect or appreciate about them, but never got around to it? Create a large envelope for each person at work and put them in a common area. Each week invite everyone to write notes of specific acknowledgment to their bosses, employees or even service providers–where you have caught them doing something right. Put your notes in the appropriate envelope. After one month, everyone opens their envelopes.

14. Caption Contest: Put up a cartoon without the caption on the staff area bulletin board. Invite people to make up a new caption that fits the cartoon. As people go through their day they can read what other people wrote and add to the list.

Carla Rieger is an expert on creative people skills at work. Carla speaks at association conferences, sales conventions, staff in-service days, continuing education program and does leadership coaching helping workplace leaders keep their employees engaged. Contact info: http://ift.tt/1HF2OYf carla@carlarieger.com, or 604-222-2276.

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How Is Coral Made Into Jewelry

If you have a unique taste in jewelry and accessories, then you could go for coral jewelry. Though coral jewelry is not as common as wholesale silver jewelry, 925 sterling silver jewelry, and 925 jewelry, you would surely be captured by its distinct beauty.

Coral is frequently found in clear, still waters at a depth of 25 to 1,000 feet. The color of the coral is enhanced in terms of quality and concentration when it is harvested from deeper waters. Coral needs extremely sensitive conditions in order to thrive; they can only reproduce in waters with temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees Celsius. Conditions this delicate can only be found in selected areas only. Coral of the finest quality can be harvested from the Mauritius, Southern Ireland, Canary Islands, Mediterranean, waters surrounding Japan, and the Red Sea, to name a few.

The center for construction of jewelry made of color is said to be in Italy, which is a country known for the production of wholesale silver jewelry, 925 sterling silver jewelry, and 925 jewelry. The finest coral jewelry in all of Italy is prepared in Torre del Greco, near Naples. Large pieces of coral are usually shaped to make beautiful walking sticks or umbrella handles, while the smaller ones are made into egg-shaped, round, or oval beads that are set into necklaces, bracelets, and rosaries. Coral can also be used for carving cameos that are set into beautiful earrings, brooches, pillboxes, jewelry boxes, belt buckles, rings, cuff links, tie bars, and pendants. Corals are also shipped into other countries such as India and China, where coral plays an important role in religious rituals. In the US, silversmiths also carve and design coral and release them en masse. Some blend it with black jet, others combine it with turquoise for a striking contrast.

The Italians refer to Coral as Corallo, and they make coral jewelry in various shapes and forms. The following is a brief list of some of the colors and varieties of coral that can be made into excellent fine jewelry.

1. Red Coral. This classic variety can also be very expensive. Some of its attributes include its positive shade, solidity, and attractiveness, thus making it in demand for numerous countries all around the world. This type of coral is harvested on the sandy parts of the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Naples. Red Coral can also be found in the African Region, off Tunis and Algiers, as well as in Corsica, Sardinia, Provence, and Catalonia. Some parts of the French and spanish coastline has rich deposits of red coral as well.

2. Precious or Noble Coral. Also called Corallium Rubrum or Corallium Nobile, this type of coral is harvested in Sardinia and Sicily, as well as in Tunis, Algeria, Morocco, and the Mediterranean Sea.

3. Black Coral. One of its distinct qualities is its ability to bend when it is subjected to heat. Thus, it is excellent for shaping and carving. Some believe that the black color is derived from its decomposition process because it does not stay black up to the center of the coral.

4. Blue Coral. Also called Allopora Subviolacea or Akori, this beautiful coral was discovered near the coastline of Cameroon.

5. Golden Coral. The existence of this beautiful variety of coral can be credited to the divers of Maui, Hawaii coastline. This type of coral has a glossy or resinous surface.

For great selections on coral jewelry, along with other types of jewelry such as wholesale silver jewelry, 925 sterling silver jewelry, and 925 jewelry, try going online and searching for the stores which offer the best deals on great designs.

925 Silver LLC., one of the largest online wholesale Thailand silver companies, is dedicated to providing the highest quality jewelry to their customers. Among their large selection of high quality items are pieces of cubic zirconia jewelry.

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Hilton Hotels and Discovery Kids Team up for a Second Year to Offer Enhanced Summer Travel Fun.

– Families Check In to New Creative Offerings and Amenities,

Including Digital Camera –

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. & SILVER SPRING, Md. — Summer vacation is anything but ordinary for families staying with Hilton Hotels. The

hotelier announced that it is again teaming up with Discovery Kids to

offer engaging and educational travel experiences for its younger guests

this summer. This year marks the second year of the ongoing relationship

to develop inventive travel packages and programs for families. New

elements of the Hilton/Discovery Kids (DK) partnership include a package

complete with digital camera1 and collectible DK trading cards, as well

as fun and free activities for all kids staying with Hilton this summer,

such as a complimentary DVD lending library of popular DK programs2 and

a DK menu and activity book. Additionally, Hilton and DK are offering a

consumer sweepstakes and photo promotion, and “kid-focused”

employee internal training program designed especially by DK for Hilton

Hotels.

Beginning today, families can log on to

http://ift.tt/14pAon7 to book the “Hilton Discovery Kids

Package.” The DK package is available at all participating Hilton

Hotels in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

“At Hilton Hotels our goal is to provide unique experiences

and choices for all our guests. We know that summer vacations are an

excellent opportunity for families to enjoy time together discovering

new experiences, with fun for parents and kids alike,” said Jeff

Diskin, senior vice president, brand management – Hilton Hotels.

