Meetings At The Aspen Institute Are 'Classic'

By Darlene Donloe

You can have an ordinary meeting, or you can have an extraordinary meeting.

You can do what you’ve always done and get what you always got. Or, you could have your next meeting at the Aspen Institute and you and your participants could come away with a life-changing experience.

Since 1950 the Aspen Institute, housed at Aspen Meadows Resort (a Dolce Resort), has hosted a unique and transformative two-week leadership program that has been attended by heads of state and corporate leaders from around the world. The program, which has since been reduced to six days, has sessions that are based on readings of the classics – everything from Chekhov to Martin Luther King Jr.

HOMES IN ASPEN, COLORADO

Created by industrialist, Walter Paepcke, whose thought was to bring together some of America’s top leaders to exchange ideas, motivate and instill in them another point of view, the leadership program, called the Aspen Seminar, is unlike any other, which makes it one of the most popular and one of the most effective.

With text-based dialogue, the purpose of the Aspen Seminar is to challenge leaders to think more analytically and intensely about what they call “the good society”.

The leadership program is not designed to pacify by any means. Its purpose is to encourage though-provoking dialogue that can increase one’s leadership qualities.

It’s all about a conversation!

Before attending the program, participants are sent a reading list that includes some of world’s most critical thinkers and philosophers. The reading is not easy. In fact, it’s anything but. But it stimulates a dialogue that reveals some personal characteristics from the participants. The readings, which are not designed to lead you to any particular conclusion, form the focus and content of the Socratic discussions.

“Our hope is that the seminar will help you develop your internal compass,” said Todd Breyfogle, director of seminars at The Aspen Institute.

Moderated by Breyfogle, the leadership program, conducted as participants look out onto the Colorado mountains, actually begins with a group dinner that is designed to disarm and relax.  At the gathering attendees are asked to reveal something about themselves that can’t be found on their resume. It sounds simple enough, however, for some, it’s a struggle.  Do we define ourselves by our work or by our lives? Are they one in the same? It’s a simple, but poignant query. From the beginning the leadership program requires everyone to do a self-examination.

The next day, armed with the readings, a skilled moderator and 15-20 attendees sit around a conference table and begin to dissect such classic and contemporary readings as ”Letter from a Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr., “The Danger of a Single Story,” by Chimamanda Adichie, ”Nicomachean Ethics” by Aristotle, Machiavelli’s “The Prince” and Anton Chekhov’s “Gooseberries.”

Heady reading indeed!

MAROON BELLS

The moderators aim is to cultivate three complementary conversations: a conversation with the ages; a conversation with your fellow participants and a conversation within yourself about what constitutes true meaning.

After what can become an intense discussion, participants can emerge renewed, refocused and ready.

The Institute is designed to help leaders clarify their core values and those of their organizations, build teams of trust and vision, deepen and broaden their thinking about fundamental values and global trends, develop stronger institutional and personal clarifications of purpose and reassess fundamental components of work-life
balance.

“The Institute’s unique method of text-based dialogue is highly interactive, refreshing and rewarding as a signature approach to the integration of mind, body and spirit in professional and personal life,” said Breyfogle.  “The Leadership Fundamentals Package is an exciting and unique addition to any organizational meeting and provides a first-hand introduction to what CEOs, government leaders, entrepreneurs and non-profit executives the world over have found to be one of the most important course they’ve ever participated in.”

Quotes from past participants bolster Breyfogle’s sentiments.

“The Aspen Seminar helped me better understand my own government decisions and actions…I recommend the Aspen Seminar to everyone.”---Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State.

“I took the Executive [Aspen] Seminar more than 20 years ago and it changed my life. It challenged me to think about fundamental ideas in new ways, and it began my long affiliation with the Aspen Institute. It’s that experience that brings me back to Aspen every year for more.”---Wolf Blitzer, CNN

Part of the seminar also includes exploring the outdoors. But, once again, there’s more to it.
A hike through Maroon Bells is about more than experiencing gorgeous vistas, beautiful water and heavenly mountains.  While the hike isn’t treacherous, it is long and slightly steep.  Once you’ve hit a certain mark, the hike leader then asks each participant to find his/her favorite spot on the trail, have a seat and reflect.  The deal is – you can’t speak. You must remain silent for a certain amount of time. You’ll find it’s much more difficult than one would assume.

The Aspen Meadows, a Dolce Resort, is the home of The Aspen Institute. The Institute, as a special to customer staying at the resort, offers two-hour, half-day and full-day Leadership Fundamentals packages.   The Resort is located on 42 scenic acres along the Roaring For River in the historic West End. It has 98 guest suites. There are both one and two-bedroom suites. Nearly every mountain activity imaginable is found at its doorstep. It is also a pet-friendly facility.

There is complimentary high-speed wireless internet, 24-hour shuttle service and access to the resort’s health club. 

MEETING

There is a world-class meetings and conference facility, which includes 22,000 sq. ft. of International Association of Conference Centers (IACC). There are 14 meeting rooms that can accommodate groups ranging in size from 20 to 800 persons.  Plato’s restaurant is also on the property.

VARIOUS DESSERTS AT PLATO'S

As a leader in the meetings industry, Dolce hosts some 30,000 events and 4 million group clients globally every year.

