Destinations
Pearl Seas Sails to Cuba
Cuba is back in the news as the first cruise ship to sail there from Broward County's Port Everglades in Florida since the 1950s departed last week on a 10-day cultural voyage to Havana and several other ports of call on the island. Pearl Seas Cruises has scheduled 11 cruises aboard the 210-passenger Pearl Mist from Port Everglades to Cuba through April. More are scheduled for the 2017-2018 cruise...
Curacao Scores Big at Leaf Game
Curacao scored big at last night's Toronto Maple Leafs game against the New York Rangers. More importantly than hosting trade partners in a box for the game, the southern Caribbean island imprinted on the consciousness of those in attendance through a series of in-game ads, scoreboard videos, and 2nd-period beach ball drop in which one lucky fan won a trip to the C of the ABC islands in the Dutch Caribbean. Hosting the group (seen here on the Air Canada Centre scoreboard) were Curacao's minister of economic development Eugene Rhuggenaath (c) and North American marketing manager...
Scottsdale Invites Canadians to Warm Up in the Desert
Fresh off a re-branding, tourism officials from Experience Scottsdale – the new name for the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – dropped by Toronto yesterday (Jan. 19) to host an industry lunch and update the trade on all things new in and around Scottsdale. Nicole Krekeler, tourism sales manager for Experience Scottsdale, said there's been a lot of changes in the area, which is growing fast and offers “a lot more than just golf [there are almost 200 courses] and spa.” Drawing visitors to the Scottsdale region of Arizona are such things as the Sonoran Desert (full...
WestJet Inaugurates Service to Mesa
WestJet officially launches the start of service to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport from Calgary today. Inaugural service from Edmonton begins Jan. 21. “WestJet is providing our guests in Calgary and Edmonton even more options when travelling to this very popular sun destination,” said Brian Znotins, WestJet vice-president, Network Planning. “The Phoenix-Mesa market is very robust and WestJet continues to add new service to meet demand. These new non-stop flights connect Albertans to a highly desirable leisure market and offer convenience to those looking to fly directly into...
Gran Meliá Now In Brazil
Meliá Hotels International will open its first luxury hotel from the Gran Meliá brand in Brazil with the official opening of Gran Meliá Nacional Rio in March. Located in Rio de Janeiro’s most exclusive area, São Conrado, Gran Meliá Nacional Rio is a member of the prestigious “Leading Hotels of the World” club. Originally built in 1972, the famous Hotel Nacional has reopened after more than a decade of being left abandoned, as the Gran Meliá brand’s flagship property. Following extensive renovations, the property has been restored to its former glory, maintaining the...
Norwegian Bliss to Sail From Miami
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has once again put Miami on its radar with the announcement that Norwegian Bliss, the brand's 16th ship, will homebase there for the winter 2018 season, following its inaugural summer season in Alaska. Beginning on Nov. 17, 2018, Norwegian Bliss will sail seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises each Saturday from Miami, featuring calls in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. Norwegian Bliss’ will feature a wide variety of accommodations including luxurious suites in The Haven by Norwegian, Studio staterooms for...
G Adventures Named Best Inca Trail Tour Operator
G Adventures has received the “Best Inca Trail Tour Operator” award presented by the Regional Direction of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Cusco (RDFTTC) in Peru. “It’s a huge honour to be recognized as the top Inca Trail operator by the Regional Government of Cusco,” says G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip. “I’m incredibly proud of our G family in Cusco who deliver excellence every day.” The application process included interviews with RDFTTC, an on-site examination of G Adventures’ Inca Trail operations, and a presentation by the operator’s Cusco team. The award...
Universal Set To Open New Jimmy Fallon Attraction
Universal Orlando Resort's newest ride, “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon,” will officially open on April 6. The attraction will give agents' clients the ultimate “Tonight Show” experience as they get up close and personal with the show’s funniest segments before taking off on a wild and action-packed race through New York City against Jimmy Fallon himself. To celebrate the grand opening, “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” will take the show on the road with tapings from Universal Orlando Resort from April 3-6. Details on celebrity guests and how to...