Destinations
WestJet Adding Vegas-Abbotsford Flights
WestJet will be adding new, non-stop, twice-weekly service between Abbotsford, BC and Las Vegas, beginning Oct. 29, 2015. The Abbotsford International Airport recently eliminated several fees, including the airport improvement fee, creating a cost-friendly environment for WestJbbet to grow service from the Fraser Valley. Gregg Saretsky, WestJet president and CEO, said: “Abbotsford and WestJet have been partners since 1997, and we see the recently announced fee drops at the airport as an opportunity to further build service in the area.” And Saretsky noted that: “We need more...
Hilton Bringing Garden Inn Brand to Hawaii
Hilton Worldwide has announced the signing of a franchise license agreement to operate the first Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Hawaii, bringing the brand to all 50 US states. Once opened, the Hilton Garden Inn Kauai/Wailua Bay will be the only Hilton branded hotel on the island of Kauai. Owned by a partnership led by DiNapoli Capital Partners and managed by Aston Hotels & Resorts, the 216-room beachfront hotel is expected to be renovated and open early in 2016. Next to the Wailua River on the scenic east coast of Kauai, Hilton Garden Inn Kauai/Wailua Bay will be located on one of...
G Adventures Tops Nepal Goal
G Adventures has surpassed its initial goal of raising $75,000 in relief following the devastating earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal. Bruce Poon Tip, founder, G Adventures, observed: “The global response to our relief efforts has been overwhelmingly positive. Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped spread the word. In just over a day, we've raised more than $85,000 from nearly 1,000 donors from more than 35 countries.” The tour operator has increased its target to $100,000 and will contribute an additional $25,000 to encourage continued donations in support of the recovery...
Intrepid Overwhelmed By Nepal Donations
Intrepid Travel has increased the target for its Nepal Appeal to more than AUD$200,000 after being overwhelmed by donations to its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation The adventure travel company offered to match traveller donations dollar-for-dollar to assist with emergency relief in Nepal, and originally set a target of AUD$40,000 for the appeal, which launched on Sunday. The Intrepid Foundation has been overwhelmed by the response from travellers, with more than AUD$50,000 received within 24 hours of the launch, resulting in a combined total of AUD$70,000 raised for the...
Japan Flying High Out Of Canada
New flight services to Japan from Vancouver are helping to ensure that more Canadians visit, while a new bullet train service has opened up more tourism territory once they get there, reports western editor, Ted Davis in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. A schedule of direct non-stop flights between Vancouver and Osaka will start on May 1, with operations by Air Canada rouge. This is the first trans-Pacific rouge flight, and the only direct flight between Canada and Osaka. Five flights per week will operate from YVR to Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka, using...
G Adventures Launches Nepal Aid Initiative
G Adventures has launched a $75,000 aid appeal in response to the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that has devastated Kathmandu, Nepal and its surrounding areas. Funds raised will support the long-term recovery of the affected communities. Bruce Poon Tip, founder, G Adventures, said: “Nepal needs our help. Relief agencies are already mobilizing to provide food, shelter, and medicine to those affected by the earthquake, but it doesn't end there. It will take months, even years to rebuild the country.” G Adventures is covering all administration costs so 100% of all donations will...
Globus Expanding Latin America Offer
Although Peru and Costa Rica remain the most popular destinations in Latin America for the Globus family of brands, the company's Kim Vincent was in Toronto on April 24 to highlight new trips planned for other nearby countries. “We have a couple of new destinations on the horizon,” said Vincent, product and business development manager for South/Central America and Hawaii, at an industry briefing. “South and Central America is now the safe destination to go to and it's also very budget friendly.” New trips to Uruguay, featuring visits to colonial towns and Montevideo, will...
2015 Is The Year For Europe
The Travel Corporation wants to make European vacations a reality for those dreaming of a holiday on that continent. Jeff Element, who oversees The Travel Corporation's Canadian operation, told a Toronto audience this week that our dollar is doing well against the euro, even while faring poorly against its American counterpart. “There's still lots of offers...There's still lots of air capacity...,” he said. “This is the year to go.” Travel Corporation brands include Contiki, with Element saying Contiki can cater to “every budget, every travel style.” Contiki clients...