Destinations
Playa Sets Sights On Dominican Republic
Playa Hotels & Resorts is set to expand into the Dominican Republic. Following a site acquisition in the sought-after luxury development of Cap Cana in Punta Cana, building plans are underway for a new Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana and Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana on the island. To celebrate the acquisition and present the project, the company held a ceremony on July 14 attended by the president of the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina, as well as numerous government, press and industry leaders. The planned luxury 750-room resort complex will feature both a Hyatt Zilara hotel for adults and a...
Game of Thrones Puts Spotlight on Northern Ireland
Game of Thrones Season 7 has hit the screens. Northern Ireland is one of the main filming locations for the hit TV series, and to immortalize the unforgettable series locations, from Winterfell to the Iron Islands, Tourism Ireland has unveiled a giant, 77-metre long, Bayeux-style tapestry. The epic tapestry brings to life the trials and tribulations of the show's characters in its most heroic and infamous scenes. The tapestry is made with linen from Northern Ireland and depicts Game of Thrones Seasons 1 to 6 – with blood red weddings, golden Lannister hair, emerald green wildfire,...
Disney Set To Expand the Magic
A Star Wars-themed resort hotel and a new ship are among the expansion plans recently announced by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts during D23 Expo 2017 in Anaheim, Ca. Walt Disney Parks and Resort chairman Bob Chapek also provided details about the 14-acre Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge coming to Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida and Disneyland Resort in Southern California in 2019. The two new signature attractions and immersive experiences include character encounters with BB8, Chewbacca, Rex and Kylo Ren. Expansion highlights: Walt Disney World (Florida) Plans at...
Sunwing Adds New Fredericton Lift
Sunwing is increasing its direct flight service to a total of four vacation destinations from Fredericton this coming winter including the new destinations of Punta Cana, Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria. Plus, the tour operator will be bringing back the perennial favourite Mexican destination of Cancun. Punta Cana, known for its dazzling white-sand beaches, world-class golf and abundance of water sports, will be the first Dominican Republic destination to be offered from Fredericton by the tour operator. The weekly flight service will run from Feb. 14 until May 9, 2018. In addition,...
Positive Forecast
The UNWTO reports that international tourist arrivals worldwide grew by 6% in the January to April period of 2017 compared to the same period last year, with business confidence reaching its highest levels in a decade. Sustained growth in most major destinations and a steady rebound in others drove results and prospects for the May to August period of 2017 remain high. Destinations worldwide welcomed 369 million international tourists (overnight visitors) in the first four months of the year, 21 million more than in the same months of 2016 (up 6%), according to the latest UNWTO World...
A Perfect Choice
Smoking volcanoes, languid sloths, hot springs and beaches, playful butterflies, plantations and rainforests – if you said Costa Rica in answer to the question of what destination has all of these attractions, you'd be right. In fact, Stéphanie Bishop of the Globus family of brands, will tell you that: “There’s no denying that Costa Rica is a wonderful destination for an immersive vacation.” And not surprisingly, Globus features three carefully crafted tours of the Central American country. Says Bishop: “Our tours are all about interaction and adventure, from horseback...
Great Britain Posts Big Gains From Canada
VisitBritain is reporting big gains out of Canada, with newly released figures showing that during the first three months of 2017, Canadian visits were up by 33% to 132,000. The new numbers also reveal that it was a record first quarter for overall inbound visits and spend, with 8.3 million visits, up 10%, a new Q1 record, and Q1 spending jumped up by 16% to £4.4 billion ($7.4 billion CAD) compared to January to March last year, a new Q1 spending record and £586 million ($984 million CAD) more than in Q1 2012. While first-quarter visits from Canada to Britain were up significantly,...
Canadian Deal From Universal Orlando Resort
Canadian residents can now take advantage of an offer for a Universal Orlando Resort 3-park vacation package. Starting at just $99 per adult, per night, travel agents can book their clients a five-night vacation package that includes hotel accommodations, admission to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and the all-new Universal’s Volcano Bay, an entirely new water theme park experience. As an all-encompassing, three-park destination, Universal Orlando offers guests an unmatched, next-level vacation experience. With more than 25 new guest experiences...