Jim Bits: Brand USA's New Agent Site, Costco Luxury Hotel Offerings and More

Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, has announced the launch of a new travel trade website: VisitTheUSA.com/TravelTrade. The new online platform will act as a comprehensive, one-stop gateway for travel industry professionals looking to better sell the USA and its diverse offerings.

Created specifically to fit the needs of the Canadian and international travel trade, the website will ensure that destination decisions become simpler and stress-free. Readily accessible from all mobile devices with intuitive navigation, the website will boast enriched creative and up-to-date content. VisitTheUSA.com/TravelTrade became live in January 2018 and brings a number of useful trade resources, which are currently spread across Brand USA's consumer and corporate websites, into a single, stand-alone space.

"Brand USA understands the importance of the travel trade and we've taken detailed measures to create a website that truly reflects the industry's needs, interests, and desires," said Cathy Domanico, vice president, global trade development for Brand USA. "The travel trade continues to play a significant role in driving international visitors to, through, and beyond America's gateways. This new digital development will enable Brand USA to better connect with, and provide an engaging platform for, all travel industry professionals."

Designed and developed by Brand USA, the new trade website features:

- Mobile-optimised, responsive design to enhance user experience across a full spectrum of devices, including tablets and smart phones

- Direct access to the Brand USA Trip Kit, a helpful resource for USA travel inspiration and information, including suggested itineraries (beginning in key gateway cities and expanding out to explore additional destinations) and beautiful destination photos

- Expanded corporate calendar highlighting Brand USA's industry activities and signature events up to five years in advance

- Information and advice on visiting the USA, including an overview of U.S. travel policies

- An expanded directory of receptive tour operators

- Contact details for Brand USA's international representation agencies

- A new 'USA Trip Planner' tool

Everybody knows you can get good deals on giant jars of mayonnaise at Costco. But now it appears you can get equally impressive deals on huge suites at top hotels around the world.

As reported by our sister publication in the U.S., "the discount warehouse giant's recent move into offering luxury hotel bookings for as much as 20 to 30 per cent off, is definitely a noteworthy addition to the travel deals that have long been up for grabs.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported Costco Travel now offers discounts on a variety of well-known and extremely pricey luxury properties, including top hotels from Canadian-based Fairmont and the Park Hyatt.

You need to be a Costco member to get the deal. But once you do that you'll have access to some terrific properties in Canada and other parts of the world.

I stayed at the posh Fairmont San Francisco just this week. I've also been lucky enough to stay in a Park Hyatt room overlooking the Sydney Opera House.

Costco traditionally has offered deals to family spots such as Disney World or to all-inclusive beach resorts, as well as cruise holidays. Which makes this a real switch.

Silversea, a world-leading provider of luxury travel experiences, will celebrate 10 years of luxury expedition cruising in June 2018.

Since becoming the world's first luxury cruise line to launch a range of expedition voyages in 2008, Silversea has continuously redefined notions of travel with its pioneering itineraries; the unmatched quality of its expedition team; and its fleet of deluxe, intimate ships. In the past decade, many noteworthy milestones have been reached by Silversea, establishing the cruise line as a world-leading travel authority and the leader in the field of expedition.

"A decade ago, we set out to unlock the world's most authentic travelling experiences for those with a sense of curiosity," said Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Silversea's Chairman. "In superlative comfort, we have enabled our expedition guests to enjoy the planet's remotest, most beautiful destinations - many of which were previously unvisited by any cruise line. Whether visited by land or sea, there exists an endless number of stunning places to explore. I look forward to discovering these destinations with our guests in the future."


Last year, Silversea continued to challenge conventions to deliver new experiences. Ahead of the conversion of Silver Cloud - a crossover vessel which encapsulates the union of ultra-luxury and go-anywhere adventure - Silversea added Bangladesh to its extending list of destinations - a world first.

The latest destination to be announced by Silversea is the Philippines; here, guests will have a chance to snorkel with whale sharks, visit rice terraces, and explore the country's beautiful landscape in a jeep. Guests of Silversea can expect plenty of new, unique destinations to come.

Passages of Distinction brought 15 luxury hoteliers and partners from around the world to Rosewater Room, Toronto on April 9, treating them to an exclusive dinner and showcase with 40 of their top industry partners. (l-r) Sari Freeman, Passages of Distinction, Bloomfield, New Jersey; Anna Roost, The Dolder Grand Hotel, Zurich, Switzerland; Cindy Ducasse, Virtu World Travel, Toronto, Ontario; Brad Beaty, Passages of Distinction, Bloomfield, New Jersey; Tim Morgan, nigelkane, Toronto, Ontario.