Inspired by classic Bauhaus design and unique in aesthetic and décor, the 98 spacious guest-suites boast floor-to-ceiling windows and feature contemporary furnishings. Every suite is designed with separate living, working and sleeping areas to accommodate both business travelers and leisure guests.

The Aspen Institute is an enlightening, one-of-a-kind experience that is a must for a leader or a would-be leader. Actually, it’s a phenomenal experience for anyone.

And when the seminar is over, it’s quite possible you will go from good to GREAT!

For information: www.aspeninstitute.org and/or www.aspenmeadows.com

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD. EXERCISES OPTION TO BUILD SECOND “PROJECT SUNSHINE” SHIP

 

MIAMI – February 29, 2012 – Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL) exercised its option to build a second Sunshine-class cruise ship to be delivered in the Spring 2015.  The ship will be built by German shipbuilder Meyer Werft on substantially the same terms as the first Sunshine ship.   “This confirms our continued confidence in the success of this new generation of ships and our strong conviction about the Royal Caribbean International brand,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.. (NYSE, OSE: RCL) is a global cruise vacation company that also operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Pullmantur, CDF Croisieres de France, as well as TUI Cruises through a 50 percent joint venture with TUI AG.  The company owns a combined total of 40 ships and has three ships on order.  It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Dubai, Europe and South America. 

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors are described in detail in Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Los Angeles Times Travel Show Hits 21% Increase in Attendance

Addition of Industry Conference Expands Trade Participation by 400%

LOS ANGELES – February 8, 2012 – The Los Angeles Times’ 14^th-annual Travel Show and inaugural industry conference, January 27-29, convened more than 24,300 celebrity speakers, travel professionals, industry leaders, members of the media and consumers at the L.A. Convention Center, smashing the previous attendance record by more than 21 percent and officially making it the must-attend Southern California travel event of the year.

“The 2012 Travel Show surpassed our wildest attendance expectations and it’s enormously gratifying to have our first industry-focused conference receive such a great response,” said David Burns, The Times vice president, promotional revenue, sports and events. “We effectively brought the world to Southern California in great style.”

The Times partnered with MSE Management and IMG Worldwide to produce the three-day event, launching an all-day industry conference, as well as a design and programming upgrade. Of note was the quality and variety of featured speakers, including Lisa Ling, Rick Steves, Arthur Frommer, Adam Richman, Rudy Maxa, Don Wildman, Josh Gates and Johnny Jet, alongside experts from National Geographic Channel, LivingSocial Escapes, Travelzoo, Cooking Channel, leading industry organizations and The Times award-winning travel and photo staff.

“I had a great time talking to people that are so passionate about travel,” said Ling, host of “Our America” on the Oprah Winfrey Network. “Travel is what propelled me to want to be a journalist and being exposed to so much in the world really changed my life.”

More than 2,000 travel professionals seized the business-to-business opportunity of attending the new industry conference sessions, a show floor preview and the consumer event. An exit survey conducted by The Times indicated that a wide range of travelers were in attendance, with nearly 60 percent visiting for the first time. Consumers spent an average of four hours exploring the show floor, with 90 percent seeking information about potential destinations and 94 percent planning to travel within the year.

“The Los Angeles Times Travel Show and industry conference created an important forum linking organizations, suppliers and the entire trade together to share valuable information – one place, one time, one event,” said John Severini, president and CEO of the California Travel Association. “This event was a big success.”

Standout exhibitors Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Ecuador Ministry of Tourism, Mexico Tourism Board and Visit Newport Beach were presented with awards from the show organizers.

“We started six years ago with just a table and two posters,” said Trust Lin, director of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau. “Last year, we won ‘Best of Show,’ and we keep participating and expanded our presence because it really works. People waited in line to get in, they stayed longer and asked informed questions about where to go in Taiwan.”

Jose Vallejo, director of marketing for the Ecuador Ministry of Tourism added, “The Los Angeles Times Travel Show provided an excellent venue for educating Southern Californians about Ecuador’s four regions – the Amazon, the Andes, the Pacific Coast and the Galapagos. We were very happy to connect directly with people that have recently visited or who are now planning trips to Ecuador.”

“The Los Angeles Times Travel Show was a great experience all around,” said Virginia Goff, manager of partnership marketing & industry relations at Tourism Ireland. “We were overwhelmed by the crowds, the response to our cooking demo on the Culinary Stage and the number of people looking to book trips to Ireland.”

“Participating in this show allowed us to leverage the exposure and audience that the Los Angeles Times has to offer, which is a great fit for us,” said Michelle Lindsey, western region manager for American Express Travel Services, the show’s booking agent. “There were very savvy travelers at the show and we were able to provide travel services for a variety of destinations, from high-end African safaris to Caribbean cruises.”

The Los Angeles Times Travel Show and industry conference returns to the L.A. Convention Center February 22-24, 2013. For information about sponsorship or exhibiting, visit latimes.com/travelshow.

To view photos from the event, go to: latimes.com/travelshow or Facebook.com/LATimesEvents.