“Our continued relationship with Discovery Kids helps us provide

educational and adventure-filled travel experiences that fuel the

evolving curiosities and interests of our younger guests.”

Younger guests will be treated as VIPs this summer when they are

welcomed at check-in by Hilton’s “Discovery Kids Journey

Ambassadors.” The Ambassadors have been specially trained to help

guide children to action-packed activities in and around the hotel. As

part of the package, children ages five through 12 will receive a Hilton

Discovery Kids Pack, a backpack filled with items to help fuel the

imagination and spark discovery. The pack includes a digital camera with

video capabilities1, a card holder for collectible DK trading cards, a

magnetic refrigerator picture frame, two temporary tattoos and entry

forms for the “Travel Should Spark Discovery” sweepstakes and

the “Click Into Summer” photo promotion. Additionally, the

package includes coupons for a complimentary continental breakfast for

four each morning of their stay. Kids will also receive the royal

treatment with a special turndown service, which includes collectible DK

cards.

For all children staying at participating Hilton Hotels, after an

adventure-filled day they can refuel at the hotel restaurant with tasty treats from the Discovery Kids menu and activity book, featuring

fun-themed food items and a scavenger hunt page. Kids can check out

another new offering, a complimentary DVD lending library featuring

popular DK programs, such as Kenny the Shark, Tutenstein and Flight 29

Down.

Additionally, select resort properties across the U.S. will offer

expanded DK programs, which include “Powered by Discovery

Kids” activity camps3 featuring educational Discovery-themed

activities for younger guests and a complimentary reception where

families can enjoy fun-filled games and icebreakers.

After their Hilton stay, kids will have the opportunity to share

photos or video with a caption from their vacation by submitting them to

the “Click Into Summer” promotion hosted at

http://ift.tt/1DpuCxs. The selected submission(s) could be

featured on DiscoveryKids.com and/or the Discovery Kids Channel.

Families can also enter the “Travel Should Spark

Discovery” sweepstakes at http://ift.tt/14pAonb for the chance

to win a seven day, six night trip for four to one of six Hilton Hotels

resorts in Hawaii, Florida or Arizona, to experience the “Powered

by Discovery Kids” activity camps.

For more details on the “Hilton Discovery Kids Package,”

families can visit http://ift.tt/14pAon7 or call

1-800-HILTONS.

About Hilton Hotels

With nearly 500 hotels and resorts on six continents, Hilton Hotels

continues to be an innovative leader in the full-service hospitality

segment and the most recognized name in the industry. Hilton celebrates

the accomplishment, enlightenment, renewal and celebration that travel

enables. This commitment to personal guest achievement infuses all

decisions about products, programs and amenities, and is underscored by

the belief that travel can and should be transformative. Each unique

Hilton Hotel was designed to reflect the sense of place of its location;

each team member chosen to reflect the local culture and community. For

more information, please visit www.hilton.com, also available in Spanish

and French.

About Discovery Kids Channel

The Discovery Kids Channel lets kids of all ages (from preschoolers

to tweens and teens) explore their world from their point of view. This

24-hour digital cable channel, reaching more than 52 million households

throughout the U.S., provides entertaining, engaging, and high-quality

real-world programming that kids enjoy and parents trust. Every day,

kids can learn about science, adventure, exploration and natural history

through documentaries, reality shows, scripted dramas and animated

stories. With multiple Emmys as well as awards for quality

children’s television, Discovery Kids is committed to satisfying

kids’ natural curiosity about…well…everything.

1 disposable digital camera available in U.S. and Canada, a

disposable still-photography camera will be included in DK Packs in

Mexico.

2 not available in Quebec

3 Camp costs vary by property.

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Destination News – North America.

Apr 12, 2009

George Washington[sup.1]s estate is opening its doors for an

unprecedented evening event May 22 to 24 and 29 to 31, from 6 p.m. to 9

p.m. In the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center, people come out of

displays just like in the movie. Meet characters from Washington[sup.1]s

world as they come to life during this special event. Admission is $15

for adults and $7 for youth ages 6 to 11 (the same as daytime

admission). Advanced ticket purchase will be available beginning April

13 online through http://ift.tt/1Bg6RZ8 and in person at the Ford

Orientation Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call

703-780-2000 or go to http://ift.tt/1Bg6RZ8. Apr 10, 2009

The romance of riding the rails may be returning to America thanks

to new federal funding and a public hungry for ways to save time, money,

the environment, and add a measure of convenience in their hectic lives.

According to a new study commissioned by HNTB Corporation, more than

half of Americans (54 percent) would choose modern high-speed trains

over automobile (33 percent) and air travel (13 percent) if fares and

travel time were about the same. High-speed rail is receiving renewed

attention in this country due to a variety of factors, including last

year’s spike in fuel prices, the passage of a US$10 billion bond

measure in California last November to support the development of a

high-speed rail system there, and US$8 billion this year for high-speed

rail in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Prominent supporters

from both political parties include President Barack Obama; Vice

President Joe Biden; Rep. Jim Oberstar, chair of the US House of

Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; Rep. John

Mica, ranking Republican member of the committee; California Gov. Arnold

Schwarzenegger; and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, who recently toured

