Destinations
Windstar to return to Tahiti in 2014
Windstar Cruises will mark its return to Tahiti in the summer of 2014. Beginning May 2, 2014, Wind Spirit will sail seven-day voyages from Papeete, Tahiti. Wind Spirit will sail a total of 28 voyages in Tahiti, with the last on Nov. 7, 2014, before returning to Panama and Costa Rica for the winter season. The weeklong voyage will begin in Papeete, Tahiti and sail to the following islands: Moorea (overnight), Taha'a, Raiatea (overnight), Huahine (overnight) and Bora Bora (overnight). This will be the first time the recently renovated Wind Spirit will sail the South...
Exploring the depths with Atlantis Submarines
Atlantis Submarines Kona has two new tour packages with Body Glove Cruises that allows visitors to experience more of Hawaii Island''s unique offerings. Highlighting both packages is Atlantis's submarine tour in Kailua Bay. Guests descend over 30 metres to see a coral reef garden teeming with schools of fish and marine life. The Submarine Tour and Historic al Sunset Dinner Cruise showcases Hawaii Island's cultural legacy and the Kona coastline's beautiful scenery. The three-hour cruise features fascinating stories, a Hawaiian-style buffet dinner in Kealakekua Bay, and a visit to Captain...
Hong Kong sees visitor increase of 16%
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) reports that total visitor arrivals in 2012 reached 48,615,113, an increase of 16 over the yearly total in 2011. Of the total figure, 48.9%, or 23.77 million, were overnight visitors, 6.5% more than in the previous year. Arrivals from many short-haul markets posted positive growth figures, affected by the fact that many vacationers in the region cancelled their trips to Japan following that country's earthquake and related incidents in 2011. In the long-haul regions, the sluggish performance of both European and American economies caused a slight drop in the...
Destination France, cast your vote for most original tour
The wholesaler's product-of-the-year propositions have been received, and Atout France and jury have selected nine tours (five from Quebec and four from the rest of Canada) to submit to the travel agents' vote. Through Feb. 12, agents can vote for what they think the most original tour by visiting http://destinationfrance.ca/en/the-product-of-the-year . Participating agents can win a bag designed by Le Tanneur for Air France or a book on the 50 most beautiful itineraries of Europe published by Tours...
Nevis names new minister of tourism
Newly elected Premier of Nevis, Vance Amory, has appointed Mark Brantley as Minister with portfolio responsibility for Tourism, Health, Social Development, Youth and Sports, Culture and Gender Affairs. In making the appointment, Amory said, "We are at a critical moment in the development of Nevis' tourism and we need renewed leadership to successfully implement our strategy to take advantage of the market opportunities ahead. Nevis is fortunate to have someone of Mark's caliber and experience to lead the industry in the capacity of Minister of Tourism. Mark is a strong communicator and has a...
S.F. Museum of Craft and Design opens April 6
The Museum of Craft and Design in San Francisco will open the doors to its new permanent home on April 6. The new Dogpatch neighbourhood facility - abutting industrial waterfront buildings, Michelin recognized restaurants and the upcoming UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital - is prominently situated in the historic American Industrial Center on Third Street. With storefront access, the 8,500-square-foot space, designed by Gary Hutton Design and McCall Design Group, features 4,000 square feet of exhibition space and the museum's first dedicated public workshop and programming space, in addition...
Valentine’s Day vow renewals at Outriggers in Waikiki
Couples travelling to Waikiki this Valentine's Day have the chance to "hoi hou ke aloha,"or fall in love all over again, with a complimentary beachfront vow-renewal ceremony available exclusively to guests of the Outrigger Reef on the Beach and Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. Couples staying at either property can make their Valentine's Day extra special with a unique Hawaiian ceremony along the shore, surrounded by views of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean. The free ceremony takes place on Feb. 14, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m., a briefing at 7:45 a.m., and the celebration...
Whistler hosts world’s top lugers
The top luge competitors in the world make their way to Whistler this week for the Luge World Championships at the Whistler Sliding Centre - home to the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton events for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The 2013 FIL (International Luge Federation) World Championships race days are Feb. 1 and 2, but the excitement begins long before that with the opening ceremony in Whistler Village. The Parade of Athletes begins in Whistler Olympic Plaza at 6:45 p.m. today (Jan. 30) with the opening ceremony taking place in Whistler Village at 7 p.m. featuring a free outdoor concert with...