About the Los Angeles Times Media Group

The Los Angeles Times Media Group (LATMG) businesses and affiliates include the Los Angeles Times, The Envelope, Times Community News, LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine and Hoy Los Angeles and reach approximately 5.1 million or 38% of all adults in the Southern California marketplace. LATMG also owns and operates California Community News as well as Tribune Direct’s west coast division and is part of Tribune Company, one of the country’s leading media companies with businesses in publishing, the Internet and broadcasting.

The flagship Los Angeles Times is the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country, with a readership of 1.9 million Monday through Saturday and 2.9 million on Sunday, more than 17 million unique latimes.com visitors monthly and a combined print and online local weekly audience of 4.4 million. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Times has been covering Southern California for more than 130 years. Additional information is available at http://latimes.com/aboutus.

Bozeman Airport Announces Non-Stop New York Flight

 

New Directs to New York/Newark, Portland, and Oakland to start spring/summer 2012

BIG SKY, Mont. — Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) today announced new, non-stop seasonal summer flights to New York/Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to be operated by United Airlines. With this flight, in addition to two recently announced direct flights to Portland International Airport (PDX) and Oakland International Airport (OAK), Bozeman will offer direct service to 13 major cities during summer 2012.
A 45-minute drive from Big Sky, MT, the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport gives vacationers access to the Biggest Skiing in America at Big Sky Resort, their Basecamp to Yellowstone National Park.
Located just 14 miles from Manhattan, the New York/Newark Liberty International Airport serves the entire New York-New Jersey metropolitan area.  Flights will operate between BZN and EWR once weekly on Saturdays from June 9, 2012 through September 1, 2012, and discussions about potential winter service to EWR for the next ski season are in progress. The flights are scheduled to depart EWR at 8:25 a.m. and arrive BZN at 11:07 a.m. The return flights are scheduled to depart BZN at 12:00 p.m. and arrive EWR at 6:00 p.m.
Alaska/Horizon will offer new daily non-stop service between Bozeman and Portland beginning June 4th and continuing through August 25th, 2012.  Allegiant Air will begin non-stop flights twice weekly to the San Francisco Bay Area via Oakland International Airport beginning April 27, 2012.
“Big Sky Resort is committed to delivering a great all-around vacation experience, and that starts with getting here,” said Meg O’Leary, Big Sky Resort’s Director of Sales and Marketing.  “Big Sky will now be that much more easily accessible to our east and west coast guests, and we believe this will enhance their overall Montana experience.”
The EWR flights are made possible by contributions from Big Sky Resort and other community partners in both Big Sky and Bozeman in conjunction with a Department of Transportation Small Community Air Service Development Grant (SCASDG). 
The newly renamed and expanded Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport recorded an all-time passenger boarding record with 397,822 passengers boarding airline flights in 2011. This represents an 8.9% increase of nearly 33,000 passengers more than the previous record set in 2010.

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport also currently provides direct flight service to the major hubs of Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Seattle as well as other airports such as Phoenix, Minneapolis, and San Francisco.  The airport’s recent expansion makes it the largest airport in Montana. It is currently served by Alaska/Horizon, Allegiant, Delta/Skywest, Frontier, and United/United Express airlines.
 

Costa Rica: Much Ado About Somethin’

By Darlene C. Donloe

For years I’ve been hearing about how wonderful a place Costa Rica was to visit.
Friends and colleagues who had ventured there spoke highly of the friendly people, the incredible food, spectacular beaches, incredible tropical rainforests, volcanoes and more.
I thought, well, that’s sounds just too good to be true.
Turns out, it wasn’t!
Costa Rica is all that my friends and colleagues said it was and more!
There is a warm, welcoming breeze wafting through Costa Rica. It’s not so much the weather as it is the people and their hospitality.
It’s no longer a mystery to me as to why Costa Rica has become one of the most popular destinations in the last decade.
It has all of the aforementioned going for it, plus amazing diving, never-ending amounts of exotic wild life,
natural beauty, art, education, ecological richness, peace or culture. Whether it’s one of those attributes, or all of them, it really doesn’t matter.  It’s a win-win for the country and its visitors.
Tourism has doubled in the last 10 years, making it a sizeable portion of Costa Rica’s economy. In 2007, 1.9 million people visited the country.
The U.S. is the main tourism market. Americans make up a staggering 56% of air arrivals. Unfortunately, of the 14.1 million Americans estimated to want to come to the Central America country, data doesn’t reveal what percentage is African American.  While the country is actively putting forth a promotion initiative, regrettably, there is no direct effort to go after the African American market, according to Maria Amalia Revelo, Deputy Manager & Director of Marketing for the Costa Rica Tourist Board.
Of course, “low budgets” are the culprit.

