Hotel Industry News | Canada's Travel Industry

By TravelPress Staff

August 18, 2015

Karisma Properties Now Offering Free WiFi

Karisma Hotels & Resorts, which owns and manages properties in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, has debuted complimentary WiFi at every Gourmet Inclusive property. The company is providing this service to give guests the option to be as connected or disconnected as they so choose while on vacation. The Gourmet Inclusive aspect at Karisma Hotels & Resort extends beyond the confines of food and beverage, also speaking to the style of service and hospitality, accessibility and overall convenience. The addition of free wireless Internet effectively complements this...

By TravelPress Staff

August 14, 2015

Margaritaville Resort Coming to Orlando

Margaritaville Holdings LLC, and Encore Capital Management have announced the development of a Margaritaville Resort community in Orlando, a project that will include a hotel, vacation ownership and vacation homes. Inspired by the lifestyle celebrated in Jimmy Buffett’s iconic songs, “the resort will become an oasis for relaxation and fun – that 'one particular harbour,' and will offer many experiential opportunities including a 'FinCity' arcade, a St. Somewhere Spa, a planetarium and the Son of a Sailor fishing school, paddleboarding and kayaking. Ancillary to the Margaritaville...

By Bob Mowat

August 14, 2015

Marriott Responds To ASTA Concerns

In response to comments and questions from the travel agency community – along with a strong reaction from ASTA – regarding its “It Pays To Book Direct” marketing campaign, Marriott International has issued a statement to clarify its position as it relates to the agency community. Marriott states, “We highly value our relationship with travel agents and recognize the service they offer to customers. The current digital marketing campaign is simply another common practice effort to create awareness of our existing site to inform customers who choose to make their own...

By Bob Mowat

August 14, 2015

Caesars Prepares For Palace Milestone

With The LINQ's transition from the former Imperial Palace now officially in the books (as of this month), making the hotel-casino the newest on the Las Vegas strip, Caesars Entertainment (CE) will turn its attention to its iconic Caesars Palace property, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. Minor renovations to the hotel-casino have taken place during the past couple of years, but CE was mainly occupied with the development of Project LINQ, a new entertainment district across the street from Caesars, which includes The LINQ Hotel & Casino, an outdoor entertainment...

By TravelPress Staff

August 14, 2015

Virtuoso’s ‘Best of the Best’

International luxury travel network Virtuoso unveiled the winners of its 2015 Best of the Best hotel awards Wednesday at the 27th annual Virtuoso Travel Week conference in Las Vegas. The 11 winners, all participants in the renowned Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts Program, include Ashford Castle in Ireland as Hotel of the Year. Virtuoso surveyed its 370 agencies and their more than 9,800 elite travel advisors to decide the Best of the Best winners in 10 categories, ranging from the most innovative guest experience to top hotel and hotelier of the year. With a diverse portfolio of...

By TravelPress Staff

August 13, 2015

Oasis Expands Canadian Sales Team

Oasis Hotels and Resorts has expanded its sales team in Canada with the appointment of two new reps for Western Canada and Eastern Canada (Quebec, Ottawa, New Brunswick). Karen Howse has been named business development for Western Canada (BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan) and can be reached at 604-910-7651 or via e-mail at khowse@oasishotels.com. Josee Rouleau is the business development manager for Eastern Canada (Quebec, Ottawa, New Brunswick) and can be reached at 514-833-1980 or via e-mail at jrouleau@oasishotels.com. Pam Bassett will continue to service Ontario,...

By TravelPress Staff

August 12, 2015

Club Med Introduces Spring Break Mexico Special

Club Med has introduced a special rate for its resort in Mexico, Ixtapa Pacific, for an air-inclusive Spring Break escape. Located on the West Coast of Mexico, between the Sierra Madre mountains and the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Ixtapa Pacific resort offers breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere. Like Cancun Yucatan resort, Ixtapa Pacific offers a variety of sports and activities for everyone. An all-inclusive package including a seven-night stay and round-trip flights from Toronto or Montreal is available from $2,599 per adult, for a departure on Feb. 27,...

By TravelPress Staff

August 12, 2015

ASTA Slams Marriott Marketing Campaign

ASTA has issued the following statement in regards to what it calls Marriott Hotel's misleading direct booking campaign. “Suppliers have the right to market their product however they choose, as long as the advertisements are legal and truthful. Marriott's new marketing campaign, which tells consumers that they can only find the best rates on Marriott.com, is not only disparaging to travel agents, but also misleading to the traveling public," said ASTA president Zane Kerby. He added, “Professional travel agents help consumers distinguish what brand may be the right fit for them...

By TravelPress Staff

August 7, 2015

Hyatt Zilara, Ziva Host Agent Workshops

Hyatt Zilara and Hyatt Ziva All Inclusive Resorts are hosting agent breakfast workshops in several provinces over the next few months. Hamilton will be visited Aug. 25; Thunder Bay Aug. 27; Sudbury, Ont., Aug. 28; Mississauga Sept. 1; Montreal Sept. 2; Red Deer, Alta., Sept. 9; Quebec City Sept. 10; Saskatoon Sept. 11; Winnipeg Sept. 18; Ottawa Sept. 23; Langley, BC, Sept. 29; Victoria, BC, Sept. 30; Barrie, Ont., Oct. 1; Toronto Oct. 6; Kingston, Ont., Oct. 7; Oakville, Ont., and Kelowna, BC, Oct. 8; Windsor Ont. Oct. 13; Cambridge, Ont., Oct. 15; Thornhill, Ont., Oct. 22; and Oshawa,...

By TravelPress Staff

August 6, 2015

‘New’ Riu Palace Aruba Reopens

Riu Hotels & Resorts has reopened the Riu Palace Aruba after investing $25 million in a complete renovation. The resort, which opened in 2007, now has a “luxurious, elegant and modern style” combined with new services and facilities and an infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean. The 450 rooms also have the latest technology, such as flat-screen satellite TVs, electronic safes and free WiFi. The restaurants and bars of the Riu Palace Aruba have also undergone a complete transformation. For example, the Don Nicolás buffet restaurant, which offers international cuisine, is...