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Musings From My Desk ...  I am so over spam. Although McAfee should be doing the job and keeping all the junk out, like perhaps many of you I too check that folder to ensure that valid emails have not been mislabeled. Believe me, I can see how marketers may not be able to resist the temptation of using association directories and third party companies to acquire email addresses for their mailing lists. But from our perspective here at SNC, we’d rather maintain a relatively small mailing list and have our readers opt-in as you all have (and enjoy our newsletters), rather than become a plague or defy the CAN-SPAM Act.
In fact, what you may notice on most newsletters and marketing pieces that you receive by email is a return email address or another Internet-based response mechanism that allows you, the recipient, to ask that you not be sent any future email messages to that email address; thus, opt-out. The CAN-SPAM Act, as enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, requires that such appears on emails that have the primary purpose of advertising or promoting a commercial product or service. And, email marketers must honor such requests or face heavy fines. Fortunately our e-newsletters are distributed through a company that uses ESP (Eliminate Spam at Protocol) technology that ensures that we have a postal address, an unsubscribe mechanism that works indefinitely, and that we do not email someone who has unsubscribed using their mechanism.
But unfortunately, spammers too have found their way into the blogosphere and for the past few months our communication with blog readers has become one-way (with just our postings). We have had to shut down the comments function due to an overwhelming influx of spam. There seems to be no escape! However, we hope that you will join our group on Facebook where our conversations are underway again, whether you interact with each other on our discussion board or add something to the "wall". Hopefully we can enjoy a spam-free existence there, at least for little while anyway.
Simone
simone@sncdestinations.com
P.S. There is also a "forward this email to a friend" link at the bottom of this e-newsletter. (Hint Hint)
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Newsletter
October 2007
In this issue:
Musings
Destinations
Newsworthy Tidbits
Cross-Cultural Communication Tips & Comments
___________________
Home
Find DMCs Worldwide
Find Professional Trainers
About Us
Contact Us
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Sensory Travel: The Culinary Experience
For the first time, Disney has invited the Dominican Republic as one of 25 countries, and in fact the only Caribbean country to participate in its Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The festival, a six-week-long event with samplings, culinary demonstrations and wine tastings, exemplifies the growing trend of travel being based around food and wine. A recent study from the Travel Industry Association (TIA) indicated that 27 million Americans have made culinary or wine-related activities a part of their travel plans within the last three years.
 Also revealed in the study is that these travelers are younger, more affluent and better educated than non-culinary travelers, and motivated by unique, personal experiences. It should therefore be of no surprise to find small groups of travelers in local farmers’ markets picking fresh ingredients as part of a cooking class, or hotel guests side-by-side with an expert chef getting the inside scoop on preparing a full menu.
With the potpourri of history, culture and tradition that flavors the cuisine throughout the region, planners have also been drawing on this trend, working with destination management companies to incorporate the experience into interactive tours and teambuilding events. Destinations in turn have been pulling out all the stops, hosting events on a larger scale such as the upcoming Food & Rum Festival in St. Lucia, now in its second year.
For those seeking to include such culinary elements in their programs, here are a few annual events taking place now and over the next few months:
Taste of Barbados
Barbados – October 5-14
Nevis International Culinary Heritage Exposition
Nevis – October 19-21
Food & Rum Festival
St. Lucia – November 1-4
Champagne Party
Antigua – December 15
Taste of T&T
Trinidad – May 2008
Negril Epicurean Escape
Jamaica – June 2008
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Something
Extra
If you are heading to Jamaica for Reggae Marathon this year, MSN offers a few tips on the best way to train, including how to sidestep injuries. For more details on the marathon, visit the official website or contact us for more information.
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Newsworthy Tidbits
The Ritz-Carlton is scheduled to open a 220-room resort in Cap Cana in 2010, and Four Seasons will be opening a resort at Casa de Campo in 2009. The Company has also launched a new initiative called Meaningful Meetings under which the company will donate 5% of the room revenue to The Ritz-Carlton Community Footprints Fund, and another 5% to a charity of the group's choice. Meaningful Meetings applies only to new meetings as of September 28, 2007 with 10 or more room nights and taking place prior to December 31, 2008. The final contract must be signed by December 31, 2007.
SNC Destinations has started compiling a list of DMCs beyond our portfolio but known to us to assist you in planning programs worldwide. This directory will include listings of Asian, European, African, Latin American and Caribbean DMCs; take a look if seeking DMCs in destinations such as Russia, Panama, St. Barts or Barbados.
Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica has converted the resort's signature villa Fern Tree House into a 68,000 square foot indoor/outdoor sanctuary. The complex houses a relaxation lounge, yoga pavilion, hydrotherapy swimming pool, sculpture garden and several water features. The resort has also unveiled six beachfront spa suites, the very first of its kind in the Caribbean.
It just seems a natural fit as SITE's International Conference this year goes green. In a destination that lends itself to sustainability, Monterey, California will be the backdrop to the December 2007 conference that will have attendees "Surrender to the Possibilities". Among the principles that will be incorporated, attendees can expect to find their badges printed on recycled card stock, and where possible, locally grown organic foods at event functions. Also, at no additional cost, SITE will plant a tree in honor of each registered attendee.
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Upcoming Industry Events
Meetings and incentives industry events in 2007 at which your team at SNC and/or our destination partners look forward to seeing you. To make an appointment to meet with our DMCs who may be exhibiting at WTM or EIBTM, click here.
- World Travel Mart - London, UK, 12-15 November
- EIBTM - Barcelona, Spain, 27-29 November
- SITE International Conference - Monterey, CA, 6-9 December * Antigua * Costa Rica * Dominican Republic * Jamaica * St. Kitts & Nevis * St. Lucia * Trinidad & Tobago
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Something
Extra
 Another find! Floating in space; the desk globe just got a little more interesting. Plug in this powerful magnetic stand and you'll be able to pass your hands around the small globe as it continues to levitate.
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Cross-Cultural Communication Tips & Comments
How close is too close?
Proxemics, or the use of interpersonal space, is a form of communication that expresses the degree of intimacy and trust one person has towards another.
Understanding how our international guests or clients use distance will demonstrate to us how not to "invade" that personal space, which may leave them with feelings of discomfort, offense, even hostility.
Maintain arm's length for most guests from North America. For those from Western Europe, a space of 14 to 16 inches may be more comfortable. On the other hand, guests from the United Kingdom may find a distance even greater than arm's length less intrusive. The same holds true for those visiting from Asia.
For your visitors from the Middle East, keep in mind that if you step back or widen the distance, this could be perceived as offensive or mistrustful behavior as they tend to maintain a closer distance of between 8 to 12 inches when speaking.
So, if you enter an elevator with just one other person, where would you stand?
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