Destinations
Jamaica boasts strong summer numbers
Jamaica's Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has announced that stopover visitor arrivals are showing a 6.4% increase for the period May 1 to Aug. 7 over the same period last year. This represents more than 32,000 additional arrivals. In outlining the numbers, the tourism official explained that "based on preliminary figures stopover arrivals for the May 1 to Aug. 7 period amounted to 539,957. This compares very favourably to the figures for the same period in 2011 when there were 507,298 stopover arrivals."Citing that this represents an increase of 32,659 additional...
Out of office alert: Gone golfing at Pan Pacific
This September, Pan Pacific Mountainside in Whistler invites golfers to take a break from the office for a mid-week, value-priced golf getaway. The package includes one night in a lower floor studio at Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, with full kitchen, fireplace and balcony; two rounds of golf at Whistler Golf Club, including complimentary cart and rental clubs; valet parking for one car and wireless Internet access, free local calls and in-resort shuttle transport. The studio suite golf package is priced at $134 p.p., double occupancy, Sunday through Thursday inclusive....
Body Glove adds extra sailing
The Big Island's Body Glove Cruises is adding a fourth day to its popular Historical Sunset Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. this family friendly adventure offers guests an enlightening narration from a local historian who reveals history and legends associated with the numerous landmarks along 12 miles of Kona coastline. The journey back in time includes a complimentary cocktail, an all-you-can-eat Pacific Rim buffet and live Hawaiian entertainment....
S.F. gets festive with 3-D light spectacular
San Francisco's Westfield San Francisco Centre will showcase the second annual 3-D light spectacular Illuminique Under the Dome this holiday season, which will be projected on to the Centre's majestic 102-foot wide dome nightly from Nov. 15 and run through Dec. 31. Illuminique Under the Dome is a magical, animated musical story set in a 19th-century toymaker's workshop that will delight visitors of all ages. A lively cast of holiday characters including sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers and gingerbread men are brought to life as they twirl, drum and dance to holiday melodies and spread holiday...
Multi-cultural festival set for Sept. 22
The 6th Annual Parade & Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace takes place Sept. 22 in Honoka'a Town on The Big Island. The free multi-cultural festivities are designed for all ages and will include a colourful "moving stage"during the parade with marching bands, dancers, Taiko drummers, colourful floats, street performers and more. Afterwards, eat and be merry with even more music on stage at the community festival in the Honoka'a Sports Complex and take part in a large community bon dance....
Fair Wind adds Snuba to activity line-up
Hawai'i Island's award-winning ocean activities company, Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides, has introduced Snuba to its line-up of ocean fun. Snuba, an underwater breathing system, requires no prior dive experience or certification. It is perfect for couples, families, children eight years and older and seniors, or anyone who wants to add to their Fair Wind adventure. Following a safety briefing with a skilled, certified Snuba guide, participants can dive two feet, 10 feet, or 20 feet with a Snuba guide with them the entire time. Snuba is available aboard Fair Wind II Cruises to Kealakekua...
Commission jump on land bookings by Anderson
A month and half of booking bonuses by Anderson Vacations is now underway, giving agents the opportunity to earn higher commissions on Anderson land products until the end of September. Anderson is offering 14% commission on all land bookings for 45 days, a program that started on Aug. 15. The incentive will be for new bookings only, deposited after the Aug. 15 start date. This includes bookings from hotel nights to car rentals, for Australia, New Zealand, or any of the South Pacific Islands such as Fiji, Tahiti or the Cook Islands, to name some. AAT Kings and Top Deck product will also be...
San Diego film fest hits the screen Sept. 26
The San Diego International Film Festival returns Sept. 26-30 to downtown's Gaslamp Quarter and expands to La Jolla with a full slate of films showcasing the best in American and international full-length features, documentaries and shorts. Additional activities include Q&A sessions with the directors, workshops, panel discussions, guest appearances by film and video artists and more....