Destinations
On the Road at Grand Velas Riviera Maya
“Canadians have a way of thinking of Mexico not as a destination, but as a week far away from the cold,” says Juan Vela, VP of Velas Resorts, pictured. While escaping winter may be a key factor to many getaways, he says the variety of things visitors can do while in Mexico make it a year round destination. “The quality of hotels and the experiences that you can get in Mexico is superior to anything you’d find in the Caribbean,” he says. On site at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Vela told Press Today that Canada is a top international market (along with the USA) for the...
50 Years Of Mystique
The chief marketing officer for the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association doesn't expect that Cuba will be rolling out the welcome mat for huge numbers of American tourists this year. Matt Cooper told travelpress.com that there remain “some obstacles” in the way of unfettered American visitations, including Cuba's ability to accommodate large numbers of additional visitors. There are predictions in some quarters that if all restrictions on American travel to the communist island were lifted, Cuba would see at least a million American visitors a year. That prospect is a...
Chicago Now Epic
Vail Resorts, Inc. has expanded its collection of premier urban ski areas in the US Midwest with the acquisition of Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin near the Illinois state line. Located approximately 100 km north of Chicago, Wilmot Mountain has long been a favourite of skiers and snowboarders. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Vail Resorts plans to transform both the on-mountain and base area experience at Wilmot. Enhancements will include redesigned and updated terrain parks, best-in-class coaching and instruction for all levels of skiers and riders, expanded dining and...
Hadfield To Join Quark Expedition
Astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield will join Quark Expeditions on a voyage exploring the Arctic and Greenland on its Arctic Icebreaker Expedition: Best of the Canadian High Arctic voyage in true expedition style on the legendary icebreaker, Kapitan Khlebnikov. This voyage, Aug. 22 – Sept. 8, is the third of four separate journeys, which together culminate in a historic, full circumnavigation of the Arctic. “Chris Hadfield’s Generator” is a science-based variety show that blends knowledge, perception, music and comedy, hosted by the celebrated astronaut and featuring special...
Las Vegas Breaks Tourism Record
Forty-two million and counting. Las Vegas continued its historic visitation growth, setting another new record by surpassing 42 million visitors for the first time in 2015. This breaks 2014's record of 41.1 million, which was the first time the destination had ever topped 40 million. Boosted by several new non-stop flights, increased convention attendance and several other factors, Las Vegas officials expect to surpass the 42 million mark by the end of 2016. Tourism is the lifeblood of the Southern Nevada economy and the Las Vegas Valley generating more than US$50 billion...
Emirates Celebrates New Codeshare With A Sale
On the heels of its Hello 2016 global sale, Emirates has launched another round of fare deals to celebrate its recently government-approved, codeshare agreement with Alaska Airlines. For a limited time, Western Canadian travellers can save on roundtrip, all inclusive economy class fares flying out of Vancouver (YVR), Victoria (YYJ), Kelowna (YLW), Calgary (YYC) and Edmonton (YEG) via Seattle (SEA) with Emirates and Alaska Airlines and featuring fares starting from $1,199. Destinations included in this special fare sale are: Dubai (DXB) from $1,199 Karachi (KHI) from...
On The Road In Nassau
The Bahamas tourist trade is putting its best foot forward as it hosts the Caribbean Travel Marketplace. Press Today's Ian Stalker reports that the annual show is being held at the massive Atlantis resort on Paradise Island, a cornerstone of the Bahamas tourist trade and is drawing across-section of the Caribbean's tourism industry. This year's show promises to be particularly interesting as thawing relations between the United States and Cuba raise the possibility of the lifting of travel restrictions on Americans to the communist island, possibly resulting in an upsurge of...
Trafalgar Brings Message of Confidence to YVR
Europe is open for business, regardless of dark world events, Liesa Bissett, product manager for Trafalgar (visiting from London) told travel agents in Vancouver during a quick mission to visit regional agents. In addition to YVR, a team of Trafalgar brass also hosted events in Port Moody, White Rock and Victoria. Bissett addressed trepidation that agents might be expressing with regards to travel to Europe, and especially France, following recent terrorist attacks there. “Of course they are going to feel a bit anxious and we understand their concerns,” she said. “But for one...