Destinations
Valentine’s Day vow renewals available at Outrigger
Outrigger Hotels and Resorts is making Valentine’s Day even sweeter this year with romantic offers at two Outrigger properties. Couples staying at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach or Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach in Hawaii can say “I do” once more along the Waikiki shore in a traditional Hawaiian vow renewal ceremony. The package will be offered throughout February to all couples near and far, and includes a vow renewal ceremony, romantic dinner for two and seven night’s accommodation in a deluxe ocean view room. The ceremony is conducted by a non-denominational Hawaiian...
Tourism Ireland celebrates record year
Tourism Ireland reports the island of Ireland had a record year for visitors from North America in 2013. CSO Overseas Tourism statistics released yesterday show the total number of visitors from North America in 2013 amounted to 1.158 million, exceeding the previous record set in 2008, and representing an increase of 13.9% on the 2012 figure. All of Ireland’s main overseas markets grew in 2013 compared to 2012; the number of visits from Great Britain grew by 5.6%; visits from Mainland Europe grew by 4.9% while there was also strong growth of 15.1% from other long-haul markets. A...
Bermuda Tourism Authority has new CEO
The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) has announced the appointment of Bill Hanbury as chief executive officer (CEO). He will report to the board of directors. An industry veteran with more than 25 years of senior management experience, Hanbury will be responsible for leading the newly created Bermuda Tourism Authority. From 2009-2013, Hanbury was the CEO of the United Way of the National Capital Area. During his tenure, he rebuilt the internal operating structure, implemented a development strategy that improved financial stability and rebuilt the organization’s marketing,...
Annual Shop a Le‘a at Ala Moana Center
Shop a Le‘a, the annual week-long shopping event at the Ala Moana Center in Oahu, will take place March 17-23. It will present locals and visitors with more than 150 experiences in fashion, health and beauty, active lifestyle, home décor, travel and cuisine. Included as part of the Shop a Le‘a lineup are fashion shows, exclusive products, Centerstage events, gifts-with-purchase, mall-wide shopping and dining offers and much...
National introduces Emerald Aisle service in Edmonton
National Car Rental reports the addition of its “Emerald Aisle” service for members of its Emerald Club loyalty program at the Edmonton International Airport National location. With this expansion, National has become the first car rental brand to offer counter bypass service to Edmonton International customers. National expedites the rental process for Emerald Club members by providing access to the “Emerald Aisle,” an exclusive section of the lot where members can select any vehicle as long as they reserve a mid-sized car. The Emerald Club is free to join and focuses on...
Duffer’s delight
Mystical Golf – owner and operator of The Witch, Man-O-War and The Wizard courses in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – has a introduced a spring stay-and-play package. Mystical Golf offers a trio of layouts that many call the “best 54 holes of pure golf in Myrtle Beach.” Combining Southern US hospitality with spacious villa accommodations, its spring package begins March 6 and starts at $106 (p.p. per night, taxes included). The experience features three rounds with cart on The Witch, The Wizard and Man-O-War; three night’s lodging in three-bedroom golf villas (four beds);...
Yukon winter tour by Sky High Wilderness Ranch
A 15-day wilderness tour through the snowy winter landscapes of Yukon is now being offered by the Sky High Wilderness Ranch, about 30 minutes from Whitehorse. The overland tour combines dog sledding and snowmobiling to who guests some of the region’s pristine highlights. Some nights are spent in tents, others at the ranch itself, located in the mountains surrounding Fish Lake. It features cozy individual...
New Zealand village reopens at Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) has recently re-opened its entire Aotearoa (New Zealand) village, which now features new carvings recognizing Hawaikiroa, the ancient Polynesian navigator. The intricately designed carvings are made from the native Totara timber of New Zealand. The carvings honour the ancient navigator Hawaikiroa for the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands, and for being an ancestor to Aotearoa. The Aotearoa village consists of three houses, including the Marae (sacred place for protocol and social purposes) and meeting house, both of which were the focus of the...