Destinations
Monitoring The Situation
In this week's issue of Travel Courier, Ian Stalker reports that after last week’s military coup in Thailand – aimed at quelling more than half a year of political unrest in the hugely popular Asian country – tour operators offering the destination are hoping that things will quickly return to normal without any flare-ups of violence. The military imposed martial law May 20 and then shortly after seized power, saying it wanted to restore order to a country that has seen anti-government unrest occur in such prime tourist locales as Bangkok. Among coup measures was a...
Viking Invasion at Royal BC Museum
On its first North American stop, “Vikings: Lives Beyond the Legends” has come ashore at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. The international exhibition is informed by recent discoveries and provides fascinating insights into the Viking era. It runs through Nov. 11. Artifacts plus interactive computer displays and hands-on activities help tell the story of the Viking people, illustrating who they really were and challenging commonly held beliefs about that period. The exhibition features more than 500 rare artifacts, including jewellery, swords, axes and...
Vegas Unveils Entertaining Security Videos
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), McCarran International Airport and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have released eight new pre-checkpoint security videos. The videos can be seen by all travellers who visit McCarran International in Las Vegas and feature some well-known entertainers, including Carrot Top, Blue Man Group, Terry Fator, Louie Anderson and more. “Our goal is to ensure we provide an unparalleled experience to each and every person that visits Las Vegas,” said Cathy Tull, senior vice-president of marketing for the LVCVA....
Fore! Pack Your Clubs for Myrtle Beach Special
Myrtle Beach’s Mystical Golf – owner and operator of The Witch, Man-O-War and The Wizard courses – has announced the “Summer 3 Play Tee Time Card” for rounds on each of its acclaimed layouts through Sept. 3. Available at Mystical Golf’s three pro shops and online for $118 p.p. (taxes not included), it features three rounds on what many call the “best 54 holes of pure golf in Myrtle Beach.” It also includes cart, complimentary lunch and two free beers. The Witch sits on 500 acres of tranquil cypress groves and wetlands teeming with flora and fauna. Tactical play is...
Travelbrands, Brand USA Launch Partnership
TravelBrands Inc. and Brand USA have launched a strategic partnership in which TravelBrands has made a significant contribution that will see the company leverage its extensive network in the promotion and marketing of the United States as a tourism destination for Canadian travellers. TravelBrands and its group of companies, which include Sunquest, Holiday House and Red Tag Vacations, will use its prominent market position to assist Brand USA and its destination partners reach millions of Canadians across the country. Through its large network of distribution channels – including...
San Diego Zoo Opens Tull Family Tiger Trail
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park officially opened its new 5.2-acre Sumatran tiger habitat on the weekend (May 24). The Tull Family Tiger Trail, named in honour of Thomas and Alba Tull, who donated $9 million for the project, is a forested habitat offering up-close views of the park’s six Sumatran tigers and highlighting conservation efforts for the species. Tiger Trail, which cost US$19.5 million to create, features three separate yards for the tigers, with rocks for climbing, ponds for swimming, deadwood trees to use as scratching posts, and long grasses for catnaps. The new...
‘Tee Up & Wind Down’ With Hanalei Colony Resort
Hanalei Colony Resort, located on Kauai’s lush north shore, has partnered with Princeville’s famed Makai Golf Course to introduce a new golf and spa package for couples who want to enjoy both experiences during their stay. The “Tee Up & Wind Down” package allows guests to tee up for a memorable round of golf, then wind down with a relaxing spa treatment at Hanalei Day Spa located at the resort. The package includes five nights in an Ocean View suite; an 18-hole round for two at Makai Golf Course with complimentary shuttle service to/from the course, if needed; a...
Ontario Prepares to Attract LGBT, WorldPride Visitors
When hundreds of thousands of visitors descend on Toronto for WorldPride celebrations next month, Travel Gay Canada wants to ensure those travellers extend their stays and experience the unique and LGBT-friendly tourism offerings of Ontario. To achieve this, Travel Gay Canada is conducting an LGBT tourism development initiative in four destinations within Ontario, with funding support from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. The destinations include St. Catharines, Kingston, Prince Edward County and Sault Ste. Marie/Algoma. The initiative is enabling the destinations...