Destinations
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...
Porter Back in Vermont
Porter Airlines resumes winter service to Burlington, Vermont beginning Dec. 21. Flights will operate twice weekly from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Burlington International Airport until March 27, 2018. The fight schedule begins with departures on Thursdays and Sundays or Mondays. Starting Jan. 7, flights will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays for the remainder of the season. Roundtrip fares between Toronto and Burlington begin at $283, including taxes and fees. Porter Escapes offers ski packages in Vermont. Packages at the Sheraton Burlington start at $610 for three...
G Adventures Launches Sri Lanka Sailing Trips
A tripling of demand for trips to Sri Lanka in the past year has prompted G Adventures to launch a new program of small-group sailing tours along the southern coast. The seven-day “Sri Lanka Sailing” trip, which travels from, and returns to, Mirissa, begins on Feb. 2, 2018, making it the perfect winter escape. The trip can also be combined with a land-based itinerary in Sri Lanka – known as “the pearl of the Indian Ocean” – to create a 14-day land and sea getaway. “We’re thrilled to be the first adventure company to explore Sri Lanka by sea. They say great things...
Cox & Kings Hosts ‘Chai’ Party
With more than 250 years of discovering the destination, Cox & Kings is truly an expert when it comes to India, the UAE and beyond – uncovering unique travel options within this region including exclusively curated itineraries and programs. Cox & Kings is hosting an industry event for agents Oct. 12, Bombay Palace, 71 Jarvis St., Toronto. Schedule: Registration, 4:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.; Presentation, 5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Networking, 5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Agents are asked to RSVP by Oct. 9 to...
Florida Keys to Reopen Oct. 1
The Florida Keys are set to reopen to visitors Oct. 1, following recovery efforts after Hurricane Irma impacted the island chain Sept. 10. While Key Largo and Key West were least affected by the Category 4 storm, not all lodging properties, including RV resorts, and other tourism facilities throughout the Keys are operating on a normal basis. Some hotels are housing displaced residents under a Federal Emergency Management Agency program. Potential visitors are advised to call ahead to ensure that hotels and their favourite attractions are open. In addition, recovery efforts...
AC Expands Global Network
Air Canada has introduced new non-stop services to begin next summer from Toronto and Montreal, including three new destinations in its global network – Bucharest, Zagreb and Porto – and a new route between Montreal and Lisbon. In addition, the airline will enhance existing year-round service between Montreal and Casablanca by transferring the route to Air Canada mainline from Air Canada Rouge. Air Canada will also be starting non-stop service to Buenos Aires from Toronto, which today is served through a one-stop service via Santiago. AC will continue to service Santiago with...
Spotlight on Hokkaido
A delegation of 13 officials (including two media) from Japan's Hokkaido region are in Canada this week promoting the northern island and its many tourist offerings. The group, led by Yasuhiko Toda, the mayor of Shiraoi Town, Iburi District in Hokkaido, is making stops in Toronto and Montreal. Shiraoi Town is famous for its population of Ainu (aboriginal inhabitants). Hokkaido, which is about a 1.5-hour flight from Tokyo, is known for its volcanoes, natural hot springs and ski areas. Hokkaido boasts 20% of the country's land area, but only 5% of its population. Also popular is...
All That Jazz With Acapulco, Sunwing
The Acapulco Destination Marketing Office, along with the Mexico Tourism Board and Sunwing, hosted about 80 travel agents last night (Sept. 27) at a laid-back cocktail reception – followed by presentations – at the Jazz Bistro in Toronto. After an hour of networking and mingling with complimentary hors d'oeuvres, guests got to see presentations providing first-hand updates on Mexico offerings, as well as short presentations from Sunwing and various hotel partners. Baxter Travel Media was at the event with a booth and its infamous green screen, taking photos of agents and Sunwing...