Destinations
Tianguis Talk
Mexico's new president told delegates at the opening of the country's annual tourism show that his administration is supportive of tourism but was cautioned on the importance of tourism promotion during the same Acapulco ceremony. The government of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador drew criticism earlier this year from those involved in tourism when it closed Mexico Tourism Board offices, turning their duties over to diplomatic missions. Lopez Obrador was warmly applauded during the opening of Tianguis, but a fellow speaker drew applause when he warned that “if you don't show, you...
Holiday Optimism In BC
The hard lessons of overtourism experienced by destinations around the world found their way into the agenda of the recent BC Tourism Industry Conference, as stakeholders sought future directions for their businesses, reports western editor, Ted Davis in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. Information about overtourism trends, plus some solutions, were tabled by Stewart Moore, founder of Earth Check, during the conference in Vancouver recently. Overtourism is starting to have more relevance in Canada's comparatively less populated destinations, including BC and...
Bennett New Regional Director of Tourism for Jamaica
Donovan White, Jamaica’s director of tourism, has announced the appointment of Angella Bennett to the position of regional director of tourism for Canada at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). Bennett will be based in Toronto and will take up her new posting this week. Bennett brings more than 20 years of hospitality sales and marketing experience to the position, having worked extensively in several markets, including Canada, the US, Europe, Latin America and her native Jamaica. “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Angella to the Jamaica Tourist Board team,” said White....
Asia Pacific Arrivals Continue To Drive Tourism Growth
Year-end statistics by Collier International indicate that the world travel industry will close out 2018 with more arrivals than the prior year. Tourism arrivals to the Asia Pacific region are expected to have grown by 6% year-on-year in 2018, thanks in part to the wanderlust of a growing population of consumers from China, as well as a bounce-back in corporate demand. This continues a steady period of growth that started in 2010, as the middle-income population continues to soar across the Asia Pacific region. The arrivals momentum is expected to spill over into 2019, rising at a...
New VIP Service Available at Sandals Royal Barbados
In a continued effort to constantly innovate its Luxury Included experience, Sandals Resorts has launched all-new VIP Arrival Service at Sandals Royal Barbados. The complimentary service is available to guests of the following Butler Elite room categories which include Rolls-Royce Ghost transfers: South Seas Royal Rondoval Butler Suite with Private Pool Sanctuary; Millionaire Butler Oceanview One Bedroom Suite with Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub; Millionaire Crystal Lagoon Swim-up Butler One Bedroom Suite with Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub; Beachfront One Bedroom Butler Suite with...
Avalon Unveils New Tulip Time Cruises for 2020
Avalon Waterways has unveiled five cruises – including three new itineraries – that invite travellers to Europe in 2020 during Holland's colourful tulip season, when the crowds are small and the blooms are bountiful. “Every year, the fields of Holland transform into a colourful wonderland of beauty,” said Pam Hoffee, managing director of Avalon Waterways. “It’s a spectacle every world traveller should try to witness up-close, at least once. And in 2020, we’re giving our guests more opportunities to marvel at the beauty of those seven million blooms.” In 2020, Avalon...
South Dakota’s Badlands National Park Marks 80 Years
Katelyn Richter says there's nothing bad about South Dakota's Badlands. In fact, they're actually an intriguing sort of place that have landscapes that often seem lunar-like and are marked by buttes, canyons, pinnacles and spires, says Richter, noting the state's Badlands National Park is marking its 80th anniversary this year. The Badlands were so named by area Indians before European settlement because rugged, often dry terrain could be challenging to cross. But that's no longer the case, said Richter, South Dakota Department of Tourism spokeswoman. “The nice thing about...
Virgin Voyages Going To Cuba
Virgin Voyages president and CEO Tom McAlpin and Diana Block-Garcia, vice-president of destination, itinerary and revenue, were joined by La Habana Cruise Port officials this week for a ceremonial celebration of the formalization of Virgin Voyages’ contract to sail to Cuba in 2020. The contract formalization ceremony piggy-backed off a development visit to Cuba as the company continues to build its shore excursion program, which it affectionately refers to as Shore Things. “Our Sailors are eager to sail to Cuba and we are incredibly proud to celebrate our plans to visit Havana,...