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Island Safari and Stingray Tour in Antigua

BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!
From £81.85
Location: St Johns, Antigua and Barbuda

Take this exciting Island Safari tour of Antigua and you’ll never look at island exploration the same again. Strap into the back of one of the custom made Land Rover Defenders and hold on for the ride of your life! You are about to go where other tours dare not venture.

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Inclusions:

* Island safari tour
* Experienced tour guides
* Stingray city snorkelling tour
* Lunch
* Beverages
* Local taxes
* Hotel pickup and drop off
* Conducted in English

Skilled drivers, each with years of experience under their belt, will drive you through the rough terrain of the mostly uncharted and illusive Antiguan country sides where you’ll get to be up close and personal with the exotic plants and animals seen no where else on the island.

Sip on our special jungle juice and feel free to laugh and yell as loud as you want as we trek boldly over rugged, mud covered trails. Discover hidden sections of Antigua not easily accessible by regular vehicles. But that’s not where the fun ends! Next you will drive you through the quaint fishing village of Seatons to Stingray City Antigua.

You will be greeted by the professional staff at Stingray City who will give you a safety briefing. After the briefing you will be provided with your snorkel equipment, from Seatons a skiff will transport you to Barge Reef, the home of Stingray City Antigua, where the calm crystal clear water is home to many Southern Stingrays. Professional staff assists you, to play, feed and swim with the tame stingray. The waters are only 3-6 feet deep so even non-swimmers can enjoy the rays!

These amazing animals will surprise you with their gentleness; these once feared ‘beasts’ will find a special new place in your heart and provide you with an unforgettable memory.

Returning back to the dive store, you can rinse off with a fresh water shower underneath the coconut tree. A delicious lunch will be served that you can wash down with some complimentary, refreshing rum or fruit punch! Then you will get the chance to view the photos from the day and purchase them to cherish this memory forever, as well as some local arts and other souvenirs from your day!

Schedule

Departure Point: Tour departs from selected Antigua hotels
Departure Time: Passengers will be pickup from their hotel between 8:00 – 8:30am, depending on the hotel location. Exact pickup time will be provided at time of booking.

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

COMPARE AND BOOK FROM 20+ HOTEL DEALS IN ST. JOHNS, ANTIGUA

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Sri Lanka

Promoting Sri Lanka as a film location

On an international scale that movie filming creates economic and social impact on destinations. In destination perspectives, it generate various economic impacts to the country where the significant area of concern. In the global film industry, India plays a major role producing more than 600 films per year as the world’s largest film producing country investing big money.

The tourism industry is now using branding as a means of emphasising the feel of the place and developing a personality of the location as this differentiates the destination from the typical travelogue attraction because the branded destination is an experience not just a place to go.

Sri Lanka Film industry has been witnessed on an international scale as an ideal film location destination for the following popular films shot in Sri Lanka: Bridge on the River Qwai, Jungle Book, Indiana Jones, Mother Theresa, Water, Temple of the doom and Tarzen.

From a tourism point of view, India is the second highest outbound market in the world after China (UNWTO). As one of the world’s most populated nations and with a rapidly expanding middle class, India offers huge potential as an outbound market supplying millions of potential travellers.

According to the past survey conducted by Nielsen India Outbound Travel Monitor 2008, in partnership with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) reveals that, most of India’s outbound travellers hail from urban centres, they are well educated and well informed about the world and are eager to learn more through international travel.

By looking at the enormous potential we have in the film locations as well as tourist attractions in the country, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau participated at the Cinemascopes event being a ‘Silver Partner’ of the event which was a B2B conference and exhibition of location facilitators organized by SATTE (South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange) in partnership with The Film and Television Producers GUILD of India the apex body of Bollywood producers from October 28 to 29 in Mumbai, India together with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, SriLankan Airlines and The Film Team, one of the leading companies registered in the film industry under the National Film Corporation. The event was a great success for Sri Lanka to promote the country as an ideal Film Location Destination while meeting, greeting and enhancing relations leadingto business with well known film producers in India under one roof.

