Destinations
Spotlight on India
Services International Ltd. says “cat-ty” sorts will be at home in India's Ranthambore National Park. Pramod Singla, director of the New Delhi-based company, says the park is best-known for its tiger-sighting opportunities, adding its “50-50” that those who go on one of his company's guided Ranthambore tours will spot one of the large predators. Guides knowledgeable about tiger behaviour lead visitors through the heavily forested region and the park has 12 routes, with park officials distributing visitors on different trails so no one route becomes...
Transat Reverses Trend, Adds Capacity
Increased capacity across the board, new destinations and new gateways will mark the upcoming winter Sun season for Transat Holidays, reports the tour operator. And while bigger and better is often the mantra at launch time, Transat really means it, Annick Guérard, general manager for Transat Tours Canada, told a group of retail VIPs in Toronto Thursday. “This is big for us,” Guérard said, referring specifically to the capacity increase; she noted that Transat had decreased capacity the past two years as it adjusted costs and efficiencies. “Now we're back on track, and happy...
Niagara Serves Up Unique Canada Day Experiences
Steeped in Canadian history and surrounded by stunning natural scenery, Niagara offers a long list of uniquely Canadian ways to celebrate Canada Day. What better place is there to mark Canada’s national birthday on July 1 than in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake, which played a pivotal role in the founding of the country and features activities and attractions you can’t find anywhere else? “The Canada Day long weekend in Niagara is a great time to get a taste of what makes our country so special and to kick off summer at the same time,” says Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours president...
Air Canada Adds Lyon, London-Gatwick to Network
Air Canada has further expanded its extensive global network with the announcement of new non-stop services to Lyon, France and London's Gatwick airport beginning in summer 2016 and providing customers with more convenient options when travelling to Europe for business or leisure. "Pursuing our ongoing strategy to expand internationally, Air Canada is pleased to offer customers non-stop, year-round service between Montreal and Lyon, heart of the second largest metropolitan area in France. Air Canada continues to serve Paris Charles de Gaulle and this new Air Canada mainline route will...
BC Travel Fund Compensates Travellers
Passengers impacted by travel agency failures in BC have been refunded a total of $36,000 as of the end of April 2015, says Consumer Protection BC. From Jan. 1 to April 30, 24 consumers received compensation through BC’s Travel Assurance Fund, due to the closures of BC travel agencies Air-World Tour & Travel Ltd. (based in Surrey), Safari Studio Ltd. (New Westminster) and Global Pacific Travel Ltd. (Surrey). Last year, the fund paid out $121,000 to 96 impacted travellers. “If we could give travellers just one piece of advice, it would be to ask for – and keep – copies...
Porter Off to Pittsburgh
Porter Airlines is on its way to Pittsburgh this fall, making it the airline’s 22nd city served. Flights begin Sept. 21 with up to two daily roundtrips between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Pittsburgh International Airport. The schedule features weekday departures from Toronto at 8:25 a.m. and 3:05 p.m. Pittsburgh departures are at 10:05 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. A detailed schedule is available at http://www.flyporter.com, with flights now available for booking. Introductory round-trip fares departing from Toronto start at $321 and departing from Pittsburgh starting at US$286,...
‘Meet’ Channing Tatum in Las Vegas
On June 30, moviegoers will have a chance to meet “Channing Tatum,” the star of “Magic Mike XXL,” at Town Square’s AMC Theater in Las Vegas, courtesy of Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. Fans are encouraged to get up close and personal with a dashingly attired – but still super-hot – wax figure of Tatum. Whether they opt to canoodle with the sexy star, give him a smooch, slip a hand inside his jacket or, of course, snap a selfie with him – all is fair game and completely encouraged. His figure will be front and centre on the red carpet at the theatre beginning at 6 p.m. on...
Warwick Set to Open on Cayo Santo Maria
Warwick Hotels will open the Warwick Cayo Santa Maria Resort on Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba, on Aug. 15 – an all-inclusive property spread over 26 hectares of gardens with views of the Caribbean Sea. Located 45 minutes from Santa Clara International Airport, Warwick says the Warwick Cayo Santa Maria “represents the ultimate luxury experience in Cuba” and has 800 rooms, including 16 suites, and eight restaurants, including international buffet, Caribbean, a steakhouse, trattoria and a snack bar. There are six bars. Also found are a kids club, a 2,300-square-metre swimming-pool, two...