Destinations
Peak 2 Peak Receives Record Recognition
The impressive PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola spanning between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains has received world-wide recognition after Guinness World Records included the world-record breaking engineering masterpiece in its 2015 edition of the Guinness World Records Book. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola was recognized as the holder of “highest cable car above ground” and “longest unsupported span between two cable car towers” records. Since its opening in 2008, the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola has hosted guests from across the globe as they make the scenic journey between the two mountains. The...
Jamaica Decriminalizes Marijuana Use
The Jamaica Tourist Board's Canadian director says it won't be a case of reefer madness in his homeland. Jamaican parliamentarians have approved the decriminalization of marijuana in a country where marijuana has long been smoked by much of the population, but Philip Rose notes the move doesn't amount to legalization. Politicians have okayed the use of medical marijuana and its use by Rastafarians – who claim smoking marijuana is a religious ritual – but Rose notes there can still be unspecified penalties for the population at large and tourists if they're caught with the drug,...
Saying ‘I Do’ is Easy in Antigua, Barbuda
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority is toying with a “love-ly” way of generating more revenue. Marie Walker, the tourism authority's vice-president of sales and marketing for North America, notes the destination doesn't have any residency requirements for those wanting to get married there and is considering enabling unmarried visitors to get hitched without even setting foot outside the airport terminal. “We want to create Las Vegas-style weddings,” she said in Toronto, adding people impatient when it comes to tying the knot could essentially get off their planes and...
Boomerang Introduces Special to New Zealand
Boomerang Tours is making travel to New Zealand more affordable than ever with some special low airfares with partner Air New Zealand. Valid on all new bookings made by March 31 for travel between July 24 and Sept. 21, travellers can take advantage of special low rates to Auckland from either Vancouver or Los Angeles and combine it with a Boomerang Tours package to create a family vacation or ski getaway. For example, Boomerang offers a nine-night package from $899 per person that includes return air and a 10-day four-berth motorhome rental – a great option for families. Customers...
Britain Posts Record Gains
Despite a distinct lack of cooperation from Canada, Britain posted record tourism numbers in 2014, delegates at the ExploreGB trade show in Ascot, England, were told Thursday. Canadian visitations to the UK were projected to be down 11 per cent for the year -- due mainly to the drop in the Canadian dollar -- but overall visitations were up six per cent to just under 35 million overseas visitors, the second record year in a row for arrivals. 2015 is expected to top those totals. Canada ranked 14th in the listing of Britain's top source markets, but placed 10th in visitor...
Taking Care Of Business
Discover America Canada held its annual general meeting at Toronto's fashionable Spoke Club this week, welcoming close to 50 members as it reviewed its activities in 2014 and looked ahead to a busy 2015. In her report, Discover America Canada president, Sana Keller told members that outbound activity to the US from Canada had been steady, pointing out that even with the dropping Canadian dollar, the industry has been through this before and it is cyclical. On the bright side, Keller pointed out that the drop in fuel prices will put more discretionary dollars in the pockets of...
Former Mobster to Lead New Vegas ‘Casino’ Tours
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the blockbuster movie “Casino,” which provided a fast-paced dramatization of an era in Las Vegas when organized crime controlled many of the city’s casinos. Beginning March 18, history buffs and film aficionados alike can join former mobster Frank Cullotta for a two-hour tour of the places where iconic scenes from “Casino” actually took place. The tour will begin at The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, with a special private tour by former FBI Special Agent Dennis Arnoldy and Mob historian Robert...
Simply Elegant
With a collection of five luxury resorts, Barbados' Elegant Resorts has something sure to please any agents' clients looking for an upscale Bajan holiday. The boutique collection includes Tamarind, Colony Club, Crystal Cove, Turtle Beach (popular with Canadians) and The House, a mix of traditional resort, adults-only and unique all-inclusive options with room counts ranging from 34 to 160. Each feature such amenities as beach and pool ambassador service, complimentary motorized and non-motorized watersports and free WiFi. All of the properties are located on Barbados' popular West...