MINISTER OF TOURISM 

CARLOS RICARDO BENAVIDES

“This is a country with limitations on its budget,” said Carlos Ricardo Benavides, Costa Rica’s Minister of Tourism.
Marketing efforts include direct consumer magazines and newspapers, including the New York Times, Miami Herald, National Geographic, Traveler, Travel and Leisure and Conde Nast.
About 220,000 Europeans visit annually and the number is growing, according to Revelo.
Not surprising, about 50,000 Americans currently call Costa Rica home.
    To fully understand Costa Rica, here are some basics.  If you need additional information, the Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT) has a host of tourist ideas.
    Located on the southernmost part of the five republics that comprise Central America, Costa Rica is bordered by Panama to the South and Nicaragua to the North, the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the West.
    If you’re on the Atlantic Coast there is fishing, wild life, tropical rain forests and fabulous beaches.
Located near the equator, the temperature is warm to hot, even at night.
A peace-loving country, Costa Rica has no standing army. After the civil war in 1948, Costa Rica disbanded its army and passed a law forbidding the maintenance of such. Its police officers don’t carry guns. The only armed forces in the country are the border guards, who carry rifles.
    The population in San Jose, the capital, is 1.5 million – counted during the last census in 2002.  There are 5 million residents in the entire country.
    Getting to Costa Rica is fairly easy from the U.S. Lacsa Airlines is a good bet.  Four major U.S. airlines (United, American, Delta and Continental) also have daily routes.  Costa Rican money is called colones. The best place to exchange money is at the airport or in downtown San Jose.
SAN JOSE
        San Jose is not unlike any other major city. In the morning there are lots of folks walking the streets. There’s plenty of hustle and bustle as the day begins. The Central Market, which, of course has fresh produce every day, is crowded, but crucial.
        The streets of San Jose are littered with fast food establishments like Quiznos, Subway, KFC, Burger King, Denny’s, Domino’s  and Wendy’s. So, any Americans hankering for a taste of speedy home eatin’, will find an abundance of express food fare.

        Anyone who wants to truly know about a particular culture, should visit museums. In San Jose there is the Gold Museum, one of the world’s four museums focused on Pre-Columbian gold; the Jade Museum, featuring Pre-Columbia jade; and the National Museum, which exhibits Pre-Columbian art, the indigenous culture, geology, archeology, history and Costa Rican colonial life.

Essential to San Jose’s economy is coffee. The 450 acre Doka Estate Coffee Tour (dokaestate.com), the oldest mill in the country, has tours to explain how coffee is processed. Small groups (16 max) interested in taking the 90-minute tour can also arrange for breakfast and lunch. About 50,000 visitors go through the estate annually.  You’ll learn more about coffee than you ever thought possible. *Warning – Be aware that the flies can be brutal!

 LA PAZ WATERFALL GARDENS

    The La Paz Waterfall Gardens (waterfallgardens.com) is an impressive popular attraction. It’s not to be believed. When people think about Costa Rica, they imagine flowers, birds, butterflies, lush tropical Rain Forests, flowing rivers and spectacular waterfalls. You’ll see all that and more at La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Open all year round, the venue has more than 3.5 kilometers of walking trails. There is also a butterfly observatory, hummingbird garden, serpentarium, frog exhibit, Tica House, trout lake and several bird watching areas. Whether you spend the whole day or a couple of hours – there is much to see.

 TEATRO NACIONAL

The Waterfall Gardens is primarily a self-guided tour, but guided tours are available at $35 per group.
If you take a tour of the city, the TEATRO NACIONAL (National Theatre) is a must. Construction started in 1891 and was completed in 1897. At the time it was built, it took 65% of the national budget.
THE TRADITIONAL FARM TOUR is a tourist favorite. Located in La Alegria de Siquirres, the main theme of the tour is Costa Rican customs and traditions.  Visitors are able to witness the production and operation of an actual macadamia farm, plantings of coffee, sugarcane, a botanical garden, and a 150-years-old, oxen-driven, but operational trapiche (sugar cane press).  www.traditionalfarmtour.com

SR. VINCENTE AGUI LAU CEREZO

GOOD EATIN’
La Lluna de Valencia is helmed by chef Sr. Vicente Agui Lau Cerezo, who welcomes everyone to walk through his kitchen. If you’re lucky, he’ll even give you a song. And you can’t walk out without eating some of his paella, which is a genuine gastronomic delight.  The sign over the entrance to his establishment reads, ‘Tot Menos Apurarse,’ which, translated, means ‘Do Everything Without Hurrying.’
HOTELS
One of Costa Rica’s gems is the Almonds and Corals Hotel, located in the midst of the Gandoca Manzanilo Wildlife Refuge.  Anyone into nature will feel right at home because the hotel is actually situated in the jungle. You will hear monkeys up in the trees and see lizards as you walk around the property. There are 24 bungalows, some are suites, others are master suites, both with refrigerators, fans, and tub/jacuzzis. The bungalows lie under giant trees in “a forest so dense that the sunrays hardly touch the ground,” according to the brochure.
There is also a souvenir shop, restaurant, a bar and a spa where you can sit in a Jacuzzi or enjoy a massage while listening to the sounds of nature.
Walk down one of the pathways and in short order you’ll hit the Caribbean Sea.  The hotel is located 25  kilometers from Cahuita National Park, southern part of the Limon Province at the Caribbean Coast. Owners, Marco Odio and Aurora Gamez, are the perfect hosts. Almonds & Corals is absolutely magical!  www.almondsandcorals.com
     Located in the heart of downtown San Jose, the SLEEP INN is an excellent choice for an excellent price.
Conveniently located only 15 kms from the Santamaria International Airport, the Sleep Inn is also only a short distance from tourist attractions like the Teatro Nacional, Museo de Jade, Museo de Oro, and parks that are part of the national heritage.
A collection of boutique hotels, called K Hotels is making its mark in San Jose. K-Hotels are located  worldwide. For information: k-hotels.com 

