Destinations
Mauna Kea observatory intros misty mood effects
'Imiloa Astronomy Center on the Big Island recently added new effects to set the mood for an incredible journey of discovery of the Mauna Kea volcano. As guests enter the exhibit hall, the mist of Mauna Kea will greet them before stepping into a realm of contemplation, the Piko 'i Theater. Here, guests will view Mauna Kea's grandeur through panoramic images, and will be immersed in the essence of the mountain. Outside the theatre, more than 100 exhibits that focus on the culture and science of Mauna Kea await exploration....
Jamaica upbeat about upcoming season
Hosting a luncheon for representatives from some of Canada's leading tour operators -- Thomas Cook, Air Canada Vacations, Westjet and Air Transat among others -- in Toronto recently and pictured here are: Philip Rose, JTB regional director, Canada; John Lynch, director of tourism, JTB; Edith Baxter, editor-in-chief, Canadian Travel Press and Travel Courier; and Paul Pennicook, chairman of Jamaica Vacations (JAMVAC). Lynch told his travel trade audience that tourism to Jamaica was up by 7% for the first half of 2012. Although content with the figures, Lynch and Pennicook are looking forward to...
Aloft to make Germany debut in 2015
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is continuing its expansion into Europe with the debut of its Aloft brand in Germany. Owned and developed by the Schörghuber Corporate Group, Aloft Munich and Aloft Stuttgart will open in 2015. Located near Munich's city centre next to Munich Central Station, the 184-room Aloft Munich will be within walking distance of retail stores, cafés and restaurants. The new-build Aloft Stuttgart will be part of the MILANEO mixed-use development project in Stuttgart's European Quarter. The multi-use development project will offer shopping, restaurants...
Winter brings brightest aurora to Churchill
To see the best northern lights, you've got to hang out in the right circle - in this case, the auroral oval. This is the huge halo around the magnetic north pole where high-energy particles from the sun collide with gases in the earth's atmosphere. As it happens, Churchill, MB is ideally placed within the scope of this oval. As the winter progresses, the atmospheric collisions produce an increasingly intense sky show of dancing curtains and ribbons of luminescent green, red and blue. Solar activity is on the upswing, approaching its highest levels in a decade. That means brighter Northern...
WestJet takes off to Trinidad and Tobago
WestJet will launch daily, non-stop service between Toronto and Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago later today (Nov. 16). The inaugural flight from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Port of Spain departs tonight at 11:30 p.m. EST, arriving at Port of Spain at 6 a.m. Full schedule details and fares to Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, are available at...
Ocean Film Festival set for Waimea in January
The picturesque town of Waimea and the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island are the backdrops for the 2013 Waimea Ocean Film Festival, taking place Jan. 3-6 and Jan. 8-11. In addition to screening 30 to 40 award-winning ocean and water-inspired films, the event also features breakfast talks, Q&A filmmaker sessions and panel discussions. Also offered are outdoor activities ranging from yoga on the beach to outrigger canoe rides. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Hapuna Beach Prince Resort, The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai are offering special...
Port Everglades completes terminal upgrades
Port Everglades will reopen four fully reconstructed, expanded and modernized cruise terminals in time for the first eight-ship cruise day this season, Saturday, Nov. 17. Cruise Terminals 2, 19, 21 and 26 are part of a US$54 million renovation project that transformed existing facilities into "modern, world-class, guest-friendly cruise terminals, capable of processing both debarking and embarking cruise passengers simultaneously.""Our goal in the design and reconstruction of these terminals was to deliver a seamless curbside to ship guest experience,"said Steven Cernak, Port Everglades chief...
Hawaii visitor spending continues to grow
Double-digit increases in visitor expenditures across the four major islands and Moloka'i for September contributed to an increase of US$1.7 billion in year-to-date spending over 2011, says a recent report by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). Total spending year to date is now US$10.7 billion. While arrivals increased at a slower rate than in recent months, the pace of expenditure growth has not weakened, said the HTA. "As we head into the fourth quarter, we anticipate the momentum to continue with increases in airlift,"said Mike McCartney, president & CEO of the HTA. Amongst the new routes...