Visa Launches Meetings Card

According to the press release on Yahoo! Finance, Visa has introduced a meetings card in response to growth in global spending on meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. The new payment card includes features such as web-based data and reporting tools available through Visa Information Management, and provides corporate expense managers the ability to tailor a card program to meet their specific company needs while helping them to reduce costs, streamline operational and payment processes and make more informed business decisions.

Spirit Air Begins Service to Port of Spain

Spirit Air is scheduled to begin daily non-stop service to Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago out of its Fort Lauderdale hub on June 12. The airline’s 12:30am arrival into the capital city along with a 1:30am departure allows visitors two additional full days to enjoy the twin-island destination.

PGA offers free golf lessons this month

May is PGA Free Golf Lesson Month, and according to its website these free 10-minute lessons are perfect for:

• New Golfers – Easy, casual program to get a quick introduction into golf!
• Casual Golfers – Get a few tips to improve your swing.
• Avid Golfers – Work with a PGA or LPGA Professional to see how you might fine-tune your game.

Visit the site and use the zip search tool to find participating PGA or LPGA Professionals in your area.

Additionally for the month of May, Nike will donate $1 to the Tiger Woods Foundation and will send golfers a Golf Digest Publications’ gift for the first 15,000 completed sweepstakes cards received.

Matt Discovers Tourism’s Best Kept Secret in Turkey

Those who have followed Matt Lauer on his journeys around the world (Where in the World is Matt Lauer?) today discovered a city where east meets west, where traditional and modern intertwine.

Day 4 of his adventure took Matt to Istanbul, the capital city of Turkey which straddles both the continents of Europe and Asia. Exploring the markets, the culture, foods and even the Whirling Dervishes, the Today Show’s cameras even allowed viewers a glimpse of the blue ceramic tiles that decorate the interior with unprecedented access to the Blue Mosque. Explore more of Istanbul and Turkey at the Today Show’s website, or contact us to discover even more.

Ella Style: Pitchers Crafted by Mexican Artisans

Kudos to our pals at Ella Style. Featured in the May issue of Bon Appetit, their Mexican tilted glass pitcher appears in the “What to Buy Now” section and is already on back order through May 5. Beyond the angled design, the blown glass pitcher features a unique indentation for ice to help keep beverages cold. Take a look at ellastyle.com.

AA new daily nonstop service to Antigua

American Airlines has announced new daily nonstop service from Miami to Antigua beginning Nov. 20, 2008. American Eagle currently has service between Antigua and San Juan, Puerto Rico, but this new service will accommodate the movement of more passengers using Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured with 16 seats in First Class and 132 seats in the Main Cabin.

Flights are schedule to arrive in Antigua at 3:00 p.m. and depart at 4:15 p.m. to arrive in Miami at 6:40 p.m.

Was the Belem Tower in the Tagus River?

Did you know that the Belem Tower used to be located in the middle of the Tagus River?

It was built in the early 16th century in the Portuguese late Gothic style, the Manueline, to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s expedition. This defensive, yet elegant construction has become one of the symbols of the city, a memorial to the Portuguese power during the Age of the Great Discoveries. In 1983 it was classified, together with the nearby Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Exclusive options for small incentive groups

Small incentive groups to the Dominican Republic now have more options if looking for beach-side luxury and exclusiveness.

Sivory Punta Cana, one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World features a private beach, a 4,300 square foot spa and wellness center, three gourmet restaurants and 55 private suites. Sivory offers an EP and all-inclusive plan, both of which include access to the complimentary mini-bar in your suite, wireless connection around the pool and conference rooms, and light pressing service.

Sanctuary Cap Cana had its much anticipated opening in late 2007. The five-star hotel has 176 suites, eight restaurants, a 20,000 square foot spa, and meeting space. Just five minutes from the Punta Cana International Airport, Sanctuary Cap Cana also features access to tee times at Punta Espada Golf Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature course.

Saona Incentive allows groups to experience this exclusiveness far beyond these resorts. Arriving at the natural swimming pool of the island of Saono, just off the coast of Bayahibe, guests will discover a magnificent and unique set-up of tables with white tablecloths, waiters in uniform wearing white gloves, and champagne and appetizers, all within the meter-deep lagoon.