Hotel Industry News | Canada's Travel Industry

By Bob Mowat

January 19, 2016

AMResorts Celebrates Opening

AMResorts continues to grow its Secrets Resorts & Spas brand with the recent opening of the Secrets Playa Bonita Panama Resort & Spa at the beginning of January 2016. The property is located minutes from Panama City off the Pacific coast. The adults-only resort offers oceanfront views and private balconies in each of its 310 rooms. Secrets Playa Bonita Panama features the company's “Unlimited–Luxury” vacation concept where everything is included. As well, the resort has 20,000 square feet of event space and a dedicated team of planners to help with an array of group...

By Bob Mowat

January 18, 2016

Why Do We Vacation?

The Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in The Bahamas is offering some answers to the question “Why Do We Vacation” in a newly launched advertising and branding campaign. (Click Here To Check It Out) In conjunction with creative agency GoConvergence (GOCO), Atlantis created, developed and produced the innovative concept that taps into consumers' emotions and helps them answer an important question they may not have considered in the past. The campaign is designed to create bite-sized pieces of content that resonate in a world where consumers are overwhelmed with content and have...

By Bob Mowat

January 15, 2016

Rocking In The DR

They'll be rocking twice as hard in the Dominican Republic with the announcement by Hard Rock International that its planning to open a second hotel in the destination in late 2017. In collaboration with All Inclusive Collection, The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Santo Domingo will be a full service property with 400 rooms and a casino. In making the announcement, Nelson Parker, vice-president of casino development, Hard Rock International, said: “The Dominican Republic is the region's most visited country and continues to be the top performing destination in the Caribbean. In...

By Bob Mowat

January 13, 2016

Karisma Targets Agents With New Initiatives

Karisma Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a commission increase to 21%, a new loyalty travel club and a variety of weddings and romance-related offerings and tools exclusively for its Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultants (GIVC). In making the announcement, Mandy Chomat, vice-president of sales & marketing for Karisma Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are extremely proud of Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ growth and success over the past year but know that none of it would be possible without the support of our dedicated travel agents.” Chomat continued: “Despite the industry...

By Bob Mowat

January 13, 2016

A Gala Celebration

In a Mayan-themed celebration dubbed "From Heaven to Earth," the Hyatt Ziva Cancun welcomed more than 1,100 travel trade guests yesterday during its official Grand Opening gala festivities. A little liquid sunshine did little to dampen the spirits of those on hand as events included numerous Cirque du Soleil-like acts, live music and official ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by an impressive fireworks display. Set in an ideal location at the end of the "hotel strip," the all-inclusive resort -- formerly Dreams -- is surrounded by ocean on three sides and features eight dining...

By Bob Mowat

January 12, 2016

New Year, New Identity For Centara

Centara Hotels & Resorts has been renamed Central Hospitality International (Chi). The move is a refresh and renaming of the management and holding company behind its collection of hotels. The hotel brands, products and services will remain unchanged. According to officials, the introduction of CHi serves to differentiate the corporate brand and its member hotel brands, as well as to align the hotel group with the other eponymously named Central Group companies creating greater affiliation and synergy within the Central family. The inclusion of the word “International”...

By TravelPress Staff

January 12, 2016

Choice Expands to Guyana

The Ascend Hotel Collection from Choice Hotels International is expanding in the Caribbean growth with the addition of the 25-room Opus Hotel in Georgetown, Guyana, on the coast of South America. The Opus is the 12th hotel in Choice Hotels' Caribbean portfolio. The Opus Hotel is situated in a prime location in Stabroek, located in central Georgetown, near several regional and international development organizations. The hotel offers easy access to the area's art and craft museums, popular restaurants, nightlife and numerous cultural heritage sites, including the Monument of Queen...

By Bob Mowat

January 11, 2016

Canada Stays Strong For Sandals

Sandals Resorts International says its following in the Canadian market remains strong, regardless of whether thermometer mercury plunges during winter. Company CEO Adam Stewart told travelpress.com during a Sandals reception in Montego Bay Friday that the milder winter that much of this country has been experiencing as of late hasn't translated into Canadians forgoing winter vacations with the Jamaica-based company. Stewart said “lower product” resorts are more likely to be vulnerable to milder winter weather than Sandals. “It doesn't affect us the way it does others ... The...

By TravelPress Staff

January 8, 2016

Atlantis Unveils Agent Ambassador Program

Atlantis, Paradise Island has introduced its first-ever travel agent loyalty and education program – Atlantis Ambassador. Atlantis invites qualified agents to join forces with the largest resort in The Bahamas to earn a certified title as an Atlantis Ambassador. The points-based loyalty program offers numerous perks and travel opportunities to the resort for agents. “Becoming an Atlantis Ambassador will empower travel agents with the education and resources to close more sales and increase advocacy on behalf of our beloved resort. In turn, we will be able to express our...

By TravelPress Staff

January 7, 2016

Beaches Launches Fitness Classes for Children

Sandals is helping kids get more interested in keeping fit with the launch of fitness classes specially for children at its Beaches resorts in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos. Children will be able to participate in yoga, water aerobics and boot camp classes, including: Kids Yoga – The classes will explore breathing exercises, visual imagery and relaxation techniques while conveying lessons in self-expression, body image, social skills, positive thinking and environmental awareness. Physically, the class will enhance kids’ flexibility, strength, co-ordination, and body...