Airlines, hotels and tourism boards are giving away free vacations. Some current travel contests, sweepstakes and promotions often involve little more than signing up to the company’s Facebook page. Now that I have your attention —
Grand Velas Riviera Maya — the prize is a two night all-inclusive vacation for two adults and two children at this AAA Five Diamond resort surrounded by lush Riviera Maya jungle vegetation. All you have to do is invent a prize-winning name the resort’s Kid’s Club. To participate, applicants must be fans of the Grand Velas Riviera Maya’s Facebook page. The winner will be determined by popular vote of Fans, and announced on December 17th, 2010. The kid’s club provides supervised activities for children four to 12 years old, giving parents free time to enjoy the beach, or the resort’s award winning spa. The prize includes airport transfers, but not airfare.
Australia — The South Australia Tourism Commission and Qantas Airways have partnered to give away unlimited flights for two to South Australia for one year, just for visiting the special website and registering your interest. The sweepstakes is open until December 31, 2010, and the winner will be selected on January 15, 2011. Winners will have the opportunity to retrace the steps of award-winning chef Tom Colicchio, whose recent trip included shark diving, hanging out with koala bears, and sampling Australia’s wines. More than half Australia’s wines are produced in South Australia, which also is known as the Gateway to the Outback for its beautiful and rugged terrain, including Kangaroo Island.
Central Florida — Baseball fans take note. The Central Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau is giving away a seven-night vacation for two in Lakeland to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Detroit Tigers spring training there. It is the longest standing relationship in Major League Baseball between a franchise and a spring training host city. The winner gets to go to Detroit Tiger events February 22-29, 2011, including opening day game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
American Airlines — Even if you don’t fly first class, you can enter their first class sweepstakes for a chance to win TAG Heuer Aquaracer watches, other jewelry and up to 50,000 frequent flyer miles. All you have to do is vote for your favorite hotel, golf course, spa and cruise in the American Airlines Reader’s Choice awards in Celebrated Living, the airline’s luxury magazine. You can vote until February 14th, 2011.
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