Destinations
Big Times In The DR
The Dominican Republic's tourism industry is gearing up for a busy 2017, setting aggressive new targets that are underpinned by new developments, increased investment in infrastructure and growing cruise traffic. In 2016, the Dominican Republic broke a number of arrival records, posting a 9% increase over 2015. Perhaps more impressive, is the 67.5% increase in cruise arrivals, which grew to 580,000 during the year. As well, Punta Cana airport arrivals increased 7.1% over 2015, and it continues to be the most popular airport in the Caribbean, accepting over 2.4 million arrivals each...
Sorry If It Gets Noisy
Tourisme Montréal is launching its Sorry campaign in Ontario and the United States. It's friendly. It's cheeky. And it's a new initiative that promises to make a lot of noise in neighbouring provinces and states. “Dear neighbours from Toronto and New York, we're turning 375 in 2017 so we'll be celebrating all year! We're going to make a lot of noise … Sorry! We live right next door so of course, you're welcome to come and join us. Your neighbour, Montréal.” Starting this year, Montréal ambassadors will be apologizing to their Toronto neighbours for all the racket, and will...
Summer 2016 Travel Snapshot
In the newly released 2016 Summer Travel Snapshot, Visa Canada and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) report that international Visa cardholders spent US$3.9 billion in Canada from May to September 2016. Results of the report were released this week at TIAC's annual Tourism Congress and it highlights a 9.2% increase over what visitors spent in 2015 and further solidifies the US and China as the top source markets for the Canadian tourism industry. Using data collected by international Visa card holders, the 2016 Summer Snapshot provides: A breakdown of U.S. visitor...
Destination Canada, Air Canada Join Forces To Boost Tourism
Happy birthday, Canada! That's pretty much how the industry should interpret the new partnership between Destination Canada and Air Canada as the two join forces to promote Canada's tourism wonders to the world. The deal, reached on the eve of Canada's 150th birthday, is an innovative, three-year partnership that draws on the complementary strengths of the two organizations. As Canada's tourism marketing organization, Destination Canada inspires the world to travel to Canada and supports the tourism industry across the country. Air Canada, with the most extensive international...
Still Time To Win Cayman Islands Trip
It might be getting colder in Canada, but things are heating up in The Cayman Islands. With new properties from Kimpton and Margaritaville, the Cayman Islands will be a “new” destination by 2019. Plus, the island nation is an increasingly popular culinary destination offering more than 200 restaurants and earning the reputation as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean. Travel agents can experience the flourishing destination for themselves with the Cayman Loves Agents program offering special trade trade rates on accommodations, attractions, and restaurants. Visit...
Vista Launches Year-Round Sailings From Miami
PortMiami welcomed Carnival Cruise Line’s newest, largest and most innovative ship, Carnival Vista, Sunday (Nov. 27) when it arrived to kick off a year-round schedule of six- and eight-day cruises to the Caribbean. To officially welcome Vista to its Miami homeport, Carnival Vista Captain Stefano Battinelli and PortMiami Assistant Director Fred Wong participated in a traditional maritime plaque exchange prior to the ship’s inaugural departure from Miami. As the line’s newest ship, Vista takes cruising to new heights, introducing groundbreaking features such as SkyRide, a...
BC Travel Assurance Fund Pays Out
From Jan. 1 to Oct. 31, 2016, 19 travellers were compensated $13,359 through BC's Travel Assurance Fund a result of the closures of BC travel agencies Air-World Tour & Travel Ltd. (based in Surrey) and Skyline Tours Ltd. (Burnaby). Administered by Consumer Protection BC, the Travel Assurance Fund is a fund of last resort that provides possible compensation to both travel agents and consumers in times when travel services were purchased (but never received) through another BC-licensed travel agent or wholesaler. “The Travel Assurance Fund has paid out nearly $1.4 million in...
Hilton’s Curio Collection Set For Costa Rica
Hilton is expanding its portfolio into Costa Rica with the signing of the Botánika Osa Peninsula to Curio - A Collection by Hilton. The resort, slated to open in 2018, will be on the Osa Peninsula, an unspoiled tropical rainforest that is home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity. The property will be nearby the Golfo Dulce, where one of the world’s few tropical fjords is located and migrating humpback whales can be seen seasonally. With the new eco-friendly Botánika resort, guests will be able to fully immerse themselves in one of the most remote locations in Costa Rica while...