Lucky 8’s: Traveling on 08-08-08

Today people are taking advantage of lucky eights by traveling on this triple digit day of 08-08-08. Travel suppliers and hotels use this good fortune date to help market their properties and destinations allowing travelers some lucky deals (and many of these specials are available through August or into the fall). August 8^th coincides with the Olympic Games’ Opening Ceremonies in China and with the Chinese belief of eight being a lucky number. 

Reasons for actually taking a trip on August 8^th vary from an already planned itinerary, intentional travel on the 8^th, a celebration including birthdays and anniversaries, and even as an opportunity to celebrate newness in what was a failing marriage. 

“There is no question that August 8, 2008 is a special day,” says Joann Delgin, Chief Romance Officer for Unique Vacations, the worldwide representative of Sandals Resorts.  “In many traditions, the number eight symbolizes a new beginning and the promise of eternal love. The pattern 8 is infinite, forever.  There is no greater symbol of the lifelong promise of marriage and the romantic appeal of love that never ends.” 

In fact, Shawna Whitmore, Truth or Consequence, New Mexico and Richard Larrabee, Nantucket, Massachusetts, are becoming man and wife in a beach ceremony at 8pm tonight, 08-08-08 at Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa, Jamaica. 

Another couple, Vikki Capparelli and Michael Bonick who are 28 and 38 respectively, won an actual wedding today on 08-08-08 as the winners of a contest sponsored by Eight O’Clock Coffee, according to spokesperson Denise McVey. Nearly 1,000 people entered the contest where applicants had to write an essay about why getting married on 08-08-08, and winning the wedding from Eight O’Clock Coffee, was important to them. 

An excerpt from the winning entry: “We’re teachers who drink their 8, for our classes start at 8 and we can’t be L8, for our students are so gr8. That’s why 8-8-08 is the perfect d8, for teachers to cut a wedding c8ke during summer br8k.”

Hundreds of couples are traveling to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to say “I do,” according to Gatlinburg, Tennessee spokesperson Kristin Kelly. “In fact, according to Chinese culture, the more ‘eights’ a couple has in their lives, the more luck they will receive. So it’s no surprise that couples across the country have been hurrying to book 08-08-08 as their special day in Gatlinburg,” she explains.

Traveling to celebrate a marriage renewal, Alisa Bowman, who turns 38 today, and her husband leave today, 08-08-08, to St. Kitts for overdue second honeymoon. “My husband and I have recently reconciled some marital differences (www.projecthappilyeverafter.com). We’d tried to have two second honeymoons before becoming parents,” she explains. After having the child, “our marriage tanked during that time. We’ve spent a lot of effort working out our differences,” Bowman continues. “This year, on my birthday, we’re finally leaving for our second honeymoon.”

However, Tami Kamin-Meyer, Esq., Columbus, Ohio, has chosen to specifically not travel on 08-08-08. Having traveled on August 7^th and again on August 9^th, she says “I specifically did not want to fly on the 8th because I just felt like there was too much going on in the world with the Olympics just beginning. I also wanted to be with my family at home to watch the Opening Ceremonies.” 

Believing as the Chinese do in the number 8, Sharon E. Pomerantz, Fairfield, Connecticut, is heading to St. Lucia for vacation on this lucky date for a birthday. “It is a big birthday for me so we are celebrating it away and leaving on this date which is supposed to bring good fortune,” she says.

Combining a surprise with a birthday, one of Tropicana’s customers from Washignton, DC booked its special $888 package (details below) for his wife’s 08-08-08 birthday, according to Tropicana Spokesperson Diane Spiers.

Also celebrating a birthday, Donna Kenny, Northhampton, Massachusetts, is traveling with her husband to the Stirling House in Greenport, New York. While Andy Abramson, Del Mar, California, and his wife are celebrating their anniversary and both birthdays today in Chicago. August 8^th is actually Andy’s birthday and his wife’s is on August 19^th and their 2^nd anniversary was on August 5^th. The couple is calling their celebration a BirthVersaryDay.

Another anniversary couple who joined together on 08-08-98 is Dena Meeder and her husband who today celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in Las Vegas. “We picked Vegas because it was where we went on our one-year anniversary,” Meeder says. “Now after two kids and too many years we are going to go back, but this time to visit Paris and to take in a Cirque du Soliel show. Vegas is one of those places you can have so many experiences just staying in your hotel or taking a stroll down the street.”