high-speed rail systems in Spain. Apr 9, 2009

As Americans rejigger their budgets to abide the nation’s

economic gloom, travel plans are being routinely cast aside, leading to

plummeting airline traffic and a tourism downturn around the globe. But

at least one demographic has refused to relinquish its passion for

travel. Chicagoan Tim Engdahl is part of that group: gay, gainfully

employed, with no kids and a lifelong wanderlust. Bryan Herb co-owns

Zoom Vacations, a Chicago company that caters specifically to the gay

and lesbian community. He has seen no drop in business; in fact,

it’s up. Travel agents and industry organizations across the

country say the gay and lesbian community has proven far less willing

than straight travelers to sacrifice vacations. Hotel chains,

destination cities and airlines hit hard by the flailing economy are now

digging in and chasing what’s known as “pink money.” Apr

8, 2009

Arctic Ocean Adventure

Travelers can save $100 per person when booking an Arctic Ocean

Adventure with Northern Alaska Tour Company, based in Fairbanks. Cross

the Arctic Circle, explore the tundra, discover the mighty Yukon River

and the Brooks Mountain Range, walk the shores of the Arctic Ocean and

more. Travelers may receive this discount by mentioning

[sup.3]Alaska[sup.1]s Hottest Deals[sup.2] on tours booked by May 8.

This special may not be combined with any other offer and applies to new

bookings only. For more information, visit http://ift.tt/1014fba. Apr

10, 2009

Aruba

The Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) and Aruba Hotel and Tourism

Association (AHATA), through a public private partnership, launched

Aruba[sup.1]s new website, www.aruba.com, complete with a social

networking feature. Visitors to Aruba.com can share experiences,

pictures and videos from their Aruba vacations with other travelers and

Aruban locals through personalized profile pages. The website also

features a new booking engine, allowing travelers to research, plan and

directly book vacations to Aruba. [sup.3]Our visitors have always

commented that it is the hospitality of our people that brings them back

each year. It is only natural then that we would be the first to utilize

this tool in reaching out and enabling even stronger ties between

visitors and local residents,[sup.2] said Myrna Jansen, ATA[sup.1]s

managing director. [sup.3]It adds a completely new dimension to the

entire vacation experience, which can begin long before the

guests[sup.1] arrival and can last long after, with a return visit to

the island instantly transformed into a homecoming.[sup.2]

www.aruba.com. Apr 10, 2009

Australia

It does not take an athlete to become an Olympian to get worldwide

recognition for their passion in sports anymore. Come October 10 – 18,

2009, Sydney will be the host of the seventh edition of the World

Masters Games, an international sporting event boasting more competitors

than the Summer Olympic Games. Held in an international city every four

years and sanctioned by the International Masters Games Association

(IMGA). Thousands of participants from more than 100 countries will

travel to Sydney to compete in the most accessible and populous

international sporting event. Medals will be awarded in age categories

in 28 official sports ranging from archery, basketball and cycling to

tennis, volleyball and weightlifting. Following a motto of “fit,

fun and forever young,” the Games is actively searching for sport

enthusiasts and competitors to make Sydney the most distinct and

successful games yet. Unlike in the Olympic Games, competitors represent

themselves or teams from a variety of countries. Apr 7, 2009

Azamara Cruise

Azamara Cruises[sup.1] Azamara Journey will sail first-time Sea of

Cortez voyages from San Diego as well as Caribbean and Panama Canal

cruises between November 2010 and April 2011. The cruises in Azamara

Journey[sup.1]s 2010-11 winter season will visit 23 ports in 13

countries. The cruises opened for sale April 7. The 694-guest ship

features butler service in every stateroom, complimentary specialty

dining and no formal nights. http://ift.tt/1Bg6Sft. Apr 8, 2009

Bonaire

As a result of Bonaire[sup.1]s long-standing commitment to

preserving and protecting the land, there will be 40 endemic trees

planted on April 22, in honor of Earth Day. The planting of the trees

ceremony will take place at Washington Slagbaai National Park, which is

celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and the public is welcome to

attend. Participants and spectators will meet at the Visitor Center at

the entrance of the park, and, from there, will drive 30 minutes to the

planting site. Upon arrival, Elsmarie Beukenboom, director of STINAPA,

Bonaire[sup.1]s National Parks foundation, will explain the importance

of this project and its purpose for the perpetuation of the natural

reforestation process on Bonaire. http://ift.tt/1s0KW4D. Apr 10, 2009

California

California High-Speed Rail Authority officials have confirmed that

the balance of its funding for the 2008-2009 fiscal year has been made

available by the state treasurer[sup.1]s office. The state[sup.1]s

High-Speed Rail Finance Committee approved the authority[sup.1]s $29.1

million bond loan request in January, but processing was stalled due to

the state[sup.1]s Pooled Money Investment Board[sup.1]s decision to

freeze disbursements for this and other projects until the successful

sale of General Obligation bonds on March 25. Following the successful

sale of the bonds, the state treasurer[sup.1]s office notified the

High-Speed Rail Authority and confirmed at a meeting of the Pooled Money

Investment Board that it had issued $29.1 million in commercial paper

(short-term loans) to meet the remainder of the authority[sup.1]s

2008-2009 funding authorization. http://ift.tt/qgEMLq. Apr 10,

2009

Canadian Mountain Holidays

Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH), the world[sup.1]s largest

