Destinations
Brazil Introduces Olympic Visa Waiver Program
Travellers from Canada, as well as the Unites States, Japan and Australia, who plan to visit Brazil between June 1 and Sept. 18 will be exempt from needing a Brazilian visa. Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff sanctioned a draft law, which determines such a waiver, last November. The initiative will facilitate the entry of athletes and international tourists who wish to come to Brazil to accompany the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016. The visa waiver will benefit those who are in Brazil until Sept. 18 (end date of the Paralympic Games), for a period of stay limited to 90 days,...
JTB Hosting JAPEX Fam
The Jamaica Tourist Board is organizing a fam specifically for travel agents interested in attending the upcoming Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX). The trade show is a great chance for agents to meet with a variety of Jamaica’s leading tourism suppliers, including hotels and attractions. The trip will take place from April 28 to May 4 and visit Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. Agents will participate in planned JAPEX show activities. The cost is $499 (including taxes) and includes return airfare via WestJet (YYZ-MBJ), shared accommodation, all meals, local transportation and...
New Destination Resort Coming to Bermuda
Caroline Bay, Bermuda – the newest luxury destination resort, residential and yachting community – is coming to Bermuda and will include a Ritz-Carlton Reserve boutique hotel. The newly branded Caroline Bay, Bermuda will be situated on a secluded cove protected by a historic peninsula in the Great Sound in the west end of Bermuda. The development will feature the Ritz-Carlton property, residences, spa, restaurants, shops and a mega-yacht marina. The new resort community is the vision of Morgan’s Point Ltd. “After years of planning, it’s gratifying to announce this...
ACV Adds Routes for Summer 2016
Air Canada Vacations (ACV) is kicking off the summer 2016 booking season with the introduction of new routes and increased capacity and frequencies, as well as adding exclusive properties to its Sun lineup. New routes include: Montreal to Puerto Plata operating Tuesdays from May to October; Toronto to Samana operating Mondays from May to August. Increased frequencies include: Montreal to Cayo Coco, Santa Clara and Varadero; Toronto to Holguin and Santa Clara. Packages from Montreal to Varadero now include flexible stay options (three to five nights). Certain frequencies from...
Goway Confident That Egypt is Safe
Goway is urging people to consider vacationing in Egypt, with Moira Smith – who oversees the tour operator's Africa program – telling a Toronto audience yesterday (March 15) that she visited the country in June and “I think it's getting a bad rap.” Egyptian tourism has struggled in recent years because of security concerns, but Smith told the gathering that the only thing they need fear in Cairo “is the traffic.” Smith praised the “so historic” Egyptian capital and noted that the Grand Egyptian Museum is slated to open near the Pyramids next year and its displays...
Outrigger In Tune With ‘Rhythm & Blues’ Package
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and Blue Note Hawaii welcome the Rough Riders – Henry Kapono, John Cruz and Brother Noland, for their debut performance March 31 to April 2 at Hawaii's newest venue for live entertainment. To mark the Rough Riders' inaugural appearance at Blue Note Hawaii, the resort is introducing its new Rhythm & Blues on the Beach room and show package with a limited-time introductory offer for stays March 31 through April 2 and nightly rates starting from US$279 for a city view room (plus tax and fees), plus two VIP/Premium Seats to the Rough Riders show and two...
WestJet Encore Inaugurates Boston Service
With today's departure of flight 3600, WestJet Encore inaugurated new service between Toronto and Boston, the newest addition to WestJet's growing network. The new service will operate three times daily on WestJet Encore's fleet of Canadian-made Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft. In less than three years, WestJet Encore has gone from two aircraft and 10 daily departures to 28 aircraft and more than 130 daily departures serving 33 cities, including Boston. In June, WestJet Encore will launch service to Nashville,...
US Eases Travel Restrictions to Cuba
Significant amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations by US government officials, coupled recent announcements allowing scheduled air service between the United States and Cuba, will significantly increase the ability for US citizens to travel to Cuba. Additionally, these regulations expand Cuba and Cuban nationals’ access to US financial institutions and the US dollar from Cuba, and will expand the ability for Cubans legally present in the United States to earn stipends and salaries beyond living expenses. These amendments further the new direction toward Cuba that...