Press Release
ORLANDO, Fla. – December 01, 2010 — The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club has created a new way for young Members to explore exciting places, make great vacation memories and have fun. The new Adventure Passport program allows children to have five distinctive experiences at nine of The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club locations throughout North America and the Caribbean.
“It is our pleasure to continually offer our discerning Members exclusive vacation experiences and that includes our youngest Members,” said Peter J. Watzka, executive vice president and chief operating officer for The Ritz-Carlton Development Company, Inc. (an affiliate of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC). “We see the new Adventure Passport program as a way for children to immerse themselves in the local culture while having a great time in the destination they are visiting.”
Upon arrival at one of The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club locations in Aspen Highlands, Bachelor Gulch and Vail, Colo.; St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.; Jupiter, Fla.; San Francisco and North Lake Tahoe, Calif.; Kapalua Bay in Maui, Hawaii; and Abaco, The Bahamas, each child is presented with a personalized passport. The passport includes a section for each Club location where five stamp imprints denote the five different Club specific activities relevant to the respective area. After all five stamps are collected at one location; a unique, plush Ritz-Carlton lion is presented to the adventurer. After visiting a minimum of five properties and gathering 25 stamps, the child will receive a large stuffed Ritz-Carlton lion and a signed, framed certificate of accomplishment. The new Adventure Passport series targets children ages five to 12 years old, and is scheduled to expand as participation grows.
A few examples of activities children can participate in to earn their stamps include the following:
The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands
In Aspen Highlands, one of America’s most popular winter destinations, children can partake in events such as making and decorating gingerbread houses, building a snowman or joining a campfire sing-a-long with musical instrument accompaniment to earn stamps for their passport.
The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Kapalua Bay
Working closely with the cultural ambassador on property, the team in Kapalua Bay developed activities for the Keiki (children) that embrace Hawaiian culture. Keiki can join the Club’s Ohana (family) for a lesson in the method of haku (to braid a lei) while gaining knowledge in the history and deeper meaning of the lei, or they can learn how to hula, which is considered the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people.
The Ritz-Carlton Club, Lake Tahoe
The Ladies and Gentlemen in Lake Tahoe are excited about teaching the children about their local community. Through the Adventure Passport program children staying in Lake Tahoe can find a constellation through a telescope, explore the Truckee Train Station or make a snow angel to earn stamps.
The Ritz-Carlton Club, Vail
At the newest Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, the Ladies and Gentlemen in Vail are looking forward to getting to know the Members and their children. The kids earn stamps in Vail by completing activities such as scavenger hunts, meeting the ski services team and learning their nicknames and cookie decorating.
For more information, please visit www.ritzcarltonclub.com.
About The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club
Combining exclusive membership options for luxury travel for Members and their families around the world with the legendary services of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club offers an inspirational vacation lifestyle tailored to each Member’s needs and expectations. The Club was recently awarded Robb Report’s “Best of the Best” distinction in 2009. For information, please visit www.ritzcarltonclub.com. The Club can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/ritzcarltondestinationclub) and Twitter (@RitzCarltonClub).