heli-hiking and heli-skiing operator, extended the early booking offer

to heli-hiking in the summer of 2009 at its Bobbie Burns and Bugaboo

lodges. Those booking with a deposit by June 15 will receive a lodge

credit of $75 per adult and youth (14 to 18 years old) booked for each

night of their stay. Children, ages 5 to 14, traveling with a minimum of

one full paying adult, will receive 50 percent off the regular adult

rate. CMH guests can use the credit for any part of their extra charges

at the lodge, such as at the bar, the shop, or massage treatments. CMH

is continuing its money-back guarantee, offering up to a 100 percent

refund to any guests who are dissatisfied with their heli-hiking trips

when they depart the lodge. For more information, call 800-661-0252 or

visit http://ift.tt/1aAHh4y. Apr 9, 2009

Collette Vacations

Collette Vacations[sup.1] Fly Together campaign offers two for one

companion airfare on two of its most popular tours to the Canadian

Rockies. From now until April 30, 2009, when travel agents book an

air-inclusive tour for two people on Collette[sup.1]s Canadian Rockies

by Rail and Resorts of the Rockies tours for travel in 2009, they can

offer one traveler free roundtrip airfare from certain gateways. In

addition, beginning May 1, 2009, travel agents booking any air-inclusive

tour to Canada can offer their clients Collette[sup.1]s new Door to Door

Home to Airport sedan transfer — a complimentary service available in

many U.S. cities within a 50 mile radius of more than 75 U.S. gateways.

For every booking made before April 30, 2009 on these two tours, agents

receive $25 cash back. http://ift.tt/1Bg6Tju. Apr 10, 2009

Couples Tower Isle

After $30 million in enhancements, the long-awaited opening of

Couples Tower Isle has finally arrived. On April 12, 2009, the property,

formerly known as Couples Ocho Rios, will be officially unveiled. The

new 226-room Couples Tower Isle property raises the bar on luxury and

romance with new additions including ocean-view suites with zero-edge

walk-in showers; spa with 10 treatment rooms; renovations to the main

lobby and historic piano bar, as well as the Terrace, Verandah and 8

Rivers restaurants; wedding gazebo; vegetable and juice bar and pool

grill; updated swimming pool with new water feature; pool with swim-up

bar and adjoining dive pool; upgraded gym and aerobics room; photo and

gift shops; renovated game room; and floating dock at the resorts[sup.1]

very own private island. For more information, call 800-COUPLES or visit

www.couples.com. Apr 10, 2009

Fairfax

Visit Fairfax, the tourism arm of Fairfax Country, Va., launched a

new tourism campaign this week to encourage travelers to [sup.3]Connect

Fairfax[sup.2] this summer. Visit Fairfax has recently joined forces

with White+Partners ad agency to secure Fairfax as the perfect

all-in-one destination with tons of things to see and do, close to

everything, excellent dining, affordable and easy to get to. Visit

Fairfax is the official tourism organization for Fairfax County,

Virginia. Charged with destination marketing and tourism promotion, it

is directed by many of the County’s top tourism and hospitality

leaders. For more information, visit www.fxva.com.

Apr 10, 2009

Four Seasons

The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North is offering a

Meetings Matter package. The package includes casita accommodations,

function space, a one-hour welcome cocktail reception for attendees, one

room category upgrade per 20 rooms booked, and one 50-minute spa

treatment per 20 rooms booked. For more information, call 800-819-5053

or visit http://ift.tt/1fWlXal. Apr 13, 2009

Hawaii

The global economic recession and consequent slump in tourism

resulted in Hawaii hotels recording their worst “high season”

February occupancy since 1991, during the Gulf War. February also marked

the sharpest drop in average daily room rates since the hotel room

survey began in 1987, according to Hospitality Advisors LLC.

February’s 74.7 percent occupancy was the lowest since falling to

69.7 percent the same month 18 years ago. Average daily room rates

plunged 12.4 percent to 187.21 USD for February, which was the sharpest

decline since the survey began in 1987. Hospitality Advisors president

and CEO Joseph Toy said deterioration in both occupancy and rate

resulted in a 21.6 percent decline to 139.94 USD in revenue per

available room, a key indicator of hotel profitability. Properties

statewide posted the worst revenue per available room decline since

November 2001 following the September 11 terrorist attacks when the

industry saw those levels plummet 26.9 percent to 74.26 USD, Toy said.

The Hawaii hotel industry continues to reel from the continuing global

recession, which reduced visitor arrivals by 12.7 percent in February

while total visitor expenditures fell 15.9 percent in February,

according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and

Tourism. Apr 6, 2009

Ithaca

Hybrid vehicle drivers can reduce their carbon footprint and save

money this spring with free lodging at four eco-friendly B&Bs in

Ithaca, N.Y. The green properties, which range from a luxury garden yurt

to a repurposed 1850s barn, are offering hybrid drivers a free

night[sup.1]s stay to reward them for choosing an alternative vehicle

while encouraging other motorists to travel green. The participating

B&Bs are Climbing Vine Cottage (http://ift.tt/1I6ORAD,

607-564-7140); Frog[sup.1]s Way B&B at EcoVillage

(www.frogsway-bnb.com, 607-275-0249); Turtle Dreams

(http://ift.tt/1Bg6SfE, 607-838-3492); and Wild Goose B&B at

EcoVillage (www.wildgoose-bb.com, 607-272-0953). The free offer is good

on stays of two nights or more through Mother[sup.1]s Day (May 10).

