Destinations
Amelia Island Shines
From pirate and shrimp festivals to 13 miles of beachfront, Amelia Island, located on Florida’s Atlantic coast, was the focus of an industry event yesterday (Sept. 30) at Toca restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton Toronto. “The downtown area, Fernandina Beach, it's a very charming old Florida feel,” said Amy Lacroix, director of marketing at the Amelia Island CVB, (pictured above at the event). “People come for the beach, but stay for the marsh.” While spring break and summer vacation is considered the high season, she says the current shoulder season offers the most value for...
Adventure Canada Offers Greenland Savings
Adventure Canada is offering savings of 30% off its “Greenland and Wild Labrador” expedition aboard the Ocean Endeavour, if booked by Dec. 18. This represents potential savings of up to US$4,858 per person, depending on the cabin category. Berths start at US$4,995 per person. During the Greenland and Wild Labrador voyage, from June 29 to July 11, 2016, guests sail from St. John’s, Nfld., to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, scanning the horizon for whales, polar bears, seals and seabirds found in this remote part of the world. Guests will witness everything from the red and green...
The Stars Come Out For Jordan
In this week's digital edition of Travel Courier, Ian Stalker reports that Jordanian tourist authorities hope some star power will help boost tourism to a country found in a region where the news often ranges from gloomy to grim. Malia Asfour, director of the Jordan Tourism Board, North America, is welcoming the new Matt Damon movie The Martian, which was largely filmed in Jordan, hoping that it will refocus attention on a country that's remained calm even as violence rages in much of the region, including bordering Iraq and Syria. Asfour concedes ongoing news reports about violence...
Globus Introduces 100-Day ‘Parks’ Tour
America’s National Parks will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year – a milestone Globus will be celebrating in style with a unique 103-day tour, Centennial Celebration - 100 Days of Go Parks, visiting 35 of the country’s most famed parks. Starting in Hawaii on July 7 and ending in Las Vegas on Oct. 17, the tour will feature visits to such landmark parks as Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Glacier National Park. “This is a natural for us,” said Stéphanie Bishop of the Globus family of brands Canadian office. “We are proud and long-time supporters of the National Park...
Air Canada Taking Off To Delhi, Dubai
It was all about Delhi and Dubai as Air Canada hosted a group of some 260 travel agents, tour operators, corporate customers and other travel trade types to an event in Toronto last night. And whether you're client is 'dreaming of Delhi' or 'destined for Dubai,' at the beginning of November, Air Canada will be offering new air options to get them there. To Delhi, the carrier will be offering four flights a week from Toronto using its new 787-900 Dreamliners beginning November 1; while the thrice-weekly service to Dubai from Toronto begins on November 3, also featuring the 787-900...
travelcuts to Host Travel Documentary Film Festival
Canadian online travel specialist travelcuts is inviting Canadians to see the world and journey through some of the most obscure destinations via the first travelcuts Travel Doc Film Fest, “See The World Your Way.” The festival, set for late November, will feature a four-part mini-series of videos that will put the audience in some of the earth's most incredible, off-the-beaten-path places in Peru, Ecuador and Europe. Highlights will include a dune buggy ride in the most remote part of the desert and discovering never-before-seen waterfalls in the rain forest. “The festival is...
Myrtle Beach Rolls Out The Red Carpet For Canadians
In a new initiative designed to fight the poor currency exchange between Canada and the US and to keep Canadians visiting, Myrtle Beach is rolling out the red carpet with a new incentive-laced “Dollar For Dollar Can-Am Days” program. Available from Jan. 1 through April 30, and only to Canadians, the program offers discounts of up to 65% at participating hotels and 30% at attractions and restaurants. The program was unveiled at a Myrtle Beach event in Toronto last night (Sept. 29) – an event that gave guests a taste of everything Myrtle Beach, including live entertainment,...
Hilton Continues Latin America, Caribbean Expansion
Hilton Worldwide is set to reach a milestone 100 hotels in Latin America and the Caribbean this year, with an accelerated 60% growth in the portfolio expected through 2017. Nearly 20 new hotels have opened in the region so far this year, and another 60 hotels are in the development pipeline. As of Q2 2015, Hilton Worldwide has approximately 20,000 rooms at more than 90 hotels and resorts open and welcoming guests throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, including the recent openings of the 298-room Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro (pictured); Anselmo Buenos Aires – the first Curio...