Destinations
Mexico Braces for Hurricane Newton
Mexico is bracing for Hurricane Newton, which reports say could bring dangerous flooding and mudslides to northern parts of the country, including popular tourist locations in Baja California. Emergency shelters have been set up as Hurricane Newton gains strength while bearing down on Los Cabos. It's reported that Baja California Sur will bear the brunt of Newton's force as the cyclone made landfall near Cabo San Lucas as a Category 1 hurricane. Widespread winds of 130 km/hr are expected, posing a risk for power outages and property damage. The storm is expected to rapidly...
Qatar Streamlining Visa Application Process
Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar Airways have signed an agreement with VFS Global – leading provider of visa processing services – paving the way for an efficient and transparent tourist visa application system that will cater to travellers from around the world looking to visit Qatar. The agreement comes as Qatar steps up efforts to attract and welcome more visitors in line with the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030 (QNTSS). The agreement will enable Qatar to identify and implement the ideal visa solutions for its visitors, while capitalizing on VFS Global’s...
Steep Climb Ahead For BC Ski Resorts
To the uninitiated, the future prospects for ski resort developments in British Columbia could not be brighter. Within its spectacular mountain ranges, the province has three locations that have been given government green lights or degrees of approval for development as international ski resort destinations. Two of them sit at heights so lofty that the snow on their glaciers and peaks stays throughout the year, making them true four-season ski and sightseeing destinations, reports western editor, Ted Davis in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. But objections...
Europe is Epic With Vail Resorts
Vail Resorts has added iconic European ski resorts in France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria to its Epic Pass, which already includes some of the best skiing in the US and Australia. For the 2016-2017 ski season, Vail has added Les 3 Vallees, Paradiski and Tignes-Val d'Isere in France, Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy, 4 Vallees in Switzerland, and Arlberg in Austria. The 2016-2017 Epic Pass also offers unlimited access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood at Lake Tahoe; Wilmot...
Florida Bashed By Hurricane, Many Without Power
Hurricane Hermine made landfall early today (Sept. 2) in Florida with a mix of rain and maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, leaving behind plenty of debris, some road closures and many without power. It is the first hurricane to come ashore in Florida in 11 years. It made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in the Gulf Coast's Big Bend area, and is now heading west towards Georgia as a weakened tropical storm. It's reported that in Tallahassee more than 100,000 people are without power after winds and rain lashed the city. All hurricane watches and warnings have been dropped, but...
Demand for Active Experiences Soars
It seems the popularity of active, adventure travel is on the rise. A new survey by international luxury travel network Virtuoso has revealed the hottest destinations, activities and trends in the rapidly expanding world of adventure travel. An overwhelming 95% of Virtuoso travel specialists say they have seen active, adventure and specialty travel sales rise within the past 12 months. As well, adventure travel’s future is looking bright: 95% say they see demand for this style of travel increasing in the next two to three years. All survey respondents are advisors and preferred...
Tourism Big Winner in Canada-China Trade Relationship
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is applauding yesterday's (Sept. 1) announcement by the Government of Canada and the People's Republic of China to increase tourism between our two countries. TIAC has been a strong voice advocating for Canada to increase the number of Visa Application Centres (VACs) in the lucrative Chinese market – VACs are instrumental in expediting the visa process by ensuring that applications are complete and accurate. To date VACs were limited to major Chinese cities making it more difficult for potential travellers in other cities to apply for...
Cathay Expands YVR-Hong Kong Service
Cathay Pacific Airways is adding three new non-stop flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong, using the new Airbus 350-900XWB aircraft. Starting March 28, 2017 three flights will be added to Cathay's existing twice daily non-stop service, increasing the frequency from 14 to 17 flights per week. According to officials, the three additional early morning departures, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, will provide West Coast passengers with unprecedented travel options to Hong Kong and beyond to multiple destinations in Asia and more than 23 cities in Mainland China. Cathay...