Destinations
Vancouver tops as meetings centre
For the third consecutive year, Vancouver has been named North America's top destination for international meetings by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). The Amsterdam-based organization releases an annual report ranking cities according to the number of international meetings hosted in the previous year. Vancouver hosted 55 international meetings in 2011, making it first in North America and 35th overall....
Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver gets new GM
Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver has a new general manager, Vito Romeo, who joins the hotel from the 670-room Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing where he served as resident manager from 2009 to March 2012. During this tenure, he also studied at Cornell and graduated in the general managers' program in 2011. Romeo joined Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in 2008 as the executive assistant manager, food and beverage at the company's Aberdeen Marina Club in Hong Kong where he was in charge of extensive recreation and meeting facilities. Romeo brings with him a comprehensive resume that covers all aspects of hotel...
BC’s tourism industry applauds Family Day decision
This week's announcement of BC's Family Day as the second Monday in February initiated widespread enthusiasm across British Columbia's tourism industry. Originally slated for later in the month to align with other provinces and the US President's Day holiday, the announcement came on the heels of a consultation process led by TIABC, Tourism Whistler, the Canada West Ski Areas Association, and other tourism partners. At the urging of Pat Bell, Minister for Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, the industry-wide consultation process looked at the outcome of holding the holiday on a weekend already busy...
Monk seal Hoailona moves into Waikiki Aquarium
The Waikiki Aquarium recently welcomed its newest marine animal, Hoailona. The Hawaiian Monk Seal is getting used to his new home at the Waikiki Aquarium and can be visited throughout the year along with the Aquarium's additional resident Hawaiian Monk Seal, Maka....
Fourth night free
Condominium Connection, a Hawaii wholesaler for more than four decades, is offering every fourth night free in select room categories at the Outrigger Royal Kahana on Maui. The special is valid until Dec. 22. Rates begin at US$155 per night for a studio garden view unit. The free night is not applicable in Aloha Rate and Simple Saver categories. The Outrigger Royal Kahana is a beachfront high-rise condominium located on a sandy beach in the Kahana area of West Maui. Most of the studio, one- and two-bedroom units feature ocean views. The non-smoking accommodations all have full kitchens,...
Old Tucson closes for summer months
Tucson's popular visitor attraction Old Tucson will be closed to the general public between June and September when visitation is least active. Old Tucson will remain open by reservation-only for groups interested in guided tours and private events such as weddings, corporate functions and company picnics; it also will be open for film productions. The attraction will reopen to the general public on Fridays through Sundays in October. Old Tucson has been used as a location in over 300 feature films and TV westerns....
Sea Talk focuses on tsunami debris
Maui Ocean Center's complimentary Sea Talk series continues May 31 from 6-7 p.m. with a presentation on "Japan Tsunami Marine Debris"by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The hour-long Sea Talk is presented by Carey Morishige, Pacific Islands Regional Coordinator at NOAA, and will include information on NOAA's efforts to collect data, assess the debris and possible impacts based on sound science, and protect our natural resources and coasts. This Sea Talk will be held in Maui Ocean Center's Open Ocean Exhibit. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Call...
Inn at Laurel Point teams up with the Royal BC Museum
Victoria's Inn at Laurel Point has partnered with the Royal BC Museum and launched a package designed especially for dinosaur lovers. Available through Sept. 16, the "Dino-mite Package"includes two adult passes to see the new Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries exhibition at the Royal BC Museum (youth tickets are available for an extra cost; children five and younger are free); one-night hotel accommodation; some tasty Dino Drops (a chocolaty welcome gift packing an asteroid-like punch and prepared by the Inn's pastry chef); and free parking. Rates start at $199 (based on double...