The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the country’s
largest private, nonprofit preservation organization, has announced
its 2007 “Dozen Distinctive Destinations,” an annual list of
uniquely preserved communities in the United States.
The list of 12 destinations was selected from a total of 63
destinations in 27 states nominated by individuals, preservation
organizations and communities. The 2007 list of America’s Dozen
Distinctive Destinations includes the following locations in the
West:
Durango, Colo. Nestled between red sandstone
bluffs in the lush Animas River Valley, Durango offers natural
beauty and a colorful history that is today reflected in a charming
Victorian downtown and some of the most spectacular and
well-preserved Pueblo ruins in the United States.
Ellensburg, Wash. Located in the heart of the
beautiful Kittitas Valley and in the center of Washington State,
historic Ellensburg is a wonderfully preserved Victorian town
that’s home to Central Washington University, a delightful downtown
historic district and some of the best fly fishing in the
Northwest.
West Hollywood, Calif. In a sprawling
metropolis nicknamed the “City of Angels,” West Hollywood maintains
a unique identity as a quirky yet sophisticated urban village,
which boasts diverse historic architecture, people watching along
glittering thoroughfares, designer boutiques, hip restaurants and
unique tourist attractions, such as the 1922 Rudolf Schindler
House.
Additionally, the National Trust recognized the city of New
Orleans for exemplary achievement in heritage tourism.
This is the eighth time the National Trust for Historic
Preservation has announced a list of Dozen Distinctive
Destinations. To date, there are 96 Dozen Distinctive Destinations
located in 41 states throughout the country. In each community,
residents have taken action to protect their town’s character and
sense of place. Whether by enacting a local preservation law,
rewriting zoning codes to prevent commercial sprawl, making
downtown areas more walkable, enacting design standards or taking
some other major steps that demonstrate a strong commitment to
their town, residents have worked hard to preserve the historic and
scenic assets of their communities, with rewards that transcend
town limits.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a membership
organization dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing
America’s communities. A recipient of the National Humanities
Medal, the Trust was founded in 1949 and provides leadership,
education, advocacy and resources to protect the irreplaceable
locations that tell America’s story. Staff at the Washington, D.C.,
headquarters, six regional offices and 28 historic sites work with
the Trust’s 270,000 members and thousands of preservation groups in
all 50 states.
www.nationaltrust.org
New Travel Institute Benefits
The Travel Institute has added new benefits to its Certified
Travel Associate (CTA) program for 2007. CTA candidates can now
participate in free online reviews of the eight core courses, as
well as a test preparation session with an Institute facilitator.
Candidates have also started receiving new electronic Study Buddy
newsletters.
Additionally, CTA candidates now have access to a special
section of The Travel Institute discussion board where they can ask
questions, share ideas and make new friends. After earning the CTA
designation, graduates will receive a $100 credit toward the CTC or
CTIE course.
Launched in 1997, the CTA certification program is primarily
geared to front-line travel professionals who have 12-18 months of
industry experience. More than 7,000 travel professionals have
earned the CTA designation.
“Because so many frontline and home-based agents who enroll in
CTA study independently, we wanted to provide them opportunities to
network and communicate with their peers through the newsletters,
discussion board and online study groups,” said Pat Gagnon, CTC,
director of program development. “Earning the CTA designation is a
great way for travel professionals to achieve more credibility from
their clients as well as their peers.”
800-542-4282
www.thetravelinstitute.com
Expansion At Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., has announced two new
expansion projects: a new 900-acre luxury resort anchored by Four
Seasons Hotels and Resorts and a new 450-acre retail, dining and
lodging district.
“These projects are first-of-a-kind for Walt Disney World, and
we are thrilled to be able to bring Four Seasons to our resort,”
said Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “Families
around the globe know they can trust Disney to deliver magical
experiences and Four Seasons to offer exceptional service and
amenities. Combined, this is a huge win for devotees of both brands
and for Central Florida,” said Crofton.
www.disneyworld.disney.go.com
Kor Hotel Group Acquires Villa Del Sol
Kor Hotel Group, the Los Angeles-based luxury hotel operator,
has acquired the Villa del Sol resort located just outside the
fishing village of Zihuatanejo along the sheltered shores of
Zihuatanejo Bay and four miles south of the resort destination of
Ixtapa.
“The aquisition of Villa del Sol allows us to extend our
presence from the quickly developing Mayan Riviera on Mexico’s
Caribbean side to the clasic destination regions around Ixtapa on
its Pacific edge,” said Jeffrey Smith, Chief Operating Officer of
The Kor Group.
Villa del Sol’s 35 luxurious guestrooms and 35 suites are housed
in two-story casitas, tastefully decorated with local Mexican art
and clad in vibrant colors, reflective of the tropics.
Located just footsteps from the palm-studded beach, each room is
unique in design and features a private terrace. Suites include
outdoor infinity pools for soaking up the views. The resort’s
terracotta-tiled villas and thatched palapa cabanas are surrounded
by coconut palms, tropical gardens and gentle waterfalls.
A private beach that stretches along 1,000 feet of azure waters
on the resort’s Pacific coastline is strewn with teak lounge chairs
and exclusive palapas. Four swimming pools including a 60-foot lap
pool and inviting infinity pool, poised at the water’s edge,
provide additional enjoyment for guests.
Kor Hotel Group’s immediate plans include converting the
property’s intimate spa into a world-class spa with expanded
facilities and menu of services. Area activities are abundant and
include tennis, golf, scuba diving, snorkeling, horseback riding,
windsurfing, deep-sea fishing and water skiing.
866-905-9560
www.hotelvilladelsol.com
