Foreign visits to the U.S. show signs of life

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Travel to the United States finally grew in October! After six months of declines, thanks to an Easter bump in April, foreign visitation finally ticked higher, an increase of 1 percent year-over-year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. If you take the holiday factor out of the equation, the last year-over-year increase came in August 2008. It’s difficult to tell whether the October gain signals a turn, since the 2009 result was measured against the first month following the financial mayhem of September 2008.

Four million people visited the United States from abroad last October and spent $10.3 billion in the process. Unlike the visitation statistic, spending was down … considerably. The cash shelled out by international visitors was off 13 percent year over year. But, the declines are shrinking. For the first 10 months of 2009, visitor spending amounted to $100.9 billion, a decline of 16 percent from the same period in 2008.

Thirteen of the top 20 countries in terms of visitation to the United States posted increases in October — six of them in double digits. Brazil, Australia, China, South Korea, Venezuela and Colombia delivered the greatest gains.The news was mixed from our neighbors. Visits from Canada fell 1 percent from October 2008 to October 2009, which is still an improvement over the year-to-date decline of 7 percent. Mexico, meanwhile, showed a 2 percent increase in October and a 5 percent decline for the year. Slightly more than half of the 4 million visitors to the United States came from overseas — i.e., not Canada or Mexico — an increase of 1 percent year-over-year. Through October, 19.8 million people crossed water to hit the United States, an 8 percent drop from the first 10 months of 2008.

Visits from Western Europe were down 5 percent for October and 11 percent for the year, while Asia posted a 2 percent gain and a year-to-date decline of 11 percent. The greatest gains were in the South American market: visitation to the United States was up 22 percent for October and 6 percent for the first 10 months of 2009.

[Photo by hjl via Flickr]

Blue Ridge Parkway celebrates 75 years by giving away a free trip

by Katie Hammel on

This year, Virginia’s scenic Blue Ridge Parkway celebrated its 75th birthday. What better way to celebrate than by giving away a six night, seven day vacation package?

The winner of the prize will receive round-trip airfare for four people to Dulles Airport, a seven-day Enterprise hybrid car rental, six nights of lodging at stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway and several great activities along the way. The winner and family will have the chance to explore the Luray Caverns and the Mill Mountain Zoo, and to go canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, or rock climbing. They’ll enjoy ice cream at the Split Banana, dinner at Shenandoah Pizza and a picnic at Peaks of Otter plus much more as they explore this beautiful area of Virginia.

To enter, just fill out the online form. The winner must be 21 years old and a resident of US. The winner will be selected on November 10, 2010 and travel must take place between November 15, 2010 and October 31, 2011.

Starwood Hotels to add 6,000 U.S. jobs in 2010

by Melanie Nayer on

Starwood Hotels, the operator of Sheraton, Westin and W brand hotels, gave the U.S. job market some much needed hope when it announced plans to add about 6,000 new U.S. jobs in 2010.

Starwood said the new jobs will be created in accordance with the 80 to 100 hotels it plans to open this year, including hotels in New York City, Los Angeles, Biloxi, Miss., Kalamazoo, Mich. and more popular cities nationwide. Positions available include everything from general managers and human resource workers to housekeeping and guest services.

Starwood said a number of upcoming hotels are hiring now or plan to do soon, including The Westin Austin at The Domain, Sheraton Brooklyn New York and the Four Points by Sheraton Biloxi Beach Boulevard. If you’re interested in the hospitality industry, check out the Starwood job board at www.starwood.jobs or new-hotels.starwoodpromos.com.

Four Twitter deals for Valentine’s Day getaways

by Tom Johansmeyer on

You may not be able to say how you feel in 140 characters or less, but you sure can get leads on the best Valentine’s Day experience that way. So, instead of tweeting a feeling, use the white-hot social media platform to grab the top travel specials for the most romantic day of the year. Several resorts are running Twitter-only Valentine’s Day specials this year, so follow the right people, and you’ll be able to wow your better half this year.

1. @BalHarbourFL

ONE Bal Harbour, a five-star luxury property in Florida, is offering a savings of up to $800 a night through its “Tweeterhearts” package. Follow @BalHarbourFL and look for the package that has a room rate of only $1,335 a night for three nights, champagne in your room upon arrival, a couples spa treatment in a private beachside cabana and a romantic dinner for two at 1 Bleu.

2. @FairmontNewport
Look for a room rate of $199 a night at the Fairmont Newport with its “Twitter-patter” package. You’ll stay in a junior suite, enjoy breakfast on your private balcony and receive plush robes adorned with the names of you and your guest (perfect for Twitter nerds like @tjohansmeyer and his wife, mommy-blogger, @ljpimberton — I’m seriously kicking this around, just for the robes). Other amenities, from high-speed internet access to valet parking and champagne are covered, as well. And, the window is wide: you can stay from the beginning of February through the end of March. Get the booking code from @FairmontNewport or @FairmontHotels.3. @LandingsStLucia
Who thought you could get a great wedding deal on Twitter? This RockResort is putting its best foot forward with the “Twitter Bells” package, which you can find by following @LandingsStLucia. You can save up to 25 percent with rates starting at $564 a night for a six-night stay as part of your wedding getaway. Enjoy a ceremony on the beach with a decorated wedding arch, floral arrangements and a bouquet and boutonniere. Your wedding dinner will be prepared for by Executive Chef Richard Tonks, and you’ll eat it on your luxurious “Tweet Suite” terrace. You’ll also pick up breakfast and lunch daily and evening champagne turndown service. You’ll need to tie the knot by May 11, 2010.

4. @ArrabelleVail
Do you crave powder? The Arrabelle at Vail Square‘s “Sweet Tweet for Two” package will get you a two-night stay at a discount of up to 30 percent, if you follow @ArrabelleVail. You’ll be greeted with champagne, roses and chocolate covered strawberries, and during your stay, you’ll enjoy an 80-minute couples massage, a Tweethearts tubing session and breakfast every day. The package is available through the end of ski season (April 17, 2010), with rates starting at $465 a night.

Daily Pampering: Get a Cabana Pedicure at The Four Seasons

by Annie Scott on


The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills has undergone a $33 million renovation, and Cabana Pedicures (from $80) are just the icing on the cake.

Still, let’s talk about that icing. A newly renovated, private outdoor cabana is available for both guests and non-guests to book pedicures, manicures, Swedish or deep tissue massages and foot reflexology. The luxury cabana comes at no additional charge.

In addition to cabanas, the fabulous hotel has also revamped their 4,000 square-foot Ballroom — or unvamped it, rather — returning it to a natural light-filled look of cool California charm. The infamous Windows Lounge has been updated to include elements of nature like a “backlit photographic glass bar top that exhibits an image of succulent foliage, and a green onyx fireplace.” The adjacent patio has been expanded to accommodate seating for up to 25 and two wrought iron cabanas, as well as “newly planted orange trees, bougainvillea and lush greenery.” The Cabana Restaurant has a new awnings, discreetly hidden space heaters for cool nights, and wellness-oriented menu with categories like Indulgence, Energy Booster, Antioxidant and Comfort.

Most recent is the completion of the 1940s glamour-inspired guest rooms with mirrored wall paneling and white-gold chinoiserie headboards, accompanied by warm neutral furnishings and splashes of teal or coral. Additional details include nature-themed carpeting and throws, following the classic Four Seasons tradition. New flat screen TVs and other fixtures are also being added.
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