Destinations
New Zealand Operators Bring North Island Attractions to YVR
Information delivery, Kiwi-style, was on the menu at a recent gathering of New Zealand attraction operators and regional reps at an eatery in Vancouver’s Gastown. Lunch was served on a long, single wooden table at the Salt Tasting Room, and amidst the clatter and animated chatter, all reps within ear shot delivered rapid fire product run-downs. The method may have been hit-and-miss, but lots of enthusiasm for the destination was generated in a short space of time in the communal setting. The Vancouver stop was the only one to take this less formal approach, as part of a west coast...
Air Transat Cancels St. Maarten Season
Due to the impacts of hurricanes Irma and Maria, Air Transat has cancelled flights St. Maarten for the entire season. The carrier also announced that its flights to Puerto Rico, with one flight per week from Toronto, and one flight per week from Montreal, will begin as of Feb. 18. In order to meet the needs of customers, the airline is expanding service to some of its other popular sun destinations – Punta Cana and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, Montego Bay in Jamaica, Florida, including Tampa, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Cuba, mainly Cayo Largo and Holguín, and Mexico,...
The Caribbean Is Open For Business
The Caribbean is open for business and several tourism organizations have teamed up to get the word out with a $1-million marketing campaign and new website – CaribbeanIsOpen.com, reports assistant editor, Greg Coates in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), the trade association representing the mutual interests of the cruise industry and destinations and stakeholders in the Caribbean, has launched a multifaceted campaign – along with support from partners like CLIA – to show that the majority of Caribbean...
Belfast, Causeway Coast Head of the Class
Belfast & the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland has been named the number one region in the world for travellers in 2018. The region receives the accolade in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2018 – the highly anticipated collection of the world’s hottest trends, destinations and experiences for the coming year. Belfast is described as, “full of hip neighbourhoods that burst with bars, restaurants and venues to suit all tastes. The rustling old docklands are now the vibrant Titanic Quarter, home to fancy apartments and a sensational museum.” The publication highlights...
GLP Offers Exclusive New Paddlewheel Cruise
GLP Worldwide is giving travellers a chance to discover two of Europe’s most fascinating capitals – Berlin and Prague – while sailing on the new MS Elbe Princesse. The 80-passenger ship utilizes the most advanced paddle wheel technology allowing access in as little as three feet of water. GLP Worldwide has chartered a fully escorted exclusive sailing Oct. 3-18, 2018. “Cruise in comfort with the most advanced paddlewheel ship technology while enjoying two of the most visually and culturally significant European cities,” says Alan Law, GLP Worldwide director of sales and...
IBEROSTAR Fully Operational in Cuba
IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts reports that its hotels in Cuba are now fully operational and welcoming guests as normal. The only exceptions are a number of hotels where renovation work is currently underway, although they are also scheduled to reopen in the coming weeks. IBEROSTAR's two hotels in Havana and all its properties in Varadero, Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba are operating as normal, offering a range of products and services and registering positive occupancy rates. The Havana-Varadero package continues to be one of the most popular options with customers around the...
Caribbean Travel Marketplace Still On For San Juan
Puerto Rico will host the Caribbean's largest tourism marketing event in San Juan from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, 2018, as officials work rapidly to prepare hotels and meeting facilities impacted by the recent hurricanes. “In rolling out a re-energized Caribbean Travel Marketplace, we look forward to showing the world how the courage, determination and hard work of the Puerto Rican people and tourism industry has prevailed in view of the challenges they are currently facing,” said Frank Comito, director general and CEO of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). Comito said...
Blue Mountain Introduces Mountaintop Skating
Ontario’s Blue Mountain Resort is getting set to host to another iconic Canadian winter pastime, but with a unique twist. Crews are busy preparing to open Woodview Mountaintop Skating, a 1.1 km skating path located at the top of the ski hill. More than a traditional skating experience, Woodview will feature an ice skate path that winds through a tree-covered trail that opens to a one-of-a-kind mountaintop view of Georgian Bay. “We have offered skating on the Mill Pond in the Village for several seasons,” notes Dan Skelton, president and COO of Blue Mountain Resort. “Many of...