Trafalgar, the award-winning global leader in guided vacations is encouraging Canadian clients to make 2018 count and experience 'The Good Life' with their worldwide destinations sale. From now until April 26th, guests can save up to 15 per cent on selected trips worldwide, including Europe, Asia, North America and South America. Guests are encouraged to book quickly and take advantage of these fantastic savings as Trafalgar's most popular destinations will sell out fast.

"Clients can experience 'The Good Life' and find their happy place from across the globe from Barcelona to Bangkok, Machu Picchu to America's National Parks," said Wolf Paunic, president of Trafalgar Canada. "From foodie hotspots, culturally immersive experiences and connecting with the locals, Trafalgar offers infinite travel memories guaranteed to cater to the needs of all Canadian guests."

Clients can choose from an outstanding selection of guided vacations with various travel styles to personalize their journeys including the following trips.

European Wonderland
Trafalgar, values the importance of quality time for families to maximize their vacations and the 'Family Experiences' program is tailored for hassle-free travel. Perfect for families of all ages, Trafalgar's 13-day European Wonderland adventure allows clients and their children to embark on a family road trip from Rome to London filled with lashings of lion fights, carnival masks and chariot racing. Also, as part of Trafalgar's 'Cultural Insight' experience, families will learn how to cook perfect and delicious authentic Italian pizza including all the trimmings.

Highlights of Peru
Clients can tap into their inner Indiana Jones for an epic encounter with an ancient civilization and the baroque splendour of a conquistador's capital city during Trafalgar's 8-day Highlights of Peru adventure. Guests will explore Inca treasures, wild landscapes and ancient legends that are brought to life in the Sacred Valley, centuries-old ruins of Cusco and the charismatic streets of Lima. Other highlights include a 'Cultural Insight' visit to Awakancha to see where the delicate alpaca, llama and vicuña wool is sourced from and learn about the tradition from weaving from a Quechua scholar. As a 'Join Trafalgar' and TreadRight 'Heritage Initiative,' guests can learn about ancient Inka textile designs at the Centre for Traditional Textiles in Cusco and help support the centre's mission to preserve and promote Andean weaving traditions.

The AAA Five Diamond Award rated Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is pleased to announce that, through 2018, in addition to offering the Extra Magic Hours benefit, with valid Walt Disney World Resort theme park admission resort guests will now also have the opportunity to make FastPass+ selections up to 60-days in advance of their stay. All guests with a confirmed reservation at Four Seasons Resort Orlando can link their hotel reservation on MyDisneyExperience.com, and with a linked, valid theme park ticket, these guests can utilize a 60-day booking window for FastPass+ selections.

The Extra Magic Hours benefit means that each day Four Seasons Resort Orlando guests can enjoy select attractions as one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks opens early or extends later, and during select dates, the Extra Magic Hours benefit may also be offered at a Disney Water Park. Guests can view the Extra Magic Hours calendar at disneyworld.com/parkhours, or request a copy of the printed Times Guide, available in the lobby.

"We are very pleased to offer these additional Disney enhancements to our guests," said Thomas Steinhauer, regional vice president and general manager of Four Seasons Resort Orlando. "Four Seasons guests will love having additional planning time,and will surely enjoy more fun in the parks provided by the Extra Magic Hours. Plus, with the on-property diversions including a 5-acre water park, guests will be ensured an unforgettable summer vacation."

The Stay Longer-Fourth Night Free package provides added value and gives an extra reason to do just that-stay longer and experience all the award-winning resort has to offer.

The Stay Longer- Fourth Night Free package offers a complimentary fourth night with every three paid nights, May 1, 2018 through Sept. 30, 2018. Rates start at USD 509.00 per night after the fourth night free is applied. Numerous added values are included within the rate, such as the complimentary daily kids camp; kids five and younger dine free at resort restaurants; complimentary transportation to the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks; and complimentary access to the on-site five-acre waterpark, 24-hour fitness centre, and Spa relaxation areas. With all of the added values, plus the fourth night free and no resort fee, there's never been a better time to celebrate summer and enjoy Four Seasons Resort Orlando's unparalleled amenities.

I stayed there for a couple nights a few years ago and loved the food, the atmosphere and the swimming pool complex, which includes water slides and a lazy river the family will love.