Destinations
Rocky guests can stay and play longer
A new Stay and Play offer by Rocky Mountaineer gives guests the chance to get an extra hotel night in Vancouver or Banff, plus a complimentary day trip adventure or dinner in the Rockies. Those who book a Rocky Mountaineer rail vacation of six nights or more by April 30 qualify to get the free additional hotel night and a free day trip adventure on the West Coast or the dinner for two. GoldLeaf guests have the option to choose a Victoria Day trip with a Butchart Gardens tour, a Whale Watching tour or Vancouver North Shore tour. The Stay and Play offer must be requested at the time of booking....
Honua Kai earns Four Diamond rating by AAA
The Honua Kai Resort & Spa -- Maui's newest luxury resort -- has received the 2012 American Automobile Association (AAA) Four Diamond Award, after just two years of operation. This ranks the property as a premier establishment as determined by professional inspectors, hospitality industry members and 53 million-plus AAA members. Only 4.5% of the 31,000 lodgings approved by AAA make the Four Diamond list. The Honua Kai Resort is an all-suite resort with full kitchens in each suite, and separate living and sleeping areas. Adventure is steps away with access to ziplining, hiking, surfing,...
Fiji declares state of emergency
Flash floods have reportedly ravaged Fiji and a state of emergency was declared yesterday (April 1) with officials warning tourists to stay away for the time being as heavy rain and high winds continued to pound the South Pacific nation. It's reported that floods have killed at least two people and forced more than 8,000 to take shelter in evacuation centres. Yesterday, national carrier Air Pacific cancelled all inbound flights and was operating only limited outbound flights for passengers who had already checked in at Nadi airport. Police and the military are working together to co-ordinate...
The Whaler celebrates
Discounted rates for stays at the The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach are now being offered by Aston Hotels & Resorts, to celebrate completion of The Whaler's $14 million exterior renovations. These include enhanced lanais with new tiles, railings and planter boxes and a contemporary earth tone colour palette. This recent reno project was preceded by major pool, garden courtyard and porte cochere improvement initiatives in 2009. With its two classic, 12-storey towers, the luxury condo resort on Kaanapali Beach is located across from two championship golf courses and adjacent to Whalers Village...
Hawaii seeks proposals for tourism marketing service
The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) has released a request for written fixed price proposals from qualified applicants to provide leisure tourism destination marketing management and island support services. The purpose of these services will be to drive incremental visitation and revenue for Hawaii from the US and Canada leisure market area. Applicants should be prepared to develop and deploy an annual tourism marketing plan that will increase leisure travelers and visitor expenditures for the Hawaiian Islands; integrate activities with the travel trade (retail and wholesale) and consumers...
Guests at BC resort may return home healthier
Two BC resorts, Predator Ridge and Sparkling Hill, have announced a partnership. Located minutes apart, the new relationship gives guests of Predator Ridge access to the KurSpa at Sparkling Hill. Combined with Predator Ridge's 36-hole golf facility, fitness centre and 12 km of linked hiking and biking trails, the affiliation positions the Okanagan among top wellness destinations. In addition to accessing spa treatments at Sparkling Hill, Predator Ridge guests will enjoy a special day rate for use of spa saunas and pools. Guests can book starting April 11 through Predator Ridge's central...
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre wins tourism award
The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) has been recognized by Aboriginal Tourism British Columbia (ATBC) as the recipient of the Cultural Centres and Attractions Award. The First Nations museum, located in the mountain resort setting of Whistler, was honoured March 29 at the ATBC industry awards event held during the National Aboriginal Tourism Opportunities Conference at the Nk'Mip Resort in Osoyoos, BC. The SLCC was recognized as the cultural/interpretive centre or attraction "committed to ensuring cultural authenticity in sharing their knowledge, histories, exhibits and...
Virgin set to launch London-Vancouver service
Virgin Atlantic will officially launch its new non-stop route between London and Vancouver on May 24. Expected to join the inaugural flight - due to touch down at Vancouver International Airport at 1:10 p.m. - is Sir Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Group. Flights will depart from Heathrow Airport four times a week between May 24 and Oct. 27, with an estimated 40,000 passengers projected to use the service during its first season. The new route is expected to increase capacity from the U.K. to Vancouver by 10% and add $54 million in annual revenue to Vancouver's tourism market....