Destinations
Caribbean Week Kicks Off Nov. 16
Caribbean Week in Canada is on the move. The Caribbean tourism showcase that in most of its past years has been held in Toronto alone will this year visit Ontario's capital and the other Ontario cities of Burlington and Kitchener-Waterloo, something Caribbean Tourism Organization secretary general Hugh Riley says underscores the CTO's efforts to reach out to a broad swathe of people. “The Caribbean loves Canada and we're extremely grateful that Canada loves us back,” Riley told TravelPress in advance of the Nov. 16-19 event. Caribbean Week highlights include a Nov. 16...
Iceland Tour Showcases Magical Aurora Borealis
Avid travellers looking to check the Aurora Borealis off their bucket list can now do so with Collette’s new “Iceland’s Magical Northern Lights” tour – offering travellers a chance to witness the natural wonder before the brilliant light show hits the dimmer switch. While the Northern Lights are not disappearing, the 11-year solar cycle is slowing down with the phenomenon appearing less regularly through 2024. Guests will spend seven days in Iceland, splitting their time between the capital city of Reykajvik and Vik, the country’s southernmost village. Tour highlights...
Caesars to Build New US$75 Million Julius Tower
As it approaches its 50th Golden Anniversary, the evolution of Caesars Palace Las Vegas continues to evolve with the re-imagining of the iconic hotel’s original tower, the Roman Tower, to be completely reborn as the new Julius Tower. The US$75 million tower renovation is part of an ongoing brand transformation of the Las Vegas resort that has welcomed millions of visitors from its centre Strip vantage since opening in August 1966. Expected to welcome its first guests on Jan. 1, 2016 with rates starting at US$149, the new 587-room Julius Tower will feature new “design-savvy,”...
Bond Puts Mexico City in the Spotlight
The name of the beneficiary is Mexico – Mexico City. New James Bond movie Spectre's opening scenes are in Mexico City, giving that destination worldwide exposure, something that's being welcomed by Rodrigo Esponda, who oversees the Mexico Tourism Board's promotional efforts in Canada and the United States. “The first five minutes of the movie are filmed in Mexico City,” he told a Toronto audience Tuesday. And he also noted that Cirque du Soleil will have a “complete show dedicated to Mexico” next year, which will be shown in different cities. The upcoming...
Hitting the Slopes in Aspen
A new high-speed quad lift, remodeled Cloud Nine dining experience and more than 50 miles of single-track cross-country and downhill terrain await those visiting Colorado's Aspen Snowmass this winter season. Several Aspen delegates were in Montreal and Toronto this week to update the trade on all that's happening at the popular ski destination. Aspen Snowmass is a mountain resort comprised of four different mountains – each within a short drive of each other – in the Roaring Fork Valley of central Colorado. Anchored by two towns, Aspen and Snowmass Village, the resort is...
Global Tourism Casts Eye On Iran
Iran is poised to become a tourism hotspot, according to the World Travel Market 2015 Industry Report, released this week at the annual mega travel trade fair in London. Echoing the sentiments of a British consumer survey that reported one in 16 Brits were interested in visiting the country, 30% of WTM Industry Report respondents who have interests in the Iranian tourism sector said they expect to do more business there in the next year. The catalyst for change for the long-time international pariah is the “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action” – a deal signed between Iran and...
Unique Experiences in France
Atout France wants travellers to know there’s more to France’s offerings than the Eiffel Tower, cruising along the Seine River and listening to singing cicadas in Provence. “Travellers’ expectations change constantly and today experience is the number one objective for Canadians,” says Armelle Tardy-Joubert, general manager of Atout France in Canada. “Our country is a vast and exceptional playground.” Whether it’s taking in 360-degree views of Pyrenees mountains, going for a walk in a 12-metre high mechanical elephant at Machines of the Isle of Nantes or hitting an...
Air Canada Inaugurates Dreamliner Service to Dubai
With the departure of AC056, Air Canada inaugurated new service between Toronto and Dubai last night (Nov. 3), the newest addition to its growing international network. The three-times-weekly route is operated using AC's most modern aircraft, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner featuring its new cabin interior design in a three cabin configuration. Pictured at an inaugural celebration at Pearson are Air Canada's Tracey Bellamy and Francois Choquette, with crew...