Destinations
Carnival, Canaveral Reach New Terminal Agreement
Carnival Cruise Line has reached an agreement in principle with the Canaveral Port Authority on a new state-of-the-art terminal able to accommodate its new 180,000-ton ship, the largest ever constructed for the line, set to debut in 2020. The terms of the agreement are expected to be included on the agenda of the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Aug. 29. If approved, the agreement will clear the way for Carnival Cruise Line’s plans to homeport the as-yet-unnamed 5,286-lower berth ship at Port Canaveral, further bolstering the line’s position as the...
All Inclusive Evolution
In an interview with Canadian Travel Press back in 2016, Melia Hotels International's Tony Cortizas talked about the Group's plans to expand its all-inclusive Paradisus brand into the Asia Pacific region, so it seemed an obvious question to ask whether that was still part of the plan. “It’s still part of the plan,” he said, adding: “Paradisus is the brand that the agents [here] know the best.” Cortizas told CTP that although no specific projects are completely confirmed, a deal to do this is confirmed in Thailand, where an agreement is in place to build two new Paradisus...
Tourism Booming In New Zealand
According to new research released by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), travel and tourism accounted for 17.9% (NZD$47.5bn) of New Zealand's GDP. And that figure is set to rise by 2.9% per annum and forecast to account for 20% of New Zealand GDP over the next decade. Other highlights of the WTTC's New Zealand research on include: Travel and tourism supported 212,000 jobs in 2017 (8.8% of total employment). By 2028, over 275,000 of jobs in New Zealand (10.9% of total employment) are forecast to be dependent on travel and tourism. The travel sector grew by 3.2%...
A Little Romance From Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises continues to make easier for couples to plan their weddings and honeymoons with the latest tools, like a Honeymoon Gift Registry App and online Wedding Planner tool. During the planning phase, the line's digital Wedding Planner will streamline the planning process, providing wedding couples the opportunity to choose, plan and purchase their wedding package and reception options from the convenience of their computer or smartphone. The tool helps take the stress out of planning with online guidance and a personal wedding coordinator along with easy-to-use...
For The Love Of The Game
As part of its recently launched Flying Start initiative, Sunwing Foundation has partnered with not-for-profit organization, Sisters Keeper Elite Basketball, to help 100 kids in Jamaica develop their love of basketball and get ready for the school year. Along with their participation in this year's Caribbean Hoop Fest taking place in Montego Bay Aug.17 to Aug. 22, the Sisters Keeper team – which includes athletes from the Canada Elite Ontario Basketball women's team – will also be taking time off the court to give back. On August 18, they'll host a basketball camp in partnership...
VoX Names New GNTO Director
Julia Dywelski has been named the new director of marketing for the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), which is represented by VoX International in Canada. In that role, Dywelski will be responsible for developing and overseeing a marketing plan for the Canadian market which will include media relations and public relations activities along with developing engaging digital and social marketing campaigns. Born in Germany, Dywelski holds a Master of Arts from the University of Heidelberg as well as a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Paderborn in Germany. Dywelski has...
Have Family, Will Travel
It didn't start out as planned. Instead of kicking off a family vacation with eight of my closest relatives, thanks to a delayed flight and a missed connection I found myself sitting alone in a hot tub in the backyard of an expansive house that sleeps 16. I don't know if absence truly makes the heart grow fonder, but at that moment I actually craved the typical commotion that comes with family travel – cramming into vehicles, squabbling over where to sleep, what to do or who pays the bill (or being outnumbered when you request to pull over to take yet another photo, sigh) – that...
Czech Republic – In The Heart Of Europe
Jiri Duzar of Czech Tourism says his homeland is smack-dab in the middle of Europe, something that he says well serves visitors wanting to explore different countries on that continent. Duzar told a Tuesday Toronto audience that the Czech Republic's physical location clearly puts it in a unique position. “If any other country in Europe tells you they're the heart of Europe, they're wrong,” he said “We're the heart of Europe.” That convenient location makes it easy for tourists to visit not only the Czech Republic – now served by both Air Canada Rouge and Transat – but...