Celebrate 48 years by traveling like James Bond

TRIPATLAS pays tribute by sharing Top 10 ‘Bond’ vacation spots in the world

Get your white teeny-bikinis and sleek tuxedoes ready because today marks 48 years since Sean Connery was first introduced to the world as the infamous James Bond in the UK premiere of Dr. No (1962). The movie featured actress Ursula Andress on the beach in a stunning white bikini while the world got to know the suave double agent from England who visited casinos and drank martinis “shaken, not stirred.”

Now, what better time to pack for a themed adventure, James Bond style?
From Thailand to Las Vegas, TripAtlas – the world’s largest online travel resource, has rounded up the Top 10 places to travel like James Bond as part of its consumer offering for unique travel ideas. “At TripAtlas we stay current and ahead of the trends when it comes to offering inspirational ideas for adventure travel,” says Travis Snelling, Co-Founder of TripAtlas.com.

TripAtlas considers Japan the number one destination to ‘live like a spy’ on your next vacation. In You Only Live Twice (1967) the villain’s lair is hidden in a volcanic crater, similar to those seen in Kirishima-Yaku National Park. Take a trip to the foot of the mountains and indulge in the hot springs after a long day hiking the Kirishima Range.

Also included in the Top 10 list is the Orient Express – featured in the 1963 Bond film From Russia With Love. This passenger train has always been synonymous with luxury travel and intrigue.

“Who doesn’t want to travel like James Bond?” asks Snelling. “Having the location of a famous Bond film as your vacation backdrop is the height of luxury and TripAtlas offers the ideal channel for consumers to scope out editorial and connect

with TripAtlas PROs to ensure their adventure

vacation dreams come to life,” adds Snelling.

The full list of vacation spots appears as follows:
# 10 – Miami
# 9 – Orient Express
# 8 – Italy
# 7 – London (England)
# 6 – Monaco
# 5 – Las Vegas
# 4 – Bahamas
# 3 – Jamaica
# 2 – Thailand
# 1 – Japan

For list and full descriptors, please visit http://tripatlas.com/list.html?id=35

TripAtlas.com TripAtlas.com is a unique one-stop online resource offering international trip planning advice and is designed for travelers seeking new experiences. The site features a travel research guide, real-time travel professional advice and more than 90 million pages of industry articles, blogs, trends, destination guides and hot vacation deals. Consumers can submit their travel inquiries via Trip Builder reaching a network of TripAtlas PROs who review the leads and respond to information requests.

The site receives millions of unique visitors each year from more than 200 countries and features content in 12 languages.

GOOD TIMES WITH THOMAS COOK AND PUNCH

On Monday August 16 Thomas Cook Canada kicked off its Good Times product launch in Toronto featuring an upbeat 50’s-inspired theme, complete with Elvis, roller skatin’ waitresses and poodle skirts. The 50’s themed concept, developed by PUNCH Canada, attracted 900 attendees from the travel trade community who were rockin’ around the clock.

At the event Thomas Cook announced the launch of their new airline that as of this November will be operating through the 2011 winter season exclusively for Sunquest to 19 destinations. In times of reduced services the airline is offering its customers some nice perks including welcome mimosas, full hot meal service, a complimentary glass of wine with lunch or dinner, complimentary kids’ activity book with crayons and even fresh warm cookies baked right on board.

The trade show tour continued through out the week making its way to Montreal, Vancouver & Calgary.

July Newsletter

Greetings –

Welcome to the July edition of The Islands of The Bahamas’ newsletter. If you’ve haven’t heard the term “Mancation” – this issue will not only explain what it is but also highlight the best places in The Bahamas to visit with the boys. Discover the best dive spots in the 700 island archipelago and if you can’t make it to The Bahamas this summer, find out how to bring some island fun to your backyard.

Enjoy!

PUNCH

Click image to expand!

Emirates airline kicks off the 2010 FIFA World Cup in style

Emirates airline kicked off the 2010 FIFA World Cup at Toronto’s “unofficial” headquarters located at Café Diplomatico in the heart of Little Italy.

The streets were filled with excited soccer fans decked out in their best team jersey. The energy off the crown was magnetic and full of excitement as a traditional South Africa band hit the street, and joined Mexican fans still revelling from their 1-1 game with Russia, ending just moments prior.

South African Consul General Tselane Msokuena joined the energetic crowd sporting her team colours and her very own colourfully decorated vuvuzela stadium horn.

