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 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...
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...
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...
Air Canada and about 150 travel agents, tour operators and corporate customers were on hand at Toronto's Casa Loma to celebrate the carrier's June 4 launch of service to Amsterdam.
But that wasn't all.
Along with Amsterdam, Air Canada – as well as Air Canada rouge – will also bring close to a dozen more, new or expanded services online between now and the end of June. A sample of some of the destinations Air Canada is adding include Atlantic City and Austin, Texas from Toronto; a batch of domestic flights to Terrace and Nanaimo from Calgary and to Comox from Vancouver. Plus Air...
After a seven-year hiatus, PATA is back in Canada.
The new Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Canada Chapter was launched last night (April 23) at a celebratory industry function in Markham, Ont., complete with the 27 Founding Members. The event was streamed live across Canada.
Barbara Dirnberger, executive director of PATA Canada, kicked things off by thanking the Founding Members for believing in and supporting the initiative to bring PATA back to Canada.
"Each of them is highly invested in promoting the Asia Pacific region, an area that is to many Canadians 'the other side...
This summer, Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio will be unveiling its latest and most thrilling ride to date – Batman, The Ride, a 4D free fly coaster ride that features the first magnetic technology of its kind in the world providing riders with the feeling of weightlessness.
Magnetic fins on the ride allow riders to flip over the top of a 12-storey hill and two vertical drops.
Lasting about two minutes, the ride takes flight over a steel track with six full inversions descending downwards to two 90-plus degree vertical drops. Coaster enthusiasts can look forward to a...
Mexico's flagship resort area, Riviera Maya, will become a short flight away next winter for residents of Southwestern Ontario as Sunwing adds direct flights from Windsor to Cancun, beginning Dec. 21.
Sunwing offers some exclusive resort options in Riviera Maya. A new addition to Sunwing's Family Collection, the Royalton Riviera Cancun caters to vacationers seeking plentiful activities and a wide array of amenities. Part of Sunwing's Luxury Collection, The Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun offers a serene oasis where adults can relax and be pampered, while offering full access to all...
Showcasing all that makes the rural District of Ka’u so special, the Ka‘u Coffee Festival is set to perk with activities for all ages, April 24-May 3.
Now in its seventh year, the festival not only showcases Ka’u’s multi, award-winning coffees at numerous events, but also features stargazing, a rainforest hike and more.
“We’ve got something for everyone to enjoy over 10 days,” says festival organizer Chris Manfredi. “While all of last year’s great events return to the festival, we’re always trying to exceed the expectations of our guests. When you have a vibrant...
Sunwing Vacations has announced an increase in flight services from Edmonton over the summer, offering residents new options for holiday getaways.
During summer, the airline will offer three new weekly flights to the sun destinations of Cayo Coco in Cuba, the island of Grand Bahama, and Los Cabos on Mexico's Baja peninsula.
Also, the weekly connection to Cancun that previously operated through Calgary will become a direct service over summer 2015.
“Edmonton is our largest gateway in Western Canada,” says Andrew Dawson, CEO for the Sunwing Travel...