Destinations
Back And Better Than Ever
Fifteen years after 9/11, Lower Manhattan has “come back stronger.” While the neighbourhood has always been well-visited, Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization, says it's transformed into a thriving hotspot for visitors and locals alike, reports Ann Ruppenstein in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. “Many people predicated the end of Lower Manhattan immediately after 9/11,” Dixon told Travel Courier. “It was almost inconceivable how this community was going to come back after the...
Spotlight on Indochina
Bangkok-based tour operator Smiling Albino is inviting tourists to make tracks in places tourists normally don't trod. Company managing director Daniel Fraser told a Toronto gathering yesterday (Sept. 8) that there's a perception among many travellers that much of Thailand is “over-touristed,” when in fact 90% of northern Thailand hasn't been explored by foreigners. Ex-Calgarian Fraser said his company can enable visitors to “get outside the Chiang Mais and Chiang Rais,” exploring little-seen regions in a luxurious manner. Fraser, who's lived in Bangkok for 16 years and...
Air Canada to Launch YVR-Dallas Flights
Beginning Feb. 5, 2017, Air Canada will launch new daily year-round service between Vancouver and Dallas-Fort Worth. “Air Canada is pleased to link Vancouver and Dallas-Fort Worth with non-stop flights, complementing our existing service from Toronto. We continue to strategically expand our Vancouver hub, and our newest transborder flights to the fourth most populous metropolitan area in the USA offer local business travellers non-stop service, as well as improved access for customers in British Columbia and Alberta via convenient connections in Vancouver,” said Benjamin Smith,...
Transat Adds Toronto-Santo Domingo Service
Air Transat is enhancing its service to the Dominican Republic with a new weekly flight from Toronto to Santo Domingo. The airline will fly there on Sundays beginning Dec. 18. Air Transat’s flight program for winter 2016-2017 features 34 sun destinations, including six in the Dominican Republic, and departures from 22 Canadian cities, in addition to a range of European...
Island Routes to Host Caribbean Attractions Conference
Island Routes Caribbean Adventures is bringing together more than 50 of the Caribbean’s top attractions providers as the company hosts its inaugural Island Routes Certified Partner Conference Sept. 13-15. Spearheaded by Chief Executive Officer Adam Stewart, the event will see experts from across the sector convene to discuss industry-specific challenges, opportunities and explore avenues for growth and development. “Whether it’s moving from one excursion to two, or expanding into a new destination, we know that there are challenges and we are committed to working with our...
Karisma Heats Up The Riviera Maya
Taste buds will sizzle with the distinct flavours of Mexican chili peppers as Karisma Hotels & Resorts hosts its first annual Chili Pepper Festival Oct. 19-22. The festival will bring revered chefs from across North and South America to El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort, by Karisma in the Riviera Maya for three days of activities designed to enliven the senses with the powerful taste profiles of Mexican chili peppers. This unique culinary event delivers a Gourmet Inclusive Experience featuring an interactive program, during which chili pepper enthusiasts can learn about the chili...
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...