This Week in Travel News
Active travelers have a need to know! Every week, there are things that can and do impact the art and act of travelling. Things you need to know about. We’ll report the highlights here, so you can focus on what you do best: Travelling! In case you missed it, here’s what happened This Week in Travel News!
(Photo: Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau)
Little Havana is a National Treasure
Anyone who has visited the Miami neighborhood Little Havana would agree that it’s a national treasure. Now, it’s official. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has designated the area as a National Treasure, offering it some protection from development.
Little Havana is not just the epicenter of Cuban culture in America. It has become a popular tourist attraction. That often brings developers who want to capitalize on the attention, and there has been pressure to modernize – some say, “Disnefey” – the area. Instead, historic preservation groups are launching a partnership with city the city to save the unique district. The new designation will help organizations, city officials, residents and investors preserve the area’s historic buildings and keep it affordable for its working-class citizens.
Good news for the tourists who flock to Calle Ocho for the authentic, family-run cigar stores and coffee shops, art galleries, and the famous Versailles restaurant, the hub of the Cuban exile community.
Growth at Hilton – New Opportunities for HHonors Members
Hilton Worldwide made a couple of announcements this week that translate into more opportunity for Hilton HHonors Members.
At the Americas Lodging Investment Conference in Los Angeles, the company announced its 14th brand, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. It’s what the industry calls a “soft brand” – a collection of independent hotels that operate as part of the larger brand. Similar to Marriott’s Autograph and Starwood’s Tribute portfolios, Tapestry properties will maintain their own names and leadership. However, they will abide by the standards of the parent company and take advantage of the marketing loyalty programs.
No word on which hotels will join the brand, but seven hotels have signed letters of intent to join Tapestry in Chicago, Hampton (Virginia), Indianapolis, Nashville, Syracuse, and Warren (New Jersey). The brand will launch later this year, and Hilton expects to have 50 Tapestry hotels by 2020.
In Mexico, Hilton Worldwide announced the signing of nine properties across its band portfolio. The hotels will be opening over the next few years, and include locations in Cancun, Guadalajara, Playa del Carmen, Mexico City, Saltillo, and Zacatecas.
The new Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity (Photo: Four Seasons Hotels Ltd.)
#10 Trinity Square
The landmark building sitting at that address has hosted the Port of London Authority, United Nations, and even James Bond. Now, it could host you.
The new Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square has opened in this historic building, and features the restaurant Le Dame de Pic, named for Chef Anne-Sophie Pic, the only female French chef holding three Michelin stars. Other amenities include a vitality pool, an authentic Turkish-style steam room, high-end retail, and the picturesque Rotunda Bar. Spa services and a second restaurant, Asian-themed with a sushi bar, will open this spring.
The hotel is in central city London near the Tower of London and adjacent to Trinity Square Gardens. The hotel features only 100 luxurious rooms, including eleven suites. To celebrate the hotel’s opening, guests can save 20% on reservations made at least 14 days in advance.
What are you missing in Nashville?
When you think about hotbeds of tourism, Nashville might not crack your top ten. Maybe it should. According to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., the city drew a record 13.9-million visitors last year! That narrowly beats the old record of 13.5-million set just the year before, and caps a ten year run that has seen tourism rise 45%.
(Photo: Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp)
The city has also been racking up the accolades in the travel industry:
- One of the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2017 by Travel + Leisure
- Where to Go in 2017 by AFAR
- Best Places to Go in 2017 in Frommer’s Travel Guide
- One of 8 Essential Trips That Should Be On Your Bucket List in 2017 by the New York Post
- Hottest Vacation Destinations of 2017 by The Daily Beast
No word on how many tourists were inspired to visit by ABC’s hit show Nashville, which has moved to CMT (Country Music Television) for its’ fifth season.
Coming Up
Since Nashville appears to be THE place to be, here are a few upcoming events to see and be seen in Music City:
The Antiques and Garden Show Nashville – The largest of its kind in the country, celebrating 27 years in 2017. It happens 3 to 5 February at the Music City Center. Tickets are $25 per day, and it usually sells out.
Country Music Hall of Fame celebrates 50 years in 2017, starting with the exhibit American Currents (The Music of 2016). The exhibit chronicles the latest chapter in Country Music, and runs for a year starting on 17 March. Upcoming exhibits this year focus on several Country Music Stars.
Tin Pan South is the world’s largest songwriters festival, and it celebrates 25 years in 2015 with events throughout Nashville from 28 March through 1st April.
Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival is the city’s ninth annual, free public festival of spring and Japanese-American friendship, 8th April in Nashville Public Square.
Nashville Fashion Week is 4 to 8 April featuring local and national designers and industry professionals in events throughout the city. The 2017 schedule has not yet been released.
Download the Nashville Visitor’s Guide free from the NCVC.
2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup: 8 July at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, the 14th biennial soccer – uhm, football – tournament to crown a North American continental champion will be played at more than a dozen stadiums across the US.
For more, get the Nashville Visitor’s Guide.
The Weekly Win
Ready to escape winter’s chill? You could do it with a trip to Chile! We’ve got details on Furthermore & Friends Chile Sweepstakes in the Weekly Win.
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