Destinations
Spotlight on Belize
Belize can truly host those interested in monkey business. The country – seen as a pioneer in the ecotourism movement – is home to many forms of exotic wildlife, including howler monkeys, which can be heard from long distances, says Deborah Gilharry, of the Belize Tourism Board. Also of interest to nature enthusiasts is Cockscomb, created specifically as a sanctuary for jaguars, she noted during a recent Toronto visit. “I'd call it a paradise for nature enthusiasts,” Gilharry told PressToday of Belize. “We have the lush rainforest, we have the different...
WestJet Offers 767 Service to Hawaii
WestJet has begun Boeing 767-300 extended-range aircraft service from Alberta to Hawaii. “As we enter our 20th anniversary year, non-stop service from Alberta to Hawaii onboard our own wide-body aircraft is an exciting new chapter in the WestJet success story,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet executive vice-president, Commercial. “Albertans love non-stop WestJet service to Hawaii and we now have the opportunity to provide a full WestJet experience with our own Boeing 767-300 aircraft combined with our award-winning WestJetters.” WestJet took delivery of its first Boeing 767-300...
CTO, CHTA Monitoring Zika Situation
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) advise that they are in close contact with Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in order to monitor and research the Zika cases that have now surfaced in some Caribbean destinations and to communicate prevention and control measures to residents and visitors. Public health authorities in the Caribbean are working diligently to mitigate the effects of the Zika virus. Zika, also known as ZIKV, is spread primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The CTO and CHTA are in communication with...
Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Sale
Goway Travel has partnered with Virgin Australia to offer a getaway to Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef starting from $3,099 per person. Combining airfares from Vancouver with hotel deals in Sydney and Cairns that may include free nights, free breakfast and a “2 for the price of 1” Great Barrier Reef Cruise, the offer is available for sale until Feb. 15. The getaway includes round trip economy airfare from Vancouver, airport transfers, four night's accommodation in both Sydney and Cairns, full day Great Barrier Reef cruise and iVenture Multi City Attraction pass with entry to...
There’s Something About Clearwater
Calling all Blue Jays fans. Want to take in a game while staying on the beach? Joelle Castelli (pictured below), from the city of Clearwater, Florida says Dunedin, where the team has spring training, is located close to the destination. “You can stay at the beach and then take a trolley to take in a game,” Castelli told Press Today during a one-on-one interview in Toronto yesterday (Jan. 27). “It's a big attraction. The whole month of March people are there for it.” Clearwater's most famous celebrity however is Winter the dolphin, star of the Dolphin Tale movies, who resides...
There’s Nothing Like Australia
Tourism Australia is making a splash with its latest tourism campaign that highlights the country's aquatic and coastal experiences, in a bid to lure more international visitors to Australia. The new initiative is the latest installment of Tourism Australia's global There's Nothing like Australia campaign, and it was unveiled recently by Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs the Hon. Julie Bishop at an event in New York. A new broadcast ad features a voice-over by Australian actor and Tourism Australia's new global ambassador Chris Hemsworth. Tourism Australia managing director,...
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...