Destinations
Culinary Star Puts Spotlight On Japan
The Japan National Tourism Organization used some culinary star power to promote Japanese dining opportunities during a Tuesday night Toronto reception. The JNTO had celebrity chef Susur Lee offer insights into Japanese cuisine at one of Lee's downtown Toronto restaurants, with Lee – who oversees several eateries, frequently appears on television and has visited Japan to learn about its food – praising the Asian nation's dishes. “I think it's one of the hot cuisines in the world,” he told PressToday, adding some ingredients used in Japanese dishes in Japan aren't available...
Greg Norman Visits New Sandals Golf Course
Golf icon Greg “The Shark” Norman recently met with Sandals Resorts International deputy chairman and CEO Adam Stewart in Saint Lucia to discuss transformation plans for Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate. The 18-hole golf course is the newest addition to the Sandals brand in Saint Lucia. Sandals Resorts acquired the St. Lucia Golf and Country Club last year, with massive plans for expansion and redesign by Greg Norman Golf Course Design, who previously created the award-winning golf course at Sandals Emerald Bay. Norman and his team will convert the...
Collette Launches St. Patrick’s Day Flash Sale
Collette has launched a special St. Patrick’s Day Flash Sale on air-inclusive tours to Ireland. Available through March 18, air-inclusive tours start from $2,298 per person. All rates include land, $399 round-trip airfare, taxes and fuel surcharges from eligible gateways. Agents must mention code IRELAND399. “We’re offering some amazing deals in conjunction with our 100th year celebration for agents to pass along to their clients,” said Courtney Iannuccilli, vice-president of marketing. “Explore Ireland to see beautiful castles, experience the unique culture, and behold...
Tourism New Zealand Offers $500 Fam Credit
The 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Program is gaining popularity with travel agents across North America, thanks in part to the debut of Explore PLUS, a heavily discounted independent familiarization benefit designed to help travel professionals build in-depth destination knowledge first-hand. As of yesterday (March 12), Tourism New Zealand is incentivizing travel agents even further with a special $500 trip credit available to the first 50 agents to book an independent fam trip. Also new to the program is Hawaiian Airlines, which now offers agents a $500 return airfare. Other...
Celebrating All Things Irish
The 40th edition of The Ireland Funds St. Patrick's Day Luncheon was held Friday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, attracting more than 1,000 people. The mission of the Fund is “to harness the power of a global philanthropic network of friends of Ireland to promote and support peace, culture, education and community development across the island of Ireland and among Irish communities around the world.” In the past 40 years, the Fund has raised more than $550 million. Honoured at this year's luncheon was General de Chastelain, a retired Canadian Forces officer, the...
Go Custom With Katarina Line
Croatia's Katarina Line is expanding its customizable tour options for 2018 as the North American group travel market heats up. The company's fully customizable programs include a wider range of tours catering to groups such as music aficionados, youth travel, food lovers, history buffs, soft adventure vacationers, as well as those seeking classic sightseeing tours. The new tours also include more excursions into neighboring countries such as Slovenia, Bosnia, Montenegro, and Serbia, among others, and feature English speaking guides and private buses. As well, Katarina Line is...
Bannikin to Rep AndAdventure in Canada
Niche tourism consultancy Bannikin Travel & Tourism has been named the North American trade relations representative for AndAdventure, a specialty travel company based in Split, Croatia, offering custom FIT & group multi-day guided experiences along the beautiful Dalmatian Coast, hinterland, and islands of Croatia. As AndAdventure's trade development firm, Bannikin will work closely with North American travel agents and tour operators to showcase travel experiences in Croatia. Through fam trips, sales visits, trade shows, webinars and more, Bannikin will spread...
Ontario: ‘The Place To Be’
Travel and tourism students at Humber College in Toronto received a nice show of support Wednesday (March 7) when Ontario Tourism Minister Daiene Vernile dropped by for a keynote address. The newly appointed minister wished students well, asking them jokingly to graduate soon as they are needed in the field. “Stakeholders in the industry are looking for skilled staff,” she said. “Ontario tourism needs professionals like you.” Vernile noted that the tourism sector employs 389,000 people and is the province's largest employer of young people. She added that the tourism...