Destinations
Silver Cloud Makes Inaugural Expedition to Antarctica
Silversea Cruises reimagined Silver Cloud has arrived in Antarctica, marking its maiden visit to the remote continent following a US$40 million refurbishment and conversion into an ice-class polar expedition ship. Currently sailing a 10-night Antarctic Peninsula expedition roundtrip from Ushuaia, guests are being treated to vistas of towering icebergs, snow-capped mountains, and awe-inspiring wildlife aboard the completely refitted ship that includes the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant at sea. Silversea’s first crossover luxury expedition vessel can accommodate 254 guests,...
Vail Plans for Historic Investment at Whistler Blackcomb
Vail Resorts, Inc. has announced plans to invest $66 million at Whistler Blackcomb this season focusing on three new lifts at the heart of the resort. The investment features the addition of a new gondola on the Blackcomb side of the mountain, as well as several other lift infrastructure upgrades, providing quicker, easier access to all levels of terrain. The plan represents the largest single-year capital investment program in the resort’s history. A new 10-passenger gondola will replace the Wizard and Solar chairlifts and ascend from the base to the top of Blackcomb Mountain,...
Christmas Cheer In NYC
The season of Christmas peace in New York City seems to have added significance this year, as the city recovers from a terrorist attack with the holiday season just around the corner, reports western editor, Ted Davis in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. Good cheer awaits in all the well known places, including Rockefeller Center, where the giant Christmas tree -- probably the world's most famous -- holds court. The tree rose in the plaza of Rockefeller Center on Nov. 29, when its 50,000 lights were turned on for the first time. It is then lit every night through the...
Toronto Wins Huge Chinese Travel Delegation Bid
Toronto has won a bid to host the largest Chinese travel delegation to visit Canada, bringing an estimated 10,000 visitors and $80 million in spending to the city. Amway China and their top distributors will be in Toronto for their Leadership Seminar in 2020. Tourism Toronto has been actively developing the bid over the past five years, with strong support from the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada. The announcement was made shortly after the Amway leadership team met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Beijing. “Toronto was competing with some of the biggest...
Mexico Keen on Canadian Market
The Mexico Tourism Board and Aeromexico alike are upbeat about the Canadian market these days. The tourist board and the airline together hosted travel industry personnel in Toronto yesterday (Dec. 5), with Cesar Mendoza of the tourism board's Toronto office telling the audience that his homeland may see some two million Canadian visits this year. Aeromexico's Michele Martinson in turn said the airline was using the event to “celebrate all our success in 2017.” The airline's network network includes Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. The event was held at the Art...
Exclusive: Reimagining The Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
Ever since the 1964 release of The Night of the Iguana, travellers have been heading to Puerto Vallarta to take in the natural beauty showcased in the film. Situated on the Bay of Banderas, which boasts arguably one of the best beaches in the area and views of the scenic Sierra Madre Mountains, Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta opened three years ago and is now preparing to unveil its latest renovations, across 87 oceanfront rooms in its club tower, including a new lounge and reception area. “One of the important things about the hotel is you have always, always, in every place that you are,...
Dominica Voluntourism Packages Now Available
Discover Dominica Authority reports that two voluntourism packages are now available for travellers interested in assisting with the recovery and rebuilding efforts following the passage of Hurricane Maria. Packages can now be booked directly with Cobra Tours for restoration of one of Dominica’s premier tourist attraction sites – The Indian River. Cool Breeze Tours also offers packages to clear segment 10 of the Caribbean’s first long distance walking trail – the Waitukubuli National Trail. The Indian River Package is for five nights in either standard or superior...
Royal Scenic Hosts Taiwan Fam
Royal Scenic is hosting a Taiwan CAS Fam Jan. 14, 2018, in co-operation with China Airlines and the Taiwan Tourism Bureau. The CAS (Certified Asia Specialist program) is the only multi-destination specialist online training program for travel agents in Canada. The trip starts on Jan 14 for six days and four nights for all full-time travel agents. The itinerary allows agents to see the best of Taipei, Yilan, Jiufen, Pingxi, Taroko Gorge, Keelung and Beitou. The cost from Vancouver is $499 per person, plus taxes, based on twin sharing occupancy, for non-CAS agents. CAS...