Regular rates apply to subsequent nights ($65 to $150, depending on

property). Availability is limited, advance reservations required. The

offer is open to owners, drivers, renters and lessees of more than 1

million hybrid vehicles registered in the United States and Canada. For

more information on Ithaca, call 800-284-8422 or visit

www.VisitIthaca.com. Apr 10, 2009

Loews Resort

Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort has announced Summerfest, a smoke-free,

sin-free series of family events that take place from May 22 through

Sept. 7. During that time, the hotel is offering the third night free.

Summer activities are designed to enhance the Loews Loves Kids program

and provide entertaining and educational adventures. Among the

Summerfest 2009 activities are a Kids[sup.1] Concierge; SushiSKool

(taught by Master Sushi Chef Fuji Fujita); the Maki Mommies program

offering an all-you-can-eat sushi and wine special; adults-only Sushi

& Sake classes; Recreation Pool games, contests and activities; the

Fisher-Price KidBana, a pool cabana in the shade with the newest

Fisher-Price toys and games; Mini Moulay, offering special salon

treatments for mothers and daughters; Spa Happy Hour, offering special

rates for treatments; Dive-in Movies in the pool area each Saturday

night; and Date Night, featuring classic romance films and drink

specials Friday nights in Arabesque Lounge. In addition, children under

18 always stay free when sharing a room with their parents; guest

staying two nights receive a third night free; and the Loews As You Wish

promotion, awarding up to $500 in food and beverage credit during a

guest[sup.1]s stay. For more information, call 877-285-6397 or visit

www.loewshotels.com. Apr 13, 2009

London Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Express, the train that gets passengers from Heathrow

Airport to the center of London in just 15 minutes, is offering a free

upgrade this summer, when it is booked online at

http://ift.tt/1I6OR3N. The offer is and valid for travel from

June 15 to Aug. 31. The First Class cabin delivers a high-end travel

experience with plush leather-trimmed seats and personal tables as well

as complimentary copies of magazines, newspapers or use the extendable

tables to catch up on some work. It also features Onboard TV, Internet

Wi-Fi access and uninterrupted cell coverage. Heathrow Express cabins

are level with the platform, making it easier to get luggage onboard.

All cabins are climate controlled and include modern, accessible toilet

facilities. http://ift.tt/V7v8M8. Apr 10, 2009

Nevada

The Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT) has launched a mobile

website geared toward mobile phones and devices. The site provides

instant information about where to stay and what to do in Nevada cities.

Browsers click on nv.mobi, select a city and get an overview, lodging

and events listings, information on things to do, and weather. Cities

are listed alphabetically from Austin to Winnemucca. Click on lodging

and get hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfast inns and RV parks, each with

an addresses and phone number that places a call with another click. The

site also provides information about NCOT and an opportunity to

subscribe to a free NCOT e-newsletter and order a Visitors Guide. The

same information is also available on NCOT[sup.1]s regular website. The

mobile website made its debut at the CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications

Industry Association) wireless convention in Las Vegas on April 1, where

dotMobi, the company behind the mobile Internet address created for all

mobile phones, announced that NCOT was the first state tourism agency to

receive a two-letter domain name. To access the mobile website, visit

nv.mobi. For more information, call 800-638-2328 or visit

www.travelnevada.com. Apr 10, 2009

Nevis

Nevis is stressing ways to experience the island on a budget. While

the island of Nevis is know for its upscale appeal with luxury

accommodations and fine dining, travelers on a budget can experience an

authentic Nevisian experience full of history, culture and adventure for

less than $100. With these affordable activities, visitors can explore

Nevis by land or water. It[sup.1]s free to walk into the rainforest

above The Hermitage Plantation Inn in the early morning to see Green

Vervet monkeys; you can also hike Golden Rock Nature Trail to explore

Nevis[sup.1] tropical rainforest full of exotic plant life and

indigenous fruit trees. Maps are available at Golden Rock Plantation Inn

(www.golden-rock.com, or call 869-469-3346). It[sup.1]s free to browse

the waterfront capital of Charlestown[sup.1]s shops and photograph the

town[sup.1]s well-preserved colonial architecture or to wander the fruit

and vegetable market in town on Saturday mornings. The Philatelic

Bureau[sup.1]s stamp collection is open to visitors for free as are

visits to the historic Cottle Church, near the Mount Nevis Hotel, which

was built in 1824 for the former president of Nevis[sup.1] family and

slaves to worship together. www.nevisisland.com. Apr 10, 2009

New Orleans Jazz Fest

New Orleans[sup.1] Jazz Fest will take place the last weekend of

April and first weekend of May, but the W Hotels of New Orleans are

offering an authentic jazz package available year-round. Available

through Dec. 31, 2009, and starting at $129 at W New Orleans and $139 at

W French Quarter, W[sup.1]s Preservation Hall package includes two W VIP

tickets to Preservation Hall; Preservation Hall Hot 4 CD; disposable

camera; and accommodations. Be sure to use promotional code WJAZZ at the

time of booking. For reservations or more information, call 877-WHOTELS

or visit http://ift.tt/1I6ORAM. Apr 13, 2009

New York City

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and NYC & Company CEO

George Fertitta announced the city[sup.1]s first-ever integrated

marketing and communications campaign to promote gay travel to New York

City, a yearlong initiative to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the

