Destinations
Canadians boost Orlando numbers
Last year was another record-breaking year for Orlando, with final 2011 visitation numbers revealing that Orlando welcomed 55.1 million visitors, up 7.2% from last year's record-setting 51.4 million and 1.5% over the previous forecast of 54.3 million visitors. Total domestic visitation (business and leisure) accounted for 51.3 million visitors, a 7.5% increase over 2010 and a record for any US destination. International travel totalled 3.8 million, an increase of 3.5% from 2010. Orlando is the first destination in the country to welcome more than 55 million visitors and remains the most...
Jamaica unveils fall fam line-up
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and WestJet Airlines are inviting Canadian travel agents to experience and learn about some of the Jamaica's top tourist destinations with 10 options for familiarization tours this fall. All trips are four nights in duration and are scheduled as outlined below. Each trip will wrap with a farewell Jamaican beach party in Montego Bay. The five options for Montego Bay and Ocho Rios are: Sept. 6 to Sept. 10; Sept. 14 to Sept. 18; Sept. 20 to Sept. 24; Sept. 28 to Oct. 2; and Oct. 11 to Oct.15. The five options for Montego Bay and Negril are: Sept. 7 to Sept. 11;...
Universal Orlando, Loews team up
Universal Parks & Resorts and Loews Hotels & Resorts are teaming up to build a new hotel development at Universal Orlando that will add high-quality, high-value options for families wanting an affordable on-site experience. Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort will offer two distinct experiences within the development's multiple buildings: 900 family suites, capable of sleeping six, that include kitchen areas and 900 standard guest rooms, offering both moderate- and value-priced accommodations. It will be operated by Loews Hotels & Resorts and is scheduled to open in 2014. The hotel will be...
Discover Galilee, Jerusalem by bike
Travellers and sport enthusiasts traveling to Israel can now experience the Christian holy sites in the Galilee and Jerusalem by taking one of the new "Biking the Path of Jesus" tours. The 12-mile biking routes are available in two-day or week-long tours and depart from destinations in northern Israel, including Nazareth, the town of Jesus' birth, and travel through Mt. Carmel, Mt. Gilboa and Mt. Tabor to the rolling hills and olive groves surrounding Kibbutz Lavi. The two-day tour will leave from Kibbutz Lavi and travel through the Horns of Hattin fort to the Druze pilgrimage sight of Nebi...
Escape to Patagonia
Goway is reminding travellers interested in visiting Patagonia in Argentina and Chile to start planning now for the North American winter -- southern hemisphere summer - season. This region of the world is home to some of the most amazing scenery in all of Latin America. There are many opportunities to trek, kayak, horseback ride, cruise through the fjords, as well as discover wildlife. Patagonia is not a typical winter escape but a different and unique experience. Don Forster, general manager for Goway's Latin America division, observed: "Naturally most people think of the Caribbean to...
UK-Asia links growing
A host of strategic issues that included UK border issues, inward investment for the UK, Heathrow airport, crisis response, the 2012 Olympic impact and the UK's controversial Air Passenger Duty (APD) were on the agent when the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) hosted its PATA Hub City Forum, at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall in London late last week. In welcoming delegates to the event, the UK's Minister for Trade and Investment Lord Green said: "The Asia Pacific region is a vibrant and dynamic one with many burgeoning economies and a vital source of investment, business and...
ALBA has winter 2013 Italy flights
ALBATours 2012-2013 winter program is now on sale and features roundtrip flights from Toronto to various points in Italy aboard Alitalia. Starting from just $419 roundtrip per person plus tax, the program will run between Nov. 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, offering flights to 17 destinations in Italy including Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, Lamezia, Palermo, to name a few. New this year, Alitalia will operate its Airbus A330-200 series beginning Nov. 1, 2012, and offer 3 classes of service: Magnifica Class (Business class), (NEW) Premium Economy class, and Economy class. For more, go to...
Discover Canada, US with Trafalgar
Trafalgar has launched its 2013 USA & Canada brochure, featuring 51 itineraries and 10 new trips across the USA, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and now Panama. In 2013, Trafalgar has added a new 8-day program to Panama. It is also offering an 8-day At Leisure program that showcases the best of California's wine country -- long a favourite of Trafalgar travellers. In Hawaii, Trafalgar has added a new 9-day journey throughout the Hawaiian islands that has been designed specifically with family travel in mind. Doug Patterson, president of Trafalgar Canada, said that: "We've noticed a significant...