Destinations
Florida Hits All-Time Record High for Tourism
And the beat goes on. Florida Governor Rick Scott has reported that Florida has set another record in tourism by welcoming the highest amount of visitors of any six months in the state’s history with 54.1 million visitors. This record amount of visitors – which included 2.9 million Canadians – represents a 5.8% increase over the year. In the second quarter of 2015 (April-June), 25.8 million visitors came to the state, an increase of 5.5% over the year. The average number of direct travel-related jobs in quarter two of 2015 was also a record high, with 1,213,500 Floridians...
MSC Grand Voyage to Include Maiden Call to China
MSC Cruises has revealed plans to make its first sailing to China, with the newly renovated MSC Lirica calling in Shanghai on May 1, 2016 after having travelled across continents. Lirica will make the company’s maiden call in China’s biggest megalopolis after a 60-day round-the-world Grand Voyage which departs on March 3, 2016 from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. “We are delighted to once more be able to offer our guests a brand new itinerary – from Brazil to China via Europe – which offers the chance to visit some of the most appealing places on earth, certainly across a huge...
Ecuador Declares a Yellow Alert in Cotopaxi Volcano Region
As a result of emissions of ash from the Cotopaxi volcano, the government of Ecuador has declared a yellow alert in the Ecuadorian provinces of Cotopaxi, Tungurahua and Pichincha. President Rafael Correa has advised the public to remain calm and to keep themselves informed using the only official channel, which in this case is the Ministry of Security Coordination. Minister Cesar Navas suggests the public start up contingency planning in direct co-ordination with the Emerging Committees of Operation of provinces involved. She also reported that entry to the Cotopaxi National Park...
Getting High in Peru
Peru's Natura Vive has introduced Skylodge Adventure Suites suspended from the side of a mountain in the Sacred Valley near Cusco. The three glass capsule “suites” offer a 300-degree view of the Sacred Valley through transparent aerospace aluminum and weather-resistant polycarbonate. Each capsule is 7.2 metres long and 2.4 metres high/wide and can accommodate up to eight people with four beds, a dining area and private bathroom. In order to get to the suites, guests can either scale 400 metres of a via ferrata or hike a trail that includes ziplines. When guests arrive, a gourmet...
Icelandair Introduces Montreal Service
Icelandair is expanding its network with the introduction of new seasonal service from Montreal beginning May 19, 2016. Flights from Pierre Trudeau International Airport will mark the arrival of the airline’s first gateway in the province of Quebec, and 16th in North America. Four flights a week will be offered from Canada’s second largest city through Nov. 8, 2016 with departures on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The five-hour, non-stop flight to Icelandair’s hub at Keflavik International Airport also provides connections to more than 20 destinations in Europe,...
Aqua-Aston Introduce New Name, Branding
Signalling the continuation of a groundbreaking integration that began more than a year ago of two Hawaii-based hotel management companies, Aqua Hospitality and Aston Hotels & Resorts – both operating businesses of Interval Leisure Group – have announced the group will now operate under the Aqua-Aston Hospitality banner. Kelvin Bloom, president of Aqua-Aston Hospitality parent company Aqua-Aston Holdings, Inc., commented. “With the integration of two experienced hotel management companies, we believe that our rich expertise developed during a combined 80 years in the industry...
Intrepid Intent on Return to ‘Iconic’ Nepal
The Intrepid Group is preparing to begin sending clients back to Nepal, confident that it's safe to do so following the spring earthquakes that rocked much of the country. And Intrepid co-founder Darrell Wade says that those who do visit the Himalayan nation will further assist it in getting back on its feet financially. Nepal – which has a heavily tourism-dependent economy – is eager to see tourists return, although Wade concedes some will be wary about visiting it in the near future. Intrepid's decision that it is safe for tourists to return follows an assessment by...
ASTA Picks Seville for Destination Expo 2016
The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has announced that the 2016 ASTA Destination Expo (ADE) will be held in a city known as a mix of ancient and modern – Seville, Spain. To be held June 2-5, 2016, ADE, which incorporates both educational sessions and extensive sightseeing for travel agents and a showcase for local suppliers, history, art, culture and natural beauty will come alive for travel consultants not only in the city of Seville, but also in the many surrounding regions during this show hosted by Turismo de la Provincia, Seville Tourism Board, Tourspain, Turismo...