Resorts
Voices of Travel: Maureen Barnes Smith on being “fair without fear”
With close to 30 years of experience in the Canadian travel industry with Unique Vacations, Maureen Barnes Smith has quite the story to tell. The fact that she’s a life-long learner is certainly clear as she has moved into increasingly senior roles over the course of her career until today, when Barnes Smith is Unique Vacations Canada’s vice-president – sales & marketing. In this episode of Voices of Travel: The Next Chapters, Barnes Smith talks about her career, but she also talks about diversity, equity and inclusiveness in the Canadian travel industry and, at one point in...
RIU marks milestone with opening of Riu Plaza Chicago
RIU Hotels & Resorts has reached yet another milestone in its international expansion with the opening of the Riu Plaza Chicago. The four-star, 390-room hotel is strategically located in the heart of Chicago's world-famous Magnificent Mile shopping district, and from September it will offer guests and visitors alike panoramic views of the city from the 27th floor of the building in the hotel’s bar, The Rooftop. The opening in a newly built skyscraper not only places the RIU brand in a city with one of the most competitive real estate markets in the world, but is also an...
Atlantis Paradise Island unveils $150M resort-wide renovation
Atlantis Paradise Island has completed a $150 million resort-wide transformation, including updates to the casino, guestrooms, restaurants and lounges. The resort unveiled refashioned guestrooms at The Royal, Atlantis’ iconic towers; an entirely redefined Atlantis Casino; and Paranza, a new restaurant at The Cove, where Michelin-starred chef Michael White brings his culinary mastery to the table. The updates emulate the ethos of Atlantis and include custom fixtures and design details evocative of the ocean and ecosystems found throughout the Bahamas. Other additions include...
Jamaica bounces back after Hurricane Beryl
Jamaica is bouncing back, welcoming 55,000 visitors since it reopened its ports following the passing of Hurricane Beryl. Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett said that: “On July 2nd and 3rd, we had no tourists arriving in Jamaica. But on the Fourth of July, we started receiving visitors again. In just seven days [July 4-10], we've brought in a total of 55,000 visitors.” Minister Bartlett made the announcement at the opening of the 10th staging of the Christmas in July trade show, held at the National Arena on July 11 to July 12, 2024. Bartlett observed: “This...
Sunwing, Aston Hotels team on special offer in Cuba
In celebration of July’s Partner of the Month, Sunwing Vacations and Aston Hotels are offering travel advisors and their clients the best offers on all-inclusive getaways to their preferred Cuban paradise. With complimentary upgrades and rate reductions, clients can save more and get more on their vacation in the tropics while advisors can earn 3X STAR Points on packages booked before July 31, 2024. When advisors book their clients an all-inclusive vacation package at Aston properties in Cuba by July 31, 2024 for travel by Oct. 31, 2025, they can earn 3X STAR Points on every...
TTAND joins the Global Million Dollar Club at 2024 Sandals STAR Awards
The Travel Agent Next Door was named to the exclusive Million Dollar Club for top producing agencies around the world at a recent ceremony at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Established in 2002, the Sandals Travel Advisor Recognition (STAR) Awards were created to recognize top travel advisors in the Caribbean tourism ecosystem and pay tribute to those who work behind the scenes in travel. The 19th edition of the Sandals STAR Awards made a triumphant return following the pandemic and took place at Sandals’ newest resort in the Eastern Caribbean, Sandals Saint Vincent and...
It’s all about momentum in the latest issue of Canadian Travel Press
In the July 8 issue of Canadian Travel Press, it’s all momentum all of the time as we offer some of the highlights of the 2024 Agents’ Choice Awards Gala held at Toronto’s glitzy Carlu in late June. Lots of photos, so you can check out who was attending, plus there’s also a highlight reel video (https://www.travelpress.com/aca-2024/) . Envoyage’s Astrid Richardson and Anita Emilio provide some insights on what inspired Flight Centre Travel Group’s Independent Division to rebrand its nine independent brands around the world. While Marriott International’s Senior Vice...
Marriott International Launches ‘Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy’
Marriott International has launched Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy -- a comprehensive online travel booking program designed as a direct channel for small to medium-sized businesses. Business Access combines an expanded booking experience with benefits and rewards available only through Marriott Bonvoy’s travel program and portfolio of brands. Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy is now available to small to medium-sized businesses based in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America and is anticipated to expand to other...