Destinations
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...
Homewood Suites to Open in Santo Domingo
Hilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement to introduce its Homewood Suites by Hilton brand – an upscale, all-suite, extended-stay offering – to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Scheduled to open in 2017, the new-build 120-room Homewood Suites by Hilton Santo Domingo represents both the brand’s first hotel in the Caribbean and first hotel designed in line with its Caribbean and Latin America prototype. “The signing of Homewood Suites by Hilton Santo Domingo is a great milestone as it introduces a new Hilton Worldwide brand to the Caribbean and our third hotel in...
California Dreaming
A road show of Californian proportions hit Toronto this week to showcase 20-plus destinations and businesses from across the state. Presented by Visit California, the fifth annual Toronto event highlighted California's diverse offerings from boutique hotels to rock 'n' roll venues and nightlife to road trip destinations and family adventures. “Canada is such an important market for us,” Jennifer Sweeney, public relations manager for Visit California, told PressToday. “There's a lot of great lift into California, we have great weather, there's a diversity of things to do,...
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,...