Destinations
Halloween Horror Nights Set to Haunt Sept. 16
One of the most horrifying shows in television history is coming to Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood as FX's critically acclaimed “American Horror Story” comes to life during “Halloween Horror Nights,” beginning Sept. 16. Three chapters of “American Horror Story” will haunt Universal guests in all-new frightening mazes. Agents' clients will embark on a terrifying journey to become the next doomed residents of Murder House from Installment 1, tortured performers in the disturbing and twisted Freak Show from Installment 4, and victims of the...
Florida Hits Record High for Tourism
Despite a slight dip in numbers from Canada, the Sunshine State has set another record in tourism by welcoming the highest amount of visitors of any six months in the state’s history with 57.4 million visitors, a 4.3% increase over the previous year. In the second quarter of 2016 (April-June), 27.3 million visitors came to Florida, an increase of 3.1% over the same period in 2015. The average number of direct travel-related jobs in quarter two of 2016 was also a record high, with 1,255,200 Floridians employed in the tourism industry – up 4.3% year over year. VISIT FLORIDA...
Houston, There Is No Problem
With the Houston Astros in town to play the Toronto Blue Jays on the weekend, Visit Houston seized the opportunity to invite a small trade group to the Rogers Centre to enjoy the game and get the latest updates on the Texas town and especially its sporting culture. For example, the city best known as the home of NASA and the US space program will reach the sporting stratosphere in 2017 as host of the Super Bowl. Alas, the Friday night game was good news for Houston's tourism reps and less so for guests as the Astros won the game. Pictured at the event are Visit Houston Canada rep...
Insight Into The Galapagos
Insight Vacations has unveiled its 2017 USA, Canada and South America collection showcasing four new itineraries, three of which offer deeper explorations into South America with the addition of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and the Galapagos Islands across all-new escorted holidays. The program will also see the expansion of Insight's range of Premium journeys in North America with the addition of the 23-day Grand Tour of the American West. Clients can save up to $2,636 per couple through the Early Payment Discount Program if they book and pay in full by Jan. 12, 2017. “Having...
Hilton Set For Miami/Dadeland Expansion
Hilton Worldwide and Baptist Health South Florida have announced the signing of a franchise license agreement to open Hilton Miami/Dadeland, a full service, 184-room hotel, on the Baptist Hospital campus in Miami. Scheduled to open in late 2018, the hotel will feature 150 guest rooms, 34 tailored to guests staying for longer periods, the largest meeting space in the area, a wellness centre, farm-to-table restaurant and more. The hotel will be operated by Interstate Hotels and Resorts. Hilton Miami/Dadeland will complement the patient experience offered at Miami Cancer Institute, a...
Europe Will Rebound, Say Ops
The Canadian general manager for Collette says Europe has become a tougher sell for Canadians following the recent of terrorist attacks and ongoing news coverage of sometimes chaotic migration to that continent from Third World countries over the past couple of years but predicts its popularity will rebound in 2017, reports Ian Stalker in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. Further suggestions of European turmoil followed the decision by British voters to have their country leave the European Union. Collette's Brett Walker told Canadian Travel Press that Collette's...
CTO Set To Define Its Future
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is gearing up for its annual State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) which will be held at the Hilton Barbados Resort from Sept. 14 to Sept. 16, 2016. During SOTIC, the CTO will explore a range of subjects including how to transition the product, multicultural and emerging markets, creating a luxury experience and the sharing economy. This year's theme is “Honouring Our Legacy, Defining Our Future,” and it will bring together tourism decision-makers, including ministers, commissioners and directors of tourism, hotel and airline...
Luxury Travellers Stay True to Europe
Luxury travel network Virtuoso has unveiled its list of the hottest upscale destinations for this year’s holiday season with Europe and Italy leading the way based on future bookings. Virtuoso sourced the data from its warehouse of more than $35 billion in transactions to disclose the top destinations for the coming fall and holiday period. Luxury travellers are remaining true to European favourites, while turning their attention to warmer climes as the weather shifts at home. They also are seeking out more exotic locales worldwide, including a boom for African countries. The most...