Some of the great personalities in the Indian Film Industry participated at the above event too. Shekhar Kapur, is an internationally recognized Bollywood Film Producer/Director who has been awarded directing the winning period film Elizabeth. His other films include Bandit Queen and Mr. India. Mukesh Bhatt, a leading film producer in India who has produced more than 50 films. Ashok Thackeria, a leading film producer in India, Maharaja Mewar and Ms. Tisca Chopra, a popular Actress in India.

‘Sri Lanka is a paradise on earth. One of the very few places still left in its pristine beauty’, said Shekhar Kapur speaking at the event. ‘Benefit to tourism from film locations can be enormous.’ He further added that countries such as New Zealand provided many incentives to Indian film- makers to visit New Zealand for their film locations, as a result these counties have witnessed up to 40% increase in tourist arrivals from India. Through this event, Sri Lanka Tourism was able to attract many Indian personalities who are involved in the Indian film industry showcasing Sri Lanka pavilion with many beautiful film locations together with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, SriLankan Airlines and the Film Team (Pvt) Ltd.

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Sri Lanka

Prospects bright for Sri Lanka tourist industry

Over 450,000 tourist arrivals targeted by end 2009

Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

Sri Lanka’s tourist industry is poised to become a vibrant industry with the next winter season prospects looking bright. It is anticipated that the number of tourist arrivals would exceed 450,000 by the end of the year, Tourist Hotels Association Sri Lanka, President, Srilal Miththapala told Daily News Business.

The number of arrivals increased every month after the war ended and it has already offset the 11 percent decrease recorded last year. “There was a rapid increase in tourist arrivals after the war ended where steady monthly increases were recorded. This indicates that tourism is a fast re-bouncing industry”, he said.

The room occupancy has increased from 40 percent – 60 percent and the beach hotels in particular are doing well. The winter season is looking good with an increased number of bookings. The tourism industry is progressing steadily, he said.

The Tourism Promotion Bureau has drawn up a comprehensive plan to promote Sri Lanka. For the first time, the country will be advertised on channels such as CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera and Discovery.

The programs will be telecast up to mid December immediately after the news and this would provide wide publicity to attract tourists to the country. There would also be a country specific promotion program targeting tourists from India, UK, France and Germany from early next year, he said.

Travel journalists will be invited from targeted countries to showcase Sri Lanka. There will also be a calendar of events for specific promotions such as family festival in Negombo, Vesak and Poson promotion campaigns and reality shows. In addition, modern technology – facebook and blogs would be used to attract tourists. A blogging competition is also on the cards. This will be a multi-pronged strategy, he said.

The increased room rates will be effective from next year as bookings for this year have been already completed. With the anticipated number of tourist arrivals the country could earn more foreign exchange, he said.

The beach resorts in Negombo, Bentota, Beruwela and city hotels are recording improved performances whereas hotels in Kandy and Dambulla are lagging behind. The high-end hotels are doing well, he said.

“We need to refurbish our hotels. For this we need Government support in the short term. We also need to improve our transport facilities that are used for tourist transportation. The infrastructure development is at satisfactory level and it has a positive impact on the tourist industry”, Miththapala said.

Thanks: DailyNews.lk

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COMPARE AND BOOK HOTELS IN SRI LANKA HERE!

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Sri Lanka

SriLankan Airlines flies to more destinations

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

SriLankan Airlines will increase its frequencies to Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany and France and hoping to re-connect more flights to Indian destinations, said CEO of SriLankan Airlines, Manoj Gunawardane.

He said that the Airline will start flights to Milan from December 16 and operate two daily flights to London. The Airline will also consider a new destination in Germany and increase frequencies to Milan and France, he said.

The CEO said that they would re connect Hyderabad and Cochin as there is a demand for these two sectors.

We are working with Sri Lanka tourism and the travel sector to help promote Sri Lanka as a destination, he said. He said that this is the first time after 30 years of war they are attending the World Travel Mart (WTM) and the feedback they received was very encouraging. This is why we have decided to have two flights a day to London, he added.

