SEATTLE For Seattle residents, the biggest news of late was the
record-breaking sunny weather in June, July and August. But for
travel agents looking to boost bookings year-round in the Emerald
City, the following roundup of industry news will probably have
more impact in the long run.
Concierge of the City
Seattle’s Convention & Visitors Bureau opened the city’s
first full-service destination concierge facility July 21. The
Citywide Concierge Center, located on the ground floor of the
Washington State Convention & Trade Center in downtown Seattle,
is open to the public, serving travelers, convention delegates,
residents and business professionals.
More than a traditional concierge desk, the state-of-the-art
facility is dedicated to assisting with Seattle information,
service, bookings and reservations. 206-461-5815
www.seeseattle.org
Port of Plenty
The Port of Seattle’s luxury cruise industry has grown rapidly
since the 2000 opening of the Bell Street Pier terminal on the
central waterfront. Port officials estimate that the 2003 cruise
season (April through October) will draw 94 sailings and 197,000
passengers. In 2002, 79 cruise ships visited with some 125,000
passengers, a significant increase from the six cruise ships that
came to call in 1999. 206-728-3000 www.portseattle.org
Marriott Meetings
The 358-room Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel, the city’s first
full-service Marriott, opened in April.
With 11,000 square feet of meeting space, the eight-story
property hopes to tap the meetings and conventions market thanks to
its location across from the 78,000-square-foot Bell Harbor
International Conference Center.
Hotel facilities include a coffee bar, business center, fitness
center, indoor/outdoor swimming pool and concierge floor with
private lounge. 888-228-9290 www.marriott.com
Luxury Yachts
Seattle-based American Safari Cruises is expanding its list of
domestic cruise destinations this fall with the addition of luxury
yacht adventures in the Pacific Northwest.
The new Inside Passages of Washington and British Columbia
excursion focuses on the scenery and culture of the San Juan and
Gulf islands. Roundtrip from Friday Harbor, Wash., the cruise uses
the 12-passenger Safari Escape. Seven-night rates start at $2,795
per person, double occupancy, with departures Oct. 10, and April 29
and May 6, 2004. 888-862-8881 www.amsafari.com
Curl up With a Classic
Whatever the season, the Alexis Hotel in downtown Seattle is
offering guests a way to keep warm with a new package “Some Like It
Hot.”
Clients get overnight accommodations in a fireplace suite,
in-room viewing of the Marilyn Monroe classic “Some Like It Hot,”
hot tamales and popcorn to snack on during the movie, a s’mores
dessert and a take-home salsa CD.
Package rates start at $395 per night, good on stays through
Dec. 30, 2004. 800-426-7033 www.alexishotel.com
Animal Section
Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo is going to the dogs wild dogs, that
is. A pack of the handsome creatures recently made its debut in a
new 5,000-square-foot habitat evoking an East African streambed
bordered by high riverbanks. Visitors can view the dogs from across
the stream, through a window on their heated underground den or
from an overlook.
Over the summer, a new jaguar exhibit opened at the zoo. The
big cats prowl around a setting representing Central and South
America. Their lush forest home features a sandy shoreline,
freshwater pool and falling water. 206-684-4800 www.zoo.org