Destinations
Canadians Just Love Hawaii
It’s another season of growth for Hawaii, which has once again witnessed an increase in visitor numbers over the past year, reports western editor, Ted Davis in a special 24-page Hawaii supplement featured in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. This maintains an ongoing trend since the depths of 2009, when Hawaii was especially impacted by the effects of the global recession. For example, during August of this year (the most current numbers available), most major market areas saw an increase in arrivals, led by US West (+2.8% to 313,181) and US East (+2.4% to...
Transat Expands Domestic Schedules
Beginning November, Air Transat will introduce three new domestic flights between Montreal and Toronto. As well, as of December, the carrier will continue flights between Calgary and...
ACV Debuts Dubai Packages
Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations (ACV) have put Dubai on their radar with the tour operator introducing four vacation packages to the Middle East city to complement Air Canada’s new route from Toronto that takes flight beginning Nov. 3. The featured packages are: Adventure Emirates, eight days, seven nights; Sun, Sea & Culture, eight days, seven nights; Dubai Stop Over - City Stay, five nights, six days; and Dubai Stop Over - City Stay, three nights, four days. The core highlights for all packages include a historical half-day city tour of Dubai; a guided safari tour and...
WestJet 767-300 Takes To The Air
WestJet's first Boeing 767-300 extended-range aircraft made its inaugural flight yesterday, departing Toronto Pearson International en route to Calgary International Airport. Featuring a new teal and blue maple leaf-themed logo, which will eventually appear on all WestJet aircraft, the airline's 767-300s seat 262 guests and have a range of approximately 11 hours. The aircraft will include a Plus cabin with 24 premium seats in a two-by-two configuration, hot meals and all other amenities associated with Plus. The main cabin has 238 seats, with two seats on either side of the aircraft...
SOTIC 2015 Kicks Off in Curacao
The fifth annual State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC 2015) kicked off yesterday (Oct. 22) in Curacao with a keynote speech by JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes. Among destination presentations by Anguilla, Curacao, and Trinidad and Tobago, William Griffith, CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., announced upcoming plans for the island’s 50th anniversary, reports PressToday staff writer Ann Ruppenstein from the conference. “During these yearlong celebrations there will be chances to win free vacations and free destination weddings, as well as incentives for our top performing travel...
Canadian Exclusive
Despite a sagging Canadian dollar, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa are helping ease the pain for Canadians wanting to visit the Sunshine State. Canadian residents can now enjoy the warmth and thrills of a Florida vacation with “At Par” pricing for a day at SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens Tampa. The offer begins Oct. 26 and runs through April 30, 2016. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment offers up-close animal encounters, educational exhibits and innovative entertainment. At SeaWorld Orlando, the aquatic world comes alive. Guests can ride the mighty Manta, experience...
Frankfurt Airport Opens Green Gate
Frankfurt Airport unveiled its first Green Gate recently, offering greener aircraft ground servicing through the use of electric vehicles and the integration of new electrically driven developments in the servicing process. “The use of electric vehicles in aircraft servicing and rolling and towing traffic can substantially reduce noise and emissions at airports,” said Norbert Barthle, parliamentary state secretary at Germany's Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. “This protects the environment and the staff on the ground.” As part of the airport's...
WestJet Increases Orlando Service
WestJet is making it easier for residents of BC and Atlantic Canada to visit Mickey this winter as it will double its schedule of weekly flights between St. John's and Orlando, and Vancouver and Orlando, effective January 2016. This is in addition to the new weekly service to Orlando from St. John's and Vancouver announced earlier this year. “With the addition of a second weekly flight from St. John's, WestJet now offers Atlantic Canadians eight non-stop flights each week from St. John's, Charlottetown, Halifax and Moncton, giving travellers many options for affordable,...