Resorts
Plays Signs Deal To Launch Wyndham Alltra Samana
Playa Hotels & Resorts to announce the management of a new Wyndham Alltra resort in the Dominican Republic. The agreement provides Playa management with a 404-room resort in Samaná, Dominican Republic, which will be renovated and rebranded as Wyndham Alltra Samaná, targeting the all-ages segment. The opening date of the rebranded resort is set for the third quarter of 2023. This will be the fourth Wyndham Alltra resort managed by Playa Hotels & Resorts, a testament to the brand's strong performance and growing appeal since first launching in late 2021. The first...
Work Well Underway At Riu Plaza Chicago
Construction work is well underway on the 28-floor building that will house the future hotel Riu Plaza Chicago, with several floors already standing above ground. The details of the hotel chain’s new major project in the United States are starting to come to light. One of the most eye-catching features is the future sky bar on floor 26, where guests will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the city. As seen in the recently presented images, the terrace will also have a head-spinning focal point: a glass balcony hanging 88 metres above the ground. The bravest visitors will be...
Inkaterra Sees ‘Encouraging’ Signs In Peru
This week’s reopening of Machu Picchu after a period of political ferment in Peru, is "very encouraging,” says Jose Koechlin, founder and CEO of Inkaterra, “and we already see overseas tourists traveling from Cusco and the Sacred Valley to what is arguably the most important archeological site in South America.” Inkaterra’s Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is the largest property in Machu Picchu Pueblo/Agua Calientes, the mountaintop village from which the site is accessed. Additional elements of the traditional circuit of Peru include two additional and exclusive Inkaterra...
Are You Ready To Get The Sandals Scoop
Unique Vacations Canada is connecting with Canadian travel advisors with the introduction of ‘The Sandals Scoop’ -- a new series of brief, casual one-on-one chats with various General Managers from Sandals and Beaches Resorts. “The Sandals Scoop” – created exclusively for the Canadian market – premieres on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Hosted by Lorna Richards, National Training Manager, Unique Vacations Canada, she’ll engage in fun, 15-minute conversations with a featured General Manager. The informative sessions will provide up-to-the minute updates directly from the...
The Spa At Q Offers Quite The Experience
The 124 on Queen Hotel & Spa, located in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake, has unveiled its new spa -- The Spa at Q. The 12,000 square foot spa houses a welcome centre and boutique, relaxation lounge, treatment rooms, fitness centre, restorative Himalayan salt room, and a wellness hydrotherapy circuit. Daphne Swenerton, the Spa Director, said: “My team and I are working with enthusiasm to translate our core values of emotional hospitality, sustainability, and wellness into a dynamic context. For us, high quality and luxury include out-of-the-ordinary experiences that celebrate a...
Meetings With A Purpose
For the first time since 2020, Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations convened for their respective meetings in Jamaica, bringing their entire sales teams for in-person strategy and planning sessions over the course of two different weekends in January. The two groups were hosted at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay. Maureen Barnes-Smith, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Unique Vacations Canada (affiliate of worldwide representatives of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts), said: “The chance to host the full complement of sales teams from both Air Canada and Air Canada...
On The Right Trajectory
“We know that globally, pent up demand for travel is high – everyone wants to get out to explore the world once again,” observes Laura Pallotta, Regional Vice President of Sales & Distribution, Canada for Marriott International. Pallotta continues: “While we can’t predict the future, and are carefully monitoring macroeconomic trends, the positive sentiment towards travel that we are hearing from our customers gives us confidence and optimism for what’s ahead in 2023.” In fact, when she was asked whether 2022 has been a disappointment, she told Canadian Travel...
Hotelbeds Sets New Booking Record
Since the beginning of 2023, Hotelbeds is reporting that it has seen a significant rebound in demand, including securing its best booking fortnight by revenue in its history, securing more reservations from Jan. 9 to Jan. 22 than ever before. During peak times, Hotelbeds recorded one booking per second. Carlos Muñoz Capllonch, Hotelbeds’ Chief Commercial Officer said: “January is often a popular holiday booking month as people return to work and book holidays to look forward to later in the year. The traffic we saw earlier this month, not only demonstrates the demand we have,...