Travel Destination News | Canada's Travel Industry

By TravelPress Staff

July 31, 2012

Downhill thrills on two wheels at Kicking Horse Resort

Thrills at Kicking Horse Resort near Golden, BC are not restricted to winter downhill activities. The mountain also has the highest of all Canadian bike parks. It boasts vistas of three mountain ranges and the wetlands of the Columbia Valley from the top. From there it's all down hill, in the best way possible. Riders might even see Boo, the resident grizzly bear at Kicking Horse's protected grizzly bear habitat. This, by the way, is also the world's largest....

By TravelPress Staff

July 30, 2012

Sea Life on view at new Deep Bay Marine Field Station

Vancouver Island's new, multi-million dollar Deep Bay Marine Field Station, near Qualicum Beach, is a stunning clamshell-shaped structure that gazes over the waters of Baynes Sound. It is an architectural triumph, honoured with a 2011 National Green Buildings Award. At this facility, aquaculture research is treated the same way land-based agricultural field research has been done for years. The building also functions as a marine science museum with huge aquariums up to nine metres long, jellyfish tank, touch-tanks and the skeleton of a 10-metre grey whale. Here, children and adults can...

By TravelPress Staff

July 27, 2012

First Nations fishing program at Watermark Beach Resort

Member communities of the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) have been working at restoring the salmon stocks of the Okanagan River, and to celebrate the return of the salmon, the Watermark Beach Resort is offering a special Watermark Fishing excursion package. By integrating modern science with traditional practices, the stocks have successfully rebounded to the point that, for the first time, the ONA is offering salmon fishing experiences on Osoyoos Lake. Available through Aug. 31, with rates starting from $409 (double occupancy), the package includes one night's accommodation and a four-hour...

By Bob Mowat

July 27, 2012

Kenya launches new specialist program

The Kenya Tourist Board has launched the Jambo Kenya Specialist program, a newly improved training program for Canadian travel agents. The new course features a number of new enhancements, including quarterly trade updates, booking tracking, rewards and incentives for graduates. Jamboömeans welcome or hello in Swahili. The Jambo Kenya Specialist Program has been approved by CITC through the Provider of Quality Education (PQE) program and consists of five informative lessons designed to provide agents with the essential knowledge of Kenya, as well as offering them the inside scoop on the...

By TravelPress Staff

July 27, 2012

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....

By Bob Mowat

July 26, 2012

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)...

By TravelPress Staff

July 26, 2012

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...

By TravelPress Staff

July 26, 2012

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...

By TravelPress Staff

July 26, 2012

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...

By Bob Mowat

July 26, 2012

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...

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