Destinations
Pan Am Games Are Gold For Toronto
Tourism Toronto says Toronto's tourist trade may be among Pan Am Games winners. Tourism Toronto COO Andrew Weir says a strong performance by the Canadian team helped pique interest in this country and therefore draw attention to the host city, and the games are always popular in Latin America, boosting Toronto's profile in some markets where Tourism Toronto is eager to make inroads. “Exposure for Toronto in key tourism markets like Brazil and Mexico is very important,” says Weir, who adds there was a large foreign media contingent in Toronto for the games and it not only covered...
Barbados Booming Out of Canada
Barbados is experiencing unprecedented growth out of Canada, including a record-breaking month in January. The latest figures were enthusiastically revealed on a visit to Toronto in mid July by a high profile delegation of tourism execs from the island led by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) chariman Alvin Jemmot, who called the Canadian market performance “phenomenal,” adding that Barbados is “seeing growth in 2015 at rates never seen before” out of Canada. Canada already ranks as Barbados' third largest market, accounting for 24% of the country's business. The...
A Taste of Ireland Comes to Toronto
Tourism Ireland celebrated a “taste of Ireland” this past weekend at Toronto's Festival of Beer and highlighted by a selection of Irish chefs, craft brewers and musicians at the Ireland Pavilion. It is the first time Tourism Ireland has participated in the event and Alison Metcalfe, executive vice-president, USA and Canada at Tourism Ireland, told Press Today it was great opportunity for the organization to target younger travellers – with a sampling of the Emerald Isle's unique craft breweries, food and music. Speaking at a VIP reception, Dana Welsh, marketing manager,...
All Aboard for Jamaica
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) in Canada has announced its upcoming familiarization tours for Canadian travel agents. Agents are invited to apply now for the tour departing from their closest major city. Fams are scheduled during September and November and will highlight Jamaica’s resort areas of Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. The trips are a great opportunity for agents to be updated on product development as well as obtain the tools to better sell “Destination Jamaica” to their clients. For more information and to register, agents should visit:...
Contiki Launches 2016 Europe Preview
Contiki has unveiled a sneak peak at its 2016 European program and until Sept. 15 is offering clients 2015 prices, as well as 10% off to reward early birds. “Contiki Europe 2015 was one of our most successful programs to date, says Contiki Canada president Brad Ford. “With 145 trips to 34 countries, seamlessly organized into eight travel styles, it was easier than ever for our loyal agents to book a Contiki trip for their clients. Our Europe Summer 2016 Preview offers the best savings of the year on the same best-selling Europe trips, making it more affordable for young travellers...
Hurtigruten Triples Its Berths in Antarctica
GLP Worldwide Expedition Travel and Tours, the Canadian representative for Hurtigruten, is making it easier to book an Antarctica cruise as the MS Midnatsol will be utilized for the 2016/17 sailing season, tripling the line's capacity in this increasingly popular region. “With triple the berths this will make Antarctica more accessible and give more choice while meeting the demand for more experiential and nature based voyages especially to this part of the world,” said Alan Law, GLP Worldwide Expedition Travel and Tours' director of sales and marketing. The Midnatsol will join...
Taking The World By Storm
If you think you've noticed more Chinese tourists in your city lately, you're not mistaken. According to global accommodation booking web site Hotels.com, Chinese travellers continue to take the world by storm, up 20% to 107 million in 2014. According to statistics, they're also younger, more independent-minded, tech-savvy – and increasingly cashed-up. Surveying more than 3,000 Chinese international travellers and 1,500 hoteliers from around the world, the annual Hotels.com Chinese International Travel Monitor examined the growth trends in mainland Chinese international travellers...
Game On For Jamaica
Jamaica House Toronto, the official meeting grounds for Jamaican athletes, supporters and patriots at the 2015 Pan Am & Parapan Am Games, kicked off yesterday (July 22) with an industry event. Held at Atlantis in Ontario Place, the launch featured Kaci Fennell, Miss Universe Jamaica 2014, Janice Miller, Jamaica’s High Commissioner to Canada and Lloyd Wilks, Jamaica’s Consul General to Toronto, as well as Jamaican food and drinks. “The Jamaica House brings you the best of our brand flavours,” Wilks said. “This represents our brand in every way, shape and...