Destinations
Hawaii tourism economy ahead by US$2 billion
Hawaii's tourism economy is on pace for a record-breaking year with a total of US$12.9 billion in visitor expenditures through November. That's US$2.1 billion more than the same period last year. Every day for the first 11 months of the year, visitors who came to the Hawaiian Islands by air spent $193, which is $16 more per day than last year. Continued efforts by the Hawaii Tourism Authority to increase airlift and distribution throughout the state have led to the incremental growth in visitor arrivals and expenditures across the four major islands, said Mike McCartney, president of the HTA....
Newly renovated Los Muertos Port reopens
The City of Puerto Vallarta has celebrated the reopening of the Los Muertos Port, located in Puerto Vallarfta's popular downtown. The port, which was once one of the main ways to connect the city to other points on the Bay of Banderas, underwent a $2.4-million makeover as part of the city's downtown renovation program. The new port provides a surface with a pedestrian-friendly zone, a waterfront promenade, scenic lighting and a landing dock that can hold up to six different medium-size boats, most of which will be able to bring guests to the many private beaches located around Banderas Bay....
Rooms, retail corridor redone at Hawaiian Village Waikiki
Located on 22 acres of beautiful oceanfront property, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (O'ahu) has been updating its facilities with luxury and style. For instance, the Tapa Tower was outfitted with new lighting and a chic vibe in the retail corridor, in a project completed in December. A makeover of the exclusive Ali'i Tower is scheduled for completion this month. All 323 guest rooms are being updated with new finishes, furnishings and upgraded bathrooms. Also, the tower's 10 suites and lobby are being reconfigured....
Comfort Suites Saskatoon now open
The Braemar Group has announced the opening of the new-build Comfort Suites hotel in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The hotel is ideal for business, leisure, sport and group travellers, and is located just nine minutes from the airport, adjacent the Credit Union Centre. It is a four-storey building with 84 suites and features an indoor pool, water slide and hot tub. Additional conveniences include large flat screen TV's in all suites, a business centre, meeting room, laundry facilities, cardio fitness room, wireless Internet service and complimentary hot deluxe breakfasts for all guests. Dominion...
Free riders get Wild West access early at Sunshine
With abundant snowfall throughout the early season, Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort has recently announced the earliest-ever opening of the Wild West freeride zone. A solid snow pack sitting at 135 cm. has provided ideal conditions to open the terrain for skiing and riding. The Wild West offers some of the most extreme in-bound terrain available in North America. It is located on Goat's Eye Mountain, and is recognized globally for its steep terrain. It features three rock-walled couloirs, steep crevices and a series of cliffs - some reaching more than 30 metres. Entry is only...
Pearl Harbour battleship gets new virtual tour
Visitors to Oahu can now experience the Battleship Missouri Memorial before and after their visit to Pearl Harbor, with a new 360-degree above-and-below deck virtual online tour. Resting a ship's length away from the USS Arizona Memorial, the battleship Missouri is most well known as the location of the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, ending World War II on Sept. 2, 1942. The Missouri also fought in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and served in the Korean War and Operation Desert Storm....
Chinese New Year snakes into Kahala
The Kahala Hotel & Resort, an oceanfront destination resort just minutes from Waikiki, is getting ready for the Chinese New Year, to kick off the Year of the Snake. The Kahala is rolling out the red lanterns, lion dancers and fortune tellers for Plumeria Beach Houses's Year of the Snake dinner buffet Feb. 8 and 9, 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. The dinner buffet will feature an Asian theme, with specialty stations like wok stir fry, lucky noodles bar and roasted meats carving station. Adult price is $70 (tax and gratuity not included), and children (4-12) are $30. Reservations are suggested....
Sunwing starts flights to P.V. from northern Alberta
Sunwing Airlines has announced its inaugural schedule of flights from Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray to Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico's Pacific coast. The first flight departed on Dec. 19, and all consecutive flights to P.V. are continuing with Wednesday departures until March 20. "Regular service from Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray to a sun destination has never been available until now and we are proud to present these exclusive vacation offerings and Sunwing Airlines service to Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie residents,"said Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations at Sunwing. All...