Orlando Agent Help, Plus News From Sonesta, IHG, Sunwing And More

Visit Orlando, the official tourism association for the most visited destination in the United States, has launched new interactive sales tools and resources for travel advisors, including a re-designed Orlando Travel Academy.

The Orlando Travel Academy (orlandotravelacademy.com), the destination's premier training tool, will provide travel advisors with quick and easy access to sales planning resources, including itineraries, a new media gallery and an all-new educational course. This enhancement will educate travel advisors on how to sell the destination, keep clients updated on the latest news and help provide increased value for their customers' vacation experiences. It is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese as well as a mobile-friendly version.

Visit Orlando last week announced it has joined TravelPulse Canada's Travel Agent Academy.

"We realize how essential updated travel trade tools are in helping travel advisers across the globe increase their sales," said Visit Orlando President and CEO George Aguel. "Our team is committed to doing everything we can to support our key stakeholders as they continue selling vacation packages to the Theme Park Capital of the World."

Upon completion of the program, Orlando Travel Academy graduates receive the designation of "Certified Orlando Expert," as well as earn four continuing education credits from The Travel Institute, an organization that provides education programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions for travel professionals, attractions, restaurants and more.

Graduates also can take advantage of more than 50 "Orlando Travel Expert" offers, ranging from 50% off theme parks tickets and complimentary attraction tickets to discounts up to 35% off hotel rates, allowing them to take advantage of massive savings while planning their own trip to The Theme Park Capital of the World.

A few of the "Orlando Travel Expert" exclusive perks include:

Hotels • Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista: Enjoy discounted rate of $49.99 plus tax • Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista: Special rates are available for $79 per night • Holiday Inn Club Vacations: Save 35% off your stay • Villas of Grand Cypress: Club Suite Accommodations for $99 plus tax and discounted golf tee time of $49.99.

Sonesta Resorts Sint Maarten continues to enhance its facilities and offerings at the all-inclusive, adults-only Sonesta Ocean Point Resort and the all-inclusive, family Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa. The new comprehensive fitness and wellbeing programs across both resorts motivate guests of all ages and levels to join the fun and exhilarating SunFit Body + Lifestyle Sessions, feel the burn at the state-of-the-art fitness centers and experience the new Serenity Spa, offering an array of treatments to relax and rejuvenate, along with a new treatment menu just for teens.

SunFit Body + Lifestyle Sessions provide guests with the latest fitness trends to continue a workout regime or be inspired to start something new! From breaking a sweat on a morning run to mindful mediation and yoga helping nurture and explore self-connection, there's a class to suit all types of guests for a fun, invigorating and healthy addition to any Caribbean vacation. Below are the new classes in session:

*Pilates - Perfect for individuals seeking a low-impact workout that strengthens core muscles while improving posture and flexibility.

*Morning Run - Caribbean mornings are meant for a run! Instructors take guests on a scenic route that is both invigorating and inspiring.

*Cardio Kickboxing - Combining martial arts techniques with fast-paced cardio, this high-energy workout challenges beginners and experts.

*Aquacise - This water fitness aerobic workout tones muscles and improves flexibility and coordination.

*Serene Yoga - This class guides guests through achievable postures in a non-judgmental way, encouraging mindfulness and calm.

*Gentle Flow Yoga - Step into the morning with this beautiful flow experience. The waves of the ocean guide continuous movement, uniting breath and posture bringing body and mind into balance.

*Introduction to Meditation - Learn the fundamentals of this practice to find inner Zen bringing calm, relaxation and peace to the body and mind. Everyone welcome; no experience needed.

The newly revamped 2,500 square-foot Serenity Spa located at Sonesta Maho Resort, is a haven of tranquility offering a chic, contemporary design with dark wood furnishings, a calm lighting scheme and art accentuating the island's beauty, creating a space for rejuvenation and pampering. Guests can also experience a treatment at Serenity Point, a private outdoor gazebo, to indulge overlooking the crystalline blue waters of Maho Bay.

The Pacific coast of Mexico also will be a little closer to residents of Quebec City and the surrounding region with the introduction of a new weekly direct flight service to Mazatlán.

Offering more flight options to Mazatlán than any other tour operator in Canada, Sunwing is launching the first-ever flight service from Quebec City to this varied destination. Flights will depart every Tuesday starting December 17, 2019 until April 14, 2020 inclusive. With the introduction of this new flight service, travellers heading to the sunny south from the provincial capital this winter now have access to 11 of the tour operator's most popular tropical destinations.

Known as the 'Pearl of the Pacific', Mazatlán is famous for its picturesque coastal landscapes and neoclassical architecture. Travellers can spend their days strolling down the cobblestone streets of Old Mazatlán or climbing the lighthouse for unrivalled Pacific ocean views. Whether vacationers are seeking a sun-soaked getaway or an authentic cultural experience, this destination has something for everyone.

