Buzz Aldrin may have been the second man to walk on the moon, but
he was the first to walk out over the Grand Canyon along the new
4,000-foot-high Skywalk. On March 20, Aldrin and his wife, Lois,
made history as the first people to use the new walkway, extending
70 feet over the canyon’s rim with the Colorado River rushing
below.
The Skywalk, a U-shaped glass walkway, gives clients a
bird’s-eye view of the famous landmark and is the first of its kind
in the world. It is located at Eagle’s Point, where guests enter
and exit The Skywalk through temporary buildings. A Visitor’s
Center is currently being constructed adjacent to the walkway and
will open later this year.
The Skywalk officially welcomed the public on March 28 and is
open daily from dawn until dusk. The entrance fee is $25 per
person, with a Grand Canyon West entrance package.
HTA Hires New Marketing Director
The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) hired industry veteran David
Uchiyama to be its new marketing director. His responsibilities
will include oversight of all marketing contracts for leisure
marketing and business marketing, including the Hawaii Convention
Center and sporting events.
Uchiyama most recently held the position of regional director of
communications for Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Hawaii and French
Polynesia, where he handled marketing and communications for more
than 10 years. Before joining Starwood, he worked for Paradise
Cruises and also served as vice president of Gray Line Hawaii.
“With his diverse background in tourism, we look forward to the
marketing expertise that David will bring to the position,” said
Rex Johnson, president and CEO of HTA. “He will play a vital role
in making sure that the marketing vision and programs for our state
help us meet our goals.”
S’prayoon Moves to St. Regis Shanghai
The St. Regis Hotel, Shanghai, appointed Tom S’prayoon as director
of sales and marketing.
S’prayoon has over 13 years of sales and marketing experience in
world-class hotels and resorts in Thailand. Before joining the St.
Regis, he most recently held the position of director of sales and
marketing at Millennium Hilton Bangkok.
In his new position, S’prayoon will be overseeing all sales and
marketing activities and strategies for the hotel.
