Destinations
Pure Grenada
The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) has launched the Pure Grenada Specialist & Loyalty Program. The comprehensive travel agent university platform is a strategic endeavor utilized by the GTA to promote all the products of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. With the help of the newly implemented specialist rewards initiative, the platform seeks to incentivize the more than 20,000 registered trade professionals to become an extension of the destinations marketing and sales team. The interactive platform is designed to identify, engage and educate travel trade...
Princess Cruising California Coast
Princess Cruises has unveiled its 2019-2020 itineraries of the California coast, with sailings featuring Monterey, San Francisco, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Highlights for the 2019-2020 season include the introduction of one of the line's newest ships to the California Coast, Royal Princess, for her first full season based in Los Angeles. Royal Princess will offer nine coastal departures including the Classic California Coast itinerary. Royal Princess itineraries offer guests a variety of More Ashore opportunities, allowing guests to spend more time in port , as well as the...
Rediscover Diving In Dominica
Discover Dominica Authority recently released a new dive video that was shot a few months after the 2017 hurricane and features some great underwater footage of vibrant, healthy and colourful reefs. While some of the shallow reefs above 40 feet suffered damage many of those below 40 feet remained intact, as many of Dominica's dive sites were protected by their deep waters. Colin Piper, CEO of Discover Dominica, said: “We are excited about the new dive video, which displays the thriving dive product currently available in Dominica and which complements our other dive marketing...
Contiki Takes A Bite Out Of Canada, USA
Contiki has launched its new USA & Canada 2018-20 program, featuring a range of 25 adventures across the continent including a focus on its “Munch” foodie experiences; added departures for its Canadian escapes which includes an additional Calgary Stampede trip due to popular demand and a brand new getaway to Orlando. The new program comes off the back of Contiki's recent studies that revealed a trend towards travel to areas of natural beauty, with half of young respondents highlighting nature and the outdoors as two major factors in their travel plans. And to help young...
Cuba Expands WIFI Service
The Cuba Tourist Board reports that the progressive roll-out of nationwide WIFI coverage has started. The initiative was first presented at FIT Cuba in May. As noted by Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz in his opening address, WIFI coverage is expected to be extended to 287 additional hotels by the end of 2018. Full coverage of every hotel on the island slated for 2019. “We're thrilled to be able to expand our service on such a national scale,”said Eloy Govea, Director, Cuba Tourist Board. “This initiative is the product of our continuing commitment to deliver the best...
MosaiCulture Blooms In Gatineau
The tourism trade in the Quebec city of Gatineau is banking on some flower power this year. MosaiCulture 2018 Gatineau features “majestic floral masterpieces,” with impressive works having metal frames that are then coated with plants. More than 5.5 million plants are found in attraction, which continues to Oct. 15. “It's probably Canada's largest floral display,” spokeswoman Genvieve Menard told Press Today during a Wednesday Toronto gathering. Among the works is the Tree of Birds, which weighs some 100 tonnes, reaches around 60 feet in height and features recreations of 56...
Brazil Posts Solid Gains From Canada
A big improvement in the processing of visas for visiting Brazil has resulted in a jump in visitor visa applications to the country, said a tour operator executive in Vancouver recently. A new electronic visa program has vastly reduced visa processing times, to an estimated approval period of 72 hours. Since January 18th the new electronic visa fee is USD $40 plus a service fee of USD $4.24 -- in Canadian dollars that would be approximately CAD $59. (Complete details are available by clicking here). Visitor visa applications have jumped by about 47%, said Don Forster, the Latin...
Exceeding Expectations
The UNWTO reports that international tourist arrivals grew by 6% in the first four months of 2018 – compared to the same period last year – and that not only continued the strong 2017 trend, but exceeded its forecast for 2018. Growth was led by Asia and the Pacific (up 8%) and Europe (up 7%). Africa (up 6%), the Middle East (up 4%) and the Americas (up 3%) also recorded sound results. Earlier this year, UNWTOs forecast for 2018 was between 4% to 5%. UNWTO secretary-general, Zurab Pololikashvili observed that: “International tourism continues to show significant growth...