Destinations
Wrexham match with Whitecaps expands Wales’ tourism profile
The power of celebrity and sports was on display for over 37,000 soccer fans who came to Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium to take in a “friendly” match between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Wrexham AFC of Wales last Saturday. Wrexham part-owner/A-list actor Ryan Reynolds was in the house for the game, sparking a huge roar of applause when he showed up on stadium video screens to wave at fans. And in the end, it was his team that triumphed over the Whitecaps with a 4-1 score. Welcome to Wales But the bottom line may be that Wales as a whole – in particular tourism to Wales – was...
Porter adds two new routes to Southern California from Toronto
Porter Airlines is bringing its elevated economy service to more of California, launching non-stop flights to San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) from Toronto-Pearson International Airport (YYZ) this December. San Diego is a year-round route, starting Dec. 9, with four weekly flights. Palm Springs is a winter seasonal service, starting Dec. 12 with three weekly flights. Both routes will be operated with the brand-new Embraer E195-E2. Its signature two-by-two configuration means there are no middle seats on any Porter flight. The...
Sandals Emerald Bay is closing; rebranding as Beaches Exuma
Sandals is expanding the family-friendly Beaches Resorts brand with the development of Beaches Exuma, its fourth resort, and the first Beaches in The Bahamas. To make this new resort possible and as part of a coordinated growth plan across the Sandals and Beaches Resorts portfolio, Sandals Emerald Bay will close on Aug. 15, 2024. The property will then undergo a transformation that is anticipated to begin in fall 2024 before reopening as the new Beaches Exuma. “Exuma was made for families and with more than 6,000 feet of shoreline, the new Beaches Exuma will be a gateway to discovering...
Atlas introduces pre-cruise hotel stays for 2026 Arctic season
Atlas Ocean Voyages' 2026 Arctic season will feature six and seven-night expeditions and include pre-cruise hotel stays for the first time. Onboard World Voyager and World Navigator, the season will also discover new ports exploring the remote Skjoldungen Island in Greenland, the heart of Icelandic culture in Stykkishólmur, and “miniature Norway” from Senja, the island of adventure. Reaching restricted areas for larger ships from Svalbard, Atlas’ small intimate yachts provide fewer than 200 guests with the opportunity to explore the remote region. All expeditions departing from...
Rainbow Paradise Festival picks Memories Paraíso as host hotel
Blue Diamond Resorts Cuba, with the backing of regional institutions, reports that Memories Paraíso Hotel in Cayo Santa María has been selected as the venue for the inaugural Rainbow Paradise Festival, taking place from Aug. 19-25. The landmark event, the island's first major celebration of love and diversity, aims to promote visibility and empowerment for the LGBTQ+ community within the breathtaking Cuban paradise. The week-long celebration will be a vibrant blend of entertainment and rich Cuban culture. The festival kicks off with the Rainbow Fantasy Show, a dazzling drag...
Universal shares new details of Wizarding World of Harry Potter
In 2025, Universal Orlando Resort will debut its third captivating installment of its Harry Potter-themed lands with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic – one of five worlds coming to Universal Epic Universe in 2025. Set in wizarding Paris from Warner Bros. Pictures Fantastic Beasts films and the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter film series, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic features an awe-inspiring collection of experiences that includes fantastical dining, whimsical retail, spellbinding entertainment and the most...
Turks & Caicos welcomes close to 1M arrivals
The Turks and Caicos Islands has welcomed close to a million air arrivals and cruise visitors in the first six months of 2024. There have been 998,854* passengers to this multi-island destination with 408,749* air arrivals, an increase of 13.64 percent over the corresponding period in 2023 and 590,105* cruise passengers, an increase of 19.45 percent compared to the first six months of 2023. For air arrivals, June saw the largest year on year increase. There were 72,009* air arrivals in June 2024, an increase of 28.4 percent compared to the same period in 2023. Cruise passenger...
Marriott debuts all-inclusive concept in Cancun
Marriott Hotels recently announced the grand opening of its newest property, Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort. This debut marks a new era for Marriott Hotels as its first all-inclusive resort, inviting guests of all ages and generations to immerse themselves in enriching experiences, captivating entertainment, and vibrant local culture. Marriott Hotels' foray into the all-inclusive market underscores its dedication to meeting the increasing demand for multigenerational travel experiences. About Marriott Cancun Marriott Cancun features a comprehensive range of amenities...