Destinations
M Club Lounge Opens in Calgary
Travellers looking to recharge their batteries while staying at the Calgary Marriott Downtown will now have access to the first ever M Club Lounge to open in Canada. An exclusive space located in the heart of the hotel, the M Club Lounge offers space to work, connect and relax for Marriott Rewards Gold and Platinum Elite members as well as guests who choose to add M Club Lounge access to their reservation. Open 24/7, the M Club offers connectivity and advanced technology to meet guests’ business needs. This includes expanded high speed WiFi using the “highest tier of Internet...
Alamo Nominated for World Heritage Designation
Five Spanish colonial missions, including the world-famous Alamo, are currently nominated for inclusion on the World Heritage List with a decision expected July 3-5. Located in the heart of San Antonio, Texas, these Spanish colonial missions are of particular importance. San Antonio’s Spanish colonial missions symbolize a time when the world was expanding, cultures were intertwining and the global landscape would be forever changed. Having an intact, architectural representation of this story is a global treasure. If inscribed on the list by the United Nations Educational, Scientific...
European Waterways Introduces New Burgundy Route
European Waterways reports that its new luxury hotel barge, Finesse, poised to launch its maiden season in May 2016, will be cruising a new route as part of the company’s continuing expansion of vessels and services. An eight-passenger, deluxe double-decker vessel, the Finesse will cruise the River Saône and Canal du Centre in Southern Burgundy through vineyards and past historic towns and villages. Staffed by a crew of five, Finesse will feature a demonstration galley where guests can watch the onboard master chef preparing the daily gourmet meals. Cabins will start at $6,290...
All Eyes On Dallas
A love affair between Canada and Texas – and especially Dallas – continues and a delegation of tourism officials from Dallas were in Toronto yesterday (June 9) to show their support and thank travel trade partners. Phillip Jones, president/CEO, Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, noted that Dallas hosted 340,000 Canadians last year, up 27% from the year before. He attributed the positive numbers to awareness, good value and excellent lift, with Dallas being a very easy destination to get to. “We've worked hard on the PR side and I think there's a 'been there, done that...
A Welcome Decision
The director of India Tourism Toronto is welcoming India's decision to begin offering Canadians electronic tourist visas in May, a decision he says greatly eases the visa process for those of us wanting to visit his homeland, reports Ian Stalker in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. Anil Oraw says the new visas are available at http://www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html , eliminating the need for sometimes inconvenient visits to Indian diplomatic missions. “You don't need to go anywhere [to an Indian diplomatic mission],” Oraw said during a Toronto reception....
New Japan Rail Passes Link Tourist Areas
The Central Japan Railway Company and West Japan Railway Company are launching two new train passes for overseas visitors to Japan. Travellers can use the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass” to visit Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Gokayama, Kanazawa, and Toyama from Nagoya and Osaka. The “Ise-Kumano Area Tourist Pass” grants convenient access to various areas in Mie prefecture, including Ise, Toba, and Kumano Kodo from Nagoya. Passes are valid for five consecutive days and allow unlimited use of non-reserved seats on all trains in their designated regions. For detailed...
A Different World Every Moment
About 40 travel industry types gathered in Toronto late last week to enjoy a gourmet lunch along with a taste of what's new in “Asia's World City” – Hong Kong. In town to host the event was the Hong Kong Tourist Board's executive director, Anthony Lau, who told those on hand that in 2014, Hong Kong welcomed more than 60 million visitor arrivals which was an increase of 12%; while its 28 million overnight arrivals was up by 8.2% from 2013. Lau said that Hong Kong's popularity is in many ways due to its strategic location in Asia, which puts it in close proximity to close to...
Caribbean Airlines Adds Flights
Caribbean Airlines' summer schedule sees the airline offering travellers more options to travel from Toronto to Jamaica. The airline has increased flights between Toronto and Jamaica (Kingston) from three to five weekly departures. Caribbean Airlines offers an all-inclusive inflight experience with complimentary authentic Caribbean meals and signature cocktails, and the first checked bag always flies free. Business class passengers can enjoy three complimentary checked bags, access to CAL’s business lounges, fine dining and a premium bar, plus customers also earn an extra 50%...