Destinations
Virginia visitors can walk in the footsteps of Lincoln
Steven Spielberg's movie "Lincoln"was filmed entirely in Virginia, in and around the cities of Richmond and Petersburg. Virginia's Lincoln Movie Trail and interactive web site lead visitors to actual filming locations, as well as restaurants, bars and shops that were favourites of the stars, including Oscar award winner, Daniel Day-Lewis. Historic downtown Petersburg was a ready-made backdrop for filming, thanks to the city's historic architecture. Places such as the historic farmers market, cobblestone streets, and train station were used for numerous scenes in the movie. The majority of the...
Whistler ski/snowboard fest says to party now, sleep later
"Party in April. Sleep in May"is the motto for the World Ski and Snowboard Festival at Whistler this year - the 18th annual edition of the event. It is the biggest annual gathering of winter sports, music, arts and culture in North America. This 10-day fest, April 12-21, combines big-air and slopestyle ski contests with some serious paydays for athletes. The Mogul Duel, for example, is one of four Shred Show snowboard events featured during the festival; pairs of riders race through gates and sail off jumps in true old-school spirit. Slopeside action is just one facet of the festival. Once...
HTA has numbers to fight tax proposal
The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) has taken a stand against a proposed increase to Hawaii's transient accommodation tax (TAT) beyond the current 9.25%. An increase to the TAT would negatively affect Hawaii's competitive position in the marketplace by putting an additional tax on visitors, says the HTA. "Currently, the visitor industry supports more than 166,000 jobs and we anticipate this number to grow this year. However, we are still well below the peak of more than 178,000 jobs in 2005, and the TAT increase could cause a loss of jobs in the tourism sector,"said Mike McCartney, president...
Coast opens first hotel in Yukon
Vancouver-based Coast Hotels is now taking reservations for its first property in the Yukon capital of Whitehorse. The Coast High Country Inn is a former independent property that now offers the Coast Rewards loyalty program. The hotel has 82 guest rooms including 22 suites, plus meeting space, a restaurant, pub, exercise room and next-door access to the Yukon Convention Centre. About $1 million was spent on hotel renovations in 2012, with more slated for 2013....
Run away for dream wedding at Travaasa Hana, Maui
Travaasa Hana, a luxury hideaway on Maui, invites runaway brides and grooms to elope to heavenly Hana for a secluded wedding (or civil union) and honeymoon. The special elopement package features an inclusive stay, complete with gourmet meals, spa treatments, activities and the personal services of a wedding specialist. Travaasa Hana is a quiet retreat made up of 70 cottages and suites, surrounded by natural beauty and known for its Hawaiian cultural heritage and small town charm. It is located at the end of the famously twisty Hana Hwy., on Maui's eastern shore. Lush vegetation and black...
Hong Kong ready for 2013
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will continue its themed marketing efforts in Canada in 2013, breaking the year into key "promotional windows" that showcase the diverse special events and activities that take place there each and every year. Michael Lim, the director, Canada, Central & South America for the HKTB, walked a group of travel trade professionals through the tourist board's 2013 plans during an event in Toronto on Feb. 20 that combined a celebration of the Year of the Snake with the business-side update. Lim noted that overall 2012 was a good year for Hong Kong as it welcomed...
Canadians make it Jamaica again and again
For the ninth consecutive year, Jamaica recorded an increase in Canadian visitors in 2012, welcoming 403,200 Canadians. This figure is a jump of 6.4% over 2011 and a steady increase of 38.9% over three years (since 2009). "We are thrilled to report our ninth year of growth in Canadian visitors to Jamaica,"said Philip Rose, regional director of Canada for the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). "Our efforts to drive demand have been successful thanks to great partnerships with our airline, resort and attractions partners who continuously deliver great Jamaican experiences to visitors. It's clear...
Korea welcomes 11 million in 2012
Tourism to Korea continues to rise, including arrivals from Canada. Tourist arrivals in 2012 reached a 13.7 % year-over-year increase, with total arrival numbers to Korea reaching more than 11.1 million. Arrival numbers from Canada increased 5.1%. According to NJ Park, director for Korea Tourism, these 128,000 Canadians are visiting Korea for a variety of reasons. "Canadians continue to pick Korea as not only a top stopover destination in Asia, but also for its unique culture, cuisine and history. Easy transfers to many of Asia's top destinations, a 5,000-year history, as well as transit...