“Around Town” – News from our Hospitality Community

Southeast Florida:

This year, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB) is on a mission to help end vacation deprivation by urging Floridians to get away, hit the beach and take advantage of low-state-wide airfares and the destination's "Pack Your Bags, We're Staying Home" in-state program. "Pack Your Bags" includes discounts at popular hotels, 2-for-1 offers ranging from outdoor recreation to spa treatments to golf and an opportunity to enjoy SCUBA diving through a new "Learn to Dive" program that combines e-instruction, certification, free dives and free hotel stays. For a complete listing of all deals and offers this summer: www.sunny.org/Lauderdeals.

The Palm Beach International Film Festival kicks off the 15th Annual Festival on April 22ndl with a Hollywood-style red carpet film screening. Immediately following the premiere (at Cinemark Palace in Boca) will be an opening night party at the rooftop of Worthing Place Condo’s in Delray Beach on Atlantic Avenue and SE 2nd Avenue. Partygoers will enjoy food donated by The Office and Vic & Angelos and will feature complimentary Stella Artois, Silver Dagger Vodka and Icelandic Water. Admission is $40 for both the film and party and $30 for the party only. After April 16 the price increases to $50 and $40.

The 15th Annual Wine and Culinary Celebration will take place at the Museum of Discovery and Science on Friday, April 16, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. This event is sponsored by Bank of America.

The 15th Annual Las Olas Wine and Food Festival presented by Premier Beverage Company will be held on May 14th & 15th 2010 benefiting the American Lung Association in Florida. On Saturday, May 15th the World Famous Street Festival will take place from 7:30 to10:00p.m. on Las Olas Boulevard.

The Dania Beach Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Thursday, April 22nd networking event from 5:30-7:00 pm in the patio cafe at Jimmie's Chocolate and Café. For more info call: 954-926-2323; Members $5; Future Members: $10.

According to Smith Travel Research: For the week ended March 27th, occupancy in Broward County was up 8.2 %, year-over-year. Occupancy in Palm Beach County was up 7.5 % while occupancy in Miami Dade was up 7.2 percent. Nationally occupancy rose 5.9% year-over-year. Average daily rates were mixed. Dade rose 5.15; Broward rose 2.5%; Palm Beach fell 4.8%.

Broward County Commissioners and Carnival Corporation agreed to a deal for a makeover of Port Everglades terminals. Carnival will commit to 25.5 million cruise guests to sail from the port during the next 15 years. Carnival's agreement will potentially produce $500 million in port revenue, the county said in a news release. It is expected to have an average annual economic impact on more than 6,000 local jobs with related personal income of $293.6 million over the 15-year period.

Southwest Florida:

Southwest Florida International Airport announced that Frontier Airlines' seasonal nonstop flights to Denver International Airport (DEN) have been extended to year-round service.

Everglades Area Tours has added motorboat eco and birding tours departing from Calusa Island Marina in the village of Goodland on Marco Island at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and sunset daily.

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort recently refreshed the luxurious guest rooms with new bed linens, decor and fresh paint, including the addition of an accent wall. The poolside cabana furnishings have been completely updated, and upgraded package options are available for your comfort and relaxation. The resort's signature fine-dining restaurant Baleen boasts new furnishings including new chandeliers, chairs and a big group dining table. Baleen was recently awarded the prestigious "Award of Excellence 2009" by Wine Spectator magazine.

The Hilton Naples joined Hilton Worldwide in observing Earth Hour 2010 on March 27 by turning off lights for one hour and engaging in other energy-saving activities. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has a special Earth Day celebration planned for April 17 and Naples Zoo will have Party For the Planet on April 24. LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort has a new voluntourism package themed around Southwest Florida's sea turtles. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples offers a trip to the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge as part of its Giveback Getaway program.

The Lemon Tree Inn in Naples installed a butterfly garden on March 23 in honor of its new Pollination Package, inspired by the recent expansion of Naples Botanical Garden. The Pollination Package includes three nights at the hotel including taxes, two tickets to Naples Botanical Garden, and a guide on how to build your own garden and a packet of flower seeds to help get the garden started.

The North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) awarded the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB a First Place award for its social media marketing campaign and the annual visitors guide.

Send your news for next month to: jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider

Around The (Travel) Websites:What Consumers Are Reading This Month…

In Trip Advisor:
“Astonishing Amenities” – Perks you thought you’d never find list included the
W-South Beach -- The “whatever whenever wish” service, you dialed "0" to make special requests or ask for things, was wonderful. Each time we called for things such as cleaning our room by a certain time or requesting more coffee, occurred in a timely friendly "you are special" fashion...

And from Trip Advisor’s various lists here are some of our local mentions:
“Top 10 Family Hotels in the U.S.” included Sanibel’s Seaside Inn at number 10.
Their “Sexiest Hotels in the U.S.” list included Miami’s Setai Hotel at number 6.
Top Ten “New Destinations For Spring” included Bradenton Beach (at number 6) and Marco Island (at number 9).

Still waiting to get some more southeast property/company news for our “Around Town Column”. Last call! Email: jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider