Destinations
Contiki Unveils Europe 2019-2020
Contiki has launched its new Europe 2019-2020 program, featuring 21 new European adventures – including its new 20-day London to London European Dream trip and new adventures in Israel, Jordan and Africa -- simplifying its travel styles with an aim to make it easier for travel agents to book with Contiki and furthering its sustainability initiatives through Contiki Cares powered by TreadRight. With the new changes, one aspect which sets Contiki apart which will never change is its longstanding dedication to providing real, local and unique experiences to 18-35-year-old young Canadians...
Heavy Rain Expected As Olivia Heads Towards Hawai’i
Hurricane Olivia is expected to take an unusual path over the Hawaiian Islands around the middle of the week, but a repeat of Lane’s historic rainfall is not expected, according to experts at AccuWeather. Olivia, currently a Category 1 hurricane, is moving swiftly westward toward the island chain. AccuWeather meteorologists expect Olivia to be a tropical storm by the time it reaches Hawai'i later today and into Wednesday night. Rough surf will continue to build along the north- and east-facing beaches of the islands as Olivia approaches. AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan...
‘Best Summer ever,’ Bartlett
Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett reports the island experienced record-breaking stopover arrivals from May to August, with provisional estimates showing stopover arrivals up by 6% over the same period last year. “It has definitely has been our best summer ever. We had 884,324 visitors compared to the 834,292 from the period May to August in 2017,” said Bartlett. “These figures contributed to total visitor arrivals (May to August) of 1,312,494, which was a 4.4% increase over the same period last year.” Data received by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) also indicates...
Hurricane Florence Threatens Carolinas, Virginias
Even in lieu of the worst-case scenario, Hurricane Florence has the potential to join the ranks of the costliest natural disasters in the history of the United States, according to AccuWeather, which says severe flooding could leave some communities under water for days or more. With the potential for Florence's forward speed to slow and possibly stall, a current forecast of feet of rain would lead to catastrophic flash flooding and major river flooding in parts of the Carolinas, Virginia and possibly other neighbouring states. “Most of hurricane damage and loss of life occurs not...
Celebrating The Wonders Of Germany
The Destination Germany Roadshow rolled into Toronto last night (Sept.10) as 20 suppliers from Germany and Canada were on hand to update some 80 agents on what's on offer in the European destination. Looking ahead, the major themes for the German National Tourist Office are the celebration of 100 years of Bauhaus in 2019, and Beethoven’s 250th anniversary and the Oberammergau Passion Play in 2020, which only occurs every 10 years. "I hope that agents got a good idea of how diverse Germany is and of how much it has to offer," says Julia Dywelski, the new director of the German...
West Hollywood Offers ‘Authentic’ L.A. Experience
Just in time for TIFF, a delegation of West Hollywood tourism officials dropped by Toronto last week to help spread the word on all the trendy California destination has to offer. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, West Hollywood is a popular tourist area known for its high-energy nightlife, famed Sunset Strip, restaurants, boutique hotels, comedy clubs and music venues (like The Viper Club and Whiskey a Go Go) and as a swanky celebrity hideaway. Speaking at an intimate industry luncheon at The Chase on Friday, Jeff Morris, chief marketing officer for the West Hollywood Travel...
Planet Hollywood Coming to St. Maarten
The Sunwing Travel Group is advising agents that Planet Hollywood has announced plans for the development of a new resort on the beachfront of Great Bay, St. Maarten. With the addition of this latest resort development, the Group has now made an investment commitment of more than US$600 million into bringing the iconic lifestyle brand to key destinations internationally, starting with Costa Rica in October and Cancun in 2019. A destination unto itself for dining and entertainment and a haven for vacationing celebrities, the 450-room resort will feature luxury accommodations,...
Los Cabos Adding Six Luxury Hotels in 2019
Mexico's Los Cabos is getting set to expand its hotel inventory with the addition of six new luxury properties in 2019. This includes the Ritz Carlton Reserve (Q1), Nobu Los Cabos (Q2), Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos (Q2), Vidanta East Cape (Q4), Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos (Q4) and Villa Valencia (TBD). Including the expansion of three existing properties, this will create 2,463 new rooms in Los Cabos in 2019. “We are delighted by the confidence this shows in the attractiveness of our destination,” said Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. These...