Destinations
Choose Chicago!
It was all things Chicago this week as Choose Chicago – Canada held two industry events in Montreal and Toronto – featuring nine tourism partners – to showcase all that's new in the Windy City, which counts Canada as its top international market. The city, which is often compared to Toronto, has 22 diverse ethnic neighbourhoods and is well known for its cultural offerings, shopping (including The Magnificent Mile and Chicago Premium Outlets), cuisine (Chicago boasts 24 Michelin-rated restaurants) and sports (think the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks and two Major League...
Chaplin World Museum Coming to Corsier-sur-Vevey
The Little Tramp still has a big following. Legendary comedian Charlie Chaplin died in 1977 in his adopted Swiss hometown of Corsier-sur-Vevey and tourism authorities are preparing to pay homage to him in a major way through the Chaplin's World museum, slated to open in 2016. It will use scenography, animated décor, multimedia elements, 3D and HD imagery and other high-tech methods to recount the life of a man who rose from modest beginnings to reach the pinnacle of the entertainment industry. “It will be housed in his former estate,” Francois Michel, marketing director for...
Mokulele Air Adds Third Flight to Hana
Interisland carrier Mokulele Airlines recently added a third daily flight from Maui’s international Kahului Airport (OGG) to tiny Hana Airport (HNM), on the other side of the Haleakala volcano. Offering a bird's eye view of the spectacular Hana coastline, the new morning flight departs Kahului 6:15 a.m. and arrives in Hana about 20 minutes later. Ticket prices start at $59 each way and may be booked on mokuleleairlines.com. The luxury hotel Travaasa Hana offers complimentary flights for guests who book the inclusive Total Travaasa package for three nights or more. Transfers to and...
Fanning The Flames
Though West Africa's deadly Ebola outbreak is slowly slipping beyond the media's (and hence the general public's) gaze, the repercussions of the health catastrophe continues to reverberate throughout the travel world, reports editor, Michael Baginski in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. Business is hurting in most traditional African tourism locales due to fears of the disease and a general lack of awareness by western consumers of just how far it is from the affected countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia and popular travel destinations like Tanzania, Kenya and...
New Black Diamonds, Ski-Out at Sun Peaks
One of the most ambitious expansions of ski terrain and facilities in BC this year has been executed by Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops. The four-season, three-mountain resort north of the city has opened two new alpine zones, giving Sun Peaks Resort 4,270 skiable acres this winter. This ranks the resort as the second largest ski area in Canada. All new terrain is classified as expert or high intermediate. For instance, new black diamond runs have opened on Mt. Morrissey. On Tod Mountain, the popular hike-to zone has been given a new ski-out trail for providing easier access back to...
Free Wales, Ireland Webinars Set for This Week
Untamed Wales and magical Ireland take centre stage this week with two webinars designed to educate and entertain. Learn about the unique culture of Wales, with its friendly rural villages, towering mountains and family fun in Cardiff. Reinvent the Emerald Isle as a road-tripper’s paradise, with glamorous city hotels, charming B&B’s and miles of scenery interspersed with history both ancient and modern. Visit Wales’ “Wales: A Traveller’s Playground” goes live at 1 p.m. Dec. 2, with Jump Into Ireland’s “Ireland: The Ultimate Driving Route” airing at 1 p.m. EST...
Un-Cruise Details New Galápagos Adventure
Un-Cruise Adventures is gearing up for its first foray into Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands and the historic city of Quito, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with eight departures planned for 2016. Travellers interested in a longer adventure in South America may add a four-night Amazon basin rainforest cruise and a six-night excursion to Peru and Machu Picchu. A nine-night Unequaled Ecuador! Colonial Quito & Galápagos Islands adventure begins with a two-night stay at Casa Gangotena, a 31-room boutique hotel in Quito’s historic centre. Guided walking tours explore the historic...
Back In The USA
The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) is going back into the American leisure market following a four-year absence that has seen slow or no growth from this country’s No. 1 visitor source, reports Montreal editor, Mike Dunbar in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. The welcome news was delivered by federal tourism minister Maxime Bernier, during the annual meeting of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) in Ottawa Nov. 25. The only uncertainty surrounding the return was funding, but Bernier assured delegates that he would work to get the necessary...