Cuba is marking major urban milestones these days.
Eloy Govea, the Cuba Tourist Board's director for English-speaking Canada, told a Toronto gathering Wednesday that seven Cuban cities have already reached or will reach the 500-year mark in the next few years.
Baracoa, found in easternmost Cuba, was the first city to reach that figure and Havana will become the seventh when it celebrates five centuries in 2019, Govea said, while praising his homeland's “cultural richness.”
Nieves Ricardo of the tourist board's Toronto office in turn said the Cuban cities – despite their...
Martinique, also known as The Flower of the Caribbean, took centre stage last night during an industry event in Toronto.
Agents, operators and select media were treated to a mini trade show featuring partners from the Caribbean island, as well as live music and a cocktail reception.
Jessica Marie of the Martinique Promotion Bureau's Montreal office, said the island attracts between 12,000 and 14,000 Canadians each year, mostly from Quebec, with direct air service available out of Montreal by Air Canada and Air Transat.
Marie said Martinique is known for its diversity with...
Air Transat has added Budapest, Hungary, to its transatlantic program for 2015, as well as increasing seats and frequencies on many of its European routes, including Paris, London, Barcelona, Athens, Lisbon, Marseille, Nantes, Rome and Venice.
For 2015, Air Transat is offering more than 50 different city-pairs between Canada and Europe.
“This expansion comes in response to the success of our Prague connection, inaugurated this past June, and reflects our intent to be at the forefront of innovation,” said Jean-François Lemay, general manager, Air Transat. “Yet again, Air...
Travel agents, tour operators and other travel trade types from across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) were immersed in everything Quebec last night (Oct. 15) in downtown Toronto as Tourisme Quebec and it partners hosted the annual Discover Quebec Marketplace.
Always an entertaining and informative event, the 2014 edition of the marketplace was the biggest yet featuring 38 suppliers from the province and welcoming some 200 agents who had the opportunity to explore the wide range of tourism products that were on offer.
Quebec suppliers on hand for the evening included a wide selection...
As much of Los Cabos reopens to visitors after damages sustained by Hurricane Odile in September, a new advertising campaign – dubbed Los Cabos #Unstoppable – has been launched.
The campaign will feature television ads, digital and social media engagement, as well as on-the-ground activations and events designed to get the world out that Los Cabos in back in business.
The federal government has made the recovery of Los Cabos, Mexico's third most popular tourism destination, a top priority. Los Cabos, which includes Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and the 32-km “Corridor”...
Aston Hotels & Resorts encourages fall travel to Hawaii, the Big Island.
Those staying at any of its three Hawaii Island condominium resorts, including Aston Shores at Waikoloa, Aston Waikoloa Colony Villas and Aston Kona by the Sea will receive 15% off the best daily rate through Dec. 19, using an Aston promo code. Agents and guests can get that info on the web...
Best Western International has announced the opening of the Best Western Plus Service Inn & Suites in Lethbridge.
The 100% smoke-free hotel features 113 guest rooms and 37 suites. Hotel amenities include a full complimentary breakfast, an indoor heated pool with two-storey waterslide and a 24-hour fitness centre.
Each room is equipped with a 40-inch flat screen TV, microwave, mini-fridge and free in-room WiFi. A 24-hour business centre has complimentary printing/copy services, and free Internet is offered in all public areas.
Rates start at $143 per...
Maui's Wailea Resort has set the dates for this fall's popular dinner promotion, "Restaurant Week Wailea."
The celebration of Wailea's finest cuisine takes place at 21 participating resort restaurants throughout Wailea Resort starting Nov. 9 through Nov. 15.
Wailea's chefs will once again create three-course, pre-fixe menus for $29, $39 and $49 per person. Participating restaurants partner with the Maui Food Bank for this event bi-annually and proceeds from the special menus are donated to the Maui Food...
Air Canada welcomed a select group of its partners – agents, operators and corporate clients – to an intimate gathering in Toronto last night (Oct. 14) to celebrate the impending launch of its new services to Rio de Janeiro and Panama City.
Virgilio Russi, senior director, sales – Canada for AC, told the gathering that for him it was a special evening for a couple of reasons, that included both the launch of the new flights, but also because Russi is from Brazil.
Both services will operate three times a week, with the Rio flights beginning on Dec. 11, while the Panama City...
When will Cuba's tourism growth taper off? Well, predicts Eloy Govea, the Cuba Tourist Board's new director for English-speaking Canada, no time soon.
In this week's digital edition of Travel Courier, staff writer, Ian Stalker reports that the remarkable growth the country has seen over the past two decades – with the country routinely posting double-digit annual increases – culminated in its hosting 2.8 million foreigners last year and Govea says Cuba is hoping for three million this year. That would amount to something of a slowing compared to some other years, but would still...