Destinations
Caribbean Region Hits 30-Million Mark
It seems all is well in the Caribbean. The catastrophic hurricanes that devastated some Caribbean destinations last September slowed down tourism’s progress, but did not stop it, according to figures released by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the authority on regional tourism statistics. Ryan Skeete, the CTO’s acting director of research, reports that the Caribbean reached the 30-million mark in stay-over arrivals for the first time ever last year, even as the region battled the effects of hurricanes Irma and Maria, as well as Hurricane Harvey, which lashed parts of...
Discover America Canada Picks New Executive
Discover America Canada (DAC) elected its new executive team during its annual general meeting in Toronto last night. Cynthia Farrill, Visit Florida – Canada; Denise Graham, Experience Kissimmee/VoX International; Annika Klint, KAI – Colorado Tourism Office – Canada; and Susan Webb, VoX International were picked for the 2018-2019 executive committee. The meeting also featured a review of Discover America Canada's activities during 2017; a look at its financial position; special presentations by Brand USA's Karly Melo and Expedia MediaSolutions Raina Williams; and a glimpse of...
Dominican Celebrates A Record Year Out Of Canada
After a record year in 2017, with almost 850,000 Canadian visitors to their country, the Dominican Republic is celebrating in a very Canadian fashion – at a hockey game. On Feb. 24, the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, through its Tourist Office in Montreal, will be hosting a colourful Caribbean themed evening at the Bell Centre in Montreal, during the match between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Hockey fans will be treated to live music, a traditional Merengue dancing exhibition, a virtual reality experience and the chance to win an all-inclusive...
Myrtle Beach Celebrates With Annual CAN-AM Days
Calling all Canadians! Though the 57th annual Canadian-American Festival lasts just one week – March 10-18 – select Myrtle Beach area hotels, merchants and attractions are offering discounts throughout spring for travellers with a valid Canadian passport. Ranging from 25% to as much as 55%, the discounts are designed to help Canadians “make up” the difference in the Canadian exchange rate. “We have seen a growing number of Canadian visitors to the Myrtle Beach area, especially in the past decade,” said Julie Ellis, public relations and communications manager for the...
Savouring Switzerland
In the beginning there was Thomas Cook — so to say. Switzerland’s roots as a tourist destination can be traced back to 1863, when a documented tour led by the international travel company brought a group to the Central European country for a holiday, reports assistant editor, Ann Ruppenstein in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. “We have 150 years of history of Switzerland as a travel destination,” Alex Herrmann, director, North America for Switzerland Tourism tells Travel Courier. “Over 150 years ago, the first groups came from the UK, so you have all these...
Playacar Palace Unveils Complete Transformation
Mexico's five-star Playacar Palace has reopened following an extensive, US$14 million multi-phase remodel. The all-inclusive resort for couples, families and groups is located on the white sands of Playa del Carmen, just steps away from the Quinta Avenida. Renovation details include upgrades to guest rooms, lobby, front desk, restaurants and lounge areas. Each of the 201 rooms boasts new décor, installation of modern furnishings, enhanced showers and vanity areas, top-of-the-line Lavazza coffee makers and advanced jets added to the in-room double whirlpool tubs. The...
Paradise Beach Resort Debuts Beach Houses
Nevis' Paradise Beach Resort is expanding with the addition of five new, two-bedroom Beach Houses slated for completion in March. A rarity in the Caribbean, the Beach Houses will be the first built on Nevis hovering above the pristine, white, sandy beach. Raised on stilts over the resort’s private beach, the Beach Houses will offer sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea and neighbouring St. Kitts. Situated on Nevis’ west coast, just north of Pinney’s Beach, Paradise Beach Resort’s new Beach Houses are constructed with thatched roofs by local craftsmen. Guests come upon them...
On The Road For Gala Vallarta-Nayarit
As Puerto Vallarta prepares to mark its 100th anniversary in May, the destination is also celebrating a record year for tourism in the destination, reports PressToday's Ann Ruppenstein. Speaking at the 24th edition of Gala Puerto Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit — an annual trade show where international wholesalers and operators connect with hoteliers from the popular tourism destination in Mexico — Álvaro Garciarce, president of the Puerto Vallarta Hotel Association says he expects arrivals to continue to grow with the opening of a new cruise port later this year and with the recent...