Destinations
Celebrity Adds Longer European Explorations
With Celebrity Cruises’ 2020 Europe season poised to be the line’s most “revolutionary” yet, the brand has unveiled four new longer European sailings on board its newest ship, Celebrity Apex, the second ship in its innovative Edge Series. “Like her industry-changing sister ship, Celebrity Edge – which was just named one of TIME Magazine’s 2019 World’s Greatest Places – Celebrity Apex will feature an innovative outward-facing design and transformational accommodations that invite guests to take in the breathtaking world around them,” said Celebrity president Lisa...
Monograms Unveils 2020 Locally Hosted Vacations
Monograms is expanding its diverse vacation portfolio with eight new vacations in 2020 to such exotic destinations as China, Peru, the Galápagos, Argentina, Chile, Guatemala and even Antarctica. “Monograms is perfect for the independent traveller who wants all of the details taken care of ahead of time – as well as during their vacation,” says Stéphanie Bishop of the Globus family of brands, Monograms parent company. “Not only do you save countless hours of research, but you receive private guided sightseeing in each city as well as VIP access to must-see landmarks.” The...
Busabout Introduces New Cross-Border Adventures
Busabout has launched its 2020 USA & Canada brochure highlighted with three new guided Adventures and a 3-Stop Hop-on Hop-off Pass on its West Coast coach travel network. The tour operator launched into North America for the first time in 2019 and is venturing further in 2020, adding more adventures in the USA and along the East Coast of Canada. Clients can save 10% off 2020 USA & Canada adventures when they book by Sept. 30. “The reception for Busabout’s State-side Hop-on Hop-off network has been fantastic – our clients have praised our friendly and helpful guides,...
One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean
With a diverse membership of more than 30 countries and territories, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) certainly has its challenges as an organized body trying to focus on the entire region of the Caribbean as a single destination entity. It was everything Caribbean yesterday (Aug. 22) in Toronto as the CTO hosted its annual Caribbean Media Day – highlighted by a news conference, marketplace and luncheon. Dominic Fedee (pictured above), chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and minister of tourism for Saint Lucia, was on hand and said the CTO’s vision remains to...
World Travel Awards Come to Western Canada
For the first time in its 27-year history, the World Travel Awards will be held in Canada – and the Thompson Okanagan region of B.C. will serve as the hosts. The Thompson Okanagan has won a bid to hold the Awards event for three years, starting with the Predator Ridge Resort in Vernon in 2020. Predator Ridge Resort will welcome over 300 international delegates to the North American gala ceremony in October 2020, as part of the World Travel Awards grand tour. Participants will include delegates from global airlines, tour operators, travel agents, international media and hospitality...
Competitiveness Crucial For Swiss Aviation
In a newly released analysis, IATA highlights that the competitiveness of Switzerland’s air transport sector could generate an additional 36,000 jobs and nearly CHF 13 billion in extra GDP for the nation’s economy by 2037. The IATA study, Switzerland Air Transport Regulatory Competitiveness Indicators, recommends that to maximize the employment and prosperity opportunities created by a successful air transport industry, Switzerland should move forward with a cost-effective expansion of Zurich and Geneva airports, without additional restrictions on night flights, and tackle...
WestJet Welcomes Roatán to its Network
WestJet is adding Roatán, Honduras to its growing list of Caribbean destinations with new non-stop seasonal service from Toronto starting Dec. 15. “With the addition of the snorkelling paradise of Roatán to our network, WestJet guests now have convenient access to 14 Caribbean destinations non-stop from Toronto this winter,” said Arved von zur Muehlen, WestJet chief commercial officer. “Roatán is home to miles of coastline featuring barrier reefs, white sand beaches and turquoise waters and is a bucket list getaway that we can't wait for our guests to explore starting this...
Germany Continues To See Steady Growth
Incoming tourism to Germany continues to show steady growth, with an increase of 3.3% in June. According to provisional figures from the Federal Statistical Office, 39.8 million international overnights were registered across hotels and accommodation establishments with more than 10 beds between January and June – a 3% (1.2 million) rise for the equivalent period of the previous year. Petra Hedorfer, CEO of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), observed, “Destination Germany is positioning itself well within the increasingly competitive market. According to the latest trend...