Sports Tourism Boost for US Virgin Islands

THE United States Virgin Islands is now an approved destination to host National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I teams and, in addition to hosting basketball, volleyball and swimming events, the Territory can facilitate the participation of soccer, lacrosse and other NCAA-sponsored sports during the summer months.

Governor Kenneth E. Mapp said the new designation represented a huge boost for sports tourism opportunities in the Territory.

The Paradise Jam Summer Tours, which allow visiting teams to experience the natural beauty of the USVI while playing competitive out-of-season games against international opponents, will feature basketball games on St. Thomas, and for the first time, on St. Croix.

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Driving towards another record year for Golf in the Algarve

WITH a staggering 43 nine or 18-hole layouts that can be played all-year-round, it’s no wonder the #Algarve draws hundreds of thousands of golfers to its fairways each year.  The Algarve is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, and more than half of its courses decorate the 150-mile coastline, which also boasts spectacular beaches, picturesque rocky coves, quaint fishing villages and a rich cultural heritage.

The Algarve continues to exceed #golf visitor records after a flying start to 2017, while it has also retained its place as the best value #holiday destination for UK tourists.

The region is widely-regarded as Europe’s number one golf destination with 43 fabulous courses and hit an all-time high for golf visitors numbers in 2016 with almost 1.3m rounds throughout the year – an increase of more than 10 per cent on its previous record in 2015.

But the surge has continued into 2017 and the sights are now set on another new record after nearly 328,000 rounds were played in the first quarter of the year – another six per cent rise on last year’s figures.

Aside from the quality of the golf courses, the hospitality and the fabulous climate, golfers also know they can expect exceptional value for money as, according to the recent Post Office Holiday Costs Barometer, the Algarve is the best value holiday destination throughout the eurozone once again for 2017.

The Algarve was one of 14 beach resorts in the eurozone surveyed by the Post Office for price checks on meals, drinks and other holiday essentials, coming out on top of the pile for British holidaymakers on a budget.

Visitors know that prices for meals and drinks – one of the biggest costs for tourists – do not come any cheaper than along the stunning Algarve coastline, which can make a huge difference to holiday costs.

Maria Manuel Delgado e Silva, ATA golf product manager, said: “Last year was a hugely successful year for everyone associated with our golf tourism industry but it’s fantastic to see this continue into 2017.

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Spabreaks.com launches its hottest relaxation holiday to date

SPA-LOVERS in search of the hottest new #luxury #spa holiday need look no further than Spabreaks.com's brand new four night 'city and desert' twin-centre break in #Oman.

The trip includes two nights in a luxury tented camp under the stars in the middle of the desert, two nights in one of Muscat's most luxurious properties, return flights, plus spa treatments dating back to the Ancient Egyptians.

Guests will enjoy two nights at Dunes by Al Nahda on a half board basis, experiencing a traditional hot sand ritual using techniques from the Ancient Egyptian times. Guests immerse themselves in sunken hot sand tubs before being wrapped in fabric and covered in a mix of milk, wine and oils before a relaxing massage. 

The final two nights will be spent at Al Nahda in Muscat on a bed and breakfast basis in an executive suite. As part of the package, guests will be treated to a 60 minute exotic facial.

For more information or to book visit www.spabreaks.com

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Up in the Air . . .

HONG KONG International Airport (HKIA) saw steady growth in all three air traffic categories in April 2017. During the month, the airport handled 6.3 million passengers, registering year-on-year growth of 6%. Cargo volume and flight movements increased 8.9% and 3.1% to 398,000 tonnes and 34,740, respectively, compared to the same month last year.

#HongKong residents’ travel, which recorded a tremendous 38% growth in April, was the main driver of the passenger growth. Passenger traffic to and from Japan recorded the most significant increases.

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30 Days Wild

@Dani Cox.jpg

THIS June for the whole month, every day, everybody, everywhere, will be encouraged to enjoy nature on their doorstep, as well as the ‘great outdoors’. The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) will be inspiring ‘Random Acts of Wildness’, practical, fun and quirky ideas that will connect people with the wild around them. 

