Destinations
Fort Myers, Sanibel ‘Stronger Than Ever’
The Gulf of Mexico-fronting Florida destination of the Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel was able to weather Hurricane Irma, a Tuesday Toronto gathering was told. The destination's Stefanie Zinke told those on hand that, “We're up and running. We're well and we're better and stronger than ever.” LaBrenda Schretter of transportation firm KeyWest Express in turn told the gathering that, “Key West is ready for business. Our sun is still setting. We're ready to welcome our guests back.” Meanwhile, Howard Clark of the South Seas Island Resort said that property offers guests...
Cooking With Miami!
Greater Miami and the Beaches – including nine partners up from Florida – hosted an industry luncheon yesterday at Cirillo's Culinary Academy in Etobicoke to thank Canadian partners for all their help in keeping Canada Miami's number one international market. Attendees all helped in the preparation of a five-course lunch, which included Cornish hen and lamb, and plenty of tasty side dishes. Linda Stilmann (pictured, top left), senior director of sales with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, told PressToday that Miami “dodged a huge bullet” from hurricanes...
It’s All About The Experience
What could top taking in panoramic views of twenty-four snow-capped mountain peaks, including one of Switzerland’s most famed summits – the Matterhorn, asks assistant editor, Ann Ruppenstein in the cover story in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. Her answer: Well, perhaps arriving in a helicopter. These are all possibilities that Ruppenstein says await at Glacier 3000 in Les Diablerets -- just one hour from the palm tree lined lakeside promenade in Montreux. Aptly named for its location at an altitude of 3,000 metres, Glacier 3000 can be found at the highest point...
CHTA Launches ‘One Caribbean Family’ Initiative
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has launched a booking initiative that allows hotels across the region to help those who have been adversely impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria while also highlighting that more than 70% of Caribbean destinations have not been affected and are ready to welcome visitors as usual. CHTA's “One Caribbean Family” movement has been developed to help the vital tourism industry get back on its feet and will serve as a hub for hotels, travel advisors and tour operators who would like to make a contribution through guest bookings....
WestJet Gives Mexico A Big Lift
WestJet will be expanding its service to Mexico, adding flights from Calgary and Vancouver to Mexico City, with the nonstop, year-round flights beginning March 2018. Ed Sims, executive vice-president commercial for WestJet, said that, “We are proud of our continued investments in connecting the economies of Canada and Mexico and providing choice and competition for Canada's business and leisure travellers.” Sims pointed out that, “These flights will also enable Mexican visitors an affordable option to discover our country and Mexican businesses to increase commercial...
Transat Resumes Normal Airline Operations to Cuba
Transat has resumed its normal airline operations to Varadero and Holguin, Cuba. In addition, the tour operator reports that hotels in Havana, Cayo Largo, Camagüey, Varadero and Holguin are fully operational – and the white-sand beaches are bigger and lovelier than ever. Transat will resume its operations to Santa Clara on Nov. 11 and to Cayo Coco on Nov....
Jamaica Hosting Product Showcase Events
As the peak 2017/2018 Jamaica travel season approaches, the Jamaica Tourist Board has introduced a series of Destination Product Showcase events in Ontario and Quebec for agent partners. The events will feature full destination update presentations and opportunities for one-on-one meetings with suppliers, plus Jamaican cuisine, a spa retreat cabana for massages, and Caribbean rhythms. Two sessions will be held each day (both sessions are the same) – from either 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The schedule is as follows: Ontario: Toronto, Oct. 23, Panemonte...
Canada Wraps Up Successful Invictus Games
It will be a hard act to follow, but Australia is ready for the challenge as Canada wrapped up a hugely successful Invictus Games Saturday night, passing the torch to the land Down Under as Sydney gets set to host the Games next October. The Invictus Games' flag was passed to Australia during Saturday night's closing ceremonies at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, which included a Parade of Nations featuring more than 550 competitors from 17 participating countries and performances by Kelly Clarkson, Bryan Adams, Bachman & Turner and Bruce Springsteen. “We have no borders, no...