Hotel Industry News | Canada's Travel Industry

By TravelPress Staff

September 1, 2015

Sunwing Adds Viva Wyndham V Heavens to Adults Collection

Sunwing has added the Dominican Republic's Viva Wyndham V Heavens resort to its Adults Collection of properties handpicked for their relaxed evening entertainment, extensive spa facilities and à la carte dining. Now available exclusively through the tour operator, the all-inclusive, adults only resort is located on its own beachfront on Playa Dorada, near Puerto Plata, on the Dominican Republic’s northern coastline. The resort offers dining choices across five restaurants and three bars, ranging from Italian classics at Rosmarino to Mexican dishes at Puebla 222. Other amenities...

By TravelPress Staff

August 31, 2015

Barkman Appointed GM of Alt Hotel Winnipeg

Laurie Barkman has been appointed general manager of the Alt Hotel Winnipeg. With 25 years under her belt in the hospitality and tourism industries, Barkman has held a number of notable positions including director of sales and marketing for Lakeview Management, a national hotel management company. Her most recent position was as general manager of a local boutique hotel. She is also actively involved as director of the Manitoba Marketing Network, in addition to sitting on the Rotary Club's board of directors. Over the years Barkman has developed solid expertise in customer service,...

By TravelPress Staff

August 28, 2015

Call For Entries

The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) is now accepting entries for the 2015 Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence. The Hall of Fame Awards program continues the Association’s tradition of acknowledging the strong standards and values of those involved in and with the lodging industry. The awards program recognizes those individuals, companies or properties that have demonstrated significant accomplishments, exemplary leadership and tireless commitment to our industry in the following divisions: The Humanitarian Award: Given for individuals/programs that demonstrate to residents...

By TravelPress Staff

August 27, 2015

Lujure, the New Face of Total Vacations

Total Vacations is making a move that will not only serve luxury travellers, but also help the pocket books of travel agents. Known for its unique destinations and “à la carte” vacation experiences, Total Vacations, a division of Red Label Vacations Inc., has introduced a re-brand under the new name Lujure, effective Sept. 1. With a fresh new look and experience, officials say Lujure is your destination for booking “private villas, true luxury hotels and boutique properties to satisfy the growing desire for bespoke travel.” Lujure features a comprehensive product line-up...

By TravelPress Staff

August 27, 2015

Palace Resorts Adds Apple TV

Mexico's Palace Resorts, which has five-star, all-inclusive resort accommodations, has added Apple TV devices and Smart Televisions in select guestrooms of the brand’s oceanfront properties throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. Palace Resorts' guests now have the ability to log on to personal accounts, such as Netflix and Hulu accessible via iTunes. In addition to featuring the latest music, films, sports and television programming on in-room LCD flat screen TVs, the new amenities provide the ability to enjoy applications such as YouTube and The Weather Channel. Guests who book a...

By Bob Mowat

August 26, 2015

It’s All About Entertainment In Vegas

The mere possibility that Las Vegas could get an NHL franchise to fill its new stadium (opening in 2016) tells you all you need to know about the city: it ain't what it used to be, reports editor Michael Baginski in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. Built on casino gaming, Las Vegas is now a destination where visitors are more likely to see stars on ice than gangsters being put on ice. Indeed, where once gambling versus entertainment revenue of the city was city was 70-30, now those figures are being transposed, with entertainment commanding close to 60% of a visitor's...

By TravelPress Staff

August 25, 2015

Teens Invited to TAP into Beaches Resorts

Beaches Resorts has introduced a new Teen Advisory Panel (TAP) – that includes two Canadians – which will serve as a forum for teens, providing insight that will directly influence the Beaches Resorts experience. According to Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International, parent company of Beaches Resorts, teens influence travel in two ways: as tech-savvy researchers of available opportunities and as arbiters of what’s “cool” on social platforms. “Today’s teens have their own bucket lists. They are sophisticated online shoppers, know what’s available, what they...

By TravelPress Staff

August 24, 2015

Buchnea Joins Cola Hotel Group

Cola Hotel Group of the U.K. has expanded its North American sales team with the appointment of Anna Buchnea as its Canadian representative. Buchnea brings extensive industry experience to her new role, most recently as director, Passenger Sales Canada, for Air Canada. She will be working with the Canadian travel agency community, introducing and promoting the Westbury Mayfair and the Kensington Close Hotel. The Westbury, located on Bond Street in exclusive Mayfair is a leader in luxurious five-star hospitality, offering a stylish central London address. Kensington Close Hotel is...

By TravelPress Staff

August 21, 2015

Spontaneity Could Be The Best Medicine

While we all look forward to long awaited and much planned annual holidays, taking a spontaneous trip could be the key to releasing our inner child and relieving stress, according to new research released by Booking.com. The survey asked 1,102 respondents across Canada about their attitude towards spontaneity and revealed that four out of five respondents (79%) agree that taking a spontaneous trip “boosts their happiness” while (59%) stated that it makes them “more productive at work” and “reduces stress” (67%). The survey has also revealed the most popular hotel room...

By TravelPress Staff

August 21, 2015

Karisma Looks to Further Global Expansion

Karisma Hotels & Resorts, which owns and manages properties across Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, has announced further global expansion plans, encompassing a projected growth model to own and operate 30 resorts around the world by 2020. As the company continues to expand worldwide with offices in Miami, Cancún, Belgrade, Bogotá, Mexico City, London, Toronto and Quebec, key executive personnel have been promoted to lead the charge of sales, marketing and operations from a vast global perspective. Within the next year, Karisma Hotels & Resorts will introduce its...