Destinations
Hilton Expands in Colombia
Hilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement with Fideicomiso Santa Marta Hotel to operate a new build Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in the Caribbean port city of Santa Marta, Colombia. Scheduled to open in 2017, this new Hilton Santa Marta hotel represents the company’s 14th hotel project in Colombia, including its portfolio of seven existing operating hotels and seven currently under development. Located on one of the most sought after beach sites in Santa Marta, the beachfront Hilton Santa Marta will form part of the Irotama mixed-use complex in the Bello Horizonte...
Storm Watching Retreats
Winter is near and that means storm watching season on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Properties on the ocean shore around Tofino and Ucluelet are now offering storm watching retreats. For instance, the Long Beach Lodge in Tofino has a rate of $295 (p.p., double) for three night's accommodation on offer. And the Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet is marketing a rate of $260 for a three-night stay. The third night is free if the package is booked before Dec. 8. And the rate includes a return trip with BC...
Get a Taste of the Florida Keys
Spreading the Florida Keys’ warmth and free samples of the subtropical island chain’s signature dessert, a Key Lime Pie food truck is rolling along the streets of Toronto and Hamilton all this week. While enjoying a complimentary piece of pie, people will be asked to make a donation to the Toronto-based Second Harvest food rescue program. “We want Canadians to get a taste of the Florida Keys,” said Harold Wheeler, director of the Florida Keys & Key West tourism council. “We can’t bring our warm winter temperatures to Toronto, but we can certainly share our favourite...
Blue River Airstrip Open for Heli-Skiing Access
Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing of BC now has access to an air strip in Blue River, about 1 km from the heli village. This means that clients can fly right into Blue River with their private aircraft for the 2014/2015 season. Commercial aircraft entering Canada may clear customs in Kamloops, or alternatively in Kelowna. Blue River is a mountainous area with constant weather changes, so flying in is highly dependent on good weather and visibility. An alternative is to land at Kamloops and hire a private driver service or rental car for the 2.5-hour drive to Blue...
G Unveils 2015 Family Trip Lineup
G Adventures has introduced its collection of 2015 Family adventures. Spanning three continents and 14 countries, the company’s family friendly trips are designed to deliver a mix of adventure and education. “Travelling is a great way open up a child’s world to possibility and wonder. Experiences lead to new interests, and exposure to different cultures, languages, and environments helps the kids of today become the responsible, well-rounded adults of tomorrow,” says Alistair Butchers, innovation manager, G Adventures. Beginning in 2015, the tour operator will offer...
For The Record
Tourism to the Sunshine State continues to thrive with Visit Florida preliminary estimates showing 23.7 million visitors came to Florida in the third quarter of 2014 (July-September), an increase of 3.5% over the same period in 2013. This represents the largest third quarter for visitation Florida has ever experienced, exceeding the previous high of 22.9 million in Q3 2013. Florida Governor Rick Scott commented, “Florida’s thriving tourism industry is vital to growing jobs, and today’s report that Florida has experienced three record quarters so far in 2014, putting the state...
Extraordinary Canada
Lindblad Expeditions is inviting Canadians to explore their home and native land. And that includes locales well above the Arctic Circle. In this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press, Ian Stalker reports that company president Sven Lindblad told a recent Toronto gathering that his company – which has 10 vessels, six of which it owns and four of which it charters – has Canadian sailings, while conceding that many think travel within their own country isn't exotic. Sailings in northern waters and through islands off the northwest coast of this country “highlight the...
Klassen Leaving CTC
Greg Klassen is leaving the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC). After 13 years in senior management leadership roles -- most recently as interim President and CEO – with the CTC, Klassen announced that he will be leaving as of Feb. 13, 2015. CTC chairman, Steve Allan observed: “Since its move to Vancouver nine years ago, Greg has played a leading role in helping the CTC win countless marketing awards making Canada one of the world’s leading tourism brands and in solidifying Canada’s reputation as the most recommended destination in the world to visit.” Allan continued:...