Destinations
Irish Cheer
It may have been a week before St. Patrick's Day, but Trafalgar, Tourism Ireland and Aer Lingus teamed up to get the celebrations going early last night (March 10) at a special industry event at P.J. O'Brien Irish Pub in Toronto. Guests were treated to a professional folklore storyteller and live Irish music. Ireland is Trafalgar's second most travelled to country (next to Italy) and the Canadian operator has 14 itineraries focusing on the Emerald Isle. “Trafalgar loves Ireland. Canadians love Ireland,” said Anita Emilio, VP sales, Trafalgar Canada. “It's beautiful and...
Epic News for 2016-17 Ski Season
Skiers and snowboarders already dreaming of the 2016-2017 season can now welcome The Epic Pass' return for the 2016-2017 season, with the pass providing unrestricted skiing access and the versatility to sample world-class resorts in the US and Australia. Available for US$809 for adults, purchasing it now locks in savings of up to 35% versus individual lift tickets. The 2016-2017 Epic Pass offers unlimited access to 13 mountain resorts in the US and abroad – including “nine world-class ski resorts” – Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Park...
Celebrity Gets Unique in Europe
Celebrity Cruises has unveiled a new lineup of unique destination experiences in Europe, including tours of Greece curated by the cruise line's own Greek officers; exclusive opportunities to discover tantalizing flavours at local markets with an expert chef; adventure-fueled, destination experiences curated by a world adventurer, and bucket-list tours like racing along the French Riviera in a Lamborghini. “Building on the launch of our new dynamic EuroXPass package, which takes care of every travel detail for guests exploring Europe, we are adding another layer of what makes...
Hong Kong, Taiwan A ‘Win-Win’ for Tourists
The Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Taiwan Tourism Board are teaming up on what they say is a win-win scenario for tourists seeking varied Asian experiences. Having the destinations' tourism trades co-operate with one another enhances their appeal for Canadians, with 94% of Canadians who visit Hong Kong wanting to see another Asian destination on the same trip, Peter Lam, chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, told a Wednesday Toronto reception. He added Canadians don't need visas to visit either destination. Katie Poon, the tourism board's senior manager of trade development, in...
Bartlett Returns to Jamaica’s Top Tourism Post
Edmund Bartlett has again been appointed Jamaica’s minister of tourism. This follows the Feb. 25 victory at the polls by the Jamaica Labour Party. Bartlett, a marketing executive and long-standing Parliamentarian, served as minister of tourism from 2007 to 2011, as well as opposition spokesman on tourism and more recently, foreign affairs. In his more than three decades in the Jamaican Parliament, he has also served as minister of youth and community development and minister of state for information, broadcasting and culture. He has served as a member of the Executive Council...
Going To The Chapel
True love is eternal, so the saying goes, and for Marsha-Ann Brown, director of romance at Sandals Resorts, the fact that WeddingMoons are continuing to grow year over year, especially in the Canadian market, should surprise no one, because simply put: “The wedding industry is one of those rare recession-proof markets.” Out at sea, Yanelis Abella-Taylee, manager, onboard revenue – events, for Royal Caribbean International, says the company handle about 900 weddings in 2015, but that's expected to grow to close to 1,300 in 2016, . Similarily for nuptials aboard Norwegian Cruise...
Hilton’s Curio Expands Alabama Presence
Following a multi-million dollar renovation, Redmont Hotel Birmingham – a historic hotel with a storied past dating back more than 90 years – has joined Curio – A Collection by Hilton as the brand’s second hotel in Alabama (following the recent opening of The Admiral Hotel Mobile). The hotel features state-of-the-art technology and amenities, while retaining the style and glamour of the hotel's 1920s roots, allowing guests to enjoy old world charm in the heart of downtown Birmingham. First opened in 1925, the hotel offered distinguishing features for its time, including...
Goway AFRICAExperts Brings Africa to Toronto
Goway is hosting 28 experts from Africa and the Middle East for agent events on March 15 in Toronto. The afternoon session will be a training event for agents to enhance their knowledge of the region. In the evening, agents are welcome to bring their clients to meet the experts. Travel prizes can be won at both sessions. “This is the seventh year that we are hosting this event and what is unique is the diversity of the products represented,” said Moira Smith, general manager of AFRICAExperts. “From luxury lodges to luxury rail, from Gorilla Trekking to climbing Mount...