Destinations
Seventh night is free
The Mauian, a popular beachfront property featuring boutique studio accommodations on Maui's Napili Bay, is offering a seventh night free for selected dates in August. It marks the first time the laid-back little property, a favorite with travellers for decades, has offered a seventh night free. "With only 44 units and an idyllic location right on the beach, our hotel runs pretty full all year round," observed the Mauian's general manager, Nane Aluli. "But we have some openings this year in late August. It's a great opportunity for travellers to experience the Mauian this summer at an extra...
The ultimate club
The Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort has added another family-friendly activity for its guests -- the Waikiki Ocean Club. Billed as 'Waikiki's ultimate ocean playground,' the Waikiki Ocean Club is the third ocean activity offered to guests at the resort. Moored about 300 yards offshore, the Waikiki Ocean Club offers a wide variety of ocean-related activities such as trampolines, diving platforms, jet skiing, snorkeling, and helmet diving. The cost for a full day on board is US$89 for adults (16 and older); US$69 for youth (4 to 15 years). Kama'ina rates are US$79 for adults and...
Canadians boost Orlando numbers
Last year was another record-breaking year for Orlando, with final 2011 visitation numbers revealing that Orlando welcomed 55.1 million visitors, up 7.2% from last year's record-setting 51.4 million and 1.5% over the previous forecast of 54.3 million visitors. Total domestic visitation (business and leisure) accounted for 51.3 million visitors, a 7.5% increase over 2010 and a record for any US destination. International travel totalled 3.8 million, an increase of 3.5% from 2010. Orlando is the first destination in the country to welcome more than 55 million visitors and remains the most...
Jamaica unveils fall fam line-up
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and WestJet Airlines are inviting Canadian travel agents to experience and learn about some of the Jamaica's top tourist destinations with 10 options for familiarization tours this fall. All trips are four nights in duration and are scheduled as outlined below. Each trip will wrap with a farewell Jamaican beach party in Montego Bay. The five options for Montego Bay and Ocho Rios are: Sept. 6 to Sept. 10; Sept. 14 to Sept. 18; Sept. 20 to Sept. 24; Sept. 28 to Oct. 2; and Oct. 11 to Oct.15. The five options for Montego Bay and Negril are: Sept. 7 to Sept. 11;...
Universal Orlando, Loews team up
Universal Parks & Resorts and Loews Hotels & Resorts are teaming up to build a new hotel development at Universal Orlando that will add high-quality, high-value options for families wanting an affordable on-site experience. Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort will offer two distinct experiences within the development's multiple buildings: 900 family suites, capable of sleeping six, that include kitchen areas and 900 standard guest rooms, offering both moderate- and value-priced accommodations. It will be operated by Loews Hotels & Resorts and is scheduled to open in 2014. The hotel will be...
Discover Galilee, Jerusalem by bike
Travellers and sport enthusiasts traveling to Israel can now experience the Christian holy sites in the Galilee and Jerusalem by taking one of the new "Biking the Path of Jesus" tours. The 12-mile biking routes are available in two-day or week-long tours and depart from destinations in northern Israel, including Nazareth, the town of Jesus' birth, and travel through Mt. Carmel, Mt. Gilboa and Mt. Tabor to the rolling hills and olive groves surrounding Kibbutz Lavi. The two-day tour will leave from Kibbutz Lavi and travel through the Horns of Hattin fort to the Druze pilgrimage sight of Nebi...
Escape to Patagonia
Goway is reminding travellers interested in visiting Patagonia in Argentina and Chile to start planning now for the North American winter -- southern hemisphere summer - season. This region of the world is home to some of the most amazing scenery in all of Latin America. There are many opportunities to trek, kayak, horseback ride, cruise through the fjords, as well as discover wildlife. Patagonia is not a typical winter escape but a different and unique experience. Don Forster, general manager for Goway's Latin America division, observed: "Naturally most people think of the Caribbean to...
UK-Asia links growing
A host of strategic issues that included UK border issues, inward investment for the UK, Heathrow airport, crisis response, the 2012 Olympic impact and the UK's controversial Air Passenger Duty (APD) were on the agent when the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) hosted its PATA Hub City Forum, at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall in London late last week. In welcoming delegates to the event, the UK's Minister for Trade and Investment Lord Green said: "The Asia Pacific region is a vibrant and dynamic one with many burgeoning economies and a vital source of investment, business and...