Destinations
Two stays pays at Comfort Suites Kelowna
Two stays at the Comfort Suites Kelowna during the spring/summer will earn guests a gift card valued at $50. The "Two Stays Pays" promotion by Choice Hotels is available to guests who make two stays between now and Aug. 15, 2012. When guests stay two separate times at the Comfort Suites Kelowna or any Comfort Inn, Quality, Econo Lodge or other Choice hotel in Canada or the U.S., they earn enough Choice Privileges points to redeem for a $50 gift card for gas, dining or shopping at participating retailers. For more, go to http://www.choicehotels.ca...
Escape to Whistler
There is still time to book the Escape To Whistler rail and hotel deals now being offered by Rocky Mountaineer. This special for BC residents is available for booking until May 31. Prices start at $129 for a rail-only round trip fare, up to Whistler and back down to Vancouver. Packages that include an overnight stay in Whistler start at $198. The rail trip includes a breakfast and afternoon snack, free beverages and access to the open air Heritage Observation car. Add-ons are available to sweeten the stay, including tickets to ride the Peak 2 Peak gondola for $43 per person, and the option to...
Agents are STARs with Aston
Aston Hotels & Resorts is rewarding travel agents with a free night at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach on Maui for each five-night (consecutive nights) stay they book for clients at the resort. Book 10 nights, earn two free nights; book 15 nights, earn three free nights, etc. There is no limit on the number of free nights agents can earn. As STARs online members, agents also generate a $50 cash back bonus for every five consecutive nights booked, as well as STARs points that are redeemable for gift cards or more free stays with Aston Hotels & Resorts. The offer is valid for materialized...
Israel on a roll in Canada
Canadian visitors to Israel hit an "all-time high" in April of this year, rising to 6,820 for the month and representing an increase of 40% from the previous month in 2011. But it doesn't stop there. During the first quarter of 2012, Canadian arrivals grew to 20,580 -- another record -- which reflects a 12% increase over the first quarter of 2011. Considering that 2011 ranked as the "best year ever" for travel to Israel, the 2012 numbers are certainly providing reasons for celebration at the offices of the Israel Government Tourist Office here in Canada. Oded Grofman, consul for tourism,...
Royal Caribbean puts 9 in Europe
Royal Caribbean International is adding the Legend of the Seas and the Vision of the Seas to the fleet of ships it will have sailing in Europe in 2013. In all, Royal Caribbean will have a total of nine vessels operating European programs next year. The Legend of the Seas and Vision of the Seas augment the already announced U.K.-based Independence of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas; Barcelona-based Liberty of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas; and Italy-based Navigator of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas to offer a total of 276 sailings to 88 ports on 58...
WestJet wings its way to Whitehorse
WestJet has launched new, non-stop seasonal service between Vancouver and Whitehorse. John MacLeod, WestJet vice-president, network management and alliances, said of the new service: "We are pleased to expand our domestic network as part of this year's summer schedule. This new service to Whitehorse will allow guests travelling through our network the opportunity to experience the beauty of Yukon and the adventure opportunities that await. For the people of the Yukon, we're pleased to welcome them into our network where they can enjoy what our 75 other destinations have to offer." The service...
Days Inns opens in Chetwynd
There's a new Days Inn in Chetwynd, British Columbia. It's also the second Days Inn to open in B.C. during the spring of 2012. The 53-room conversion property offers free Daybreak Cafe breakfast, free high-speed Internet access, free guest parking, meeting and banquet facilities, business place rooms as well as Wyndham Rewards for every qualified stay. Irwin Prince, president and COO of Realstar Hospitality, said: "Days Inn - Chetwynd is another great addition to our growing portfolio of hotels. This hotel reflects our continued commitment to providing travellers with excellent value, great...
Canadian tourism: an industry in crisis
In a letter to its members, Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) president, Tony Pollard says that "plain and simple," Canada's tourism industry is in crisis. HAC's president points out that funding for the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) has declined from $100 million in 2001 to $72 million in 2012 and will drop further in 2013 to $58.5 million. Observes Pollard: "The cuts come when Canada faces increasing competition from international competitors including the new $200 million [Brand USA] program - $20 million of which is being spent in Canada." The result, says HAC's boss is that a decade...