Destinations
Exploring The Home Of All Right
If the essence of a destination could be captured by an artist, it just may be Jamaica and the reggae, ska, and rocksteady sounds of singer-songwriter Bob Marley. Laid back lyrics like “Don’t worry about a thing, cause every little thing's gonna be all right,” make for an ideal soundtrack as vacationers bask in the sun from one of the Caribbean island's many white-sand beaches, perhaps with a rum punch or Red Stripe in hand, thoughts of work a distant memory. While travellers are often lured in by the warmth of the sun, sand and sea, there are plenty of things to experience in...
St. Martin Rebounding In Wake of Hurricane Irma
Saint Martin may still be in recovery mode following the destructive wrath of Hurricane Irma, but officials from the destination dubbed the Melting Pot of the Caribbean are sending out the message that the island is ready for visitors. During a press briefing in Toronto yesterday (Feb. 28), Alex Pierre, member of parliament for the French Collectivity of Saint Martin and Vice-President, Saint Martin Tourist Office, said the beaches have been cleared, 300 of the existing 1,600 hotel rooms are open and ready for business, and WestJet is slated to return direct service to the destination on...
Travel to France is Blooming
Call it a comeback. After facing some challenging times for tourism in recent years, Mélanie Paul-Hus, Director for Canada, Atout France was in Toronto last night (Feb. 28) to share the good news that travel to France is back in full bloom. “International arrivals for... key markets were slowed down in 2016, as you all know, resulting in a decrease in tourism that year globally,” said Paul-Hus. “However, in 2017, France was back on track. Not only did it catch up with the losses over the previous year, estimations lead us to think that it will have exceeded the good results of...
Line-Up Finalized for St. Kitts Music Festival
The St. Kitts Tourism Authority has announced the complete roster of musical artists who will be performing at the 22nd annual St. Kitts Music Festival taking place June 27 - July 1. “We are extremely pleased to have such an exciting and diverse range of artists confirmed to perform in this year's St. Kitts Music Festival,” Lindsay F.P. Grant, minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce. “Each year, we strive to feature a variety of musical genres that appeal to both international and local audiences. This year continues that tradition, so we expect another...
Carnival Expands Cuba Program From Miami
Carnival Cruise Line will offer 17 new sailings to Cuba aboard Carnival Sensation in 2019. The five-day Cuba voyages will be the line’s first to operate round-trip from Miami and feature a day-long call in Havana, as well as stops at popular Caribbean and Bahamian ports, including Grand Turk, Grand Cayman, Nassau, and the private destinations of Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays. The voyages complement a series of voyages to Cuba departing from Tampa aboard Carnival Paradise taking place in 2018-19. “Our inaugural cruises to Cuba aboard Carnival Paradise from Tampa were met...
Travel Agents Say: MoBay Is Okay!
Although the state of public emergency in St. James Parish of Jamaica, which includes the popular resort destination of Montego Bay, has been extended until May 2, many top selling Jamaican specialists across Canada are reporting that it’s very much business as usual, reports CTP's assistant editor, Ann Ruppenstein, who's just returned from a week on the island. “I had a group stay in Runaway Bay who came back less than two weeks ago and they had a fantastic time and didn’t feel any kind of threat,” Sharon Boissonneault, a top selling Jamaica vacation agent, of Maison de Voyages...
Goway Adds Incentives for Downunder Bookings
Goway is offering agents who book an air and land inclusive vacation Downunder up to $55 per two-person booking on their Goway rewards card. For clients looking for a complete travel arrangement to Australia or New Zealand where the air transportation and the land (accommodation, touring etc.) are included, Goway has it covered. Clients get the advantage of a complete travel package, plus the benefit of special airfares, which Goway combines with the land arrangements. Through March 31, agents who book their clients on a Goway air and land inclusive vacation to Australia or New...
ACV Puts the Spotlight on Antigua
Air Canada Vacations (ACV) is putting the spotlight on Antigua, known for its white-sand beaches and as a true haven for those with relaxation in mind. In partnership with Elite Island Resorts, ACV offers packages to The Verandah Resort & Spa, St. James's Club & Villas, Pineapple Beach Club and the Galley Bay Resort & Spa, with year-round service out of Toronto aboard Air Canada. The Verandah Resort & Spa – An all-inclusive four-star resort with 200 suites and beachfront properties ideal for weddings and families. This resort is part of the Play program, which...