Destinations
Travel enthusiasm spreads in the U.S.
The U.S. Travel Association is reporting that for the second consecutive year, the outlook for summer travel continues to brighten with over three in five U.S. adults (64%), or an estimated 154 million Americans, planning on taking at least one trip for leisure purposes during the next six months. The percentage of Americans planning to travel between May and October is up from 61% last April and 56% in April 2010. Results were revealed in the travelhorizons quarterly report, which is co-authored by MMGY Global and the U.S. Travel Association, and which was based on a survey of 2,200 U.S....
Want more visitors, don’t raise taxes
Leave it to the Irish to come up with a pretty straightforward approach to increasing tourist arrivals -- don't raise taxes. Tourism Ireland reports that the value added tax (VAT) on tourism services in the Republic of Ireland will remain at 9% until the end of 2013. Jayne Shackleford, manager of Tourism Ireland in Canada, points out that: "The island of Ireland continues to offer great value to visitors throughout 2012 and into 2013. Value for money remains one of our key messages this year as we promote Ireland as a vacation destination to Canadian holidaymakers. The perception of value...
Costa doubling up in Asia
Costa Cruises plans to position a second cruise ship in Asia beginning in May 2013. Currently, the line operates the 2,394-passenger Costa Victoria in Asia and will start sailing from Shanghai May 18, 2012. The Costa Victoria replaces the 1,680-passenger Costa Classica, which has been repositioned to the Mediterranean. In May 2013 the 2,680-passenger Costa Atlantica will also be deployed in the region, giving Costa a combined total passenger capacity of 5,074 -- a 67% increase. With the debut of Costa Victoria in May 2012 and Costa Atlantica in May 2013, Costa Cruises will offer a unique...
Thailand is on the move
Thailand is moving on up. The destination is continuing to see its popularity with travellers grow as it posts increasing higher rankings on international listings and barometers. Most recently, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) ranked Thailand at number 11 -- up by one place since the previous year. With that momentum, tourism officials in Thailand are hopeful the country will ranked as one of the top 10 destinations, in terms of international tourism receipts, in 2012. Thailand was one of only five international destinations whose tourism receipts grew by more than $5 billion in...
Daytona picks Hentz
Jeffrey Hentz has taken over his new duties as the president and chief executive officer of the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Hentz was most recently the executive director and chief executive officer for California's Destination Yosemite/Mariposa County Convention and Visitors Bureau and he has over 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the travel and tourism industry. He has served as chairman of Visit California's High Sierra Region and as a member of the Visit California Marketing Commission and International Advisory Board. Hentz is actively involved in...
Adams, Jansen get new posts with Coast
Judy Adams has been appointed regional general manager for Coast Hotels & Resorts, while Amie Jansen has joined the hotel company as its regional sales manager for Alberta and NWT. In her new capacity, Adams will be responsible for overseeing operations at the 220-room Coast Coal Harbour Hotel and 269-room Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites in Vancouver. She's a veteran hotelier bringing 25 years of hospitality management experience to Coast Hotels & Resorts having served as general manager of various Fairmont hotels in B.C. and New Brunswick as well as Silverbirch Hotels & Resorts in Vancouver and...
Group bookings better at PCC with new reservations system
The Polynesian Cultural Center has undergone a significant upgrade to its agent booking system. Travel agents can now book reservations from anywhere in the world using the new "PCC Agent"booking system. This system gives agents the flexibility to book for groups of any size as well as specific seats for the "Ha: Breath of Life"evening show. The launch of PCC Agent is part of the Center's plan to enhance its activities, shows, restaurants, retail operations and more. (PCCAgent.com or...
Okanagan mini-resort starts day tours
A Vista Villa, a private mini-resort in the heart of BC's Okanagan Valley, has recently introduced five-day packages that include day trips in the region. The resort, best known for reworking the B&B concept to include dinners (Breakfasts and Barbecues), will start operating the packages on the May long weekend. Day trips will include gourmet lunch stops, cider tastings, winery tours and farms visits, all using executive minibus, trains and boats. The five-night package includes daily breakfasts, dinner and wine, three day trips and Jacuzzi suite accommodations. It is available through to the...