Stonewall Riots. Through an international and domestic print, outdoor,

web, and communications campaign, the Rainbow Pilgrimage will showcase

New York City[sup.1]s vibrancy while highlighting its reputation as a

gay- and lesbian-friendly travel destination. It will emphasize a visit

to the destination as a [sup.3]rite of passage[sup.2] for the gay and

lesbian traveler. In addition, through a relationship with Travelocity,

Rainbow Pilgrimage travel packages, bookable at www.nycgo.com/gay, will

be available for the LGBT community to book trips to New York City

throughout the year. www.nycgo.com/gay. Apr 10, 2009

New York City

New York City officials are turning to gays and lesbians to help

reduce a projected $4 billion budget deficit. The nation’s largest

city unveiled a marketing campaign Tuesday to attract more gay and

lesbian tourists from around the country and the world as other U.S.

cities compete to strip New York of its title of No. 1 vacation

destination for gays and lesbians. The Rainbow Pilgrimage campaign comes

as state and city officials grapple with diminishing revenue resulting

from the global economic meltdown, which is forcing many people to forgo

leisure travel plans or take so-called staycations near home. The

campaign kickoff also comes months in advance of the June 40th

anniversary of the Stonewall riots in Manhattan, considered the start of

the modern gay liberation movement. Apr 8, 2009

Rancho Las Palmas Resort

The Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa is offering guests an

opportunity to play golf at the private Mission Hills Country Club, home

of the LPGA Kraft Nabisco Championship. Through an exclusive

partnership, resort guests can now book tee times at Mission Hills

Country Club and enjoy privileges at its club house, dining outlets and

retail shops. Tee times can be booked through reservations up to 30 days

in advance. Rates vary by season and range from $75 to $150 per round.

Golf must take place during the guest[sup.1]s stay at Rancho Las Palmas.

The club offers three courses — the Dinah Shore Tournament Course, the

Arnold Palmer Course and the Pete Dye Challenge.

http://ift.tt/1m4Uneb. Apr 10, 2009

San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas, which has been ranked as the number two US city

for ‘best value,’ attracts Mexicans, military, and medical

professionals. The Texan city, which is home to great shopping and

tourist venues such as The Alamo and Sea World, tops a Forbes fall

’08 “America’s Best-Value Cities” list and is the

site of a Tuesday, April 21 auction of new homes attracting interest

from Mexican nationals to medical and military folks along with Austin,

Texas. More than 47 homes built by The Birkel Residential Group, LLC

will be sold, five of them absolute to the highest bidder regardless of

price, at an auction organized by NCA Auctioneers, LLC, a Tulsa, OK

company headed by industry veteran Stephen Karbelk, CAI, AARE. Apr 8,

2009

Sceptre Tours

Sceptre Tours is offering a six-night vacation in a Tuscan castle,

including rental car and roundtrip airfare from the U.S. from $799 per

person, quad occupancy. Set amid Italian gardens, lemon trees, olive

groves and the world-famous vineyards of Chianti, Montegufoni Castle

Estate transports travelers to a fairy-tale world in the hills of

Tuscany. Travelers are invited to come with family or friends to the

two-bedroom farmhouse, where they’ll have the opportunity to relax

in comfortable accommodations when not out exploring Tuscany[sup.1]s

countryside or the nearby cities of Florence, Siena, San Gimignano,

Pisa, Lucca, and Arezzo to name just a few. www.sceptretours.com. Apr

9, 2009

South Florida

The tourism industry continues to worsen in South Florida, with

hotel taxes dropping faster in February than in January and recovery

proving more difficult than it was after the 2001 terrorist attacks. In

Miami-Dade, South Florida’s largest lodging market, tax revenues

from hotel guests plunged 24 percent in February after a 17 percent drop

in January. Apr 9, 2009

Travel Impressions

Travel Impressions is offering an exclusive Tween-Teen, DJ Dreams

promotion at Beaches Resorts where young music enthusiasts can test

their DJ skills with the world-famous Scratch DJ Academy. The

Tween-Teen, DJ Dreams promotion is being offered in conjunction with a

Beaches Resorts[sup.1] Luxury Included family vacation booking of six

nights or longer (in a third room category or higher). Reservations must

be made by April 22 for travel May 1 to June 14 and Oct. 1 to Dec. 15.

The Tween-Teen, DJ Dreams promotion includes a Scratch DJ Academy

Ultimate DJ Session and a DJ Dream Kit, featuring Scratch DJ Academy

logo Hoodie, [sup.3]On the Record[sup.2] book on the art of DJ-ing,

Semester One DVD and an iPod Shuffle. All incentive components are one

per child, with a maximum of two children per booking.

http://ift.tt/1Bg6TjK. Apr 9, 2009

United Vacations

United Vacations is offering savings over 50 percent on vacation

packages to the popular hotels of Harrah[sup.1]s Entertainment which

include Caesars Palace, Paris, Rio, Bally[sup.1]s Harrah[sup.1]s,

Flamingo and Imperial Palace. Two-night air/hotel vacation packages

start from $174. Each hotel is offering two-for-one show tickets with

each vacation package purchase as well. Vacations booked by April 14 for

travel through July 31 are included in this special two-week offer.

