Women Only Tours from Intrepid, Plus Hotel News And More

Intrepid Travel, a world leader in responsible business and sustainable travel, has launched new women's only expeditions to Pakistan and Israel and The Palestinian Territories in the company's third release of destinations to coincide with International Women's Day.

The two new destinations add to the existing portfolio of Women's Expeditions, which includes Iran, Jordan, Nepal, Kenya, Morocco, Turkey and India, with customer numbers on the women's only expedition range growing 116% in 2019.

"This is Intrepid's fastest growing range to date, and we have seen female travelers connect with other women in powerful and moving ways," said Jenny Gray, Senior Product Manager, Intrepid Travel.

"Now in its third year, local female leaders offer insight and a unique understanding of women in these regions with respect to their cultural and religious values. We have found experiences that share stories of female empowerment, and directly benefit local women by seeking out female owned accommodation, restaurants, suppliers, and businesses in Pakistan and Israel and The Palestinian territories," Gray added.

This emphasis is in line with Intrepid Travel's new gender equality goals. Last year the travel company met its target of doubling female tour leaders, to increase opportunities for women in tourism where they were previously limited. There were 154 female leaders in 2017, in January 2020 that number was 342.

In 2020, Intrepid will enhance those goals with new commitments to increase employment opportunities for women in the travel industry. This includes doubling the number of female porters globally who assist travelers on mountain hikes in Tanzania, Peru and Nepal, to name a few.

Intrepid also has new Adventure Cruises in Tahiti, which is a unique and affordable way to see experience the destination. All Adventure Cruises have no more than 50 people on board and you can swim right off the back of the ship. The trips on offer are Tahiti and the Pearls of French Polynesia which includes a tour of a local pearl farm on the island of Taha'a and snorkelling in Bora Bora, plus the lesser known Society and Tuamotu Islands.

Five new member hotels from Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) offer pared back luxury built around the local culture and communities. Savour the old-world charm of the ancient city of Sukhothai in Thailand, recreate the glory days of Saint-Tropez in a residential hideaway, marvel at the fruits of nature in a 14th-century Istrian village, take in the wild, sun-caressed beauty of Mykonos from a villa perched on a hill or relish in a pampering private retreat in the exclusive community of Palmilla in Mexico.

The Sukhothai Bangkok in Thailand has 210 rooms, with rates starting at $234 (all prices USD). Hotel Lou Pinet in St Tropez, France has 34 rooms from $423 US, including breakfast and soft drinks from the in-room bar. San Canzian Village & Hotel in Buje, Croatia has 24 rooms from $230, including breakfast. Panoptis Escape on Mykonos in Greece offers up 19 rooms start from $800 per night, including breakfast. (Opens May 15, 2020). Villas del Mar is a collection of high-end residences in San José del Cabo, Mexico. 13 properties, starting at $4,760 per night, including breakfast.

Meliá Hotels International (MHI) is proud to announce the appointment of Santiago Rivera as the Area Managing Director for MHI hotels in the Dominican Republic.

In his new role Rivera not only leads the resorts in the Dominican Republic, but also other Meliá businesses such as the casinos, golf and club operations. In this unique position, Rivera will oversee Meliá Punta Cana Beach Resort, Meliá Caribe Beach Resort, Paradisus Punta Cana Resort, Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort, and The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real.

With this increased responsibility, Rivera will continue to establish Meliá Hotel International's strong presence in the region. Most recently holding the position of General Manager of Meliá Caribe Beach and Meliá Punta Cana Beach, Rivera brings with him almost two decades of experience and leadership in hospitality in his new role as Area Managing Director for the Dominican Republic.

Rivera joined the Meliá team 1999 for over 20 years has continued to excel within the company, working with other destination resorts including Paradisus Cancun, Meliá Benidorm, Hotel Gran Meliá Shanghai and Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda.

"As a member of the Meliá family for over 20 years, it is with great joy that we appoint Santiago Rivera to this position, said Philippe Cassis, Vice President of The Americas for Meliá Hotels International. "His breadth of knowledge in hospitality will allow continued growth and success for the brand as we continue to expand both Paradisus and Meliá brands in the Caribbean."

To improve its customer experience, Air Transat has extended its current pet in cabin policy to include connecting flights. Hence, cats and dogs 10 kg (22 lb) or less (including the weight of the pet carrier) are now allowed on most flights, with the carrier placed under the seat in front of the traveller.

Passengers who wish to fly with their pet in the aircraft's cabin can contact the Information and Seat Selection Center at 1-877-Transat or reserve at the airport. However, the number of animals allowed per flight is limited.

The cost per pet is $50 for flights within Canada, to/from the South and U.S., and $90 for Europe.

For more details, visit airtransat.com or Get Connected.

Preferred Hotels and Resorts, he world's largest independent hotel brand representing more than 750 hotels, resorts, and residences across 85 countries, is pleased to welcome 24 new member hotels to its global portfolio between October 1 - December 31, 2019.

From a historic retreat in central Mexico to the brand's first-ever properties in Finland and Brunei, this expansion at the end of 2019 represents Preferred's unwavering commitment to partnering with the finest luxury hotels in every corner of the globe.

Highlights of the new additions include the Klaus K hotel in Helsinki, the Serras in Barcelona, Hyde Beach House in Hollywood, Florida, The Guardsman in London, the Downtown Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and the Paramount Hotel, Dubai.

As if we needed another reason to visit Saint Lucia, the 2020 Saint Lucia Jazz Festival Produced in Collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center announces exciting additions to the lineup for the festival, which will take place in Saint Lucia on May 7-9, 2020.

"A Special Evening with Patti LaBelle" will feature songstress Patti LaBelle in rare intimate performances at The Ramp on Rodney Bay on May 8 and 9. "It has been over 10 years since I last performed at the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival. It's such a beautiful island with beautiful people and I can't wait to get back," said Ms. LaBelle. "I'm really looking forward to performing and being a part of an amazing experience, that people won't soon forget!"

Exclusively for the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival, Chucho Valdés and Esperanza Spalding will perform together for the first time in "Chucho Valdés Summit with Joe Lovano and Esperanza Spalding" at Gros Islet Park on May 9. On May 8, Chucho will appear as special guest on Celebrating Roy Hargrove with Willie Jones III Quintet featuring Renée Neufville. For this special performance, Chucho will reprise tunes he and Roy Hargrove recorded on the album Havana which earned Roy his first GRAMMY in 1997.

The folks at Globehunters recently released a list of the world's top nude beaches, and two Canadian spots made the top 20.

Coming in first was Playa de Bolonia in Cadiz, Spain, followed by Punta Kriz in Croatia, Ilha Deserta in Portugal, Sonvinje beach in Croatia and Platja des Cavallet in Spain. Vancouver's Wreck Beach finished 13th and Hanlan's Point Beach on the Toronto Islands finished 20th, which isn't bad for a country many folks feel is covered with ice 11 months of the year.

Red Beach on Akrotiri in Greece was named best nude beach for safety, while Agesta Beach in Sweden was named the best for the LGBTQ community.