Destinations
SAA Hosts Africa Showcase
South African Airways (SAA) is set to launch its 2017 Africa Showcase in North America, from Sept. 7-13, including a stop in Toronto on Sept. 11. The Africa Showcase is a collaborative partnership presented by South African Airways, South African Tourism and On Show Solutions. Now in its ninth year, the event is the largest travel trade event in North America focusing exclusively on promoting Africa. The show brings together travel specialists and African suppliers representing hotels, safari lodges, destination tourism organizations and other attractions that are popular with North...
Air Canada Introduces Montreal-Tokyo Flights
Air Canada will launch a new service between Montreal and Tokyo Narita starting June 1, 2018. Flights will operate year-round, with daily service during summer peak travel and three times a week during the winter, aboard Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Air Canada's new transpacific service from its Montreal hub is designed to optimize connectivity to several Canadian and US cities – Quebec City, Ottawa, Halifax, Charlottetown, Boston, Philadelphia and Orlando. Special introductory fares start at $999 round-trip, all in, and tickets are now available for purchase. “Air...
Disney Adds Italy, Ireland in 2018
For the first time starting next year cruisers sailing with Disney Cruise Line will be able to experience the culture of Barcelona and history of Rome as book-end experiences in a single cruise. In 2018, Disney Cruise Line will sail on several new itineraries and ports of call, including first-time visits to destinations in Italy and Ireland. Disney will take guests on a grand tour of Europe with visits to the Mediterranean, northern Europe, Norway and Iceland. Plus, adventures continue with sailings to Alaska, the Caribbean and the Bahamas. On June 16, 2018, the Disney Magic will...
Design Hotels Expands in California
Design Hotels has expanded its presence in California with the addition of Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills and Avalon Hotel & Bungalows Palm Springs. According to officials, the Avalon hotels exemplify Design Hotels’ “design-driven luxury mindset,” providing urban oases for discerning travellers in two of Southern California’s most storied locales. “We have been a fan of Design Hotels for some time and are honoured to partner with this brand in their expansion in California,” says Brian De Lowe, president and co-founder of Proper Hospitality, who manages both Avalon...
All About Association
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is partnering with travel associations around the world to strengthen the tourism sector in the region. President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Karolin Troubetzkoy disclosed that under the stewardship of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), CHTA has joined forces with close to a dozen regional and national travel organizations to advocate for the sector among governments, legislators and economists. The National Travel Association Coalition (NTAC), which comprises travel associations from Australia,...
Irish PM Talks To The Trade
Ireland's new Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar led a high profile delegation of trade and tourism officials on a 3-day visit to Canada this week. Prime Minister Varadkar was in the country at the invitation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the two leaders took time to march in Montreal's Gay Pride Parade as well as meet for discussions on a range of topics of significance to the two nations. While it was not the Irish Prime Minister's first visit to Canada – Varadkar had been here before on both personal trips and in his role as Ireland's minister of transport, tourism and sport...
Jamaica Poised For Record-Breaking Year
Visitor arrivals in Jamaica have been at a record high since the start of the year and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is projecting that the Caribbean hotspot will host 4.2 million visitors by the end of 2017, surpassing last year’s 3.84 million visitors and setting a new record. According to preliminary arrival statistics, Jamaica’s tourism industry earned US$1.46 billion in the first half of this year, a 5.8% increase over the same period in 2016. In July, Jamaica welcomed over 234,051 stopover visitors, a 10.8% increase over last year for the same time period. Its cruise...
Jamaica’s Tourism Director Pennicook Steps Down
Jamaica's Tourism Director Paul Pennicook demitted office Aug. 18, following the end of his three-year term. Pennicook, who returned to the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) in July 2014, was given the mandate to lead and oversee the promotion of Jamaica’s tourist industry to ensure optimum visitor arrivals and increase Jamaica’s share in the marketplace. During his tenure, Pennicook gave much attention to modernizing the operations of the board and to deepening the partnership with industry players. His strong relationships with industry partners were important to ensuring that the...