Destinations
Hotel Molokai remains open after fire
The Hotel Molokai, on the island of Molokai, is almost back to being fully operational after a morning fire in mid-June. While the hotel's restaurant, kitchen, laundry facilities and various storage areas were affected, the hotel remains open to welcome guests to Molokai. All food, beverage and laundry services have been suspended, and a complimentary continental breakfast is being offered each day in the lobby for in-house guests. The hotel bar has reopened and will continue to host the "Aloha Friday Event"with hula and music 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Plans to completely rebuild are in progress....
WTTC talks tough on taxes
Pointing out the important role that the tourism industry plays in stimulating economic growth and in creating jobs, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is urging European Union (EU) finance ministers to avoid making "unproductive knee-jerk tax hikes at a time of austerity." In a letter to all 27 EU finance ministers, WTTC chairman, Dr Michael Frenzel reminded them that travel and tourism is a key generator of employment across the European Union directly generating 10 million jobs across Europe, substantially more than the automotive manufacturing (3.2 million), mining (3.6 million)...
Acapulco reports increase in hotel occupancy
The Acapulco Destination Marketing Office reports hotel occupancy levels throughout the destination have increased an average of 10.7% in 2012 to date, according to statistics released by the Office of the Secretary of Tourism for the State of Guerrero. "The rise in occupancy is due to increased security measures implemented by the state government, resulting in a more stable and peaceful environment for visitors,"says Javier Aluni, secretary of tourism for Guerrero. The Golden Zone of Acapulco showed the greatest rise in hotel occupancy with a 12.1% increase. Other popular areas saw similar...
Sharks in the spotlight at Maui Ocean Center
There's still a little time to catch Shark-tacular at the Maui Ocean Center, which is underway for the month of July. Guests can dive in and separate fact from fiction about sharks, one of the ocean's most amazing yet often misunderstood marine creatures. The centre has exciting shark-themed activities in store, designed to reveal truths and dispel myths about the apex predators. Daily presentations have fascinating shark facts and a Shark Tour package adds an Ocean Naturalist guide to the experience. Guests go behind-the-scenes of the Deep Reef Exhibit, home to blacktip reef sharks, and...
Residence Inn by Marriott set to open in YVR
SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts will officially open its doors to welcome guests to the new Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown tomorrow (July 27), the first branded, designated extended-stay hotel in Vancouver. The $25 million transformation has infused new design elements to offer hotel guests a "home away from home"experience. Located at 1234 Hornby St., the 201-room all-suite hotel provides guests "with everything they need to thrive on longer stays by offering spacious suites ranging from 420 square feet to over 800 square feet with well equipped kitchens, free WiFi and in-room...
Insight puts America on show
Insight Vacations' new 2013-2014 USA & Canada brochure offers a wide range of premium and luxury itineraries that include a range of new inclusions and upgrades. Now, for a limited time, Insight is offering $400 in savings per couple on their 2013 USA & Canada trips. Cris David, president of Insight Vacations, said,"We are pleased to provide options that leave behind the big cities and delve into the immense natural beauty and diverse wildlife that exists in the USA, offered at a more leisurely pace." He pointed out that "We encourage travellers to discover their own backyard, and we're...
Maui Villa features cutting-edge TVs
Tropical Villa Vacations, which specializes in luxury vacation homes and villas on Maui, is breaking new ground by equipping one of its top properties with a Smart TV. The three-bedroom, four-bath Bella Luna (D302), at Wailea Beach Villas, now has a 60-inch Samsung Smart TV featuring 2D and 3D HD viewing, voice and gesture control options and unlimited Netflix programming via HD BluRay DVD player. It also allows guests to browse the web and access photos or music from digital cameras, cell phones and computers....
Sunset Strip music fest partners with hotels
The 2012 Sunset Strip Music Festival in Hollywood is coming up on Aug. 16-18. This year's outdoor street festival on Aug. 18 will feature Marilyn Manson as the headliner, and performances by The Offspring, Steve Aoki, Bad Religion and more. All SSMF hotel packages for the weekend include two tickets to the street festival -- a value of US$150. Some available deals are the Andaz West Hollywood's SSMF package starting at US$329/night; the Chamberlain's SSMF package starting at US$295/night; the Grafton on Sunset's "6 Pack 'n Rock"SSMF package, starting at US$229/night; and the Mondrian's SSMF...