Destinations
Aqua Expeditions is launching a new ship in East Africa in 2025
Aqua Expeditions is set to expand its fleet in 2025, with new sailings in the Seychelles and Zanzibar, Tanzania. Inaugural departures are slated for December 2025, with four different itineraries ranging from five- to 14-nights. “It has always been a dream of mine to venture into East Africa and explore this part of the world on a luxury expedition ship. I am excited to finally be able to showcase the beauty of the Indian Ocean and the famous Aldabra Atoll. Few travellers have heard of or even seen this magical place that is home to over 150,000 giant tortoises. Considered the...
Antigua & Barbuda launches Black Pineapple Awards for top-selling advisors
The first-ever Antigua and Barbuda Black Pineapple Awards – an initiative that honours and celebrates the outstanding achievements of hard-working travel agents from around the world – is set to take place from Dec. 6 to 8, 2024, in Antigua and Barbuda. The event, organized by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and the Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism, will bring together over a hundred top-producing travel professionals globally (25 from Canada), for an exclusive celebration in the stunning twin-island paradise. Named after the unique and delicious Antigua...
O‘ahu and Kaua‘i Visitors Bureaus to host travel agent webinars
Travel professionals are invited to register for the upcoming 30-minute webinars from the O‘ahu Visitors Bureau and Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau. Karishma Chowfin, director of sales at the O‘ahu Visitors Bureau, will be live with Baxter Media on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 4 p.m. EST, while Lani Kaui, sales manager at the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, will join us on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 3 p.m. EST. Attendees can expect destination-specific updates that will help them plan memorable trips for clients heading to Hawaii. The visitors' bureaus will highlight mindful travel and share...
CHTA names Antigua & Barbuda as host of Marketplace 2025
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has selected Antigua and Barbuda as the host destination for the 43rd Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM). Scheduled for May 18-22, 2025, the event will attract major global buyers and regional suppliers, showcasing Antigua and Barbuda’s growing status as a key player in Caribbean hospitality and tourism. The selection of Antigua and Barbuda highlights the nation’s remarkable rise in the tourism sector. “With a 16 percent increase in stay-over arrivals this year, surpassing 2019’s record levels, our twin-island nation has...
Las Vegas adds new entertainment for fall & winter
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) hosted travel partners at the Usher: Past Present Future concert this week in Toronto. Yesterday evening (Sept. 3) was an exciting preview of Las Vegas’ incredible entertainment lineup coming later this year and into 2025. New to downtown Las Vegas is the Neon City Festival, a free outdoor event from November 22-24 that will transform the streets into venues for multiple genres of musical headliners, immersive art installations, culinary experiences, pop-up performances and more. Guests of all ages will be able to...
Viking announces six new Asia itineraries through Japan & China
Viking has announced six new itineraries in Asia that will expand exclusive access for guests to Japan and China, with Tibet (Xizang) in 2025. The new voyages range from 15 to 22 days and explore iconic destinations in China, including Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an and Lhasa in Tibet (Xizang), as well as Osaka, Japan. The itineraries will continue to highlight rarely-seen destinations and ports in China to which only Viking has access. Each voyage will offer guests immersive destination-focused experiences, insightful lectures and regionally inspired cuisine. Now open for booking, the new...
Malaysia dives into accessible tourism with Adaptive Scuba Adventures
Malaysia is taking the lead on accessible tourism for travellers with disabilities, highlighted by some unique scuba diving opportunities courtesy of Diveheart Malaysia. As a world-class diving destination, Malaysia is also the only Asian destination focused on adaptive diving experiences that cater to travellers with disabilities. The initiative is led by Diveheart, a US-based organization with its only Asian locations in Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak. The Diveheart Malaysia team offers tailor-made programs designed to build confidence and independence for children, adults and veterans...
ONVIGO advisors return from first-ever Hyatt FAM in Cancun
Canadian host agency Onvigo recently hosted its first-ever FAM trip in Cancun, Mexico, in partnership with the Hyatt Inclusive Collection, which currently has more than 80 properties across 10 unique brands in the Mexican Caribbean. Held from Aug. 27 to Aug. 29, 11 advisors were hand-picked to visit some of Hyatt's newest five-star properties, including host properties Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres and Hyatt Vivid, as well as Dreams Vista, Breathless Cancun Soul, and Secrets/Dreams Playa Mujeres. “Canada loves Mexico, and advisors need to experience a variety of properties so...