http://ift.tt/1I6OTZh. Apr 9, 2009

Wimbledon

Wimbledon, June 22 thru July 5, is just a few months away. Since

1877, Britain[sup.1]s elite have come to watch the matches and enjoy the

garden party atmosphere. Many prime dates for the most prestigious event

of the tennis season are still showing good availability, but some have

already sold out. [sup.3]Although certain aspects of travel have been

greatly affected by the economy, premier events such as Wimbledon are

still doing exceedingly well,[sup.2] said Tracy Schiller, managing

director, Keith Prowse. www.keithprowse.com. Apr 10, 2009

World Religious Travel Association

The World Religious Travel Association rolled out an enhanced

website. [sup.3]As WRTA today serves as a prominent voice within the

travel industry, the organization[sup.1]s new symbols of identity[sup.1]

more accurately reflect our ever-expanding spotlight role among both

travel trade and consumers,[sup.2] said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA founder

and president. The new WRTA logo encompasses a globe with sunrays of

light, symbolizing the luminosity of new opportunities of faith-based

travel and hospitality. And the new logo incorporates the

association[sup.1]s acronym, [sup.3]WRTA.[sup.2] WRTA also debuted its

new official internet domain or website address:

http://ift.tt/1Bg6Sw1. Apr 10, 2009

ZZ AirGuide 090413

Editorial eMail: edit@AirGuideOnline.com For Air Transport &

Travel Business Experts contact our Director of Content Aram Gesar

eMail: bizintel@AirGuideOnline.com For Advertising and Marketing:

advert@AirGuideOnline.com For Custom Content: content@AirGuideOnline.com

ISSN 1544-3760 – Copyright [c] 2009 AirGuide / Pyramid Media Group,

Inc. All rights reserved.

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Demand for Hawaii leads formation to Hawaii Tourism Association.

Summary: Hawaii-based travel trade publication eTurboNews (eTN) has

announced that because of an overwhelming response to its recently

conducted survey on Hawaii tourism, it has decided to establish an

organization called Hawaii Tourism Association.

Juergen Thomas Steinmetz, publisher and co-founder of eTN, says:

“The response to our has been phenomenal. We have found that there

are at least 15,000 active members of the travel trade interested in

issues pertaining to Hawaii as a tourism destination. Those who have

pledged their support for Hawaii Tourism Association are well known

Hotels, Airlines, crisis management experts, Association, larger and

smaller players, as well as some of the most distinguished public

relations agencies in the US and abroad.”

Hawaii-based travel trade publication eTurboNews (eTN) has

announced that because of an overwhelming response to its recently

conducted survey on Hawaii tourism, it has decided to establish an

organization called Hawaii Tourism Association.

Juergen Thomas Steinmetz, publisher and co-founder of eTN, says:

“The response to our has been phenomenal. We have found that there

are at least 15,000 active members of the travel trade interested in

issues pertaining to Hawaii as a tourism destination. Those who have

pledged their support for Hawaii Tourism Association are well known

Hotels, Airlines, crisis management experts, Association, larger and

smaller players, as well as some of the most distinguished public

relations agencies in the US and abroad.”

Quick to identify the immediate need to promote Hawaii because of

the ongoing tourism slump. Hawaii Tourism Association has found key

markets interested in doing business with Hawaii tourism. “The

Middle East is a fantastic new market, considering that Emirates

Airlines now offers non-stop flights to many US gateways, including Los

Angeles, San Francisco,” says Steinmetz. “Arabs have the money

and the time to travel and they usually travel in large groups. This

market is rife for Hawaii, but it has very specific needs. It is our aim

to build a task force to ready Hawaii for this market by identifying

such needs in terms of food requirements and basic cultural education.

It has been my experience that this market is very much interested in

person-to-person business dealings and is not necessarily receptive to

the idea of traditional Western ways of conducting business.”

Steinmetz adds, “Other destinations that we have identified

that are very much interested in Hawaii are the new European Union countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria.

Responses reached us from almost every European country. Potential

responses also came from Russia, India, South Africa, Singapore,

Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia.”

According to Steinmetz, the eTN survey garnered huge response from

India’s travel trade. “Kuoni, one of the world’s largest

tour operators had tried for two years to put a specialty brochure and

program for Hawaii together. They had no help from Hawaii and gave up

the idea, and are ready to work with us to introduce this in the coming

days,” says Steinmetz.

eTN is undoubtedly one of most sought after trade publications in

the world at the moment. As such, every major tourism organizations

partners with eTN , including UNWTO, World Travel and Tourism Council,

European Tour Operators Association, Pacific Asia Travel Association, to

name a few. In addition, eTN is a designated media partner for some the

biggest travel exhibitions, including the World Travel Market in London,

the ITB in Berlin, FITUR in Madrid, the ASEAN Travel Forum and more than

40 additional events around the globe.

“The kind of network eTN has arduously established over the

years, are now being out to use for Hawaii tourism. We have strategic

alliance with not only destinations, but organizations and events that

Hawaii Tourism Association will be able to tap,” adds Steinmetz.

“We are not charging anyone to join our efforts. What we are trying

to achieve is to build a global team of Hawaii ambassadors that is

similar to what eTurboNews has put in place. The goal is to create a

dynamic forum whereby travel professionals from around the globe talk

about Hawaii.”

Steinmetz added, by designating interested professional the title

“Hawaii Ambassadors,” Hawaii’s visibility is increased.

“We already noticed some potential ideas how the industry sees to

make Hawaii a more attractive destination and add new spice and idea to

the Hawaii tourism experience,” says Steinmetz.

He added that Hawaii tourism can expect very specific measures to

be implemented in the coming months. For instance, Steinmetz said Hawaii

Tourism Association will offer the main film award stage at ITB Berlin,

which is the world’s largest travel exhibition to Hawaii to

showcase Hawaii as a destination free of charge. “We intend to give

Hawaii a chance to showcase its tourism products at every major tourism

exhibition that eTN participates in,” says Steinmetz. “We will

take a group to Duesseldorf, which is the most important aviation

gateway in Germany, as well as the Netherlands and Belgium to introduce

Hawaii to key trade in that region.”

