Destinations
Helijet Expands Nanaimo-Vancouver Service
Beginning Dec. 24, Helijet International will expand its service to include weekend flights between Nanaimo and Vancouver. Helijet currently offers six round-trips each day between its Nanaimo Harbour Heliport and Vancouver Harbour locations. The expanded service will see Helijet offer three round-trips a day on Saturdays and Sundays. “Since starting service to Nanaimo and the mid-island, we’ve had many conversations with business and leisure travelers about weekend service,” said Rick Hill, Helijet vice-president of Commercial & Business Programs. “Our Vancouver Island...
Romance in the Heart of Hawaii
The Oahu Visitors Bureau and Baxter Travel Media are hosting a free agent webinar on Nov. 29, 2 p.m. EST. From secluded beaches and mountaintops to world-class resorts and restaurants, Oahu is brimming with breathtaking backdrops for romance. Best of all, couples can have it all in one island vacation – urban adventures, and away-from-it-all moments. Whether celebrating an anniversary or getaway for two, popping the question, or planning a destination wedding, Oahu offers unrivaled choice and variety for travel agent clientele. Attend the webinar to grow your insider’s knowledge of...
Seattle Getaway Factor Favours Canadians
Seattle beckons with the buzz of NFL fan fever in the fall and early winter, as the Seahawks wage another football campaign, reports Western editor, Ted Davis in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. Seattle’s “getaway” factor favours Canadians, who need only about three hours for the drive south from Vancouver, across the border and down the I5 freeway. Once in the Emerald City, they can sample American-style shopping, eclectic dining, live music entertainment, the Experience Music Project, the Space Needle… and perhaps catch a Seahawks game. A great place to...
Canada a Challenge for the Caribbean
A drop in temperatures could lead to a jump in Canadian visits to the Caribbean. The Caribbean Tourism Organization reports that the first half of this year saw the Caribbean host 2.1 million Canadians, a 3.7% decline compared to the same period last year. The drop in Canadians came at a time when overall arrivals to the region in the first six months of 2016 rose by 5.2%, a figure which translated into 15.7 million tourist visits. CTO secretary-general Hugh Riley told a Nov. 22 Toronto gathering that the Canadian market “has been a challenge for us this year,” blaming the...
Princess Goes Big in Alaska
Princess Cruises is putting an even bigger spotlight on Alaska in 2018 with its largest deployment ever, on sale effective Dec. 1. In summer 2018, seven Princess Cruises ships – representing a 15% capacity increase – will sail Alaska’s pristine waters on 130 cruise departures, with more than 75% of all voyages sailing to Glacier Bay National Park, departing from Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Anchorage (Whittier). In addition, the cruise line has more than 22 cruisetour options providing guests the opportunity to journey into the interior of Alaska,...
Banff Makes Prestigious ‘Must-See’ List
Banff, Alberta has been named to National Geographic Traveler's “Best of the World” list which highlights 21 must-see places to visit in 2017. Banff is the only Canadian destination named to the list. The 21 destinations chosen can be seen online at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/features/best-trips-2017. “It's no secret that 2017 marks Canada's sesquicentennial celebration of cool. But we love Canada for little reasons as much as landmarks and milestones. So our story is about how an outward journey to Banff leads to an inner sense of happiness. The magic comes...
WestJet Adds Arizona Lift
WestJet will launch service to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport from Calgary and Edmonton beginning Jan. 19, 2017 and seats are now available for sale. Bob Cummings, executive vice-president, commercial for WestJet, said: “We are proud of our expanding network of more than 100 cities in over 20 countries, and our reputation as an established, trusted brand with more than two decades of service to Canadians.” Cummings continued: “We have provided hundreds of thousands of our guests with non-stop service between Canada and Phoenix since 2004, and now look forward to bringing low...
In The Festive Spirit
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows on the island of Hawaii will celebrate its 23rd annual Charity Trees at Mauna Lani holiday season display from Dec. 2-28. Visitors will find the hotel's lobby filled with colourfully adorned trees decorated by local non-profit organizations. A $1 donation allows visitors a single vote for their favourite tree. The hotel will award $3,500 in prizes to the winners, with monies raised from voting donations shared among the remaining organizations. On New Year's Eve, a buffet dinner at the hotel's Canoe House restaurant will be followed by an...