Destinations
HOTWIRE REPORTS THE RATES
Hotwire.com has released the results of the October 2013 Hotwire Canadian Hotel Rate Report, featuring the top five cities in Canada where hotel rates have dropped the most. Pierre-Etienne Chartier, vice-president of the Hotwire Group, noted of the results: \"Ontario and Quebec are the hot spots to visit this October, with the two provinces making up the entirety of this month\'s Rate Report while boasting some of Canada\'s most popular destinations.\" And Chartier added: \"With such exceptional price drops, there\'s no better time to visit these cities, which offer a wide variety of events...
EGYPT WANTS TOURISTS TO COME BACK
The Egyptian Tourism Authority is insisting that tourists can safely visit Egypt, with a statement released by the tourism authority this week saying “most of the tourist sites and especially the Red Sea resorts are entirely safe and sound for visitors.” Political unrest has led to steep declines in visitors, with the government reporting that it has lost $6.5 billion in tourism revenues in the past two years. Egyptian Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou is working to convince tourists to return, saying security and safety is getting better “by the day, by the hour.” Zaazou is calling on...
UPBEAT ABOUT EL SALVADOR
Nolitours is upbeat about El Salvador, citing an unspoiled Pacific coastline, great surf spots, immense lakes and rejuvenating hot springs, impressive volcanoes, picturesque colonial towns and mysterious Mayan pyramids formerly buried in the ashes of a volcanic eruption. Nolitours’ products include one-week, all-inclusive beach packages, as well as excursions. Guests will stay at the four-star Royal Decameron Salinitas, offered exclusively by Nolitours. Located on El Salvador’s Pacific coast in the Sonsonate region, the property offers vacationers à la carte dinners, snacks, unlimited...
A GATHERING TO REMEMBER
Tourism Ireland is celebrating a record breaking year as its latest arrival figures show that North American visitors increased by 16.5%. Based on those results, it\'s not surprising that The Gathering 2013 is being hailed as a great success. The ambitious tourism initiative resulted in 4,000 events taking place across the country with participants coming from around the world to be part of those festivities. Here in Canada, Tourism Ireland is now looking ahead to 2014, putting plans in place to highlight the newly introduced year-round direct access from Toronto to Dublin with a...
ELLIS ISLAND OPENS TODAY
A year after Hurricane Sandy submerged the island it sits on, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum -- part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument -- is re-opening today (Oct. 28, 2013). David Luchsinger, superintendent of the facility, said: \"We are delighted to be able to share Ellis Island\'s uniquely American story with the world once more. I can think of no better way to celebrate Lady Liberty\'s 127th birthday than to welcome visitors back to the place where those \"huddled masses yearning to breathe free\" first came to our shores.\" When Hurricane Sandy hit New York Harbor on...
PATHWAYS TO GROWTH
The European Travel Commission (ETC) and the European Commission (EC) recently hosted \"A Taste of Europe\" Conference 2013 in Beijing, China. Along with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), \"A Taste of Europe\" is one of the three long-haul third market events organized by ETC in the framework of the \"Destination Europe 2020\" initiative funded by ETC and EC for sustaining Europe\'s position as the world\'s number one tourist destination. Close to 200 delegates representing Chinese and European tour operators, travel agencies, national tourism organizations, airlines and others...
WIN A TRIP TO BARBADOS
This summer Couples Resorts opened Barbados’ first all-inclusive resort and tourism officials are hopeful a Sandals Resort will open on the island within the next couple of years. The all-inclusive option is expected to increase the weddings market and position Barbados as an affordable destination. With a renewed commitment to driving tourism to the island nation, Barbados has also developed a calendar of upcoming events including a Rihanna concert in November; the Food, Wine & Rum festival; a celebrity tennis tournament; and December’s Run Barbados event. Enter to win an...
ALBATOURS’ SUMMER ITALY AIR NOW AVAILABLE
ALBATours’ summer 2014 air-only program to Italy is in the system and ready to book. Offering regular departures from Toronto to Rome with Alitalia, the program will operate from March through November 2014 with daily flights Sunday to Tuesday and Thursday to Saturday, every week, to 17 destinations in Italy. Starting from $899 p.p., taxes in, clients will fly to Rome aboard Alitalia’s A330 aircraft in “Classica” (economy) class, and from there they can continue on to Florence, Milan, Naples, Venice, Palermo, Genoa and more. Clients can also opt for an upgrade to Alitalia’s...