Destinations
NCL Joy Completes First Preview Cruise From Shanghai
After maiden calls to Singapore, Qingdao, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) welcomed its newest cruise ship, Norwegian Joy, to its new home port of Shanghai, China. The arrival of Joy to Shanghai marks a significant milestone for the cruise line as it enters the Chinese cruise market. From the first race track at sea to the innovative virtual reality experiences available at the Galaxy Pavilion to the 28 local and international dining options, Norwegian Joy has an abundance of features that will appeal to the modern Chinese family, including staterooms especially...
TAT Names Shubert National Marketing Manager for Canada
A familiar face will be on hand when the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) opens its first Canadian office this fall. The TAT announced earlier this year that it plans to open the office in downtown Toronto in September or October. Kayla Shubert (pictured on the left), who's been carrying the flag for the TAT in Canada for 16 years, has been working from her home. It wasn't immediately clear when the tourist authority announced the upcoming move what role – if any – Shubert would have in the upcoming office. But authorities at this year's Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2017 in...
Sunwing to Offer Punta Cana Flights From Mont-Joli
Beginning Dec. 21 and operating weekly until March 22, 2018, Sunwing will offer flights from Mont-Joli, Que., in the Bas St-Laurent region, to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Sunwing offers a variety of accommodation packages in Punta Cana offers families such perks as “Kids Stay, Play, and Eat FREE” deals, complimentary kids and teen clubs, unlimited à la carte dining and discounted spa treatments. Sample properties include Memories Splash Punta Cana (popular with families) and the adults-only Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana resort, opening later this year. Pictured at...
Agents Are Special For New Zealand
Travel agents selling New Zealand can now vie for status tiers and new incentives with the recent launch of an updated 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Program. Online and free, the program offers agents the chance to build in-depth destination knowledge and in turn, grow New Zealand sales. Through online training modules, webinars and informative videos, agents can learn about New Zealand’s diverse regions and the variety of experiences available to visitors. The newly tiered program rewards long-term and continually engaged specialists with incentives such as familiarization...
On The Road in Thailand
Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2017 opened in Chiang Mai Wednesday with Thai tourism officials citing the host city as a major selling point for Thailaind's tourism industry. PressToday's Ian Stalker was on hand as Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul told a gathering at a museum dedicated to contemporary art that, “Thailand is beautiful, but Chiang Mai is a very special place... This is a living, creative town.” Thailand traditionally hosts huge numbers of visitors each year, but those visitors sometimes largely bypass some parts of the country, with northeastern Thailand often...
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
This holiday season, Universal Studios Hollywood will introduce “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” transforming Hogwarts castle into a unique light projection show that captures the spirit of the yuletide season. Hogsmeade village will also shine brightly as the quaint town celebrates with festive décor uniquely themed to each of the individual storefronts, along with holiday-themed food and beverages, including hot Butterbeer. A special time in the Harry Potter series, the all-new “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” tradition invites guests...
California: Absolutely Golden For Canadian Agents
California has a simple message for the Canadian market these days – Canadians are welcome and travel agents and tour operators are an integral part of bringing more of them to the Golden State, reports executive editor, Bob Mowat in a special 16-page supplement on California in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. And, as Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California, observed during a recent visit to Toronto, Canadian travel agents and tour operators continue to be “a very, very important part of the sales and transaction process because they actually connect...
Starwood Celebrates ‘Sixty Days of Summer’ in Hawaii
In celebration of summer, Hawaii resorts in the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) portfolio will kick off “Sixty Days of Summer” from June 16 to Aug. 14, offering “dozens of can’t-miss activities, events and experiences that will leave indelible memories to last throughout the year.” SPG is one of Marriott International’s award-winning loyalty programs. In Hawaii there are 12 SPG resorts on four islands representing the Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis and Luxury Collection brands, with something new to offer visitors every day this summer. “A stay at one of our SPG resorts in...