Destinations
Hawaii’s National Parks Recognized
Significant parks and sites in the state of Hawaii, as designated by the National Park Service (NPS), were recently recognized by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) for their role in generating tourism. “The National Park Service overseas eight parks and sites throughout the Hawaiian Islands, which welcomed nearly five million visitors and generated US$312-million in economic benefits to the state last year,” said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of the HTA. “They not only help to preserve the natural beauty of the destination, but help to perpetuate and promote the people,...
Ultimate Destinations
America’s two largest cities posted bi-coastal record-breaking visitor numbers last year, with New York snagging top honours by beating out Los Angeles by a whopping 13 million arrivals, reports Montreal editor, Mike Dunbar in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. The all-time record for New York was announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio and now stands at 56.4 million. The mayor stated, ``Our excellent quality of life, low levels of crime and constant dynamism continue to attract record tourism each year and 2014 was no exception. According to NYC & Company, the city’s...
Transat Haiti Flights on GDS
Air Transat reports its regular aviation activities between Canada and Haiti, and between Haiti and Canada, are available on GDS booking systems available to travel agents. According to officials, this designation reflects the growth of Haiti’s tourism industry, which benefits from development strategies formulated by the Haitian Ministry of Tourism and the collaboration of partners like Transat and Air Transat. Considered a scheduled airline for Haiti since April 2014, Air Transat has been providing weekly service between Montreal and Port-au-Prince for over 15 years. This recent...
Record Year
It seems everything is “irie” between Canada and Jamaica as the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) reports that 2014 was a hallmark year for Canadian visitor arrivals to the destination. A record 419,898 Canadian visitors was tallied for 2014 (January to December), an increase of 5.2% over 2013. This figure is the highest number of annual Canadian visitor arrivals recorded to date. “We are thrilled to report our best year ever in terms of Canadian visitors to Jamaica,” said Philip Rose, regional director of Canada for the Jamaica Tourist Board. “It is clear that Canadians love...
‘Rasta’ Restoration Complete
Just in time for his 70th birthday, Bob Marley’s iconic Land Rover is ready to ride again. The matte-blue 1977 Series III Land Rover which fell into a state of disrepair following the singer’s death over 30 years ago, has been completely restored from clutch to chassis thanks to Sandals Resorts International and its Jamaican affiliate car company ATL Automotive, ITC – the regional distributors for Land Rover as well as the Marley clan. Sandals CEO Adam Stewart said that he was immensely honoured and proud that his team could give something back to a man who had given so much...
Spring Break Specials In Okanagan
Five Okanagan, BC ski resorts - Big White Ski Resort, Silver Star Mountain Resort, Sun Peaks Resort, Revelstoke Mountain Resort and Apex Mountain Resort – are working with NewLeaf Corp, a new Canadian travel company, to offer lower fares over Spring Break to Ontario travellers. 2015 has been a banner year for snowfall in the Kelowna/Okanagan, BC region. 2015 has also brought about an exciting new partnership for skiers looking for a world class family experience that is still available during this year's Spring Break season. Michael J. Ballingall, chairman of the Thompson Okanagan...
Destination Dubai
2015 is going to be a busy year for the gang at Emirates Airlines in Canada. Canadian Travel Press' executive editor, Bob Mowat reports that travel agents will be well-advised to keep an eye on the carrier as it rolls out some new twists to its flight plan over the next 12 months. Topping the list of what to watch for from the carrier in 2015 will be some aggressive promotion of Dubai as a stand-alone destination – rather than just a stopover – in the Canadian market. To do that, the carrier has teamed up with a number of new tour operator partners that will be packaging...
DoubleTree Acquires Victoria Landmark
One of Victoria's landmark hotels, Executive House, will re-open this spring as the new DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Suites Victoria following the completion of a multi-million dollar property-wide renovation. Managed by Mairet Consulting and Management Ltd. of Victoria, the property will mark the first hotel from the Hilton Worldwide portfolio to open on Vancouver Island. Upon opening, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Suites Victoria will offer 181 guestrooms all equipped with refrigerators and microwaves. Ideally-suited to families and corporate travelers, 89 of the guestrooms are...