Hotel Industry News | Canada's Travel Industry

By TravelPress Staff

July 8, 2015

Sandals Introduces New Fall Booking Bonus

Agents booking clients to any Sandals or Beaches resort (a minimum seven-night stay) for travel between Aug. 16 and Nov. 22 can now earn a special “Fall Booking Bonus,” based on room category: US$100 for every Butler suite; US$50 for every Club Sandals/Concierge suite; US$25 for every Deluxe room. There is no limit to how much agents can earn and group bookings are also eligible. All bookings must be registered on Sandals’ travel agent portal http://www.sandals.com/tas. The Fall Booking Bonus applies only to bookings made directly with Unique Vacations. For further details,...

By TravelPress Staff

July 7, 2015

Hard Rock Rewards Doubles The Fun

Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, with locations from Cancun and Chicago to Orlando and Punta Cana, has amped up its loyalty program with a double hotel points promotion through Hard Rock Rewards. Hard Rock Rewards members are eligible to receive double hotel points on specific qualifying rates on bookings made online from July 6 to Sept. 30. “Whether vacationers are visiting for leisure or business travel, this program gives them the opportunity to enhance their experience and enjoy our brand’s unique amenities,” says Nora Swire, senior director of marketing, Hard Rock Hotels...

By TravelPress Staff

July 2, 2015

Last Chance to Win Luxury Mexico Holiday

It's your last chance to win an all-inclusive trip for two to the five-star Azul Fives, a Gourmet Inclusive, by Karisma in Riviera Maya, Mexico from Transat. The prize includes roundtrip airfare to Cancun on Air Transat, hotel tansfers, and a one-week stay. The Azul Fives, a Gourmet Inclusive, by Karisma is perfect for the traveller who wants the most amazing culinary offerings on their vacation. The “Gourmet Inclusive” designation signifies an elevated culinary and service experience with food choices ranging from beachfront barbecues to Italian, Asian and everything in between...

By TravelPress Staff

June 30, 2015

Baha Mar Files for Chapter 11 Protection

The developer of the mega Baha Mar resort and casino complex in The Bahamas has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, initiated “in order to complete construction and open Baha Mar as soon as practicable.” According to a release, the board of directors determined that due to the financial consequences of the repeated delays by the general contractor, and the resulting loss of revenue, the Chapter 11 process is “the best path to provide the time to put in place a viable capital structure and working relationships to complete construction and successfully open Baha Mar.”...

By TravelPress Staff

June 29, 2015

Jumeirah Popular With Canadians

The timing was right for Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts to call in Toronto Friday for a trade luncheon extolling the virtues of the luxury brand, which includes the Burj Al Arab in Dubai (the famed “sailboat” hotel). Company VP sales and marketing Americas Tom Civitano told travel agents at Sassafraz that Canada had just become Jumeirah's second leading provider of guests. “It's a historic day,” he exclaimed, noting that more than 14,000 Canadians a year now stay in Jumeirah properties, which extend across Europe and Asia in addition to the Middle East region for which it is...

By TravelPress Staff

June 29, 2015

Celebrity, MGM Deliver Deliver the Goods

Celebrity Cruises and MGM Resorts International have come together to give loyalty program members more ways to travel in style. Celebrity’s Captain’s Club and MGM Resorts’ M life members can choose from exclusive premium offers throughout the year. These include complimentary cruises for qualified M life Platinum and NOIR members, and Captain’s Club members can enjoy benefits and special access at MGM Resorts’ destinations, including concerts, events, entertainment venues, restaurants and more. “Aligning MGM Resorts with Celebrity Cruises, one of the top cruise lines in...

By TravelPress Staff

June 29, 2015

Playa Resorts’ Hosts July Webinars

Playa Resorts, which recently introduced the Hyatt Ziva/Zilara brands, will host two webinars in July, open to all Canadian travel agents. The following is a link for the July 3 webinar, 10 a.m. (Pacific): https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3440806557719045377 . A second will be held July 16, 10 a.m. EDT, see https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4925865236350426113...

By TravelPress Staff

June 25, 2015

Warwick Set to Open on Cayo Santo Maria

Warwick Hotels will open the Warwick Cayo Santa Maria Resort on Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba, on Aug. 15 – an all-inclusive property spread over 26 hectares of gardens with views of the Caribbean Sea. Located 45 minutes from Santa Clara International Airport, Warwick says the Warwick Cayo Santa Maria “represents the ultimate luxury experience in Cuba” and has 800 rooms, including 16 suites, and eight restaurants, including international buffet, Caribbean, a steakhouse, trattoria and a snack bar. There are six bars. Also found are a kids club, a 2,300-square-metre swimming-pool, two...

By TravelPress Staff

June 25, 2015

‘Time Out in T.O.’

The InterContinental Toronto Centre presents “Time Out in T.O.,” a summer family package full of fun and complimentary goodies, including a take-home Selfie Stick, buffet breakfast, movie night, access to the Kids Zone and a bottle of sunscreen for hitting the streets and shores of Toronto. In the centre of it all, the InterContinental Toronto Centre is just steps to the city’s main attractions – Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Air Canada Centre and Toronto’s bustling waterfront, the Harbourfront Centre. The InterContinental Toronto Centre “Time...

By TravelPress Staff

June 24, 2015

Shangri-La Paris ‘Rooted in Nature’

Shangri-La Hotel, Paris has a first in the world of Parisian palace hotels by hosting a series of “100% Green Dinners.” On the first Thursday of each month, La Bauhinia will present a special five-course vegetable-focused menu and invite one of the hotel’s French market purveyors to meet with diners. To further enhance the evening, La Bauhinia will be transformed by a nature-inspired decor and a DJ will create a celebratory atmosphere. Shangri-La Hotel, Paris Executive Chef Christophe Moret has been cultivating his nature-driven cuisine since his arrival at the hotel in...