Hotel Industry News | Canada's Travel Industry

By Bob Mowat

November 21, 2014

Shaking The Globe

Mark Nov. 24 on your calendar. That's when Starwood Hotels & Resorts launches its online Cyber Monday sale that will run through Dec. 7, 2014. The sale will feature discounts of up to 30% off regular room rates at more than 600 hotels and resorts throughout North and Latin America. Members of the Starwood Preferred Guest program will enjoy an additional 5% savings when booking through the Cyber Monday sale. The sale applies to stays between Nov. 24, 2014 and Feb. 1, 2015 at participating hotels and between Nov. 24, 2014 and April 15, 2015 at participating resorts. For...

By TravelPress Staff

November 19, 2014

New Sandals BDM for Alberta, Northwest Territories

Tanya Idzan has been appointed to the position of business development manager – Alberta & Northwest Territories. “At Sandals, we provide support to our Canadian travel agents with experienced business development managers coast to coast. Tanya is a welcome addition to our team. As a category leader and innovators, we always have new and exciting products for agents to sell,” said Maureen Barnes-Smith, director of sales and marketing, Unique Vacations Canada. With over 14 years experience in retail travel, Idzan will further Sandals’ presence in the region and work...

By Bob Mowat

November 19, 2014

Quite An Experience

On a bone-chilling morning in Toronto, it was rather pleasant to learn about all of the good things going on at the Metropolitan By COMO in Miami Beach, Florida. Opened nine months ago, the 74 room and suite property -- part of the COMO Hotels and Resorts group -- is doing well, with its general manager, Javier Beneyto telling a small travel trade group in Toronto this week, that it took about 13 months to completely restore the 1930s Art Deco property to its present look and feel. And Beneyto has been involved with the property since it was purchased. Bringing in the GM at the...

By TravelPress Staff

November 19, 2014

DoubleTree by Hilton Debuts in New Zealand

DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Worldwide have opened the brand’s first property in New Zealand – DoubleTree by Hilton Queenstown. Formerly known as the Kawarau Hotel and managed by Hilton Worldwide, the 98-room hotel is set in the heart of bustling Kawarau Village, convenient to Queenstown International Airport and just a short drive or water taxi ride from the centre of Queenstown, popularly known as “The Adventure Capital of the World.” Guests at DoubleTree by Hilton Queenstown enjoy contemporary guest rooms featuring fully fitted kitchenettes with an oven, microwave and...

By Bob Mowat

November 19, 2014

A New Dimension

Riu Hotels & Resorts' latest venture in Aruba has given the island an added dimension when seeking to attract the all-inclusive-vacation crowd, reports staff writer, Ian Stalker in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. The 482-room Riu Antilles, which opened in mid-October, is an adults-only all-inclusive, the first all-inclusive on the island for adults alone, tourism authorities note. Riu's other Aruba property is an all-inclusive that welcomes children and the two properties underscore growing lodging choices for visitors, says Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, CEO of the...

By Bob Mowat

November 17, 2014

An Influential Pick

Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Best Western International, has been named the 27th most influential CMO in the world in the Forbes/Appinion CMO Influence Study. The third annual study evaluates the highest-ranking marketing officers from the Forbes Global 500 Largest Companies list. The honorees include individuals from top global brands, including Apple, Ralph Lauren and General Motors. Dowling is one of just two hotel marketing leaders on this year’s list. Commenting on the recognition, Dowling said: “It is a significant honour to be named to...

By Bob Mowat

November 17, 2014

Save With Sheraton Gateway Toronto

The Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport is offering its guests an opportunity to get their vacation off to a hassle free start. In fact the hotel – which is directly connected to the airport – is also letting guests leave their coats and boots at the hotel while they jet off to sunnier locales this winter. Vacationers who book before Dec. 1, 2014, are being offered special savings for the hotel’s holiday and vacation stopover package with parking right at the airport included for up to 15 days (valued at $196). Priced from $213 per night, the package offers...

By Bob Mowat

November 14, 2014

Start Spreading The News

Book now and save, that's the message from NYC & Company to travellers looking to spend some time in New York City during January, February and March 2015. New York City's official marketing, tourism and partnership organization points out that by doing so, visitors will be able to take advantage of restaurant and theatre savings, along with lower hotel room rates. Plus, there's plenty of special events, including NYC Restaurant Week, which runs from Feb. 16 to March 6, with reservations opening on Feb. 2. During Broadway Week, from Jan. 20 to Feb. 5 (tickets go on sale Jan. 9)...

By Bob Mowat

November 14, 2014

Memorable Holidays

Transat is spreading the word about a number of new developments rolled out by Palladium Hotels & Resorts in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Mexico recently. Palladium Hotels & Resorts continues to invest in its properties to provide new and improved experiences for guests, ranging from renovated suites, more bars and restaurants, family-friendly pools and waterparks and adult-only pools and swim-up bars. For more than 20 years, Transat and Palladium have been working together to provide consumers with unique and enhanced vacation packages. Exclusive to Transat...

By Bob Mowat

November 14, 2014

A Landmark Contest

A stunning new landmark is rising up in downtown Toronto. It's your last chance to win a stay at the new 46 storey, 567 guest room Delta Toronto, the first purpose-built four-star property constructed in the city in two decades. Opening November 27 and located in Toronto's coolest new neighbourhood, the exciting South Core or SoCo district, Delta Toronto is close to attractions like CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium, Rogers Centre, and Air Canada Centre. It also has quick access to transportation hubs like Toronto City Centre Airport, Union Station, and direct access to the PATH...