Destinations
HKTB Canada Getting Operator Feedback, Monitoring Impact Of Protests
The Hong Kong Tourism Board says that they have seen no significant changes in Hong Kong travel bookings from Canada, after checking with their tour operator partners for feedback during recent civil unrest there. However, preliminary figures show an overall double-digit decline in the number of visitor arrivals to Hong Kong from around the world in the second half of July. This has led to a fall in total arrivals for the month, said Karisa Lui, the assistant manager, marketing for the HKTB in Canada. “Also, the travel trade in Hong Kong has reported that the number of forward...
Globus Goes ‘Down Under’
Globus has unveiled its 2020 line-up of South Pacific vacations, highlighted by five new escorted group vacations and featuring Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. “We’re seeing a significant increase in interest in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji as travellers put them high on their wish-lists,” says Stéphanie Bishop of the Globus family of brands’ Canadian office. “As a result, we’ve increased our vacations by 50% with new, immersive journeys to Australia – including Tasmania – and to New Zealand.” Memorable moments, she adds, include a visit to a kangaroo...
Exploring The Emerald Isle Made Easy With Air Transat
For anyone unfamiliar with the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Giant’s Causeway and Ring of Kerry, it’s time to set off for the Emerald Isle to discover (or rediscover) these and other natural wonders, and Air Transat makes Ireland accessible to Canadians with departures from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. Air Transat flies direct to Dublin from Toronto (five times a week) and via connecting flights from Montreal (five times a week), Vancouver (five times a week) and Calgary (four times a week). For the full experience, Transat also offers the “Magic of Ireland”...
Four Seasons Opens in Philadelphia’s Comcast Center
On the uppermost floors of what is now the city’s tallest building and 10th highest in the United States, the all-new Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center is now open. “This exceptional new property represents the very best of Four Seasons. From architecture to design, artistry and innovation, culinary mastery and wellness expertise, we have worked closely with our visionary partners at Comcast and Liberty Property Trust to assemble an all-star team of virtuosos who are elevating Four Seasons service, quality and artistry to new heights,” says Christian Clerc,...
St. Maarten Arrival Numbers Soaring
Travellers are returning to St. Maarten in strong numbers as the island reports a 131% increase in arrivals from January to June 2019 compared to the same period last year. With important hotel re-openings in Q4 2018 and Q1 of 2019 coupled with major airlines increasing service to the island, tour operators are also reporting strong numbers including quadruple digit percentage growth in sales and room nights this popular destination. Between January and June of this year, St. Maarten welcomed 171,543 visitors of which 107,968 were from North America: 92,285 from the US and 15,683...
Incredible India on Display
It was all about India last night as Services International Ltd and India Tourism, along with special guest Kuwait Airways, hosted a group of about 100 travel agents in North York. Represented India Tourism was Roman Francis Pereira, visiting from New York, and who named a long list of reasons why travellers should visit India. They include: culture, heritage sites (such as the Taj Mahal, Red Fort and Khajuraho), fairs and festivals, nature and wildlife, cuisine, wellness tourism, yoga, spiritual tourism, shopping, beaches, adventure, golf, MICE, destination weddings and...
Thailand Fam Takes In Travel Mart
Luxury stays, premium flights and new discoveries were in store for a group of six travel agents/tour operators from Canada who visited Thailand on an all-inclusive fam tour recently. The trip was sponsored by the Thailand Authority of Tourism and made visits to Bangkok, Chiang Rai (Golden Triangle), Chiang Mai and Phuket – plus the Thailand Travel Mart held in Pattaya. Flights by Cathay Pacific in their premium economy class cabins were included for the six retailers – three from Toronto, one from Ottawa and two from Vancouver. Amongst them was Marian Lam (pictured), general...
Celebrity Set To Call Tampa Home
Celebrity Cruises is adding Tampa as a homeport, expanding the brand’s global vacation offerings with the redeployment of Celebrity Constellation. The newly “revolutionized” ship will offer guests more island time than ever before, with three unique alternating 10- and 11-night roundtrip sailings for the winter 2020 season. “Our guests and travel advisors have been asking us to return to Tampa since our last call there in 2007,” said Celebrity president Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “While Celebrity Cruises fleet is undergoing a massive modernization with The Celebrity Revolution,...