In this week's issue of Canadian Travel Press, assistant editor Greg Coates reports that a nasty winter, easy access and a unique product has Canadians once again flocking to the Caribbean with tourist arrivals from Canada up 3.3% during the first three months of 2014 over the same period last year.
That’s well above the 1.3% rise in arrivals from the US, but below the 6.7% increase from Europe.
Last week was Caribbean Week in Toronto and Beverly Nicholson Doty, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), thanked Canadians for their support and noted that some 1.3...
Canadians travelling to Dublin, Ireland, can now take advantage of a new “Leap Card” specially designed for tourists.
The Leap Visitor Card offers visitors 72 hours of unlimited travel on Luas, DART, Iarnród Éireann’s short-hop zone and Dublin Bus – including the return trip between Dublin airport and the city centre on the Airlink Bus – all for $28.
Jayne Shackleford, manager of Tourism Ireland Canada said, “With new year-round direct air access from Toronto to Dublin, visiting Ireland in the fall and winter offers great value for Canadian travellers -- and this new...
Aboriginal Tourism BC (AtBC) has introduced its new Aboriginal Travel Services (ATS), a full-service travel agency dedicated to the business and leisure needs of companies, First Nations bands, organizations and individuals throughout Canada.
Working with an established host agency, ATS uses the latest technology including a comprehensive online booking platform, which allows the agency to provide the best rates for airlines, hotels and car rental companies.
It also offers full meeting and event planning. With an extensive knowledge of local, authentic Aboriginal experiences, ATS is...
Air Canada Vacations (ACV) has introduced new non-stop Air Canada flights from Montreal to Curacao starting Jan. 1.
The Montreal route is in addition to the non-stop Air Canada rouge flights from Toronto, which will start up again on Nov. 7 for the winter season.
ACV is currently offering special introductory package prices for Montreal-Curacao when booking by July 31. The tour operator has a selection of 11 resorts in Curacao, including all-inclusive...
The Saint Lucia Tourist Board has launched its annual travel agent incentive program, Saint Lucia Agent Months (SLAM).
Designed to bring travel agents to Saint Lucia, the promotion, which runs through Nov. 15, includes booking incentives and special rates on accommodations, airport transfers, tours, and attractions. Additionally, American Airlines will offer travel partners 50% off airfares in June, October and November, and WestJet will offer a 70% discount on airfares for travel through Dec. 16 (blackout dates apply).
Participating agents will experience the taste, sights and...
OPUS Hotel Corporation (OPUS) has entered into an agreement with developer MoYeung International Enterprise Ltd. (MoYeung) to bring the OPUS Hotel Versante to Richmond, BC.
It will be the first luxury boutique hotel in Richmond, with large guest rooms boasting a “spa bathroom” design. On the 10th floor, an open-air lounge featuring a cutout roof design unique to Greater Vancouver will introduce the OPUS bar concept to Richmond.
In addition, a signature traditional Chinese fine-dining restaurant will debut at street level.
The 110-room, 12-storey OPUS Hotel Versante is...
The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has launched a new e-brochure entitled “Germany for the Jewish Traveler” packed with travel tips and information about Jewish life, Jewish culture and places of interest in 64 German cities.
The e- brochure, which is free to download from http://www.germany.travel/en/ebrochures.html , is an integral part of a global travel campaign launched by the GNTB for travellers with Jewish heritage.
Germany is home to the third-largest Jewish community in Western Europe, indeed the only European Jewish community that is growing rather than...
Canada’s first Home2 Suites by Hilton West Edmonton will be open on July 24, and is now accepting reservations for stays starting Sept. 5.
Owned and managed by SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts, the extended-stay hotel offers guests 127 suites, packed with perks and high-tech amenities. Services and amenities include a saline pool, complimentary “Inspired Table” breakfast, free WiFi, and more.
The hotel’s stylish studios and one-bedroom suites feature kitchens and work areas with moveable table, task lighting and ergonomic chair.
During the advanced booking period, the...
Transat Holidays has unveiled its European offer for the winter season with the new 2014-2015 Europe Winter brochure, featuring vacation options in England and Portugal.
According to officials, with nonstop sunshine and a warm climate, the Algarve region in Portugal is perfect for extended vacations. Many of the hotels featured in the Transat brochure offer special rates for long stays. Other travel options are also available, including City Hopping packages combining Lisbon and the Algarve.
Travellers who wish to experience history, culture, art and architecture can choose from a...
At its annual meeting in Qatar, UNESCO’s World Hheritage committee has added the coastal cliff Stevns Klint in Denmark to its list of World Heritage Sites.
Stevns Klint is a world-class geological site. In the centre of the white cliff is a thin, dark layer of clay. The clay contains the story of the asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago and destroyed half the world’s animal and plant species – including the dinosaurs.
Stevns Klint is the fourth Danish site to be added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Jelling was the first site in Denmark to be placed on the list...