Resorts
InterContinental Toronto Front and Centre
The general manager of the InterContinental Toronto Centre says his hotel's location is literally spot-on. Alexi Hakim told a Dec. 6 gathering at his property that his hotel is near the Rogers Centre, Toronto's famed theatre district, the financial quarter and a host of other prominent draws for visitors to the city. The upscale hotel literally adjoins the city's convention centre and is also a stone's throw from The CN Tower, Toronto's most visible tourist attraction. “This [the hotel] is in the centre of it all,” Hakim said. “I could go on and on [about the benefits of his...
Braco Offers Agents Triple Cash Incentive
A festive event hosted by Jamaica's Meliá Braco Village last night (Dec. 6) in Toronto came with the news of a special, limited time cash incentive for travel agents. With the new Triple Cash Incentive, agents can earn up to US$120 when booking the five-star all-inclusive resort, recently awarded “World's Leading New Island Resort 2016” at the World Travel Awards. Bookings must be made by Dec. 31 for travel Jan. 1 through Feb. 28. Bookings of three to four nights earn agents a bonus of US$60, five or six nights US$90 and seven nights or more (which most Canadians book)...
An Award Winner
The Chelsea Hotel, Toronto has been awarded the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario’s (TIAO) Accessible Tourism Award. The award was presented during the annual Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala which took place in Ottawa recently. The Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence are presented to organizations, businesses and individuals that represent the quality of outstanding offerings that make Ontario a world-class destination. The Chelsea is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities have access to the same information as all guests, consistent with the...
Big Times In The DR
The Dominican Republic's tourism industry is gearing up for a busy 2017, setting aggressive new targets that are underpinned by new developments, increased investment in infrastructure and growing cruise traffic. In 2016, the Dominican Republic broke a number of arrival records, posting a 9% increase over 2015. Perhaps more impressive, is the 67.5% increase in cruise arrivals, which grew to 580,000 during the year. As well, Punta Cana airport arrivals increased 7.1% over 2015, and it continues to be the most popular airport in the Caribbean, accepting over 2.4 million arrivals each...
Sandals Hosts Prince Harry
Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort recently welcomed Prince Harry of Wales, who spent two days in Saint Lucia, the third stop on a tour of seven Caribbean nations with strong historic links to the monarchy. The prince arrived at the resort on Nov. 24, to a royal welcome from Sandals general manager, Winston Anderson and his team of resort executives. Anderson said: “Upon his return to the resort, the prince and a select group of 13 others took advantage of the culinary expertise of Sandals’ chefs in an intimate setting in the Langara Room. Rave reviews from the...
Taj, Shangri-La Form Alliance
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Mumbai-based Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces have formed a strategic alliance to broaden their reach and offer more unique experiences to guests across Asia and the world. The alliance will officially launch in March 2017 with the introduction of the “Warmer Welcomes” program, which integrates Taj InnerCircle and Shangri-La’s Golden Circle guest loyalty programs, thereby provide members reciprocal and seamless benefits. As well, the “Warmer Welcomes” program will offer Shangri-La and Taj’s 6 million loyalty program...
No Reservations About New RIU Policy
RIU Hotels & Resorts has eliminated the need for guests to make reservations at its a la carte restaurants at properties in the Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America, a policy the company dubs, “No Reservations, No Limitations!” The news was revealed “in Canada first” at the chain's annual Sunwing Group co-sponsored Christmas luncheon for top producers in Toronto yesterday. “This is such a great market for us,” said RIU director of business development & partner marketing Hugo Aguilera of the choice to make the announcement here. Aguilera, and colleague Sergi...
Travel Is The Secret To True Happiness
No matter what kind of holiday people take, it's a universal truth that travel makes everyone happy. And now, Booking.com has commissioned new research that reveals that travel gives people such an emotional boost, that they consider planning and going away on holiday more vital for our happiness than other big life occasions – such as a person's wedding day (49%); going on a date with a partner (51%); landing a new job (50%); getting engaged (45%); and even having a baby (29%). Furthermore, 77% say they book a holiday just when they’re in need of a happiness boost. The new...