Destinations
Costa Rica: A Friend Of Mother Nature
A raft of rafting opportunities continues to await adventurous sorts planning to vacation in Costa Rica. The country is seen as a pioneer in the eco-tourism movement but recent years have also seen the development of large oceanside resorts belonging to international hotel chains, properties many conservationists argue are incompatible with the concept of eco-tourism. But Costa Rican eco-tourism veteran Rafael Gallo says those who worry that Costa Rica may be drifting away from its commitment to preserving nature needn't be concerned, with the country strongly committed to protecting...
Cuba Set For Busy Winter Season
Cuba is on the verge of gaining 4,000 hotel rooms, including ones in a hotel that will be a first for the country. Lessner Gomez, director of the Cuba Tourist Board's Toronto office, told a Tuesday Toronto gathering that the country has “practically new hotels in every single destination” and is introducing a new generation of modern and upscale hotels in Cuba. Among hotels that could open on Cayo Guillermo as early as this year is the Rainbow Muthu, which will be the first Cuban hotel to primarily cater to the LGBT community, although all will be welcome. The hotel – which...
Discover The Wonders Of Dallas And Fort Worth
If you haven't sent your clients to Dallas and Fort Worth for a few years, they're going to find a lot of new things to discover and experience. That was the straightforward message from Visit Dallas' senior vice president tourism, Mark Thompson and Visit Fort Worth's destination strategy manager, Ryan Oliver during a visit to Toronto yesterday. Thompson and Oliver made it abundantly clear that Canada is “a huge market” for both Texas and Dallas and Forth Worth. He told Press Today that Canada ranked as the two destinations second largest market, which shouldn't be that...
Expo 2020 Dubai: The Greatest Show On Earth
One of the first things that Sumathi Ramanathan will tell you about Expo 2020 Dubai is that it's going to be the “greatest show on earth.” Ramanathan, global destination marketing director for Expo 2020 Dubai, spoke with Canadian Travel Press recently, offering a range of insights on what visitors can expect from the mega event that will open in Dubai in October 2020. “It's an exciting time for Dubai,” Ramanathan said, “The campaign is going to launch very soon and it's called “Expo 2020 Dubai: The Greatest Show On Earth” and we truly promise the greatest destination...
Linking Portugal and Israel
What do Portugal and Israel have in common? While at the outset they may seem like very different destinations, the two countries are joining efforts to promote their tourism offers within the North American market. “It's two countries that complement each other. One of the key products that we want to start discussing is the Jewish heritage, Jewish legacy in Portugal so we've been trying to develop that,” William Delgado, country manager, Canada of the Portuguese National Tourist Office, told PressToday at a Toronto gathering yesterday (Oct. 28). “Israel, they want to promote...
Hawks Cay Calls On Canadians
Florida Keys resident and Montreal transplant Sheldon Suga is hoping for snow in the forecast. “We hope you have a really cold winter,” the VP managing director for Hawks Cay Resort said last night (Oct. 28) from the 54th floor of the private dining room at Canoe restaurant. “When the weather drops, there's a surge of interest in our resort.” The 60-acre Florida Keys property on Duck Key Island underwent a US$50 million renovation last year in the wake of Hurricane Irma, which Suga said gave them the opportunity to modernize the 177 room resort. Suga said the resort prides...
Griffith Leaving BTMI
William 'Billy' Griffith is leaving his post as CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. effective Dec. 31, 2019, giving BTMI an opportunity to recruit a new leader and ensure a smooth transition as his contract comes to an end. Chairman of the Board, Sunil Chatrani, thanked Griffith for his significant contribution to the organization since its inception in 2014 and wished him the best in his future endeavours. Chatrani added that the search for a new CEO will commence immediately as the organization transitions into a public/private sector partnership (PPP). Speaking on his...
Fabulous Fam For Flanders Contest Winner
Michele Fabian from Northstar Travel & Associates in Kitchener, ON was the lucky winner of the Flanders contest that captured a wide interest across the Canada this summer. Fabian embarked on a one week FAM to Flanders in October. She was truly surprised by the extent and quality of experiences in the destination. The FAM trip took guests from Mechelen, Ghent, Bruges, Antwerp and Brussels. Participants saw famous squares and plazas like the Grand Place in Brussels (see photo), Flemish artwork from the Northern Renaissance and enjoyed exquisite cuisines and Belgian...