Destinations
U.S. Parks Maintenance A Top Tourism Priority
Concern for the welfare of the national parks system in the United States was a priority theme in a presentation by a top US tourism official during the recent IPW conference and travel trade mart. Elliott L. Ferguson II (pictured), the national chair of the U.S. Travel Association, said the national parks welcomed 318 million visitors last year – more than a third of which were from abroad – but “the truth is, many of these treasures are falling into disrepair.” “The National Park Service is facing almost $12 billion in deferred maintenance repairs,” said Ferguson,...
USVI Working With Cruise Lines Following Cuba Restrictions
Following the US government's renewed restrictions on travel to Cuba, the U.S. Virgin Islands government is working closely with the cruise lines to help them as they develop alternative itineraries. Joseph Boschulte, commissioner of Tourism Designee, said that since news of the policy shift, the Ports of the Virgin Islands has reached out to the cruise lines to offer inconvenienced passengers the opportunity to visit the Territory, including the less busy cruise destination of St. Croix. “We have been in contact with the lines about making calls to both St. Croix and St....
Authentic Experiences Lead The Way In USVI
The U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism has asserted that local people and local experiences have become the biggest draw for travellers to the Territory. Speaking to participants at the recent Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) in Miami, Joseph Boschulte, pictured below, commissioner of tourism designee for the Territory, said that studies have shown that the focus for visitors has shifted over the past few years from shopping and beaches to culture and the people. “What we've found is that we still get almost two million people a year, but the focus...
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours Launches 27th Season
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours has hit the water for its 27th season taking adventure-loving passengers on rides through Niagara’s famous white water. As the weather heats up and the season kicks into high gear, Whirlpool will add a one-of-a-kind, hybrid jet boat to its fleet that gives riders the option to get soaked from head to toe in the turbulent Niagara River or enjoy the same action-packed ride minus the drenching. The Freedom Boat – offering the freedom to get wet or stay dry – features 14 wet seats on the front deck where riders are guaranteed to get doused with gallons of...
Still Time To Win Flanders Trip
Travel agents have a chance to win a one-week fam trip to Flanders, Belgium, that will enable them to enjoy local cuisine and beer and cycle in the countryside, courtesy of VISITFLANDERS and Baxter Media. Flanders is famed for its culinary experiences, being home to 129 Michelin-star restaurants and having one of the highest densities of fine dining restaurants in the world. “And because there is so much more to see, we will also engage in some fun leisure cycling and get some healthy exercise before the next meal,” VISITFLANDERS says. “There is a long history of cycling in...
Tapestry Collection Expanding to the Caribbean
Hilton has announced the signing of ROK Hotel, Kingston, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, representing the brand’s debut in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Slated to open in 2020, the 168-room property, owned by PanJam Investment Limited, sits in a multi-purpose complex on the Kingston Waterfront and will include retail, on-site entertainment and commercial office spaces. Under redevelopment to further revitalize the Kingston Waterfront, the 12-storey building originally opened in 1977 as the Oceana Hotel. Now, it is being transformed into ROK, Kingston, a contemporary hotel offering...
Air Canada Inaugurates Montreal-Raleigh Service
Air Canada has inaugurated a new, non-stop service between Montreal and Raleigh, North Carolina. Flights to Raleigh-Durham International Airport operate with a 50-seat Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ). Flights are timed to optimize connectivity from across Air Canada's network through Air Canada's hub in Montreal. “Air Canada's strategic global expansion continues with the launch of Montreal-Raleigh, the 25th transborder route from our Montreal hub, connecting the southern charm of North Carolina and French flavour of Quebec. This new route complements our existing year-round service...
Reduced International Arrivals To US A Concern: Dow
International visitor arrivals to the US grew in 2018 over the past year, but there are still issues with the degree of recovery since the visitor declines that were first experienced in 2017. Roger Dow, president of the U.S. Travel Association, pulled no punches in expressing concerns with US visitor numbers, which continued to grow at a slower pace in comparison to other world destinations. “America’s share of the global tourism market continues to decline,” said Dow during a press conference at the IPW 2019 conference and trade show in Anaheim, which is ongoing this...