With eTN’s partnerships with various events and organizations,

Hawaii Tourism Association will gain further exposure at more than 40

events around the globe, including six adventure expos in the United

States.

“With our network and our new online discussion forum, we will

be able to respond to questions, suggestions and criticism

instantaneously. Our goal is to constantly identify problems and share

this information instantly with tourism leaders in the state.

Hawaii Tourism Association has ambitious aims. Among them is

establish specific lobby groups which will cover airlines, tourism

policies, communication. Details on the specifics of this will be made

available in the coming weeks.

To learn more, stay informed or get involved with Hawaii Tourism

Association , visit http://ift.tt/1I1DLwK, call

+1-808-566-9900 or e-mail aloha@hawaiitourismassociation.com

2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

2008 Al Bawaba (Albawaba.com)

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

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World Scholar's Cup Draws Delegations from 25 Countries to Dubai

Dubai, U.A.E. (PRWEB) July 07, 2013

Nearly 1,600 students from 25 countries swept into the United Arab Emirates last week to celebrate learning at the 2013 Global Round of the World Scholar’s Cup, hosted by the American University in Dubai.

Countries in attendance included Kenya, Hungary, Nigeria, Romania, the United States, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Qatar, Singapore, the Czech Republic, Korea, Japan, China, Brunei, Bangladesh, India, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Tanzania, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

“The students came as competitors, but they left as a community,” said Daniel Berdichevsky, the 36 year-old founder of the World Scholar’s Cup and Harvard Kennedy School graduate whom the participants refer to as their alpaca-in-chief, after the program’s whimsical camelid mascot.

“It was like falling into a cultural soup, along with a few alpacas as spices,” shared first-time participant Dahyung Oh, a medal-winning writer from Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies in Korea. “What I loved about it that it wasn't a competition where everyone is obsessed about who comes in first place, but a scene of cooperation and academic interaction.”

Over the course of the four-day event, teams debated pressing global issues related to the program’s 2013 theme, A World in Motion—including whether communities should have the right to bar tourism and whether NSA leaker Edward Snowden should be regarded as a hero. They worked together to research and write papers on topics on diverse topics connected to the theme, from the science of transportation to the history and future of economic globalization. They took a comprehensive written test covering the six interconnected subjects they had explored all year long, then raced the clock before a live audience at the American University in Dubai to solve creative challenges in the high-stakes Scholar’s Bowl.

In one challenge, students deciphered what the impact on human migration might have been had different land bridges connected the world’s continents 30,000 years ago. In another, they inverted the narrative perspective of Ken Liu’s award-winning short story, “The Paper Menagerie.” Some involved video clips: for instance, students analyzed TV news coverage of global climate change, and connected a prequel to the film Ice Age with real-world geological processes. All 525 teams submitted their answers to each challenge simultaneously using powerful new audience response technology from program supporter i>clicker.

“An event this large wouldn’t have been possible without a system as reliable and easy to use as i>clicker,” said Zac Ellington, the World Scholar’s Cup’s international program director. “Because all students can count on the opportunity to answer, they aren’t racing to buzz in first, but to think through each problem as a team.”

“The program inspired us to take on larger problems with a new, global perspective, in a setting where people of all nationalities can work in harmony and become friends,” confirmed Angela Lin, a member of the winning junior division team, from Dulwich College Shanghai in China.

Herbert Chang, the top-scoring participant and a member of the winning senior division team, from Kaohsiung American School in Taiwan, agreed: “The two greatest prizes the World Scholar's Cup has given us are the drive to learn and a more complete view of the world. It’s a community that students everywhere are proud to be part of.”

Networking and community-building events are at the heart of every World Scholar’s Cup. In Dubai they included a mischievous scavenger hunt at the Dubai Mall, an outdoor mixer at a traditional village by the Dubai Creek, an exciting desert safari to a simulated Bedouin camp, a talent show that featured over 40 acts by students from every participating country, and arguably the weekend’s most popular event: the prom-like Scholar’s Ball, a formal gala dance held at the J.W. Marriott Marquis.

“It was better than my own prom,” admitted Ashley Branch, a senior at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a first-time volunteer at the World Scholar’s Cup. “It's not like a regular prom, it's a nerd prom—and nerds know how to party.”

Approximately 150 of the 525 teams in attendance earned invitations to the program's annual Tournament of Champions at Yale University, hosted each November by the Yale International Relations Association.

Special guest presenters included Dr. Les Martisko, CEO of the United States Academic Decathlon, Fatma Al Marri, CEO of the Dubai Schools Agency, Dave Madden, Director of the International History Bowl and Bee, Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, the Consul-General of Malaysia, and Dr. Lance de Masi, president of the American University in Dubai.

Dr. de Masi brought the four-day celebration of learning to a close with a salute to the over 2,500 students, parents, teachers, and community members who had gathered for the grand finale. “The World Scholar’s Cup is about what education will be in the future,” he concluded, “not what it was in the past.”

The World Scholar’s Cup Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing accessible 21st century learning, leadership, and networking opportunities to all the world’s youth, in accordance with its guiding principle: “Every student a scholar.” It is currently accepting bids to host the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Global Rounds. Learn more at http://ift.tt/1ENJ9rb.

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