He said the airlines faced a down turn during the past two years and it was no exception to SriLankan. We have re fleeted and are rebounding and the cargo sector is doing well which is a positive factor, he said.

Commenting on the Mihin Lanka operations he said that it is not having any negative impact on SriLankan as they have a well coordinated marketing approach.

SriLankan Airlines do not give up anything for Mihin and Mihin does not take anything from us, he stressed. He also said that they may re-start the stalled air taxi service if there is an industry demand. We stoped operations due to security reasons, he said. The Internet bookings are increasing and it accounts to six per cent of the airline sales. We hope to increase this to 20 per cent by end of next year, Gunawardane said. The ‘hot seats’ promotions are becoming popular and the ‘destination of the week campaign’ has been successful.

Expressing his views on the low cost carriers he said that they have helped to increase the market size which has benefited Sri Lanka as well.

Thanks: SriLankan Airlines

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For flights to Colombo on Sri Lankan Airlines – here!

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Tourism launches international campaign

Sri Lanka Tourism (SLT) will be launching a global communication campaign this month for ‘Visit Sri Lanka 2011’, focusing on TV as primary medium to communicate with potential tourists and lure them to Sri Lanka in 2011 in line with the President’s target to bring 2.5 million tourists by 2016.

According to a press release, the channels that will air the campaign include CCB, Al Jazeera, CNN and Discovery Travel & Living. The campaign will span a period of 20 weeks and will kick-start with a 60 second TV commercial for 5 weeks after which time 30 second spots will air for the remaining period.

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Bernard Goonetilleke was quoted as saying that the campaign couldn’t have been launched at a better time with inbound tourist arrivals showing a marked month on month growth when compared to the corresponding period in 2008. The overall inbound tourism figures have seen a marked improvement during the second half of this year with increasing trends recorded month on month. The arrivals for September alone jumped a resounding 28.6 % when compared to the same period in 2008.

The press release stated that Al Jazeera had been acclaimed the Most Popular International News Channel on YouTube and was voted Best 24 Hour News Programme at the 48th Monte Carlo Television Festival. In October 2004, The Washington Post surveyed 120 international TV channels received in the Middle East and found that Al Jazeera Channel was the most popular with 51.7% of viewers deeming it the news source of choice. The Sri Lanka Tourism campaign will reach over 137 million homes worldwide and will broadcast on the English and Arabic feed. This makes it an ideal platform for Sri Lanka Tourism to gain a firm stronghold in the Middle East market.

The campaign will reach 362,032,723 television sets through the Discovery network. This includes a reach of 10,574,018 in the UK alone. On a weekly basis the campaign will be viewed by 7.2 million upscale consumers. Meanwhile the campaign will also reach more than 18.6 million homes in Asia through BBC, the press release stated.

According to SLT, CNN which is synonymous with America has a very strong reach in Europe, a traditional strong market for tourism in the island as well. The campaign will reach 80% of households in France, 97% and 56% in Germany and the UK respectively. In addition, for the first time a 360 degree social networking campaign will be launched on CNN through Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Flicker and a contest whereby the winners get their dream itinerary will be launched on a CNN microsite.

Minister of Tourism Promotion Faizer Mustapha said SLT would like to move with the times and not remain stuck in traditional methods of promoting Sri Lanka as a destination. “It is an experiment for us in two-fold, we are using marketing tools that are new to us and marketing Sri Lanka for the first time in 30 years as a peaceful destination.”

Thanks: Sri Lanka Tourism

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Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua Helicopter Tour

BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!
From £89.10
Location: St Johns, Antigua and Barbuda
4star based on 2 reviews

Antigua helicopter tours offer a variety of truly amazing panoramic delights, priceless memories and photographic opportunities for both around the island tours and Montserrat volcano tour. Flights can be arranged for a 45 minute Montserrat Volcano Tour, or a 20 or 30 minute Antigua Island Tour.

