Destinations
New Cuba Cruise Brochure Unveiled
The newly designed 2015/2016 Cuba Cruise brochure is now available for digital download and in print from Celestyal Cruises. The colourful brochure combines both Cuba and cruise vessel photography, with port of call highlights, new extended sailing dates and detailed deck plans. Celestyal Cruises is launching its third operating season in Cuba, offering seven-night cruises that feature the authentic Cuba experience. Embarkations begin Dec. 18 and operate through April 11, 2016, with weekly departures from both Havana and Montego Bay. Agents can now book their Cuba-curious clients...
Canadian Numbers to Jordan On The Rise
At a travel trade appreciation event held in Toronto Monday night, Malia Asfour, director, Jordan Tourism Board North America, reported that tourism from the Canadian and US markets are up for travel to Jordan. She noted that in good times and in troubled times, Canadian agents have continued to support Jordan, which Asfour described as “an oasis of peace in a funky neighbourhood.” Pictured at the event are (l-r) Marie LaFleche, Frank Lafleche (representing the Jordan Tourism Board for Canada) along with...
All You Need is Ecuador
Highlighting the best of Ecuador's four worlds – the Pacific Coast, the Andean Highlands, the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands – the All You Need is Ecuador road show arrived in Toronto on Monday (May 11). Representatives from Ecuador's Ministry of Tourism and 20 tourism partners gathered to meet with travel agents and tour operators as part of a 10-city North American tour including stops in Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York and Montreal. Next to bananas and shrimp, tourism is Ecuador's third main source of revenue. “In terms of passengers arriving to the country, 2014 was one...
Jamaica Inn Welcomes Guests ‘Home’
While already popular with Canadians, two officials from the Jamaica Inn in Ochos Rios, Jamaica are in Toronto this week promoting the quaint, family run all-suite resort, known for its personalized service and welcoming staff. The 48-suite (and four, two-bedroom cottage) boutique hotel, a member of Resort To The Best, sits on an eight-acre, beachfront site offering guests a quiet oasis ideal for unwinding from life's everyday stresses. Helping guests “unplug” is the fact the resort has no TVs, radios or clocks. It does, however, offer guests WiFi in every room so staying in touch...
Good Works Rewarded
It was a full house of travel trade personnel on hand for the annual Responsible Travel & Tourism Awards (RTTF) luncheon held in Toronto yesterday (May 11) at the Eaton Chelsea Hotel. Organized by Baxter Travel Media, and sponsored by the Eaton Chelsea, the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ryerson University and Air Canada, the event provides an opportunity to publicly reward individuals and companies that have made a contribution to the cause of responsible travel. The 2015 event featured an expanded program of awards, adding tour operator,...
Starwood Expands in Alberta
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is set for expansion in Alberta with the signings of two new-build properties – The Westin Calgary Airport, owned by PAL Hospitality Ltd., and The Westin Edmonton Gateway, owned by Neelam Investments Ltd. With 250 guest rooms, The Westin Calgary Airport will be located directly on Calgary International Airport property. The five-storey hotel will feature a Westin Club Lounge, 30,000 square feet of meeting space, restaurant and lounge. The Westin Edmonton Gateway will offer 225 guest rooms, as well as a Westin Club Lounge, full...
Universal Partners With Nintendo
Universal Parks & Resorts and Nintendo have launched plans to bring the world of Nintendo to life at Universal theme parks – “creating spectacular, dedicated experiences based on Nintendo games, characters and worlds.” The immersive experiences will include major attractions at Universal’s theme parks and will feature Nintendo’s most famous characters and games. More details will be announced in the near future as Universal and Nintendo creative teams work to create specific concepts. Some of Nintendo's most popular games include Mario, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Zelda and...
Own A PGA Course For A Day
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida's PGA National Resort & Spa – home of the PGA TOUR Honda Classic and a former Ryder Cup venue – has an exclusive “Own The Champion Course for a Day” offer through Sept. 31. Few layouts have a golf history as storied as the Champion Course. In addition to the Honda Classic, its resume includes hosting the 1983 Ryder Cup, 1987 PGA Championship, nearly two decades of the Senior PGA Championship and this year's final stage of the Web.com Q-school. It is also the current setting for Golf Channel's “Big Break” series. The lauded track is home to...