Destinations
UNWTO Working With Africa
In an effort to better measure tourism growth and development in Africa, UNWTO signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation for the Strengthening of the National Tourism Statistical System of Nigeria and the Development of a Tourism Satellite Account. UNWTO is committed to developing tourism measurement for furthering knowledge of the sector, monitoring progress, evaluating impact, promoting results-focused management, and highlighting strategic issues for policy objectives. On the occasion of the meeting between UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab...
Record Year For Canada
Canada welcomed a record-breaking 20.8 million tourists in 2017, the highest ever in Canadian history. The preliminary data, released this week by Statistics Canada, shows that Canada has surpassed the previous record set in 2002, by almost a million. “Today's results are yet another reminder of what has been clear for a while now – Canada is back. And more and more, the world wants to come and visit. We are excited to share our vibrant cities, beautiful natural attractions, diverse cultures and proud history with record numbers of visitors,” said Bardish Chagger, minister of...
Cox Picked As New CSHAE President
Stacy Cox has been elected president of the Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE) for the next two years. Cox, who unexpectedly took the top job early last year following an unscheduled leadership change, received a full two-year mandate at the association's annual general meeting, which preceded this month's 36th annual Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace event in San Juan, Puerto Rico. CSHAE is an independent organization aimed at advancing professional development and strengthening networking among Caribbean hotel and...
Dallas Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Dallas
Travellers to Texas are invited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the debut of the original Dallas TV series with legendary cast members Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing), Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing), Charlene Tilton (Lucy Ewing) and Steve Kanaly (Ray Krebbs) March 30-31. Exclusive events in Dallas and at Southfork Ranch will be held where fans can experience up-close-and-personal memories as the cast reminisces about their careers and their time on the iconic show. VisitDallas and Southfork Ranch have partnered to produce a weekend of events to commemorate one of the most popular TV...
Disney To Open Toy Story Land June 30
A new toy-filled world – inspired by Disney Pixar’s Toy Story films – will open at Walt Disney World Resort on June 30. Guests in Toy Story Land – located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – will feel like they have shrunk to the size of a toy as Woody, Jessie, Buzz, Slinky Dog, the Aliens, Green Army Men and other fun-loving Toy Story characters come to life in the larger-than-life outdoor setting of Andy’s backyard. Across 11 fun-filled acres, Toy Story Land will include two all-new attractions and one expanded favourite. Guests will whoosh along on a family friendly...
Hard Rock Moving Into The Big Easy
Hard Rock International is expanding its hotel portfolio into the historic French Quarter and New Orleans Theater District with plans to open Hard Rock Hotel New Orleans and the Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel New Orleans. The 18-storey building is scheduled to open in the spring of 2019. Located on a landmark corner in the heart of New Orleans, the property will sit adjacent to two-street car lines, allowing guests easy access to all parts of the city. The new development melds together New Orleans’ rich history of music and culture. Accommodating both business and leisure...
Saint Lucia Appoints New Trade Sales Manager
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) has appointed Rod Hanna as its new trade sales manager. Hanna will work closely with the trade as part of a leading, national strategy to increase travel agent engagement, to reach Canadians seeking unique and exotic island experiences. Hanna has over 10 years experience in the industry, most recently working with the Sunwing Travel Group where he held the position of marketing co-ordinator, before being promoted to business development manager. Prior to that, he held positions at Sell Off Vacations and Loyalty One, working closely with...
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...