With files from Lisa Raffaele TravelHotNews.com

Bonding with Canadian Contractors: PUNCH undertakes 32-store event to launch PL Premium Advance

Forgive me. I'm a bit sleepy.

You see, like the rest of the PUNCH team, I've been awake since 5:00 a.m. getting ready for big morning. Today, our client LePage launched PL Premium Advanced in stores in Canada.

For those not in the know -- and prior to working with LePage, I'd consider myself in this group -- LePage's PL Premium is considered the best construction adhesive on the market. It's been around for about 10 years and is one of those glues that can stick a rock to a piece of wood, securely, forever (or close to it). Contractors love it.

This is like a Coach bag for the fashionista, a Ducati for a motorcycle enthusiast or Koigu sock yarn for knitters. And the PL Premium Advance is even better (four times the grab, no bracing).

PUNCH had the opportunity to develop a direct-to-consumer stakeholder engagement plan for the launch of PL Premium Advance and suggested that we host contractor appreciation breakfasts across the GTA.

Each store was outfitted with a countdown clock to communicate that there was a cool event coming. (These babies are hard to get made: let me know if you need a contact with the best company out there!)



This morning, we had LePage brand ambassadors in each hardware store (a mix of Lowes, Rona, Home Depot and Home Hardware) demonstrating how to use the product, its benefits and offer the contractors some breakfast.

I think they looked great!



And here is one woman demonstrating the product.



The results? Product was flying off the shelves and the client was happy! Now, we get to rest, review the details again to prepare for the debrief, and show our new caulking skills off at home.

Silver is the new gold!

PUNCH snagged a 2010 CPRS Silver ACE award for Best Use of a Special Event. Jeff Lake, Olga Petrycki and Andrea Lukac were the recipients of the coveted award at last week's annual Canadian Public Relations Society gala dinner held at the Berkeley Church.

The team worked diligently to launch the Emirates A380 inaugural flight to Canada in June 2009 and their hard work and spectacular results were recognized by the PR industry.

The question on our minds all night though...didn't anyone else get the memo that it was a 60's themed event with requested attire a la Mad Men???

BIMINI BAY RESORT OFFERS FREE WEDDINGS FOR CANADIAN BRIDES

Sapona Wedding package is the effortless way to say “I do”

April 6, 2010 – TORONTO – Just in time for the spring and summer wedding seasons, Bimini Bay Resort, one of The Bahamas’ newest upscale getaways, is offering Canadian brides the opportunity to experience the wedding of their dreams – for free.

Bimini Bay’s vow to Canadian brides: for every couple in attendance that books four nights in a $400 per night room category or higher, she will receive two complimentary guests at her wedding reception, as part of the Sapona Wedding Package. Available throughout December 31, 2010 for Canadian brides only, the Sapona Wedding package offers simple, understated luxury and is regularly priced at $200 per person.

No matter the venue – whether beachside with white sand between your toes; on the edge of paradise by the infinity pool or under the pristine sunshine in the elegant wedding gazebo, the Sapona Wedding Package also includes a wedding ceremony set-up and officiant, four hours of premium open bar, unlimited passed hors d’oeuvres for the cocktail hour, Veuve Cliquot champagne toast, a three course sit down dinner or buffet and wedding cake from one of the most well-known cake artists of South Florida, Ana Paz.

“We are thrilled to extend this extravagant offer to Canadian brides,” said Danielle Dunfee Event Manager, Bimini Bay Resort and Marina, The Bahamas. “Recent research has shown that destination weddings have increased by 400 per cent in the last ten years in Canada and now make up as much as 20 per cent of the market.”

Straying from the typical destination wedding but keeping up with current trends, Bimini Bay Resort and Marina offers an off-the-beaten-path experience where guests will enjoy the tropical yet laid-back ambiance of the intimate island, easily reachable by air or sea. Bimini Bay Resort’s experienced wedding coordinator will help from start to finish – from floral arrangements and cakes to color schemes and industry trends.

The Sapona Wedding Package allows for complimentary guests to the wedding reception for those booking a four-night stay at Bimini Bay Resort in a one-bedroom treehouse villa, two-bedroom luxury suite (both $400 per night) or higher room category. Bimini Bay’s signature treehouse villa experience offers beautiful water views and is furnished with a king size bed and two bathrooms.

Bimini Bay Resort offers an array of first-class amenities for its guests including two pools, three restaurants, massage services and the largest marina in The Islands of The Bahamas.