Destinations
Europe Proves Popular
It seems an increasing number of Canadians are planning to vacation in Europe this summer. According to Booking.com, nine out of the top 10 international destinations Canadians are booking this summer are in Europe. The recent decline in the value of the Euro, coupled with stable airline fares, have made the continent an appealing summer destination for Canadians. The top five European destinations Canadians are booking this summer, says Booking.com, are Rome, Italy; Paris, France; London, England; Barcelona, Spain; and Venice,...
Choose Chicago
A group of tourism officials from Chicago hosted an industry event in Toronto yesterday (May 5) to help promote the cultural side of The Windy City. Among the highlights are EXPO Chicago, an international art fair taking place Sept. 17-20 and playing host to more than 140 leading galleries from around the world, and Chicago Architecture Biennial, running from October through Jan. 3, 2016. Also known for its culinary and music scenes, Chicago will play host to more than 60 festivals this summer alone, including the Chicago Blues Festival, June 12-14, and Taste of Chicago, July...
A New Era for Cuba Cruise
Despite earlier reports that Cuba Cruise was closing its office in Canada, Celestyal Cruises said that it is actually enhancing its presence here and extending Cuba Cruise's 2015-2016 season. Commenting on the changes, Pythagoras Nagos, director of sales, Celestyal Cruises, said: “We are happy to announce that following the Cuba Cruise start-up phase, the brand is now fully owned by Celestyal Cruises. The venture has been restructured to create synergies and meet consumer demand for a product covering vacation needs all year round.” Nagos continued, “From the best of the...
Fireknife Championships Set To Light Up Hawaii
The world’s “hottest” international competition, the World Fireknife Championships, will light up the stage at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC), May 7-9, to determine the best at this traditional Samoan art. Now in its 23rd year, the World Fireknife Championships draws its roots from the Samoan ailao, a warrior’s knife dance, performed before battle with the nifo oti, or “tooth of death.” This year’s competition features 22 entrants in the senior or elite division, including defending champion Via Tiumalu, Jr. of Orlando, FL, 15 entrants in the older junior...
Sunwing Expands Cuba Offerings
One of Cuba’s most beguiling island destinations will be a little closer to residents of Kitchener/Waterloo, Ont. this winter with the Sunwing launch of a new weekly flight to Cayo Santa Maria. Located off the northern coast of Cuba and situated in the Jardines del Rey archipelago, Cayo Santa Maria boasts white sandy beaches and turquoise waters ideal for snorkelling, scuba diving and catamaran excursions. Beginning Dec. 24, the new route will be the only direct connection from Kitchener-Waterloo over the winter 2015/16 season. Andrew Dawson, chief operating officer Sunwing Travel...
Fairmont YVR Top Airport Hotel in North America
The Fairmont Vancouver Airport has once again been named the best airport hotel in North America, at the World Airport Awards by Skytrax. The awards were presented in Paris earlier in April. The airport hotel category has been included for the past five years, and the Fairmont YVR has taken the top prize in four of those five. The survey that determines the winners is based on over 12 million questionnaires done by travellers in more than 160 countries at 410 airports during a nine-month...
Tourism a driving force for Germany
Germany’s tourism sector set a new international arrivals record last year but that was no thanks to the Canadian market, reports Montreal editor, Mike Dunbar in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. North America as a whole turned in the world’s highest regional growth rate, but the 8.2% boost came solely from south of the border, while Canada posted a marginal 0.2% decline. The cause of the downturn was strictly weather-related, according to Antje Splettstoesser, marketing and sales director for the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) in Canada. She explained,...
AC Expands International, Domestic Networks
Celebrations were held at four airports across Canada Friday (May 1) as Air Canada inaugurated new services between Vancouver-Osaka, Vancouver-Comox, Calgary-Nanaimo and Calgary-Halifax. “We have strategically added new leisure services to our international and domestic Canada route network with our leisure carrier Air Canada rouge, and we continue to increase our Air Canada Express services to communities in Western Canada to meet demand. We are very pleased to inaugurate four new routes including the only non-stop flights from Canada to Osaka which we expect to be particularly...