Destinations
On Ice at the Fairmont Empress
The annual winter wonderland at The Fairmont Empress in Victoria, BC is expanding this year with the addition of a skating rink on the hotel's iconic front lawn overlooking the festively lit Victoria Harbour. Operating from Nov. 20 until mid-January, the covered rink will offer public skating 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. Skate rentals, Skate 'n Date nights and Family Skate afternoon are some of the ways to enjoy the tradition of winter skating. For groups, there are Office Skates, Holiday Parties on Ice, and Break + Skate meeting options. Special...
Spotlight on Nicaragua
Nicaraguan Ambassador Francisco Campbell is promoting his homeland to Canadians and has a weighty travel industry ally at his side when doing so. Campbell told a Toronto audience last week that Lonely Planet – which has a huge international following, particularly among young travellers – has declared that Nicaragua is one of its top four destinations for 2015. “The tourism industry in Nicaragua is booming,” Campbell said of a country that's gaining news hotels and resorts. “Todays travellers are looking for a new getaway to vacations that will not only be relaxing but...
Karisma Debuts Allure Caramel in Belgrade
Karisma Hotels & Resorts has announced the debut of Allure Caramel, by Karisma in Belgrade, Serbia. The introduction of Allure Caramel represents Allure Hotels’ first property in Europe and third within the brand’s emerging portfolio of boutique city hotels that reflect the culture of each destination. The new hotel is now welcoming travellers. Allure Caramel (formerly The Hotel Admiral Club Belgrade) combines “a rich heritage, historic charm, and classic style with current-day comforts, personalized service, and thoughtful amenities.” Allure Caramel was most recently...
WestJet Adds More Phoenix, South Okanagan
WestJet has launched new daily non-stop service between Toronto and Phoenix, Arizona. “Already a popular destination from Western Canada, we are delighted to offer even more non-stop service to the Valley of the Sun,” said Chris Avery, WestJet vice-president, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. “With hundreds of golf courses, countless world-class conference and convention facilities, and of course the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Arizona is a must for Canadians looking to escape the winter cold.” WestJet has also launched...
Mazatlan Hotel Reps Host Oct. 28 Webinar
Two resort properties in Mazatlan, Mexico are now being represented in Canada by Vancouver-based Inter-Active PR & M. The company is the go-to contact in Canada for the Oceano Palace Hotel and the Luna Palace Resort – both sister properties under the Hoteles Palace brand. They are both located in Mazatlan's Zona Dorada, close to shopping, attractions, restaurants and nightclubs. Inter-Active is getting the word out on the Mazatlan hotels through a webinar that will take place on Oct. 28 at 3 p.m. The goal will be to deliver key information on the two properties and provide...
Celebrating Partnerships
The Bahamas has further strengthened its commitment to the Canadian market following a strong 2013 winter season and continuing growth from Canada during the first 8 months of 2014. A high-profile delegation, led by Bahamas minister of tourism, Obediah Wilchcombe and the Bahamas new director general of tourism, Joy Jibrilu, was in Vancouver and Toronto this week to update the travel trade on the island's plans for the upcoming winter season. Topping the list was the launch of a national advertising campaign designed to let Canadians know all about the vacation options that the Bahamas...
Hyatt Goes All-Inclusive in Jamaica
Playa Hotels & Resorts B.V. (“Playa”) is welcoming the upcoming opening of Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, an adults-only all-inclusive experience, and Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, an all-inclusive experience for all guests, in Montego Bay, marking the arrival of Jamaica’s first Hyatt-branded all-inclusive resorts. The all-inclusive hotels, which are expected to open Nov. 23 at the former site of The Ritz-Carlton, are the culmination of an approximate “$80-million expansion, renovation and repositioning that is intended to reinvent this storied destination in a way that brings effortless...
Contiki Goes Big in Europe
Knowing that no two travellers are alike, Contiki’s new Europe 2015 brochure offers something for everyone, with eight new trip styles catering to the different experiences young people want to have on holiday. The original youth travel brand’s 2015 lineup also includes 16 new trips, including Morocco and Portugal as new destinations. According to officials, the Contiki mission remains the same – to “provide young explorers with more choice, more freedom and more destinations at a great price and with plenty of awesome included experiences.” Travellers can now choose...