LIMON
The port city of Puerto Viejo, Limon is an area that is racially diverse. A location with a Caribbean essence, it’s populated by descendants of late 19th-Century Jamaican immigrants. There are also indigenous tribes in the area who still lack electricity in their hillside villages. Spend some time and check out the place via walking, horseback or on a boat.
The Veragua Rainforest Research & Adventure Park, located in Las Brisas de Veragua, recently opened. It’s located next to the International La Amistad Park and the Chirripo Native Reserve. Highlights include a waterfall, a live reptile exhibit, trails through the rainforest, frog exhibit, a live butterfly exhibit and an open air ride through the rainforest. For information: www.veraguarainforest.com.
The Paradero Eco Tour is located 15 minutes from downtown Limon. It boasts 27.5 acres of wildlife and rainforest. There are canal boat rides, bird watching, and a butterfly farm (the largest in the Caribbean coast). The butterflies fly naturally and freely around guests. www.paraderoecotour@yahoo.com

CACAO TRAILS

Chocolate lovers unite!  Limon has a Cacaotrails Chocolate Tour that is self-indulgent and fabulously satisfying.  You will learn all about the history of cocoa, the trees and fruit. Then, you can make chocolate in the traditional way with your own hands. Chocolate lovers will be in heaven. But, it’s more than just a chocolate factory. Their museum demonstrates local Afro-Caribbean culture and its history. Next, you can stroll through the facility’s 25-acre botanical garden and the medicinal garden. Top off the day with a traditional Caribbean meal. They also offer trail and canoe guided tours in the Cahuita National Park. www.cacaotrails.com
MONTEVERDE
One can’t visit Costa Rica and not have Monteverde on the list of places to see. Hold on to your hat, though, because it’s going to be a bumpy, five-hour ride. For the best kind of driving comfort, enlist Transportes Turisticos Cielo Azul. You’ll still be on unpaved roads, but you’ll have a comfy ride. www.cieloazul.co.cr.
Located in north-central Costa Rica, there are a number of attractions for everyone in Monteverde, including adventure, hiking, entertainment, culture, nature and wildlife. Highlights include the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, the Original Canopy Tour, the World of Insects, Hummingbird Gallery, Serpentario (a collection of 26 species of snakes), the Monteverde Butterfly Garden, the Ecological Sanctuary and more.
EXPOTUR
San Jose has played host to Expotur, a convention designed to attract tourists from the U.S., Canada and South America.
The country’s good manners and hospitality were on display at the Ramada Plaza Herradura Hotel and Convention Center San Jose (*the official convention center) where a number of destination sellers were hawking their wares.  More than 260 vendors, many of who were touting “sustainable tourism,” represented hotels, resorts, cruises, eco-friendly destinations, tours, airlines, travel agents and more.  An impressive gathering, all were there for a central theme – increasing tourism to Costa Rica.
*The 232-room Ramada Plaza Herradura Hotel and Convention Center is located 10 miles from downtown & 4 miles from San Jose airport.
GOING GREEN
        Ecotourism is extremely popular amongst tourists visiting the national parks and protected areas around the country. Costa Rica ranks fifth in the world for its environmental concern. With its natural resources as a priority, Costa Rica protects 26% of the National territory and 16% of its marine surface.
    “By 2021, we want to be the first country to be carbon neutral,” said Benavides. “Sustainability is our main goal. It’s a complex thing, but it’s possible.”
FAMILY
Whether you’re going for business, pleasure, or for a family vacation, Costa Rica has something for everyone. The country has a number of family recreation activities and other programs, including guided visits, games, hikes, food tasting, beach sports and interfacing with several communities and cultural groups.
IN THE KNOW
Costa Rica is easily accessible from the U.S.  It’s 2 hours, 50 minutes from Miami, six hours from Los Angeles and Chicago and five hours from New York.
Costa Rica Tourism and Travel Bureau (011-506) 296-7074; www.costaricabureau.com
Visas: American citizens do not need a visa for a 90-day stay.
CAPITAL:     San Jose
AREA:     51,100 sq km
POPULATION:     3.5 million
LANGUAGE:     Spanish, second language for the majority of the population is English.
OFFICIAL RELIGION: Catholic
WEATHER: Two season – Rainy or winter (May-November); dry, or summer (December - April)
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE: 72 F
CURRENCY     Costa Rican colón
ELECTRICITY     110V, 60Hz

DIGICEL GROUP TO BUILD 173-ROOM PORT-AU-PRINCE HOTEL TO OPERATE UNDER MARRIOTT HOTELS & RESORTS BRAND; WILL GENERATE 175 JOBS IN HAITI

Clinton Foundation Instrumental 

in Bringing the Two Companies Together

Port-au-Prince, Haiti – In Haiti, where new economic activity is critical in the midst of the tremendous efforts to rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in 2010, Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) announced recently it would open the $45 million, 173-room Port-au-Prince Marriott Hotel, under management agreement with ownership group Unigestion Holding S.A., a subsidiary of Digicel Group Ltd.  In addition to creating 175 new jobs, Marriott will invest in hospitality training to benefit Haiti's tourism sector.                                                                                   
Digicel Group is responsible for designing and building the hotel and chose Marriott International’s flagship Marriott Hotels & Resorts brand as its operating partner under a long-term management agreement. Construction on the property is expected to begin in 2012, with opening expected in mid-2014.   (view video)

With roughly 500 hotel rooms operating in the city, the Port-au-Prince Marriott will add 173 rooms to the capital city and create much needed lodging and meeting space for business travelers seeking to invest in the country, non-government organizations (NGOs), humanitarian organizations, reconstruction teams, financial institutions and visitors to the capital. Port-au-Prince is located in the southern part of the country on the Gulf of Gonave and is home to approximately 20 percent of the country’s population.

