Destinations
GET IN THE KNOW WITH TOURISM NEW ZEALAND
Tourism New Zealand has revised and reworked its online trade training program and has launched a new 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Program. The specialist program is a core part of Tourism New Zealand's work with travel agents and offers travel professionals the chance to build in-depth destination knowledge, get the latest product updates and in turn, grow their New Zealand sales. Gregg Anderson, general manager Western Markets, says the enhanced program, combined with in market training, offers travel sellers the most effective and efficient training possible for improving their...
YUKON CULINARY FESTIVAL HEATS UP
The first ever multi-day, territory-wide culinary festival to be held in the Yukon -- The Yukon Culinary Festival: A Celebration of Local Food and Homegrown Cuisine -- will be held June 20-24. Toronto-based media personality and chef Christian Pritchard will be teaming up with Yukon culinary experts to help facilitate activities during the festival. "What's so great about this festival is that it brings together tradition, family, food and fun - what better to reflect the true culture of the Yukon,"says Pritchard. "No matter where you are from or what your background we all have to eat, so...
L.A. MUSEUM MARKS 100 YEARS WITH RENOVATIONS
Located in Exposition Park in L.A., the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles (NHM) is in the midst of the greatest transformation in its history. Following $168 million in renovations and expansions, the NHM is marking its 100th anniversary in July with a year-long series of special events and exhibitions. This year, the NHM opens its North Campus, a 1.4-hectare urban wilderness that includes a pond for native and non-native turtles, a vegetable garden and a 1913-style garden....
MAKAI GOLF CLUB RANKED IN TOP 100
Princeville's Makai Golf Club on Kauai's north shore has been named to Golf Digest's list of "America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses."The course also ranked in the top 10 of the publication's list of Hawaii's best courses. The Makai Golf Club, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design, first opened in 1971 on the oceanfront bluffs of the Princeville Resort area on the island of Kauai. The course recently underwent a comprehensive 14-month renovation, reopening in early 2010 to rave reviews for its immaculate condition and playability. In 2012, the Makai Course was named one of the top five public...
LAVAMAN KEAUHOU RETURNS TO SHERATON KONA
Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay on the Big Island has once again stepped forward to become the title sponsor for the 5th Annual Lavaman Keauhou Triathlon scheduled for Nov. 24. Lavaman Keauhou is a fully sanctioned USA Triathlon Olympic Distance Triathlon produced by Hawaii Sports Connection. It is open to elite triathletes, triathlon enthusiasts and relay teams of all ages and levels. Lavaman Keauhou begins with a single lap 1,500-metre swim in Keauhou Bay where water temperature averages 80 degrees F. and visibility averages 40 feet. Athletes then transition to the bike portion, a...
TIME RUNNING OUT ON DIANA EXHIBIT
Time is running out for people to see the award-winning exhibition Diana, A Celebration at West Edmonton Mall. The exhibit will close on June 9 after a four-month run. The West Edmonton Mall stop marks the exhibition's final visit to Canada, as no other Canadian stop is planned before the exhibition's 10-year global tour concludes in the summer of 2014. On loan from Althorp Estate, the Spencer family's 500-year-old ancestral home in England, Diana, A Celebration chronicles the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales. The exhibition contains 150 objects throughout nine galleries, ranging...
BATTLING IT OUT IN YVR & YYZ
Toronto is expected to be slightly ahead of Vancouver for fourth place among overnight international travellers in North America, but tourists are expected to spend $2.3 billion (35% more) in Vancouver than in Toronto in 2013, according to MasterCard's Global Destination Cities Index, an analysis of international travel and visitor spending in 132 major cities. Dr. Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, the economist who serves as global economic advisor to MasterCard, said: "This suggests that Vancouver has done a better job creating the activities, the arts, culture, entertainment and historic sites that...
NORTH CAROLINA PICKS CWC
The North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development has awarded Connect Worldwide Canada agency representation for the second consecutive time, representing both Travel Trade and Public Relations. Charmaine Singh, president of Connect Worldwide Canada, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to continue to represent the beautiful and unique state of North Carolina. From pristine beaches, world-class golf and spa, to exceptional culinary and natural beauty, North Carolina is a destination that truly resonates with Canadians. The team at Connect Worldwide Canada is delighted to...