Destinations
Spotlight on Mexico’s Yucatan
Rosa Elena Vermont Ricalde wants to dispel any confusion Canadians may have over her Mexican state and resort destinations on Mexico's Caribbean coast. Vermont Ricalde, with the state's tourist board, notes the state of Yucatan makes up part of the Yucatan Peninsula, as does the state of Quintana Roo, home to hugely popular Cancun and the Riviera Maya. “I know many when they hear Yucatan they think of Cancun and the Riviera Maya,” she told a Wednesday Toronto gathering. Vermont Ricalde said the state of Yucatan has numerous tourist draws, among them the archeological site of...
Unique Vacations Team Tries Jamaica’s Latest
Before heading to the annual Sandals Global Sales Conference held recently at Sandals South Coast, the Unique Vacations Canada sales team took a detour and dropped in at the Island Routes World Centre in Montego Bay for an exclusive look at the hottest new tour in Jamaica. The first of its kind on the island, MINI-Routes offers self-driving, scenic tours from Montego Bay to Negril and Ocho Rios in a convoy of MINI-Coopers. With an expert guide in the lead car, guests can soak in Jamaica’s history, culture, cuisine and natural beauty all while making pit-stops at local hot spots and...
BA To Launch Toronto-London Gatwick Service
British Airways (BA) will begin services between Toronto and London Gatwick on May 1, 2018. The new service, which will operate on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays in addition to the twice daily services to London Heathrow, will be operated by a Boeing 777 with a choice of three cabins – Club World business class, World Traveller Plus premium economy and World Traveller. Those travelling in Club World will have access to a new lounge area at Gatwick. The new flight from Toronto will be British Airways’ first flight from Canada to London Gatwick, and follows the recent...
Silversea Explores the Wonders of South America
Silversea has unveiled details of its 69-day Grand Voyage aboard the Silver Muse, sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 3, 2018. The cruise will completely circumnavigate South America, visiting 34 ports in 14 countries. Designed for travellers who can spare the time and prefer a more immersive experience, Grand Voyage 2018 combines “the luxury of sailing aboard an intimate, elegant ship with the excitement of discovering fascinating destinations.” Highlights include a crossing of the Panama Canal, cruising Chile's majestic fjords, a three-day stopover in Rio de Janeiro...
Agents Invited to Discover Spain
Quality Travel, a division of UNIGLOBE Enterprise Travel, in co-operation with TRAPSATUR (Spain), is hosting a series of 2018 week-long fam trips to Spain designed for Canadian agents, visiting Madrid, Andalucia and Costa del Sol. The dates are Jan. 14, 28, Feb. 11, 25 and March 4 and 11. The land-only cost is 399 euros for agents, 449 euros for companions, with a single supplement fee of 205 euros. This includes superior first class hotels, motor coach transportation, tour leader and sightseeing tours. Not included: air, visa, insurance and personal items. For further details,...
Sheraton Maui Says No To Plastic Straws
The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is saying no to single-use plastic straws in an effort to enhance environmentally sustainable practices and to protect Hawaii’s tropical marine ecosystem, including the endangered honu (green sea turtle). The resort is the first in the Hawaiian Islands to completely eliminate single-use plastic straws in favour of a marine-friendly alternative. According to Surfrider Foundation, approximately 500 million plastic drinking straws are used and discarded every day in the United States alone, and 175 billion straws are used in a year. Surfrider...
Azamara Adding More Overnights in Cuba
Azamara Club Cruises has launched new 2018 and 2019 Cuban itineraries ranging from four to 14 nights and visit such diverse Cuban ports as Cienfuegos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With longer stays in port, new onboard Cuban-themed programming and two overnights in Havana, travellers have a fresh opportunity to enjoy the vibrant culture of Cuba. Starting in 2018, guests can also expect an AzAmazing Evenings event on select sailings – a bespoke, exclusive and private event only for Azamara guests that lets guests experience the local culture like never before. “Following the...
VisitBritain Appointment
VisitBritain has announced the appointment of Gavin Landry as its executive vice-president for the Americas. In his new role, Landry will charged with driving new and repeat visitor growth to Britain from the Americas, focusing on key segments and top performing regions including Canada, Brazil and the US, as well as cities with new routes to build connectivity. His focus is also to convert the inspiration to visit into bookings by getting the right products to the right customers at the right time, developing bookable regional and seasonal products that showcase more of regional...