Inclusions:

* 20, 30 or 45 minute helicopter flight
* Local taxes
* Conducted in English

A flight over Montserrat offers a very rare opportunity to witness an active volcano from a safe distance. After laying dormant for over half a century, the Soufriere Hills Volcano rumbled to life in 1995 and has been active ever since. Activity increased in 1997, with huge eruptions of lava, rocks and ash changing the face of Montserrat forever. Entire villages were engulfed by pyroclastic flows, and the southern half of the island was evacuated and is still considered an exclusion zone today.

Antigua is just 13 miles across but has many coves and bays, and 365 white sand beaches – one for every day of the year! The island has warm, steady winds, a complex coastline of safe harbours, and a protective, nearly unbroken wall of coral reef. Seeing Antigua from a helicopter is a beautiful sight, one not easily forgotten.

Please note: All passenger’s weights must be advised at the time of booking.

Schedule

Departure Point: Jolly Harbour Shopping Centre
Departure Time: Departure times vary daily. Upon confirmation a departure time will be advised.

All flight times are approximate and subject to change due to weather conditions and weight restrictions.

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

After a few booking problems, the flight took place when finally scheduled and was brilliant, well worth the trip. The journey over Montserrat was something quite special and could only be done in a helicopter.

Reviewed by: Anonymous, United Kingdom

COMPARE AND BOOK FROM 20+ HOTEL DEALS IN ST. JOHNS, ANTIGUA

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USA

Nickelodeon Blast Zone at Universal Studios

If you are taking younger kids, aged twelve and under, to Universal Studios, they will probably be most interested in the Nickelodeon Blast Zone. Featuring three attractions in one, this is one of the few attractions that really appeal to the younger crowd at Universal Studios, so you can expect them to spend a great deal of time there.

Shaped like a huge orange rocket, the Nickelodeon Blast Zone is a big hit with the little ones. This is a huge play area basically – and it is unlike any playground that your kids have ever experienced. There are three sections of the playground: The Wild Thornberry’s Adventure Temple, Nickelodeon Splash, and The Nick Jr. Backyard.

The Nick Jr. Backyard is the only place in Universal Studios that will be of any interest to toddlers. In fact, it is the only safe place for toddlers within the park. If you bring a toddler with you to Universal Studios, plan to spend the entire day here.

Nickelodeon Splash is a water area. Bring a towel and change of dry clothes, because the kids will get soaked here. They can fill buckets of water in a fun variety of ways, create waterfalls, and stand under waterfalls. There are also many mounted water guns to be used and enjoyed.

The Wild Thornberrys Adventure Temple is an extensive playground. While here, you will have foam balls flying through the air all over the place – the kids are able to shoot and throw them, and since they are made of soft foam, they are safe.

The kids can also meet many characters here, including the Rugrats and Blue’s Clues Characters. The attraction is located on the upper lot, and is open everyday. If you don’t want your child to get wet, avoid this attraction altogether, because with all of the water flying around and being dumped, there is really no way to avoid getting wet. If your child is too young to enjoy the attraction by themselves, you will be getting wet as well.

Overall, this is the only attraction that younger kids will enjoy at Universal Studios. As a parent or guardian, you should expect to spend most of your time here, and you should never leave your child unattended. This is not a place to drop your kids off for the day while you go enjoy other attractions. Instead, use the buddy system with other responsible adults in your party – one should stay with the kids, while the other adults go enjoy the attractions, and relieve each other often so everyone has fun.

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USA

Universal Studios Hollywood Tours – Behind the Scenes

If you are planning to visit Los Angeles on a business trip or even your next holiday, you should definitely make time for a Universal Studios Tour. The Universal Studios is for everybody both young and old, and there is no better way to begin your visit to the theme park than by doing the Universal Studios Tour. This will not only provide you with a day filled with fun and excitement but you will also get a behind the scenes look at what it really takes to produce the Movies that we all wait anxiously to see.

If you are really interested in the world of movie making, don’t miss the Universal Studios Tour. The tour takes about one hour, and you will visit the sets of many famous movies and television shows. You will see the stars dressing rooms, and you may even run into a star or two along the way, or get to see an outdoors filming session in progress.

