Destinations
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...
Goway Offers Accessible Africa
Goway has launched an “Accessible Africa” product in Botswana catering to clients with disabilities, including mobility, visual or hearing impairment. “Everyone should have the privilege of going on safari no matter what challenges they have,” said Moira Smith, general manager of Goway’s AFRICAExperts. “With our Accessible Africa product, a dream safari is within everyone’s reach.” Botswana is decidedly an animal viewer’s paradise. Over a third of its terrain is devoted to National Parks offering exceptional game drives. There is also the opportunity to go on...
Croatia Among Transat’s New Europe Program
Transat kicked off its Europe season in Toronto last night (Jan. 20) with a trade VIP night where guests received copies of the tour operator's new brochure, featuring 28 direct flight destinations and more than 300 package holidays, including new destination Croatia. Transat's commercial director Nicole Bursey told guests that 2015 was one of the best ever for Transat's Europe program with double digit growth, and that hopes remain high for this year as well. Bursey (pictured right, with Transat's Denise Heffron) noted that the new brochure, which follows the previously recently...
W Hits the Slopes of Aspen
W Hotels Worldwide will debut its second alpine escape – and first in North America – with the W Aspen and The Sky Residences at W Aspen slated to open in time for the 2017 winter ski season. W Aspen, formerly the Sky Hotel, will be situated at the base of Aspen Mountain and provide skiers the ability to ski right into the hotel. The mountain chalet will offer 88 guestrooms (including six suites) and 11 W-branded fractional residences. The hotel will feature an oversized split level Living Room (the brand’s alternative to the staid hotel lobby), a 1,600-square-foot outdoor...
Visa Free Travel to Brazil
Canadian passport holders travelling to Brazil between June 1 and Sept. 18 will not need a tourist visa, thanks to the Summer Olympics being held there at this time. The visa exemption will not require travellers to have purchased tickets to see any of the sporting events at the Olympics, and the “visa waiver” will apply only for tourist visits, with visitors allowed to stay for up to 90 days. Goway describes South America's giant, Brazil, as “a seductive country with dazzling beaches, tropical islands and picturesque colonial towns. Its verdant rainforests boast an astounding...