Destinations
RIU Introduces New Hotels in the Maldives
RIU Hotels & Resorts has opened two hotels in the Maldives. Riu Atoll and Riu Palace Maldivas are 4- and 5-star hotels, respectively, and are located on Dhaalu Atoll. Both offer guests suites over the Indian Ocean. Luis Riu, CEO of the company, said “this is a great moment for the chain, because we have been working towards opening a hotel in the Maldives for over seven years. To open two hotels at the same time, having overcome an exciting technical and logistical challenge due to their geographic location is, for me, a dream come true on both a personal and a professional...
Statue of Liberty Museum Opens to the Public
The Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island in New York City has opened to the public. The 26,000-square-foot museum features three gallery spaces, each one meant to inspire visitors and educate them about the Statue of Liberty in interactive and thought-provoking ways. The experience culminates with an up-close view of Liberty’s most iconic symbol, her original torch, held high for nearly 100 years. Rescued from the elements and replaced in 1986, the torch is the most powerful artifact visitors encounter as they reach the end of the museum experience. The museum merges...
Brexit Not Impacting UK Travel: Canadian Operators
Given fears that inbound travel to Britain would be affected by the uncertain Brexit negotiations, Visit Britain has generated statistics that explore the question more methodically. The results of that survey were delivered during the recent ExploreGB conference and trade show in the small, picturesque city of Harrogate, in North Yorkshire, England. The numbers were gathered from fall 2018 to March 2019, and they indicated varying degrees of trepidation regarding Brexit by respondents around from the world. The primary markets – those in nearby Europe – got a lion’s share of...
Glō Arrives in Canada
Best Western Hotels & Resorts is celebrating the Canadian arrival of its modern and energetic boutique brand, Glō, in Ottawa. According to officials, GLō offers an iconic experience that connects guests with state-of-the-art technology and modernized designs. Designed with today’s traveller in mind, the addition of digital keys, a digital concierge and communal workspaces position the GLō brand as a powerful innovator in the growing upper-midscale market. GLō has other properties in Asheville, North Carolina and DeSoto, Texas, and is coming to other premier destinations...
ePassport Gates Can Now Be Used To Enter The UK
Eligible travellers from Canada can now use ePassport gates to enter the UK quickly and securely. Canadian nationals aged 18 and over, and who are travelling using a biometric or “chipped” passport, will be able to use the automated e-passport gates. Visitors aged 12- to 17-years-old, and who are accompanied by an adult, are also able to use them. The UK is a world leader in automated passenger clearance, allowing more nationalities to use ePassport gates than anywhere else. Home Secretary Sajid Javid commented, “Our new global immigration and border system will improve...
Autograph Collection Debuts in Kenya
Autograph Collection Hotels, Marriott International’s distinctive collection of independent hotels, has welcomed Sankara Nairobi to its diverse portfolio of more than 171 hotels around the world, marking the debut for the brand in Kenya. Set in the heart of Westlands, Sankara Nairobi lies in the epicentre of the city’s commercial, retail, and entertainment quarter and boasts quintessential Kenyan charm and hospitality, contemporary interiors and carefully curated modern African art throughout the hotel. Just a short drive away from the city centre and the United Nations...
Into The Wild
It’s our first morning in Costa Rica and we’ve abruptly come to a stop on the side of the road after passing through Cerro de la Muerte, a scenic mountain range that translates to Summit of Death. A moment of confusion arises as the group tries to decipher what’s going on – are we lost? Are we having car trouble? Until it becomes clear as San Jose-based chef Jose Pablo Gonzalez leaps out of the vehicle and jumps up a nearby poro tree to grab flowers for the group smell, explaining some of the ways locals cook with the ingredient, commonly prepared with beans. A short while later,...
Marriott Transforms Iconic Marco Island Property
The iconic JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort has completed a comprehensive US$320 million transformation project, ushering in a new era of luxury in southwest Florida and beyond. Guests visiting the resort, which is situated on three miles of pristine sands and sparkling Gulf waters, can enjoy the new Lanai Tower with more than 100,000 square feet of technologically integrated meeting and event space, new culinary concepts, 12,000 sq. ft entertainment centre, re-imagined historic Lanai Suites and the debut of the “Paradise by Sirene” experience, a curated escape exclusively for...