Meander along a river bank, dance in a downpour, record a wild ringtone, meditate in a meadow or simply sip a glass of wine as the sun goes down and appreciate your garden. People can spend a few minutes, or a few hours each day enjoying nature - how they do it is up to them.

This year 30 Days Wild is revelling in the glory of traditional meadows which bloom with wildflowers in June. 'Unimproved' pastures and meadows with their characteristic wealth of wild plants and animals are rare and fragmented - occupying just 5% of the area that they occupied in 1945. The Wildlife Trusts care for many that can be visited and enjoyed.

Apply for a FREE 30 Days Wild pack at www/welshwildlife.org/30-days-wild/, download the phone app or look online for those inspirational Random Acts of Wildness.  Share the fun of #30DaysWild on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. WTSWW will be running wild events for all the family throughout June.

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Stay at Ireland's Best B&B

SPRINGVIEW Farmhouse has been named ‘B&B of the Year’ by B&B Ireland, the representative body for the Irish bed and breakfast sector. The Kilkenny farmhouse features in Irish Ferries’ B&B programme, and can be packaged with ferry crossings for a great-value short break or as part of a touring holiday.

“It may only have three guest bedrooms, but Eileen Joyce has given hundreds of our travellers a warm welcome over the years and we congratulate her on the award,” says Ann Pye, holidays manager at Irish Ferries.

Springview Farmhouse is at the heart of the family’s mixed farm in beautiful, rural County Kilkenny. Bedrooms are furnished in traditional style, as befits the house’s early 19th century origins. Eileen welcomes guests with fresh-baked scones on arrival and serves a ‘full Irish’ breakfast each morning.

The B&B is no more than half an hour’s drive from fabulous Kilkenny city to the east – with its castle and cobbled streets as well as a host of good cafes and restaurants – and the same distance from medieval Fethard and the impressive Rock of Cashel.

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Etihad Guest Loyalty Programme Reaches 5 Million Milestone

ETIHAD Guest, the loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, has celebrated reaching five million members by gifting 500,000 Miles and an upgrade to Gold status to the milestone member, Rashid Al Shehhi.

Mr Al Shehhi joined Etihad Guest while applying for an ADIB credit card. Guests can earn miles on everyday spending through their ADIB Etihad Guest cards and use their points to purchase flights, upgrades and multiple items from the online Reward Shop.

“I am really looking forward to spending the miles on flights and upgrades, and seeing where I can travel to over the next few months,” he said. “It was a great surprise to be told that I’d been picked out as the five millionth member because I fly with the airline all the time so to be rewarded in this way will help me continue my travels around the world.”

Mr Al Shehhi added that he would also donate some Etihad Guest Miles to relief efforts in Somalia, in line with the spirit of the Holy month of Ramadan and in support of the UAE’s Year of Giving initiative.

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California Road Trips

THE 2017/2018 issue of #California Road Trips arrives just in time for summer travel. Distributed in the June 2017 issue of Sunset Magazine and produced by Time Inc. editors, designers and photographers, this year’s guide dazzles with Joshua Tree National Park on the cover. Inside, readers will find 10 itineraries that venture to the Golden State's deserts, mountains, cities and beaches. 

This year’s grand tour will take adventure-lovers on a High Sierra dream trip designed by 1998 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle skiing, Jonny Moseley. Starting in Yosemite National Park, Moseley’s itinerary - which is also family-friendly - heads south through the Sierra Nevada mountains with stops including mountain biking in Mammoth Lakes, fishing at Lake Sabrina and skateboarding in Tehachapi before ending in Pismo Beach for some water play and fun on the dunes. 

A foodie trip titled “Wine Country Whirlwind” features restaurant and vineyard recommendations throughout San Francisco, Napa County and Sonoma County straight from acclaimed chef Chris Cosentino of San Francisco’s Cockscomb. 

Day trip itineraries include a family adventure through the Central Valley, a journey into the otherworldly badlands of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, a waterfall loop around the Shasta Cascade and a Southern California theme park odyssey. Weekend getaways spotlight trips departing from major gateway cities and heading through under-the-radar locales such as Big Bear Lake, Santa Maria, Nevada City and Point Arena.

Visitors can download the guide free in digital format on Visit California’s website.

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