Destinations
New York loves Canada
Not to put too fine a point on it: New York state loves Canadians. That shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone in the business, considering that Canada delivers more tourists to New York than anywhere else, holding a 17% market share. Ontario is the leading province for visitations, with a 67% market share. And that's why a group of 14 New York state tourism types, representing 9 different regions of the state, were in Toronto this week, with a simple and straightforward message. "We love Canadians," Markly Wilson, director of international marketing for the New York State division of...
Hong Kong, Shenzhen offer new opportunities
Hong Kong and Shenzhen are teaming up to offer Canadian travellers a host of new travel options designed to allow them to discover the wonders of both destinations. A select group of agents and operators were on hand in Toronto last week as top officials from the Hong Kong Tourist Board and the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports and Tourism unveiled details of new tours and excursions now available into Shenzhen, China from Hong Kong; new visa rules that are designed to ease access to Shenzhen; and new plans, including a high-speed rail link, that will shorten the travel time...
PATA is back in the Philippines
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will hold its 2012 PATA Travel Mart 2012 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila from Sept. 25 to Sept. 28, 2012. The event will be hosted by the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines. The national campaign, "It's more fun in the Philippines, will offer delegates the opportunity to tap into new energy levels, business growth and a mood of optimism that will be apparent on the show floor and in B2B transactions at the Mart. The first ever PATA Travel Mart was held in the Philippines in 1978. PATA CEO, Martin J Craigs...
Save with Insight
Insight Vacations has launched Winter Europe 2012-2013 which features Eastern Mediterranean and Christmas Market programs. In all, Insight's Winter Europe program offers 30 autumn, winter and spring itineraries, including three new, fully escorted tours. Cris David, president of Insight Vacations Canada, said: "Autumn, winter and spring offer a truly unique travelling experience as each season has a distinct atmosphere ranging from the rich colours of autumn to the snow-covered Christmas markets." David noted as well that "In addition, clients will enjoy better access to sights and highlights...
Jamaica Invitational Pro-Am tees off Nov. 14-18
Golf travellers and tournament players interested in participating in the seventh annual Jamaica Invitational Pro-Am "Annie's Revenge"presented by NIKE GOLF can now reserve a space by registering at http://www.jamaicaproam.com . The tournament will be played at Cinnamon Hill and White Witch golf courses in Montego Bay from Nov. 14 to 18. Team entries are accepted on a first come, first served basis until registration closes on Aug. 1. The all-inclusive Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall will once again serve as the host hotel for tournament participants, offering players and guests a five-day,...
Get the picture at Grand Wailea Resort
The Grand Wailea Resort Maui is offering a hands-on photography program, which includes classroom instruction, followed by a photographic exploration of Maui. Led by award-winning photographer, Michael Gilbert, participants get to learn the process of producing photographic canvases and can then bring home a finished 40-cm. canvas. Classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Cost: $40 p.p. plus $25 for materials....
Vancouver tops as meetings centre
For the third consecutive year, Vancouver has been named North America's top destination for international meetings by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). The Amsterdam-based organization releases an annual report ranking cities according to the number of international meetings hosted in the previous year. Vancouver hosted 55 international meetings in 2011, making it first in North America and 35th overall....
Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver gets new GM
Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver has a new general manager, Vito Romeo, who joins the hotel from the 670-room Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing where he served as resident manager from 2009 to March 2012. During this tenure, he also studied at Cornell and graduated in the general managers' program in 2011. Romeo joined Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in 2008 as the executive assistant manager, food and beverage at the company's Aberdeen Marina Club in Hong Kong where he was in charge of extensive recreation and meeting facilities. Romeo brings with him a comprehensive resume that covers all aspects of hotel...