The Clinton Foundation has worked closely with Marriott and Digicel to develop this project. The Foundation connected Marriott and Digicel knowing their mutual interests in the hotel sector, visited proposed construction sites with the parties and facilitated introductions to the Haitian government and the Haitian Tourism Association.

“This new hotel project will stand as a symbol of Haiti’s recovery, providing much needed jobs to the Haitian people and encouraging foreigners to visit, invest and work in Port-au-Prince," said President Clinton. "My Foundation has worked with both Marriott and Digicel, and encouraged them to form this partnership.  Their investment proves that Haiti is open for business and on the path to economic recovery."

Digicel Chairman and founder, Denis O’Brien, commented; “Working with Marriott International to bring the flagship Marriott Hotels & Resorts brand to Haiti communicates confidence in the country’s outlook and is a huge step towards attracting more long-term investment into the country. With lodging options severely limited in Port-au-Prince, this is indeed bright news.”

Digicel is the single largest private investor in Haiti and the country’s largest telecoms provider. Mr. O’Brien is also founder and patron of Digicel Foundation, a charitable organization actively involved in rebuilding Haiti which to date has constructed a total of 70 schools. The Digicel Foundation has collaborated with the Clinton Global Initiative, which was founded by President Clinton.  As chairman of the Clinton Global Initiative’s Haiti Action Network, Mr. O’Brien has been instrumental in supporting 80 support organizations in Haiti and reconstructing the iconic Iron Market in Port-au-Prince.

“Haiti is in great need of quality hotels today, and for the foreseeable future," said Arne Sorenson, Marriott International’s president and chief operating officer.  “This hotel is one more signal that Haiti is open for business. That’s what we’re telling the world today as part of our announcement. Of course, this is a long-term goal with tremendous needs still need to be met, but we believe we can make a difference in Haiti by injecting capital, creating jobs and developing the human talent that can help lift this country over time back to its rightful place as one of the top destinations in the Caribbean.

“The selection of the Marriott Hotels & Resorts brand to be constructed in Port-au-Prince is very deliberate.  We aspire for a hotel of our flagship brand to be located in every capital in countries where we operate.  Over time, as Haiti continues to heal, rebuild and develop, our hotel will not only help the many organizations serving Haiti now, but would also stimulate business and attract leisure visitors in the future. Combined with the local businesses we can support, this is the ‘multiplier effect’ that travel and tourism brings to the economies of emerging countries.

"Marriott has special gratitude for our Haitian associates, 1,000 of whom work at our South Florida hotels, who urged us to do what we know best in Haiti and build this hotel," Sorenson added.
Since the earthquake, the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., which has approximately 250 Haitian associates, has been involved in two relief missions to Haiti delivering clothing, food and water, toiletries, rebuilding homes, orphanages, schools and other humanitarian support. Associates of Marriott's South Florida hotels have raised $200,000 to support recovery efforts.  In 2010, the J. Willard and Alice Marriott Foundation contributed $500,000 to the Red Cross for immediate earthquake relief and resettlement efforts.  (Bill Marriott blogs about Haiti hotel)

The Port-au-Prince Marriott, which will be located in the Haute Turgeau area of the city, will offer 168 rooms and five suites with Marriott’s signature amenities and features, including premium bedding, high-speed Internet (LAN and wireless) and flat-screen televisions.  Dining options will include a casual restaurant, a lobby bar and lounge and 24-hour room service.  The hotel will include about 428 square meters (4,606 square feet) of flexible meeting space, a 150-square-meter (1,614-square-foot) fitness center, swimming pool, and sundries shop/marketplace.

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ABOUT MARRIOTT HOTELS & RESORTS
Marriott Hotels & Resorts continues to inspire and provide a balanced life on the road for discerning and high-achieving business and leisure travelers, offering warm, professional service; sophisticated yet functional guest room design; lobby spaces that facilitate working, dining and socializing; restaurants and bars serving international cuisine prepared simply and from the freshest ingredients; meeting and event spaces and services that are gold standard; and expansive, 24-hour fitness facilities. All Marriott hotels participate in the award winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information, visit www.MarriottHotels.com.
Visit Marriott International, Inc (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com , and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com

ABOUT DIGICEL GROUP
After ten years of operation, Digicel Group Limited has 11.5 million customers across its 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Cup. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.  Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Jamaica, Haiti and Papua New Guinea which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.
In 2004, Digicel developed Digicel Rising Stars – an annual talent show to support aspiring young music artists in the Caribbean. The show has spanned the Eastern Caribbean, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago ranking as one of the top-rated shows.

Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and its markets comprise: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Nauru, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and Vanuatu. Digicel also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barts in the Caribbean.
Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.

