Destinations
WEM Welcomes Yangchuanosaurus
Of all the special guests West Edmonton Mall has welcomed over the years, the latest will undoubtedly be the largest and probably attract the most attention. More than five metres long and two metres tall and weighing more than 149 kilograms, the juvenile Yangchuanosaurus is certain to leave an impression. The dinosaur – a fierce carnivore that lived in China about160 million years ago – is on display on Level One, in Phase II, across from the mall’s main Guest Services Centre and by Galaxyland’s main gates. The scale model Yangchuanosaurus comes to West Edmonton Mall from the...
Sea House Gets ‘Happy’ on Maui
The beachfront Sea House Restaurant, located on beautiful Napili Bay in West Maui, has received top honours for “Best Happy Hour” in the 2015 'Aipono culinary awards. The ‘Aipono Restaurant Awards annually recognize the best of Maui’s food, wine and hospitality industries as determined by readers of Maui No Ka ‘Oi. The Sea House claimed the top Gold award for Best Happy Hour and Silver for Best Oceanfront Dining. Since 2004, the Sea House has won 11 Gold and Silver ‘Aipono Awards including Gold for Most Romantic Restaurant (2004), Best-kept Secret (2010, 2012), Best...
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...