Destinations
Air Transat Adds Split, Croatia to Summer Line-up
Air Transat is adding Split, Croatia, to its transatlantic flight program. Starting next summer, the airline will offer a weekly direct flight to Split, known for its picturesque beaches on the Adriatic Sea. “Tourism has seen incredible growth in the Balkan Peninsula, which many now rank among the top European destinations,” said Annick Guérard, chief operating officer at Transat. “We’ve seen great interest in Croatia since we started flying there in 2016. That’s why Air Transat is proud to be meeting this demand even better by upping its offer to three direct flights...
Canada Ranked Among Tourism Powerhouses
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a new Travel & Tourism Power and Performance Report, ahead of World Tourism Day celebrations. China, the US and India take the top three spots in the new Power Ranking which combines growth over the past seven years in tourism’s contribution to GDP, international visitor spend, domestic tourism spend and capital investment. Canada ranked eighth on the list. WTTC president and CEO Gloria Guevara commented, “World Tourism Day is the global celebration of a sector that contributes 10.4% of the world’s GDP and...
Tis The Season To Start Thinking About Kissimmee
The Central Florida city of Kissimmee is spreading some Tidings of Comfort and Joy to those who dream of fleeing upcoming winter weather. The city, a stone's throw from Orlando, held a Toronto reception last night (Sept. 26) that featured a Christmas tree, a reminder that Christmas and winter are drawing nearer. “The holiday season [in Kissimmee] is... amazing,” Juliana Cadiz of Experience Kissimmee told the gathering, adding that winter visitors will be warm in her city. Cadiz said Kissimmee lodging options include luxury resorts and Kissimmee is also the “vacation home...
Goway Releases 2019 Africa, Middle-East Travel Planner
Goway’s 2019 Africa and Middle-East Travel Planner has hit the shelves, showcasing more than 250 travel ideas, 22 countries and multiple styles of travel. “This is the definitive planning tool for an agent selling Africa,” said Moira Smith, Goway’s Africa & Middle East general manager. In line with global trends, every idea can be personalized and custom built to a travellers' requirements. Many unique experiences and innovative new itineraries, are included, as well as tried and tested best-sellers. The Middle East is showing exponential growth, and this is reflected...
Gaviota Reaches Out To Agents
Cuban tourism giant Gaviota is reaching out in a major way to travel agents in this country as the busy winter season draws closer. Gaviota – which accounts for nearly half of all hotel rooms in Cuba and has other holdings that include a tour division and marinas – held a Toronto event Tuesday that drew a large number of representatives from household-name hotel brands on the island and is now headed for Montreal for a similar event. “Gaviota would like to wish you a fantastic winter season,” said Nieves Ricardo of the Cuba Tourist Board's Toronto office. Frank Pais...
Sunwing to Launch Toronto-Daytona Beach Service
Sunwing will launch non-stop flight service from Toronto to Daytona Beach on Jan. 28. The twice-weekly flights will connect Toronto golfers with one of Florida’s premier destinations during its peak winter and spring seasons. Daytona Beach is home to 30 golf courses, including LPGA International, a highly acclaimed 36-hole facility, and a pair of Donald Ross designs. The Sunwing flights will depart Pearson (YYZ) on Mondays and Thursdays at 6:20 a.m. and arrive at Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) at 9:15 a.m., leaving ample time for a day-of-arrival round of golf....
Carnival Vista Arrives in New Homeport of Galveston
Carnival Cruise Line solidified its place as the cruise leader in Texas with Sunday’s arrival of Carnival Vista – the largest ship ever homeported in Galveston. The arrival was celebrated with Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy and ship godmother Deshauna Barber, the first member of the US military to be named Miss USA, before the ship left on its first voyage from Galveston Sunday afternoon. Carnival Vista is part of the line’s newest and largest class of ships and has been sailing out of Miami for the past two years with new features like the SkyRide aerial bike...
On The Road At JAPEX 2018
With 42,400 more seats out of Canada this winter, Jamaica’s minister of tourism Edmund Bartlett is confident the Caribbean destination will be a popular choice for Canadian travellers. “Canada is now back with a bang,” he said at a media breakfast held during the Jamaica Product Exchange in Montego Bay this week. Presented by The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association and the Jamaica Tourist Board, JAPEX is the most important business generator for Jamaica's tourism industry. Featuring 197 delegates, 91 companies and 69 representatives, this year’s show included nightly...