ABOUT THE WILLIAM J. CLINTON FOUNDATION

Building on a lifetime of public service, President Bill Clinton established the William J. Clinton Foundation with the mission to improve global health, strengthen economies, promote healthier childhoods, and protect the environment by fostering partnerships among governments, businesses, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and private citizens to turn good intentions into measurable results. Since 2001 President Clinton's vision and leadership have resulted in nearly 4 million people benefiting from lifesaving HIV/AIDS treatment; more than 12,000 U.S. schools building healthier learning environments; more than 26,000 micro-entrepreneurs, small business owners, and smallholder farmers improving their livelihoods and communities; and more than 2.2 million tons of greenhouse gases cut or abated in some of the world's largest cities. And President Clinton has redefined the way we think about giving and philanthropy through his Clinton Global Initiative, whose members have made more than 2,100 commitments that have already improved the lives of 400 million people in more than 180 countries.

BAHIA: Some Like It HOT!!!!

 BAHIA AT NIGHT

So this is Bahia.
Its reputation precedes it. I’ve heard Salvador de Bahia, Brazil is a happening place. I’ve heard there is no other city like it in the world. I’ve heard it can’t be missed.
Since my ears were burning, I decided to go see for myself whether this cultural mecca could live up to the hype.
Now that I’ve been there, only two words come to mind.
Oh, My!
    Oh, My, what a beautiful, black city! Oh, My, what a unique culture! Oh, My, aren’t the people stunning and friendly! Oh, My, the food is mouthwatering! Oh, My, why didn’t I come here sooner?
    Not only are these good and accurate declarations, they are all excellent reasons to visit Bahia.
And, here’s another one - Bahia is hot in every sense of the word!
Whether you’re talking about the people, the culture, or the temperature – it all sizzles!

 BAHIA PIER

    The city, located near the equator, is visually stunning and culturally appealing. It’s an exotic, tropical locale with a spicy disposition and a saucy persona.
Whether your mission is food, museums, music, nightlife – or just to relax, Bahia, the third largest city in Brazil, is a metropolis with plenty to do and see.
And, to get you there, American Airlines has made it as easy as one, two, three.
Now, more than ever, there is no excuse not to make your way to Bahia.
    With an edict to increase visitors to the region, American Airlines has not only made it faster and more economical, the company also added daily, nonstop flights from Miami to Salvador de Bahia and to Recife, located in the northeast region of Brazil.
To that end, Bahia’s hospitality begins at the airport when - a "Baina do Acarage," (one of the women who still practices "Candomble," the ancient African religion of her enslaved ancestors) donned in a large, circular, white dress with colorful adornments, greets you with rainbow blushed ribbons of Senhor do Bonfim -signifying loyalty and belief to the inhabitants of Bahia.

 BRAZILIAN DANCER

If you’re not fluent in Portuguese, and you plan to take a tour of the city, you may want to hire a guide as much of the signage is in that language and not everyone speaks English. Of course, if you know some Spanish, you more than likely won’t be lost in translation.
    Now, it’s time to start your tour of an amazing city that boasts everything from rain forests to deserts.
    The identity of most cities is housed in their museums and their small towns. Bahia is no different. The culture and its significance are on view at the Afro-Brazilian Museum, located in the Central Historical section of the city.
Here are just some of the highlights: Praça Municipal, Santa Casa de Misericórdia, Cruz Caída – Charriôt, Terreiro de Jesus – (the history of benediction), Laranjeira Street, Boutique Ilê, Project Axé, Jorge Amado’s House and Church Rosário dos Pretos – Carmo’s Church and Oludum Creative School.

 CHILDREN FROM OLODUM CREATIVE SCHOOL

In Bahia, the percussive impulse of Olodum has become an internationally known musical and cultural phenomenon. Olodum is the music of the culture, the music of the streets, the music of the heart.
Olodum, Salvador's best-known drumming group, gained international fame when it participated in Paul Simon's "Rhythm of the Saints" tour and recordings. The group, which has its own venue, the Casa do Olodum, has served as a backbone for the Black community of Salvador.
Music is big in Bahia. There is a rhythm swirling in the air that is infectious and powerful. One couldn’t stand still if they wanted to.

 ESCOLA OLODUM CREATIVE SCHOOL

    The Escola Olodum school for kids, launched by the Olodum Cultural Group, is a remarkable facility that caters to children having problems. Part of the curriculum includes the discipline of learning to play the drums, dance and team work. But, it goes even deeper. It’s about building self-worth and a sense of well-being, as well as a sense of satisfaction and inclusion.

 CHILDREN FROM ESCOLA OLODUM

    If you’re into arts and crafts and want to get a great deal on some authentic pieces of Brazilian art, be sure to visit the Mercado Modelo, a spacious indoor/outdoor marketplace. Great deals are sure to be had!

 MARKETPLACE

    When visiting Bahia, don’t limit yourself to only tourist attractions. You want to see and become familiar with the real Brazil. Immerse yourself into the Bahian Afro culture. Visit Acaraje da Cira, located at Largo de Itapuã as well as in Rio Vermelho on the Largo do Mariquito. It’s a restaurant where locals and visitors chow down on the acaraje, which is a deep-fried bread that's made with mashed beans that have had the skins removed. It’s a staple in the area.
    Buccaneers Restaurant is only a ferry ride away. The shrimp, pineapple and orange appetizer, fish entrée and ice cream with ginger are all too delicious to adequately describe.