The Special Effects Stage, located inside the park, is another attraction you won’t want to miss. Here, you will learn how Hollywood creatures are made, how sound effects are produced, and how visual affects are designed and implemented. This is an interactive attraction, and it only takes about thirty minutes to go all the way through it. Even though it doesn’t last long, there is a lot of information to be learned here – quickly! The interaction with the visitors makes this one of the most popular attractions at the park.

For a slightly more exclusive and personalised look behind the scenes you should definitely consider purchasing a VIP Studios Pass. The VIP Studio Pass does not cost a lot and it is worth every penny! This will entitle you to a private tour of Universal Studios, and you will be allowed in areas that standard tour visitors won’t see. You will also have the right to move right to the front of the line for all rides and attractions with the VIP pass, which will save you loads of time and help you to see and do more during your time in the park. VIP passes can be purchased online, by telephone, or at the park – but they are limited to a certain number of VIP passes that are issued per day, so get yours as soon as possible.

Universal Studios is more than an amusement park, it is an interesting and amazing learning experience that you will never forget – no matter what age you are. The next time you watch an action movie, you won’t think ‘how did they do that?’ You will already have some idea as to how those special effects were created! You may even get so much out of your Universal Studios Tour experience that you think of ways that you could have done it better!

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USA

Universal Studios Hollywood Hotels

When planning your Universal Studios Tours holiday, you may wish to stay at a hotel that is within walking distance of the park. There are only two hotels within walking distance, and they are both world-class hotels that are highly recommended.

The Universal Sheraton Hotel is located at 333 Universal Hollywood Drive. The hotel has served visitors to Universal Studios since 1969, and it is known as the Hotel of the Stars. The hotel literally sits on the back lot of the studio.

Featuring 436 guest rooms and suites, the hotel has often played host to many famous guests. There is no telling who you might run into! Although it is within walking distance of Universal Studios, the hotel staff believes that everyone should be treated like a star, and therefore, complimentary tram rides to the park are offered.

The guest rooms feature high speed Internet access, air conditioning, an alarm clock, cable television, and a coffee maker. Hotel services include a valet service, a business centre and business services, a car rental service, a concierge service, and room service. There are 21 meeting rooms on the property, as well as a lobby lounge and the Baja Beach Club Poolside Lounge.

The Hotel of the Stars is the most popular hotel to stay at, but if there are no rooms available, you should consider the Universal City Hilton Hotel. The Universal City Hilton is located at 555 Universal Hollywood Drive. The Hilton offers guests fine dining in several on site restaurants, and has several lounges on the property as well. The hotel features a health and fitness centre, a business centre, and deluxe room accommodations. Each guest room at the Universal City Hilton features a view of the Hollywood Hills, including the San Fernando Valley and Universal Studios.

These two hotels are highly recommended by Universal Studios due to their close proximity and the high level of quality guest amenities and service. Because of their popularity, you should book your trip well in advance, and make sure that you make any special requests for additional amenities or services at the time that you make your reservation.

Other hotels are available within driving distance of Universal Studios Tours, but if possible, you should plan to stay at one of these fine hotels. Again, the proximity to the park and level of quality service cannot be topped.

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USA

VIP Pass for Universal Studios Tours

Unlike Disneyland, reservations cannot be made for any of the attractions within Universal Studios. But, you can get a VIP Studio Pass, which will allow you to skip many of the lines, and will even provide you with a personal tour of the back lot.

The cost of the VIP Studio Pass is quite affordable, and it entitles you to many special perks….you get to see everything, including many things that are not part of the standard Universal Studios Tour, although the VIP tour actually starts with the standard Universal Studios Tour – then it just gets better.

If you are in possession of VIP passes, you will be allowed to get off the tram and wonder around the movie sets. You will be allowed to visit the props department as well, which is great fun. You will also be entitled to prime seating at all of the shows, and have the opportunity to meet the cast members after the shows.

If you will be going on a Universal Studios Tour and visiting the theme park, the VIP Studios Pass is definitely the way to go!

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