Travel Destination News | Canada's Travel Industry

By Bob Mowat

January 25, 2012

Shopping with Chinapac

Chinapac International has launched two new tours -- with prices starting at $299 -- that combine shopping and sightseeing in China. Just as China is known for such famous landmarks as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terra Cotta Warriors, it is also well known for its exquisite goods and handicrafts. Many of these goods are traditional items dating back to the ancient era popularly used by the emperors and possessed by members of the affluent society. Silk, for one, was a staple trade merchandise and now a favourite souvenir. Chinapac president Jenny Soares observed: "Many of our clients...

By Bob Mowat

January 24, 2012

CHA taking care of business in the Bahamas

Caribbean Marketplace 2012 was officially opened this week with much pomp and circumstance at Atlantis in The Bahamas with attendees including Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. The annual travel show has attracted a total of 1,190 delegates from 18 countries, including Canada, the most in three years. Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Josef Forstmayr noted that 2010 was a record year for "stop-over" arrivals in the Caribbean with 23.1 million visitors and said the forecast for 2011 is a 4% increase on this. "There is no question that our buyers who are attending Caribbean Travel...

By Bob Mowat

January 24, 2012

Bermuda sale puts travellers in the pink

Some of Bermuda's top properties are putting travellers 'in the pink,' offering rate reductions of up to 50% as part of the "Bermuda Pink Sale." The limited-time promotion, which provides 50% off hotel rates when booking a minimum of four-nights at participating properties, is available for purchase from now through Feb. 3, 2012, with travel dates through April 30, 2012. Participating properties include Coco Reef Resort, Coral Beach Club, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Fairmont Southampton Hotel, Grotto Bay Beach Hotel and Newstead Belmont Hills. It's also a great time to go as the period from...

By Bob Mowat

January 24, 2012

Apes in the spotlight at San Diego Zoo

From Feb. 17-20, the San Diego Zoo pays tribute to its ape residents at the "Absolutely Apes"celebration. During that time, visitors can get to know the lowland gorillas, bonobos, orangutans, chimps and siamangs, which will be celebrated through a variety of special events and offers. As part of the event, guests get the opportunity to chat with animal care staff, create their own DNA bracelet, see special shows and presentations throughout the zoo and watch the primates cavort. A special feature for each of the four days is the celebration of Janey orangutan for her 50th birthday. Guests can...

By Bob Mowat

January 24, 2012

New CEO joins RBCM

The Royal BC Museum board of directors has named British cultural leader and scholar Jack Lohman as the museum's new CEO. He will assume his new position on March 26. Lohman, director of the Museum of London since 2002, will succeed retiring CEO Pauline Rafferty, who has led the Royal BC Museum for the past 10 years. At the Museum of London, Lohman directed a five-year,...

By TravelPress Staff

January 23, 2012

Insight Vacations appointment

Insight Vacations has appointed a new sales manager for Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Lisa Bray has joined the Insight Canadian sales team and will be covering the Prairie Provinces. Bray comes to Insight with more than 27 years of industry experience, including retail, tour operator sales and travel educator. She has been the chair of CITC Saskatchewan for nine years and industry educator for 10 years with CITC and local educational institutions. Most recently, Bray served as the Saskatchewan business development manager for Thomas Cook...

By TravelPress Staff

January 23, 2012

Third night free deal at Pan Pacific Whistler

The two all-suite Pan Pacific hotels in Whistler, BC are now offering 50% off their rates for the third night of a stay. The hotels have prime locations in the Whistler village, and rooms feature fully equipped kitchens, fireplaces, balconies, etc. Guests also enjoy complimentary wireless Internet and local calls; access to a heated outdoor salt water pool, two hot tubs and sauna or steam room; valet ski storage at the base of both mountain base gondolas; a complimentary daily hot breakfast buffet and more....

By TravelPress Staff

January 20, 2012

St. Kitts debuts specialist program

Working in conjunction with Travel Agent University, St. Kitts has launched the St. Kitts Agent Destination Specialist program. The dedicated online training program is designed to provide travel agents with a thorough understanding of St. Kitts' top selling features and booking basics, as well as an ongoing dialogue with the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. Agents who complete the program, or "graduate,"will be more knowledgeable about the destination, therefore be better able to sell it to their clients and make successful bookings. Plus, graduating agents will enjoy exclusive benefits...

By TravelPress Staff

January 20, 2012

Big snow at Whistler puts record in sight

The globe might be getting warmer, but that only seems to increase the amount of snow that falls in Canada's west. Whistler is now in the midst of what may be another record snowfall year, with some 5.4 metres of the white stuff so far this season. Last year, a La Nina weather system dropped a record-breaking 16 metres of cumulative snowfall on Whistler Blackcomb, This year, it has twice the snowfall of most major US ski resorts to date. New this winter is the Whistler Sabbatical Project, Tourism Whistler's winter-long promotion offers weekly prizes in addition to the grand prize of a...

By TravelPress Staff

January 20, 2012

Crystal Cruises appoints DSM for western Canada

Crystal Cruises has doubled its Canadian sales support with the appointment of Stephanie Vazquez as district sales manager for western Canada. The hiring marks the first time the luxury line has positioned dedicated sales managers in eastern and western Canada. Based in Vancouver, Vazquez will manage sales efforts in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. She comes to Crystal from Encore Cruises, one of Canada's premier cruise specialists. The addition of Vazquez comes two months after Crystal announced the appointment of Karen Scott Caplice to manage the Canadian sales...

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