GOOD EATIN'

    Another great place for dessert is Sorveteria Da Ribeira for some of the most incredible ice cream/gelato your tastebuds have ever experienced. It truly is not to be missed.
    Once your palate has been sufficed, be sure to check out The Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, which is the most famous of the Catholic churches in Bahia. It was built in the 18th century on a hill in the Itapagipe peninsula and is the subject of deep religious commitment by the people of Salvador. It is believed that the church has curative properties and that those seeking divine intervention often leave replicas of body parts or photographs of the infirm inside the church. It’s also the site of Festa do Senhor do Bonfim, a famous celebration held in January annually.

ONE OF MANY HISTORIC CHURCHES

    Legend has it that the number of churches located in Bahia is 365 – to match each day of the year. It hasn’t been verified, but there does seem to be a church on every corner.
    One of those is St. Francis Church (1708-1750), done in baroque and decked out with gold leafs. It’s considered one of the most beautiful churches in South America.
    Religion is a major part of the Bahian culture. While Catholicism is dominant, so, too, is Candomble, an Afro-Brazilian religion originated by the Yorubas in West Africa.
A local and tourist favorite is the 110-sq. meter Dique do Tororó, a lagoon decorated with 12 large “Orixas” statues, by artist Tati Moreno. Orixá is a divine figure that, in life, establishes a connection with certain natural forces such as thunder, wind, water, ocean, or the exercise of certain activities such as hunting, working with metals, the knowledge of properties of plants and its use.

 ORIXAS POND

       
WHERE TO STAY
After all of that sightseeing, it’s time to rest your head and relax at one of many hotels and/or resorts. Each has its own personality and offers something unique to its clientele.
The GRAN HOTEL STELLA MARIS RESORT, which is only seven kilometers from the International Airport of Salvador and the Convention Center of Bahi, is the first five-star all-inclusive hotel of the Sol Express Chain in Salvador. It has 334 apartments, including a presidential suite, one master suite, two special needs apartments, plus triple and conjugate apartments facing the sea and the garden.
The urban resort has wireless internet, cable television and 110 volt electricity (same as the U.S.).
    The International Restaurant serves up to 520 people. There is also a “kitchen restaurant” specializing in Italian food that serves 160 people and a Japanese restaurant for up to 60 people.
Highlights include a semi-Olympic swimming pool, a children’s swimming pool, poly-sports and squash court, Kid’s Club, health club, and a game room.

PELOURINHO
Pelourinho is as good a place as any to start your adventure. It’s the oldest part of town and has an elevator that eliminates the precipitous climb from the sea level harbor to the buildings situated in the mountainside. What you’ll find are numerous 16th century churches and monuments, along with thousands of multihued homes decked out with blue Portuguese picture tiles that line the narrow cobble-stoned streets.
If an out of the way, exquisite, five-star hotel is your thing, THE CONVENTO DO CARMO, the first luxury historic hotel in Brazil, is sure to please. A former convent dating back to the XVI Century, the hotel, located in Pelourinho, is decked out with colonial furniture and graceful works of art.  There are 79 elegant rooms and suites as well as internet access.  Dining is outrageous. Offerings include traditional Portuguese and contemporary cuisine, complemented with a special local touch. Extras include the L'Occitane SPA. Event and meeting space at CONVENTO DO CARMO can handle up to 300 persons.
    CACHOEIRA
For a great day trip from Salvador, experience the fascinating city of Cachoeira (which means waterfall), located near All Saints Bay. Soak in the city's unique history and colorful, mostly preserved colonial architecture. This tour also includes a visit to the town's churches - Igreja Matriz and the Ordem Terceira do Carmo.
Cachoeira is known for sugar cane, tobacco, cassavas, plantations and for The Boa Morte, or Good Death Festival, a celebration based on Brazilian faith that celebrates the end of slavery in Brazil and also pays homage to the Virgin Mary. The festival, held in August annually, is helmed by women over the age of 50 who are part of the Sisterhood of the Good Death, a charitable organization that began in Salvador at the turn of the 19th century, but moved to Cachoeira. The founding members were freed, black female slaves.
Back in the day the sisterhood, a organization totally controlled by mature women in a secret society, raised funds to purchase the freedom of slaves.
The Sisterhood’s objective was to end slavery and the oppression for their people. The Sisterhood continues to wield a great deal of influence in the area.
SANTA CRUZ restaurant, is nestled in the hills of Cachoeira. Actually a home, the food, which includes great steak, fish and chicken, is some good ‘ol home cookin’.

 SANTA CRUZ RESTAURANT

This is just a small offering of what Bahia, Pelourinho and Cachoeira have to offer. There is, oh, so much more. The country is teeming with highlights and infinite hidden cultural nuggets just waiting to be uncovered
So this is Bahia! 
Oh, My!
NEED TO KNOW BASIS:
American travelers rejoice! Brazil as of this writing, is a fabulous economical meeting or vacation spot because the exchange rate hugely favors the dollar.   
    GETTING TO BAHIA
***American Airlines also has flights from Miami to Belo Horizonte three times a week.