Destinations
Turkey Tourism Numbers On The Rise
Turkey tourist numbers continue to rise. Turkey, home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, continues to attract visitors with its rich culture, history, stunning landscapes and gastronomical delights. Turkey attracted 30.7 million foreign visitors in the first 11 months of 2017, the Culture and Tourism Ministry announced on Dec. 29. The ministry said the figure rose by over 27.7% on a yearly basis, compared to 24 million in January-November 2016. The number of foreign arrivals saw a 22.13% year-on-year increase in November, hitting 1.65 million. Russian nationals made up the...
Ottawa Set For Winterlude 2018
Let the fun begin! The nation's capital is preparing for the upcoming 40th edition of the popular winter festival, Winterlude, running from Feb. 2-19. With most activities concentrated on weekends, official sites include: Confederation Park (aka Crystal Garden) in downtown Ottawa: magnificent ice sculptures and some fun evening DJ events. Gatineau’s Jacques Cartier Park (aka Snowflake Kingdom): a big hit with families (and the young at heart) with snow and ice slides, kids’ entertainment, and an introduction to winter sports. The Rideau Canal Skateway: everything from...
Think Pink, Escape to Bermuda
If you have clients looking to escape the frigid temperatures in Canada, Bermuda may have the answer – with its Bermuda’s Pink Sale, offering savings of up to 50% off on hotels. The special offer must be booked by Jan. 23 for travel through April 30 or Sept. 5 to Dec. 31. Hotel rates start at $117.50. Participating partners include the Coco Reef Resort, Coral Beach and Tennis Club (a private members-only club), Fairmont Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort and Spa, Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa, Rosedon Hotel, Royal Palms Hotel, Fairmont...
Trafalgar Introduces New Spain Excursions
Trafalgar is inviting Canadian travellers to experience “The Good Life” with the introduction of two new 2018 Spain itineraries. The new Regional Explorer and At Leisure trips explore the iconic cities of Barcelona, Madrid and Seville. Those booking by Jan. 11 can take advantage of an Early Payment Discount of 10% on 2018 trips. “Spain is one of our most popular and in-demand destinations with its world heritage cities, gastronomic cuisine, and vibrant cultures,” said Wolf Paunic, president of Trafalgar Canada.“Our Canadian clients love Trafalgar’s immersive cultural...
Travellers Invited to Korea Grand Sale
The 2018 Korea Grand Sale, an annual shopping and cultural tourism festival targeting international tourists, runs from Jan. 18 to Feb. 28. The festival features a wide range of exclusive discounts and benefits on shopping, flights and transportation, accommodations, dining, tourist attractions, entertainment and more. In order to draw tourist attention, companies are offering special discounts exclusively during the Korea Grand Sale. For instance, tourists who booked more than two nights on the Lotte Hotel official website will receive a Lotte Duty Free Shop voucher worth...
South Padre Island Sailing Into The Future
South Padre Island, Texas, is hoping to become the Western Caribbean's newest port of call for cruise ships. The South Padre Island, Texas, City Council recently approved a proposal by SPI Cruise Group – a partnership of cruise port design, maritime operations and marketing professionals – to create a plan to develop the destination into an attractive port of call on western Caribbean cruise itineraries. With increasing emphasis on tourism sustainability and concerns of over-tourism in some eastern and southern Caribbean ports of call, cruise lines are seeking alternative...
Niagara Set For Cool Celebration
As temperatures continue to keep a frozen grip on Canadians, Niagara is gearing up to celebrate one of Canada’s sweetest gifts of the season – Niagara Icewine. The world-renowned wine region will welcome thousands of wine lovers looking to kick off the New Year in style during the Niagara Icewine Festival, which runs from Jan. 12-28. Returning for its 23rd year, the festival features street parties in three different Niagara communities over three weekends, seasonal food and wine pairings at more than three dozen wineries and an elegant gala to launch the festivities. “This...
Vegas Grows, Nevada Benefits
Las Vegas, the primary engine of tourism growth in Nevada, continues to rebound from the recessionary doldrums of past years, said speakers at a recent tourism summit, reports western editor, Ted Davis in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. “Las Vegas is reinventing itself again,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, the longtime president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The recession hit us hard, but we are coming back now.” Ralenkotter was a keynote speaker at the recent Governor’s Global Tourism Summit at the Flamingo Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip....