Destinations
New Hampshire: Definitely Something Special
Travel trade types gathered in Toronto late last week to discover the wonders of New Hampshire, including the state's iconic general stores that have become so popular with visitors. Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, welcomed guests attending the event, pointing out that his department handles all economic development activities for the state, including tourism. He told the crowd that New Hampshire is a “compelling opportunity” with low unemployment and lots of jobs which makes it a good place to live. It also makes...
Norwegian Sun Set For Second Year of Cuba Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) Sun has returned to Port Canaveral for a second season of cruises to Cuba, as well as excursions to the Bahamas. The Norwegian Sun, which in 2018 became the first home-ported cruise ship to sail from Port Canaveral to Cuba, is offering four-, five- and seven-day cruises to Havana, with select sailings also calling to Key West during its four-day cruises. Ports of call during five- and seven-day voyages include Key West, Nassau, Bahamas, or Norwegian’s private island beach at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. (Photo credit: Canaveral Port...
Tianguis Turns Spotlight On Mexico’s Obrador
Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador may have dodged a visit to the Lion's Den when he visited Mexican tourism show Tianguis. Lopez Obrador's administration drew widespread criticism over its decision to close Mexico Tourism Board offices – including the three in this country – at the end of February, turning tourism promotion over to the country's diplomatic missions. The decision led some to expect that the leftist president would receive a cool reception when he spoke at the April 7 opening ceremony of Tianguis, held in Acapulco. But Lopez Obrador – who arrived in...
Starstruck In Utah
Becki Lewis says those who visit her southwestern Utah destination may end up feeling a little star-struck. Lewis, with Visit Cedar City told a Monday Toronto gathering promoting Utah that those who visit her area can easily enjoy outdoor pursuits, such as mountain biking, and dramatic natural retreats like Zion National Park are nearby. And she added the Cedar City area is also an intriguing place after sunset, with the “sky park” providing dramatic celestial displays, thanks in part to the region's smallish population. “We don't have the light pollution” that makes...
Iberostar Raises The Bar In Cuba
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts is upping its game in Cuba. Not only has the company, which has a portfolio of more than 120 four-and-five star hotels in 18 countries across three continents, significantly increased the number of properties and hotel rooms in the Caribbean destination, but it's continuing to raise quality standards across the board to be in line with its global operations, writes assistant editor, Ann Ruppenstein in this week's issue of Canadian Travel Press. “Our position in Cuba, our approach to the future is to be leaders in quality, leaders in number of hotels...
Major Renos For Casino At St. Eugene
Large-scale renovations have been announced for the Casino of the Rockies at the St. Eugene Resort in Cranbrook, BC. Work on the redesign is starting this month and is expected to take under three months to complete, wrapping up in late June 2019. The casino will be open through each renovation phase and minimal impacts to the guest experience are expected. Plans include revamping the gaming floor with design elements inspired by nature, and brightening the space significantly with ambient lighting to reflect day and nighttime skies. A new full-service restaurant concept will be...
Mexico Celebrates Successful Tianguis
Mexican tourism minister Miguel Torruco is eager to close the gap between the number of visitors his country receives and the amount of money they spend. Torruco said during the closing of the country’s Tianguis tourism show this week, that Mexico is now the seventh most-visited country in the world but ranks 16th in tourism revenues, leaving 15 nations ahead of it. The measure of tourism success shouldn’t be the number of visitors a nation hosts but the money it earns through tourism, he told his Acapulco audience. Mexico also lags somewhat when it comes to the amount the...
Fort Worth: Cowboy Cool And Lots More
Home to rodeo and the Stockyards National Historic District, as well as the world's largest honky-tonk, travellers can certainly get their cowboy on when visiting Fort Worth, writes assistant editor, Greg Coates in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. In the late 19th century, Fort Worth became an important trading post for cowboys at the end of the Chisholm Trail. Today, it is modern and one of the fastest growing cities in the US. The Texas city has come of age with many international art institutions like the Kimbell Art Museum helping put it on the map. “We're not...