Destinations
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,...
HVCB Appointment
The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) has announced the appointment of Tom Mullen in the newly created position of senior vice-president and chief operating officer. He began work on Sept. 1, replacing Wayne Arita, HVCB’s chief financial officer, who retired in September. In his new role, Mullen will be responsible for finance and corporate services, contract compliance, business development and travel industry partnerships. Most recently, Mullen held the position of chief administrative officer with the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board. Prior to that, he...
Hello, Canada
The 2015 Africa Showcase made its Canadian debut in early October with an inaugural stop in Toronto following events in Los Angeles, Dallas and Boston. Presented by South African Airways (SAA) and On Show Solutions, the seventh annual educational travel trade show featured 30 tourism partners, briefing sessions with suppliers, prizes and destination presentations by the Zambia Tourism Board, South African Tourism, Namibia Wildlife Resorts and Namibia Tourism Board, reports staff writer, Ann Ruppenstein in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. “The real goal of [the...
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,...