Sam Char, Executive Vice President for Sunwing Travel Group in Quebec, commented on the Quebec City news, "We are delighted to be offering this pristine Pacific Mexican destination to our customers in Quebec City this winter. Mazatlán offers an enticing blend of culture, heritage and natural beauty and we're sure it will be a popular choice."

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts returns to Edinburgh, an UNESCO World Heritage site, with a multi-million-dollar refurbishment of a collection of 18th Century Georgian townhouses at the new Intercontinental Edinburgh - The George. Since 1881, this historical property has welcomed notable literary guests, including Scottish poet Robert Burns and novelist Sir Walter Scott, and Susan Ferrier (known as "the Scottish Jane Austen") - and Hollywood elite, from Elizabeth Taylor to Kylie Minogue.

Accommodations: 240 guest rooms and suites

Design: The hotel is a collection of five Georgian town houses, originally built in the 1700s. The recent refurbishment combines luxurious natural materials such as oak, marble and leather with a palette of colors inspired by 19th-century Scottish landscape painters.

Culinary: Stylish drinks and a modern take on Scottish cuisine:

The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen - Occupying the former home of Susan Ferrier, The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen pays homage to its literary heritage. Menus feature seasonal, Scottish produce, extensive whisky selections, and more. The Printing Press Bar offers cocktail masterclasses for guests interested in learning more about local spirits.

Burr & Co. - Local coffee bar offering artisan coffees and teas, pastries, wine and cocktails.

Rates begin at $254 per night USD.

IHG also has announced the opening of ANA InterContinental® Beppu Resort and Spa. Located in Oita Prefecture, it's being billed as Japan's first international luxury resort, offering a unique fusion of traditional hot spring culture and the InterContinental brand's modern design, award-winning culinary and world-class service.

Accommodations: 79 guest rooms and 10 suites, designed with natural wood, bamboo and marble. Suites and Club InterContinental rooms include open-air terrace baths with views of Beppu Bay or the Ogiyama mountains.

Retaining the history of the region is vital for future generations to understand their heritage. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has found the perfect storyteller in Trinidad born Canadian Rita Cox who chronicles the Caribbean legacy, and will honour her with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the Media Day luncheon in Toronto on 22 Aug.

A librarian by profession, Cox is a renowned storyteller and admired leader in the community. She joined the Toronto public library as a children's librarian in 1960 and in 1972 she became the head of the Parkdale branch where she launched literacy programmes and other initiatives that promoted multiculturalism throughout Toronto. During her tenure, Cox pioneered the library's "Black Heritage and West Indian Resource Collection," which was renamed in 1998 to the "Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection." It soon became one of the most comprehensive collections of its kind in Canada and today, continues to be a source of pride for the community.

"The Caribbean Tourism Organization appreciates Rita Cox's passion for promoting Caribbean heritage through the collection she developed for the Toronto public library as well as her storytelling events that pass our history on to the next generation," said Sylma Brown, director of CTO-USA. "Her commitment to preserving Caribbean culture and dedication to keeping the region at the forefront of Canadian society over decades is the reason we are honouring her with the lifetime achievement award."

Cox established "Cumbayah," a festival of black heritage and storytelling. As a renowned storyteller who has entertained audiences worldwide, and she ensured the Toronto public library's storytelling legacy by training a new generation of storytellers, many of whom are current library staff. After her retirement from the Toronto public library in 1995, Cox was appointed a citizenship court judge by the government of Canada.

Cox has won numerous awards, including the Canadian Library Association's Public Service Award and the Black Achievement Award (1986). In 1997, Dr. Cox was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her outstanding work in storytelling and literacy. Both Wilfrid Laurier University and York University have awarded her honorary doctorate degrees.

In the latest celebration of West Hollywood's originality and flavor, the West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board (WHTTB) announced today its first-ever Eat + Drink Week will take place October 18-27 showcasing the diverse landscape of culinary offerings and creative mixology that fills the 1.9 square-mile destination.

The "Eat" side of Eat + Drink Week highlights West Hollywood's acclaimed foodie scene, which includes a dozen eateries recently recognized in the 2019 California Michelin Guide as well as a host of others helmed by some of the most innovative chefs in the industry. The event will also showcase West Hollywood's robust craft cocktail culture in particular, which comprises an impressive collection of hot spots that run the gamut from Old Hollywood camp and new A-List trendsetters to gritty back alley bars and swanky Boystown lounges.

"Dining and drinking in West Hollywood is an art and something to be celebrated, so it's only natural that there would be an event dedicated to the creativity and style that is found here," says Tom Kiely, president and CEO of West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board. "True to our city's spirit, chefs and mixologists in West Hollywood are pioneers in their individual specialties, and those distinct talents shine through in every dining experience."

During the event, restaurants specializing in everything from classic California farm-to-table fare to authentic omakase experiences and late-night comfort food will feature special menus and pricing. Details of participating bars and restaurants and other event happenings will be announced at a later date at www.eatanddrinkweek.com