Hotel Industry News | Canada's Travel Industry

By TravelPress Staff

October 9, 2015

RIU Rewards Top Agents

RIU Hotels & Resorts has launched its first ever RIU awards in Canada for top retailers. The 25 top-producing agents based on 2015 sales will be whisked away to a “secret” RIU resort next June for a gala awards celebration and week of fun. To qualify, agents must be a RIU specialist, having completed the e-specialist program launched by the all-inclusive chain last fall, and register their bookings by the end of January, 2016. More than 1,600 Canadian agents have joined the course since it was introduced – a development that RIU VP of sales & business development...

By TravelPress Staff

October 8, 2015

Adam Stewart Named Caribbean Hotelier of the Year

Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International, has been named “Caribbean Hotelier of the Year” by The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) during the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), which took place Oct. 2-4 in Puerto Rico. “I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of the 14,000 team members and their leaders that make up Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts, Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts and Island Routes,” said Stewart. “They make me look good every day and have defined our brand as the only hospitality Super Brand to be born out of the...

By TravelPress Staff

October 7, 2015

Choice Hotels Canada Expands Portfolio

Choice Hotels Canada has opened five new hotels during the third quarter of this year – making it a total of 18 hotels so far this year, bringing the total number of properties in the system to 318. Third quarter openings include: Quattro Suites & Conference Centre, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member (157-room conversion); Comfort Inn & Suites, Edmonton International Airport, Nisku, AB (100-room new build); Quality Inn, Bracebridge, Ont. (54-room conversion); Clarion Hotel, Sudbury, Ont. (103-room conversion); Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, Red Deer, Alta. (62-room...

By TravelPress Staff

October 7, 2015

Casa de Campo Partners With Tennis Ace Jim Courier

Call it game, set, match! The Dominican Republic's Casa de Campo Resort & Villas has launched a partnership with Jim Courier Tennis. Created to enhance Casa de Campo’s robust sports and activities programing, Jim Courier Tennis at Casa de Campo will offer guests and its community of villa owners a full-service tennis program featuring some of the finest teaching professionals in the world. Spearheading Jim Courier Tennis at Casa de Campo is tennis professional Jose Vaca-Bustamante. He brings to the resort years of coaching experience in all skill levels and ages, most...

By TravelPress Staff

October 6, 2015

Club Med Revises Columbus Isle Reopening Date

Due to damage caused by Hurricane Joaquin, Club Med Columbus Isle on San Salvador Island – which was in its annual closure period during the storm – has revised its reopening date to Dec. 20 (it was originally scheduled to reopen Oct. 18). Officials are currently assessing the impact of the storm to the resort and the infrastructure on the island. Preliminary assessment indicates that the resort did not incur significant structural damage. However, there was damage to the exterior roofs, including lost shingles. Landscaping, including hundreds of palm trees, was also badly...

By TravelPress Staff

October 6, 2015

Chelsea Hotel Appoints New GM

Industry veteran Robert Housez has been appointed general manager of the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. Housez is a graduate of McGill University and has also completed the Advanced Management Program for the Hospitality Industry at the University of Guelph. With more than 30 years experience in the industry, he has also held senior management positions with several hotel and resort brands such as Hilton Hotels, Delta Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels, as well as the InterContinental Hotels Group. Housez is no stranger to the Chelsea Hotel, having served as hotel manager/general manager from...

By TravelPress Staff

October 6, 2015

Sunwing Introduces New Sensimar Concept

Sunwing Vacations has launched a new Sensimar concept at Sensimar Seaside Suites, a Gourmet Inclusive Resort by Karisma offered exclusively by the tour operator. Located close to the area’s renowned ancient Mayan ruins, the newly expanded Sensimar Seaside Suites offers a blend of understated luxury with a focus on health and wellness in the heart of the Riviera Maya. Designed with couples in mind, guests can take advantage of a selection of signature experiences as part of their stay from unwinding with a hydrotherapy treatment at the Náay Spa, to learning new dance moves at a salsa...

By Bob Mowat

October 5, 2015

Poised To Lead In Luxury

FRHI Hotels & Resorts says it's on a development roll, with the company – which offers the Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel brands – projecting 50% growth over the next five years. “We are poised to lead in the luxury segment for a long time,” company spokeswoman Alexandra Blum told a Thursday gathering in Toronto. “And for us, growth, whether of properties or programs, is not without insight. “We make it a priority to constantly research what our guests want, how external factors impact their choices, what the newest trends are and how to anticipate what the next...

By TravelPress Staff

September 30, 2015

Hilton Continues Latin America, Caribbean Expansion

Hilton Worldwide is set to reach a milestone 100 hotels in Latin America and the Caribbean this year, with an accelerated 60% growth in the portfolio expected through 2017. Nearly 20 new hotels have opened in the region so far this year, and another 60 hotels are in the development pipeline. As of Q2 2015, Hilton Worldwide has approximately 20,000 rooms at more than 90 hotels and resorts open and welcoming guests throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, including the recent openings of the 298-room Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro (pictured); Anselmo Buenos Aires – the first Curio...

By TravelPress Staff

September 29, 2015

Aloft Portfolio Hits Milestone

Aloft Hotels has hit a milestone – its 100th hotel – with the opening of Aloft College Station in Texas. Currently operating in 16 countries, Aloft has experienced incredible growth since it emerged on to the scene in 2008. With the recent openings of Aloft Manhattan Downtown – Financial District in New York City, Aloft Santa Clara (CA), Aloft Stuttgart and Aloft Munich in Germany, Aloft continues to expand in key global markets, with eight more hotels set to open by year’s end. “Aloft has been one of the fastest growing hotel brands, successfully opening 18 hotels in...