Destinations
Windstar bringing back popular Alaska & Japan routes for 2026
Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises revealed today it’s planning to send its newest ship, Star Seeker, cruising to Alaska and Japan when it joins the fleet in 2026. Windstar last sailed in Alaska and Japan in 2023 before it redeployed Star Breeze to be the year-round ship in Tahiti. “We are really happy to be able to bring back Alaska and Japan for our guests,” said Windstar’s President Christopher Prelog. “We know these are popular destinations, and we have many people asking us to return there. We can’t keep this secret any longer.” Star Seeker will sail...
Porter inaugurates non-stop route from Ottawa to St. John’s
Porter Airlines inaugurated service between Ottawa International Airport (YOW) and St. John’s International Airport (YYT) on June 6, becoming the only airline to connect the two destinations with non-stop flights. The new route starts with daily service on the brand new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, which carries up to 132 passengers. With a two-by-two configuration and no middle seats, the toughest choice for anyone flying Porter is choosing between a window or an aisle seat. Free and fast WiFi on all E195-E2 flights helps keep passengers connected in the air, while complimentary premium...
Jamaica welcomes a record-breaking 2M visitors for 2024
Jamaica has welcomed a record two million visitors thus far in 2024, more than ever reported during the period of January to May. The country's final tourism data for 2023 also notes a record-breaking 4.1 million visitors and 25.5 per cent year-over-year increase in total visitation compared to 2022. “Our recent tourism data is a testament to our ongoing resilience and support from our cherished partners,” said Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica. “This historic start to 2024, as well as last year’s notable rise in arrivals, is a result of our island’s...
Collette debuts new African safari brochure
Following a tremendous uptick in sales growth from advisor partners in the area, Collette debuts its 2024-2025 African safari brochure. “We have seen some incredible growth from our advisor partners for our tours to Southern and Eastern Africa,” said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, chief executive officer at Collette. “We not only want to support this growth, we want to launch it to a new level. We’ve been designing inclusive safari tours for three decades, allowing travellers to get closer to the wildlife, to nature, to culture, and to picturesque landscapes that they’ve only dreamed about...
A sneak peek at Disney’s new cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort
Located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, just a short boat ride away from Magic Kingdom park, the Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort are opening July 1. The latest Disney Vacation Club resort will provide a new way to enjoy a Disney vacation with many of the comforts of home. Each cabin sleeps up to six people and features spacious indoor and outdoor areas, including a main bedroom, bathroom, living room, full kitchen and personal patio. Plus, the cabins are all dog-friendly, too! A selection of outdoor activities at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort are available including...
Flair marks first flight to Guadalajara from YVR
The vacation potential of an attractive colonial city in central Mexico is now being tested, with the recent launch of non-stop flights to Guadalajara from Vancouver on ultra low-cost carrier, Flair Airlines. The inaugural flight lifted off from YVR on May 31, taking just over five hours to reach Guadalajara. The city is located about five hours by road inland from the Pacific Coast resort city of Puerto Vallarta. Guadalajara (GDL) is the capital of the state of Jalisco. “When we announced the route, we were positively overwhelmed at the great responses from Canadians and Mexicans...
Utah celebrates its rich film history in Vancouver
The spectacular natural landscapes of Utah have inspired film makers for many years, and certain locations have become proven attractions for some tourists. In 2024, Utah tourism authorities have decided the time is right to officially pay tribute to these locations, and to formally identify them as film hotspots for both film enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. This will be done on a Utah Film Trail that is now being established. The current tribute has taken the form of an anniversary celebration – a 100-year birthday to be precise. Reps from the Utah tourism and film commissions...
Brand USA hosts first Canada Connect show in Toronto
Brand USA kicked off the first of its sold-out segment of the 2024 Canada Connect show in Toronto on June 4. Welcoming 35 delegates from across the U.S. and approximately 100 trade partners, the Toronto show was the first of three events by Brand USA Canada. The company anticipates another 130 agents at its Canada Connect in Montreal on June 5, followed by 74 attendees at its Calgary show on June 6. During the event, attendees had the opportunity to network throughout the day in a series of eight-minute face-to-face sessions, learning about in-destination news and updates, as well...