Hotel Industry News | Canada's Travel Industry

By Bob Mowat

October 20, 2016

Club Med Says Thanks To Agents

To thank retailers for their hard work and loyalty, Club Med is offering them special rates on stays for two in Club Med Columbus Isle, Bahamas. For a week agents will be able to get a well-deserved rest on a white-sandy beach, from $1,199 per person a week for the agent and $1,299 for the guest. The offer is a great chance to discover the archipelago of the Bahamas internationally-known for its diving sites and infinite beaches. Moreover Club Med decided to turn hurricane Joaquin into an opportunity to reshape its resort. Since summer 2016 Columbus Isle offers extra renewed...

By Bob Mowat

October 19, 2016

Barcelo Picks Richards

Barcelo Hotel Group has named Brad Richards as its new regional director of sales, M.I.C.E. Richards will be based in Ontario, Canada. With 16 years in the travel industry, Richards has extensive experience in the meeting and incentive business in Canada. He's a specialist in destination marketing working with hotels and DMCs and he will be broadening his focus on developing and sourcing new MICE business leads. He can be contacted at B.Richards@Barcelo.com or at...

By Bob Mowat

October 19, 2016

A Renaissance In Acapulco

Legendary TV show host Johnny Carson's favorite hotel is under new management. Acapulco's long-standing Princess Hotel, along with fellow nearby upscale Acapulco property, The Pierre, has been bought by the owners of Acapulco's Mundo Imperial property, giving them a weighty presence in Acapulco's hotel scene. The three properties collectively have some 2,100 rooms. Yayoi Shibayama of the Mundo Imperial's sales team says the new ownership is making improvements to the two new additions. “They're being renovated,” she said during an Oct. 18 Toronto event. “We're very...

By Bob Mowat

October 18, 2016

Choice Deal

Choice Hotels Canada has launched a discounted rate plan for Choice Privileges members on http://www.Choicehotels.ca . Existing and new members of Choice Privileges can access exclusive room rates that are up to a 7% discount off the best available rate by booking directly on http://www.ChoiceHotels.com or the Choice mobile app. Furthermore, http://www.Choicehotels.com will continue to stand behind its rates, if a guest finds a lower price elsewhere online the company will match the price and offer their first night free. Choice Hotels Canada managing director, Brian Leon said:...

By TravelPress Staff

October 14, 2016

‘Merry’ Muskoka

Chef Michael Smith is inviting food fans to join him for a “Merry in Muskoka” weekend (Nov. 11-13) at Deerhurst Resort on Peninsula Lake near Huntsville, Ont. The two-night holiday-inspired getaway will showcase dishes from Chef Michael’s newest cookbook, Real Food, Real Good and offer guests multiple opportunities to meet, mingle and learn from one of Canada’s best known chefs. From start to finish, guests can expect to be treated to the East Coast chef’s signature high-energy style, storytelling and creative culinary tips. The weekend kicks off with a “Holiday Open...

By Bob Mowat

October 12, 2016

Enhancing The Wedding Experience

Karisma Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a newly enhanced website for destination weddings. The new site – http://www.MemorableMomentsWeddings.com – features cutting-edge technology, coupled with a range of new features and tools that makes it simpler for couples to budget, organize, and personally design their Gourmet Inclusive® Wedding Events. Faith Wishnie, director of wedding services at Karisma Hotels & Resorts, said: “Karisma Hotels & Resorts is renowned for its wedding and romance travel offerings, consistently setting new standards at our adults-only El Dorado...

By Bob Mowat

October 12, 2016

Vail, Whistler Deal Gets Court Approval

The Supreme Court of British Columbia has granted a final order approving the previously announced proposed strategic combination joining Whistler Blackcomb with Vail Reports by way of an arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The granting of the final order follows the approval of the strategic combination by Whistler Blackcomb shareholders on Oct. 5, 2016. As previously announced on Oct. 5, 2016, no further regulatory approvals are required in order for the transaction to close. Completion of the proposed combination remains subject to other customary...

By Bob Mowat

October 12, 2016

Sandals Provides Update On Bahamas Resorts

After assessing the impact of Hurricane Matthew on its resorts in the Bahamas, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) is advising that Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, will postpone its originally scheduled Oct. 14 reopening and will remain closed until Oct. 25. SRI also said that Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma, which requires more extensive repairs than initial estimates, will officially close and reopen on Dec. 15, 2016. Tammy Gonzalez, CEO of Unique Vacations, Inc. (UVI), an affiliate of Unique Travel Corporation, worldwide representatives of Sandals Resorts, said that UVI is working...

By Bob Mowat

October 11, 2016

HAC Picks Grynol As New President

The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) has named Susie Grynol as its new president. Grynol was previously with the Retail Council of Canada, where she served as its vice-president, federal government relations since 2013. Fully bilingual, Grynol has more than 10 years of experience managing political affairs and public relations and has a proven track record in overseeing complex industry issues and delivering successful outcomes. She takes over the post from Tony Pollard who served as HAC's president for the past 25 years and retired this past September. Philippe Gadbois, chair...

By TravelPress Staff

October 7, 2016

AlSol Hotels Introduces New Travel Agent Program

AlSol Hotels & Resorts has rolled out a new travel agent program – AlWays AlSol! – offering agents who book directly on the Travel Agent Portal a 15% commission. In addition, agents will earn one free night for every five paid nights at the AlSol resort of choice. As a bonus, AlSol Hotels & Resorts – which has three properties in the exclusive community of Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic – will give agents one free night to start as a thank you for joining the AlWays AlSol program. To register, agents go to http://www.AlSol.com/travel-agents and click “register...