Destinations
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...
Transat Strengthens Its Presence in Panama
Air Transat is expanding its presence in Panama with new flights to Playa Blanca. Flights to the Rio Hato airport from Toronto and Montreal will be operated on Mondays starting Nov. 2. The new flights can be combined with a stay at the Royal Decameron Golf, Beach Resort & Villas, a hotel exclusive to Transat Holidays, located just minutes from the Rio Hato airport. Facing Playa Blanca, one of the top beaches on the Pacific coast, the Royal Decameron features 852 rooms. Rated 4.5 stars, the complex offers a variety of restaurants including eight that are à la carte. Other...
Ask An Islander
Want to know the best place to get a lobster roll or discover a scenic cycling route in PEI? Simply ask an islander. Representatives from Tourism Prince Edward Island were in Toronto May 7 to celebrate their new online initiative, Ask an Islander, which connects vacationers with ambassadors of PEI to answer their questions with a local perspective. “There's so many great things about PEI. You know all about the food, the culture, the golf courses, the beautiful beaches, the scenery but what we find is most special about PEI is the people,” said Brenda Gallant, director of marketing...
King Kong Roars to Life at Universal
King Kong will rule at Universal Orlando Resort next year in the groundbreaking attraction, “Skull Island: Reign of Kong.” The new attraction will open in the summer of 2016 at Universal’s Islands of Adventure – and is described as an “intense, all-new adventure brought to life in a dramatically themed environment.” Skull Island: Reign of Kong will pull guests into a powerfully told story where they become part of the next generation of the Kong legend. It begins as guests are transported deep into a wild and mysterious world, where their mission is to discover creatures...
Getting To Know The ‘New’ NYC
Although Broadway performer NaTasha Yvette Williams belted out a tune from her role as Matron Mama Morton in the musical Chicago, the focus of an industry event in Toronto yesterday (May 7) was all about The Big Apple. Presented by NYC & Company, New York City’s official tourism and marketing organization, the luncheon highlighted what's new and things to do in the five boroughs of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. “Canada is one of the two leading international markets into New York City. You guys are virtually tied with the UK,” said Reagan...
Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Set for Reno
The Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre has embarked on more than $37 million in renovations designed to enhance the guest experience. Renovations will transform all 733 guest rooms and common areas, adding new guest services and offerings to the hotel. The renovation will be completed in two phases, with the North Tower the first to be completed, this month. The second phase of renovations will begin in December, with a focus on the South Tower to be completed by March of 2016. Renovations will include full guestroom and suite refurbishment, as well as replacement of all floor and...