Resorts
Universal’s Cabana Bay Set For Major Expansion
Universal Orlando's Cabana Bay Beach Resort is getting set for major expansion with the news that 400 new rooms will be added to the retro-themed hotel. Opening in 2017, the expansion will consist of two additional towers that will be located at the south end of the property, adjacent to the Continental and Americana guest towers. Select rooms in the new towers will offer views of Universal’s Volcano Bay – the resort’s third immersive park set to open in 2017. Amenities at Cabana Bay include two zero-entry pools, a waterslide, a lazy river, a 10-lane bowling alley and...
Sunwing Adds Viva Wyndham V Heavens to Adults Collection
Sunwing has added the Dominican Republic's Viva Wyndham V Heavens resort to its Adults Collection of properties handpicked for their relaxed evening entertainment, extensive spa facilities and à la carte dining. Now available exclusively through the tour operator, the all-inclusive, adults only resort is located on its own beachfront on Playa Dorada, near Puerto Plata, on the Dominican Republic’s northern coastline. The resort offers dining choices across five restaurants and three bars, ranging from Italian classics at Rosmarino to Mexican dishes at Puebla 222. Other amenities...
Barkman Appointed GM of Alt Hotel Winnipeg
Laurie Barkman has been appointed general manager of the Alt Hotel Winnipeg. With 25 years under her belt in the hospitality and tourism industries, Barkman has held a number of notable positions including director of sales and marketing for Lakeview Management, a national hotel management company. Her most recent position was as general manager of a local boutique hotel. She is also actively involved as director of the Manitoba Marketing Network, in addition to sitting on the Rotary Club's board of directors. Over the years Barkman has developed solid expertise in customer service,...
Call For Entries
The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) is now accepting entries for the 2015 Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence. The Hall of Fame Awards program continues the Association’s tradition of acknowledging the strong standards and values of those involved in and with the lodging industry. The awards program recognizes those individuals, companies or properties that have demonstrated significant accomplishments, exemplary leadership and tireless commitment to our industry in the following divisions: The Humanitarian Award: Given for individuals/programs that demonstrate to residents...
Lujure, the New Face of Total Vacations
Total Vacations is making a move that will not only serve luxury travellers, but also help the pocket books of travel agents. Known for its unique destinations and “à la carte” vacation experiences, Total Vacations, a division of Red Label Vacations Inc., has introduced a re-brand under the new name Lujure, effective Sept. 1. With a fresh new look and experience, officials say Lujure is your destination for booking “private villas, true luxury hotels and boutique properties to satisfy the growing desire for bespoke travel.” Lujure features a comprehensive product line-up...
Palace Resorts Adds Apple TV
Mexico's Palace Resorts, which has five-star, all-inclusive resort accommodations, has added Apple TV devices and Smart Televisions in select guestrooms of the brand’s oceanfront properties throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. Palace Resorts' guests now have the ability to log on to personal accounts, such as Netflix and Hulu accessible via iTunes. In addition to featuring the latest music, films, sports and television programming on in-room LCD flat screen TVs, the new amenities provide the ability to enjoy applications such as YouTube and The Weather Channel. Guests who book a...
It’s All About Entertainment In Vegas
The mere possibility that Las Vegas could get an NHL franchise to fill its new stadium (opening in 2016) tells you all you need to know about the city: it ain't what it used to be, reports editor Michael Baginski in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. Built on casino gaming, Las Vegas is now a destination where visitors are more likely to see stars on ice than gangsters being put on ice. Indeed, where once gambling versus entertainment revenue of the city was city was 70-30, now those figures are being transposed, with entertainment commanding close to 60% of a visitor's...
Teens Invited to TAP into Beaches Resorts
Beaches Resorts has introduced a new Teen Advisory Panel (TAP) – that includes two Canadians – which will serve as a forum for teens, providing insight that will directly influence the Beaches Resorts experience. According to Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International, parent company of Beaches Resorts, teens influence travel in two ways: as tech-savvy researchers of available opportunities and as arbiters of what’s “cool” on social platforms. “Today’s teens have their own bucket lists. They are sophisticated online shoppers, know what’s available, what they...