Destinations
DoubleTree by Hilton Debuts In Fiji
DoubleTree by Hilton has opened its first hotel in Fiji – the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Fiji - Sonaisali Island. The resort joins an existing portfolio of six DoubleTree by Hilton branded properties operating in the Australasia region, and opens as Hilton Worldwide’s 22nd hotel in the region. Situated on a lush, private tropical island and surrounded by the pristine waters of the South Pacific Ocean, DoubleTree by Hilton Fiji – Sonaisali Island is just a three-minute boat ride from the main island of Viti Levu and an easy 25-minute drive from Nadi International...
Avalon Adds More Christmas-Themed Cruises for 2017
In the last five years, Avalon Waterways has tripled its Christmas-themed departures, giving more travellers more chances to “delight in the sights, smells and tastes of Central Europe’s Christmas markets” while sailing European waterways via the company’s Suite Ships. Now there’s even more choice for next year. “In addition to increasing our Christmas cruise departures to cater to the growing popularity of festive cruises, we are also offering travellers more diverse itineraries from which to choose the perfect Christmas cruise,” said Patrick Clark, managing director of...
Spotlight on Oregon
Air Canada is preparing to carry people from a third Canadian city to Portland, Oregon, with one Oregon tourism official saying those who make the journey to her jurisdiction able to save some money during a time when our dollar is clearly struggling. Air Canada will begin seasonal daily service between Toronto and Portland on May 26, with the airline already offering four-times-a-day year-round service between Vancouver and Portland and twice-daily year-round service between Calgary and the Oregon city. And Lisa Itel, Travel Oregon's travel trade manager, The Americas &...
Golden George Named Scotland’s Top Dog
With more than 200 dogs vying for the title of VisitScotland's "Ambassadog," in the end it was a dog named George, a one-year-old Golden Retriever from Glasgow, taking home the title. Sisters Victoria and Emma Rae, both 22, put George forward for the coveted role in March, after VisitScotland launched the search for a canine ambassador to represent the spirit of Scotland around the world. George (and his owners) will now have the job of being an ambassador for Scotland on social media, attending red carpet events and generally being in demand as a VID (or “very important...
Last Chance To Win Universal Adventure
[caption id="attachment_79144" align="alignnone" width="300"] © 2016 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved.[/caption] Busier than ever, Universal Orlando Resort (UOR) is set to launch several new attractions this year. This summer will see the opening of Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, a 1,000-room Caribbean themed hideaway. Also this summer, UOR will reveal its newest blockbuster – Skull Island: Reign of Kong. Everything about the new Islands of Adventure attraction will be massive. Guests will board a specially designed expedition vehicle that navigates rough jungle road through...
Canadians Invited To Call Kissimmee Home
The Central Florida city of Kissimmee can easily make visitors feel at home. Danielle Dunn, sales manager North America for Experience Kissimmee, told a Toronto gathering Tuesday that her destination offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to stay in a home – rather than a hotel – with Kissimmee being the “vacation home capital of the world.” Choices include town homes and apartment-style homes, she said. One option is a particularly large home that features the likes of a basketball court and Turkish bath, while another has a boardroom and others can be used to host...
Asia Pacific By The Numbers
Destinations across Asia Pacific in aggregate welcomed 570 million foreign arrivals in 2015, setting a new record for international arrivals into the region. Aggregate annual growth was 4.1%, with eight of the 11 Asia Pacific sub-regions producing annual growth rates above that of the Asia Pacific average, ranging as high as 8.7% for Oceania and 8% for Southeast Asia. These are just a few of the top-level findings contained in the PATA Annual Tourism Monitor 2016 (Early Edition) released today (May 10, 2016). Additional analysis shows that, in volume terms, the incremental increase...
Future Is Bright For Cuba
At this year's FITCuba show – held last week in Havana – Transat founder, Jean-Marc Eustache praised Cuba's tourism trade and then heard kind words in turn for his company from the highest official in Cuban tourism. Eustache told a gathering during FITCuba that there's been a long partnership between Cuba and Transat and “I'm deeply convinced the future is bright for Cuba.” Eustache added Transat is a “true partner for its Cuba friends.” Cuba tourism minister Manuel Marrero in turn praised Transat, telling the same Havana gathering that Transat has shown “much...