Destinations
Acapulco Posts Strong Summer Results
It was a busy summer for Acapulco, with the popular destination welcoming 690,000 visitors and its hotel occupancy rates averaging 67% and at times reaching peaks of 93%. The figures represent an increase of seven percent in comparison to the same period last year. Clearly pleased by the results, Pedro Haces, president of the Acapulco Destination Marketing Office, observed, “The occupancy rate in Acapulco continues to grow, and the strong cooperation between the private and government sectors, combined with the striking natural beauty of the destination and its legendary service is...
Celestyal Returning to Cuba on Oct. 20
Celestyal Cruises will return to Cuba on Oct. 20 for its fifth year of winter deployment, offering an all-inclusive, seven-day circumnavigation of the island. Celestyal officials note that recent incidents exclusively involving US and Canadian diplomats, as reported in media, are entirely unrelated to tourism and currently under investigation by the governments of Cuba, the US and Canada. Safety and security at sea and on land continue to be the highest priorities of Celestyal Cruises, and the cruise line “is pleased to maintain impeccable standards while providing passengers with...
Choose Chicago Hits The Road
Choose Chicago and 12 partners touched down in Montreal and Toronto this week during a two-city road show highlighting the connection between the two cities and The Windy City and underscoring the importance of the Canadian market. Director of Global Development for Choose Chicago Arnaldo Altoran and the delegation of suppliers shared numerous reasons why Chicago should be at the top of your clients' travel list. The trip included a combination of education seminars, sales meetings and networking events. Canada has consistently been one of Chicago's top international...
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...