Destinations
NYC Invites Visitors to Sail Away to St. George
As the summer travel season continues to heat up, NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, has named Staten Island’s St. George as the next neighbourhood featured in its NYCGO Insider Guides. A 25-minute ferry ride from Lower Manhattan, St. George is described as a historically rich and charming neighbourhood with cultural institutions, authentic restaurants and outdoor activities. As part of the promotion, a short documentary film is available online that features local insiders who highlight and recommend the must-see...
TIABC Applauds Announcement on MRDT
TIABC board chair Jim Humphrey says the recent announcement by Shirley Bond, minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, to further promote British Columbia's tourism sector is an important next step for thousands of businesses, communities and destination marketing organizations that will give the industry another avenue to build on its recent success. “Allowing municipalities, eligible entities and regional districts an opportunity to apply for and ultimately receive an increase to the Municipal and Regional District Tax (from 2% to 3%) is a...
‘Fall Into Winter’ With Prince Resorts
Why would spending your fall season in Hawaii this year be better than anywhere else in the world? Prince Resorts Hawaii is suggesting three good reasons, as well as its special "Fall Into Winter" promotion: More beach time. Soak in some serious warmth before the chill of winter sets in. Waikiki Beach is mere minutes away from Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki. And two of Hawaii Island’s highest-rated beaches, Kaunaoa Bay and Hapuna Beach, are at your doorstep when you stay at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. More ocean viewing. Every one of Hawaii Prince Hotel...
China Targets Tourism as Tool to Fight Poverty
UNWTO welcomes the recent decision of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development of China to promote rural tourism as an effective means to fight poverty. In a recent meeting with Chinese tourism authorities, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, welcomed China’s continued recognition of tourism as an effective development tool as well as its special focus on rural tourism. “Tourism is well positioned to contribute to rural development as it is a labour-intensive sector providing a wide range...
‘New’ Riu Palace Aruba Reopens
Riu Hotels & Resorts has reopened the Riu Palace Aruba after investing $25 million in a complete renovation. The resort, which opened in 2007, now has a “luxurious, elegant and modern style” combined with new services and facilities and an infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean. The 450 rooms also have the latest technology, such as flat-screen satellite TVs, electronic safes and free WiFi. The restaurants and bars of the Riu Palace Aruba have also undergone a complete transformation. For example, the Don Nicolás buffet restaurant, which offers international cuisine, is...
Shanghai an Option for Romantic Journey
China doesn’t usually spring to mind as an option when travellers are considering a romantic getaway, but a US tour operator is working on changing those perceptions. Jetbay.com is encouraging vacationers to experience the romantic side of the country at a collection of attractions in Shanghai. These include the Bund in Shanghai at night, a day in historic Fengjing Town, a visit to the Shanghai Film Park, a ride on the giant ferris wheel at Jinjang Amusement Park and a river cruise on the Huangpu River, to see Shanghai’s waterfront. Jetbay’s most popular types of vacation...
Pan Am Games ‘Gold’ For Toronto
Pan Am Games gold medal glory may lead to some cash registers ringing more frequently in the games' host city of Toronto and other parts of this country as well. Tourism Toronto COO Andrew Weir says a record medal performance by the Canadian team helped pique interest in the competitions in this country and the games are always closely followed in Latin America, boosting Toronto's profile in some markets Tourism Toronto is eager to make inroads in. “Exposure for Toronto in key tourism markets like Brazil and Mexico is very important,” says Weir, who adds there was a large...
Travel to Canada Continues to Surge
Canada remains a hot commodity as it welcomed more than 1.5 million international visitors in May, an 8% year-on-year increase, according to a new Destination Canada Tourism Snapshot. The total was the highest number of international visitors to Canada in May since 2002. Other statistics show: From the US, arrivals rose by auto (9%), air (6%) and other modes of transport (6%), culminating in an overall 8% year-on-year rise in travellers. The US dollar has appreciated 13% over the loonie in the first five months of 2015, making the exchange rate much more favourable for US...