Following are just a few examples of special 08-08-08 packages with travel opportunities beyond this special day.

• Club Med is celebrating lucky number 8 and summer escapes by offering a seven-night all-inclusive vacation for $888 per adult. Children will also take advantage of Club Med’s 888 offers since infants ages two and three are invited to stay for $333 and children ages four to 15 years for $444. Club Med’s 888 special is available for booking now through Aug. 29, 2008 for travel between Aug. 23, 2008 and Feb. 13, 2009. To book this offer and to learn which resorts are included, call 800-CLUBMED or visit www.clubmed.us.
• Tropicana* in Atlantic City, New Jersey will observe lucky number 8 with packages and specials so that everyone can prosper. Many hotel, dining and entertainment specials are being offered. One example, for $808.00, guests will enjoy a room in one of Tropicana’s luxurious hotel towers, receive 8 chocolate covered strawberries and an 88-minute massage at bluemercury apothecary & resort spa. Guests will also receive an $88 gift card for dining and shopping in The Quarter, two four-course meals for a total of 8 courses, and breakfast in bed at 8 a.m. or later. Guests will also receive an 8Pass, which provides VIP access to all of our hottest night clubs.
• Sandals created the exclusive 8-8-08 Infinity Wedding package to commemorate this special date of eternity. Beginning with a Preston Bailey Signature WeddingMoons® ceremony at sunset, the 8-8-08 Infinity Wedding package features all-new fresh floral décor designed by wedding planner to the stars Preston Bailey, an eight course gourmet dinner, and a two-tiered wedding cake designed by cake maestro Sylvia Weinstock. Priced at $4,888, this experience also includes additional amenities including spa treatments, photography, music, keepsakes and more.
• In celebration of its pending grand opening, Hyatt at Olive 8 in Seattle, Washington is offering three enticing 08-08-08 packages sure to bring good luck. “Your Luck Day” August 8th Birthday Rate** promotion is available for travelers born on August  8^th to take advantage of  their lucky number and book a one-night stay at this new luxury hotel for free. Bookings must be made by August 31, 2008 and are good through August 8, 2009.
• Lovers Lock Plaza, Lovelock, Nevada, is a unique romantic getaway as this destination draws inspiration from the ancient Chinese tradition of placing locks upon The Great Wall of China and in the Yellow Mountains. A visit on 8-8-08 also pays tribute to the luckiness of the number eight in Chinese culture. Lovers Lock Plaza is adorned with more than 1,100 locks of all shapes and sizes, each telling the story of a love-bound couple.  
• Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado is offering an Olympic travel deal commencing 08-08-08. Its “Go for the Gold” package rates start at $119*** a night, and visitors who book two or more nights at any participating Aspen or Snowmass lodge will receive extra amenities including complimentary passes to the Aspen or Snowmass Recreation Centers, complimentary bicycle rental, spa discounts at Aspen Club & Spa, and more. Package is valid from August 8^th until October 15^th, 2008. For more information, call 1.888.667.5666 or visit www.aspenchamber.org or www.snowmassvillage.com.
• Mount Nevis Hotel in Nevis is offering a “Pay Full Rate and Then Just $8″**** promotion. Stay a minimum of eight nights at the Mount Nevis Hotel in a Superior Suite at the rate of $300 per night and get the 2nd night for just $8, 3rd night for $300, 4th night for $8 and so on…throughout the duration of the stay. Valid for travel between August 8^th and 28^th, 2008. Visit www.mountnevishotel.com for more information.  For reservations, call 800-756-3847, 9am-5pm, EST, Monday through Friday or the hotel direct at 1-869-469-9373.

* Room package does not include tax and is based on double occupancy and availability. Additional restrictions may apply. Tropicana reserves the right to modify this offer at any time. Valid Friday, August 8, 2008 only. Rate does not include tax, occupancy fee, or mandatory $1 per day phone charge.

** The package rate is available to the first 50 guests 18+ who book the “Your Lucky Day” package.  To receive the package rate, guests will need to show proof of an August 8 birthday upon check in.

*** Lodging rates are based on double occupancy, do not include taxes and gratuities, and are subject to availability.

****This offer is based on double occupancy and is subject to tax and service charge.  Meals are not included. 

Rates and promotions listed are valid at time of publishing on August 8, 2008 and are not guaranteed.

Photo Credits: Club Med; Sandals; Tropicana; Hyatt; Love Lock, Nevada; Aspen photo by Dan Bayer; Gatlinburg, Tennessee