Destinations
Goway Introduces Iceland
For the past 44 years, Goway has been sending travellers to some of the world’s most interesting and exotic destinations. Always looking to expand its horizons, Goway now offers Iceland, an increasingly popular choice for a holiday, or as a stopover, en route to Europe with Icelandair. “Iceland is nature at its best, and it’s all concentrated in a small country that makes it easy to experience,” says Karl Kannstadter, general manager for Goway’s Latin America program, who travelled to Iceland recently. “Millions of birds, thousands of waterfalls, hundreds of hot springs,...
Princess Unveils 2015 Japan Program
Demonstrating a continuing commitment to developing the Japan cruise market, Carnival Corporation has announced the 2015 Japan cruise program for Princess Cruises which features Diamond Princess returning for the line’s third season, and introduces new cruises as short as three nights to appeal to those local travellers seeking a quick getaway. Beginning next April, the Japanese-built Diamond Princess will once again offer a season sailing from the two home ports of Tokyo (Yokohama) and Kobe. During the four-month summer season the ship will offer 20 departures on a mix of...
Mexico: A Destination For All Seasons
Winter's end doesn't mean Mexico isn't on the minds of Canadians who will be on the move in the next few months, reports Ian Stalker in this week's edition of Canadian Travel Press. Rodrigo Esponda, who oversees the Mexico Tourism Board in Canada, confidently states many from this country will soon be vacationing in his homeland, despite the arrival of warm weather here. “Three out of four visitors from Canada come during the winter but we have seen two trends: the high season to Mexico starts earlier and finishes later every year, and during summer we have had the fastest-growing...
Carnival to Add Third Year-Round Ship in Galveston
Carnival Cruise Lines – Texas’ number one cruise line – will add a third year-round ship in Galveston when Carnival Freedom launches a seven-day cruise schedule in February 2015, marking the first time that a cruise line has deployed three year-round ships in Texas. Carnival’s repositioning of Carnival Freedom represents a 38% capacity increase for the line in Galveston, carrying more than 600,000 guests a year from that port. Prior to its arrival in Galveston, Carnival Freedom will undergo a previously announced makeover that will add an array of innovative new features...
Up Close And Personal With Nanook in Nunavut
In this week's issue of Travel Courier, Ian Stalker reports that Iqaluit-based Arctic Kingdom is inviting travellers to take a close-up look at Nanook. And, says the company's Jason Hillier, they'll do so on foot, eschewing the specially built vehicles used in the Churchill, Man., area -- seen as synonymous by some with polar bear-viewing -- to see the world's largest land carnivores. Arctic Kingdom -- which primarily sends people to Nunavut but also offers the Northwest Territories, Newfoundland and Labrador, Greenland and Antarctica -- has guided foot tours of up to two hours that...
SilverBirch SVP’s Honoured
SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts reports Christine Maassen, senior vice-president, Human Resources, has been named the winner of the 2014 HRMA Award of Excellence: HR Professional of the Year, and Michael Kreuger, senior vice-president, Finance & Accounting, has been named CFO of the Year in the Transformation Category in the 2014 BC CFO Awards presented by Business in Vancouver and the Chartered Professional Accountants of B.C. The HR award recognizes the Human Resources Management Association member who contributes to an organization by championing change in the pursuit of...
Waikiki Comes Alive
On May 3, Waikiki's Kalakaua Avenue will come alive with its annual celebration of Spam -- the famous canned meat and favourite local staple -- as part of the Waikiki Spam Jam Festival. Outrigger Hotels and Resorts is a SPAM Jam co-founder and presenting sponsor, with the festival featuring great food and entertainment in a family friendly atmosphere for kamaaina and visitors to enjoy. Outrigger Enterprises Group's Bitsy Kelley said of the event: "Outrigger is proud to participate in such a unique and fun-filled event that our entire community can enjoy. As a company dedicated to...
Set Sail With Beaches Resorts
Beaches Resorts has recently launched a new sailing program at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa, Beaches Negril Resort & Spa and Beaches Ocho Rios Resort & Golf Club in conjunction with the American Sailing Association (ASA). The new Sailing Fun Experience provides guests with an opportunity to participate in a four, two-hour session sailing course designed to introduce both children (ages eight and above) and adults to the sport of sailing. The cost of the program is US$150 p.p. which includes all four two-hour sessions with fellow Beaches Resorts...