Destinations
WestJet, Disney Make More Magic With New Plane
It's hard to believe that anything Disney and WestJet – two of the savviest marketers around – do could be kept under wraps so thoroughly, but the two travel partners combined to amaze several hundred guests on Sunday at WestJet's hangar in Toronto with the unveiling of a new Disney-themed aircraft. Guests included WestJet rewards members (and their kids) plus a full complement of both WestJet and Disney staff and media, including PressToday. The plane is WestJet's second sporting a Disney theme, coming two years after the “MagicPlane” was unveiled. Unlike the Magic,...
London Is Booming
The boom continues. During the second quarter of 2015, the Office for National Statistics International Passenger survey reports that the city of London welcomed 5.1 million international visitors during the April to June period, which is 6% more than the same period in 2014 and stands as a new record. Tourist spending over the same period was up by 8% compared with the second quarter of 2014. Over the past five years (2009 to 2014), the number of overseas visitors coming to London has risen by 22.5%. And the national picture was also positive with the United Kingdom attracting...
Vermont ski resorts ready for lift-off
A delegation of resort representatives and tourism officials from Vermont were in Toronto last week (Oct. 15) for an industry event coinciding with the 2015 Toronto Snow Show. Canada is a major market for the state, as roughly 1.7 million Canadians visit Vermont on an annual basis. “Last year was a record year. In fact the last three years were the best three years we've seen in a long time so we've got a tremendous amount of momentum coming up for this next season,” said Parker Riehle, president of the Vermont Ski Areas Association (VSAA). Weekly non-stop direct air service...
It’s Now Or Never
About 80 tour operators and travel agents were on hand for a stylish event in Toronto last night hosted by the Vienna Tourist Board, Vienna International Airport and Austrian Airlines. The event provided travel trade types with an update on what to expect from Vienna, Vienna International Airport and Austrian Airlines in 2016. Elke Bachner of the Vienna Tourist Board began by thanking those attending for the support they had given Vienna in the past decade, support that has resulted in a dramatic increase in Canadian visitors to the Austrian capital. During that time, Canadian...
They’re Back!
Insight Vacations is gearing up for the return of its Travel Showcase events which are set to be held in 28 cities across Canada, starting in Moncton, New Brunswick on Oct. 27. Working in partnership with Tourism Ireland, Insight Vacations' veteran European tour directors will offer presentations designed to inspire will feature presentations by their veteran European Tour Directors, who will be sure to inspire agents' guests and encourage them to travel. Those attending the showcases will also hear from Cris David, vice-president Carla Brake, and on select nights in Western Canada,...
Uniworld Charts A Course To India
Beginning January 2016, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will set sail on the rivers of India, with passengers sailing aboard the brand, new Ganges Voyager II. The 56-passenger, all-suite vessel will sail the Ganges River as part of Uniworld's the 13-day “India's Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges,” itinerary. Those sailings will feature a seven night cruise and five nights in Oberoi Hotels & Resorts in New Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Highlights of the cruise include Delhi's Humayun's Tomb, the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort, Jaipur's City Palace, Mother Theresa's home and...
Embrace The Snow
Beginning Dec. 17, Porter Airlines will resume its seasonal service to Burlington, Vermont from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Tickets for the service, which continues to April 3, 2016, are now available at http://www.flyporter.com . Porter will operate twice weekly, non-stop flights to Vermont this season as well as offering packages through Porter Escapes. Porter Escapes – http://www.porterescapes.com – are priced from $689 for three nights at the Homewood Suites by Hilton. Activities, equipment rentals and lift tickets are also available. Vermont, of course, is well known...
Quite An Experience
Air New Zealand and Tourism Australia are teaming up to offer Canadians more choices when they're flying DownUnder, with a special fare to seven of Australia's top destinations. The campaign – which features a Canadian economy return airfare priced from $1,575 – will be heavily promoted on multiple digital channels from now through Nov. 15, 2015. The Air New Zealand special fare applies on travel to seven of the eight destinations it serves in Australia and includes Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide, the Sunshine Coast and Coolangatta. It does not, however,...