Destinations
Costa doubling up in Asia
Costa Cruises plans to position a second cruise ship in Asia beginning in May 2013. Currently, the line operates the 2,394-passenger Costa Victoria in Asia and will start sailing from Shanghai May 18, 2012. The Costa Victoria replaces the 1,680-passenger Costa Classica, which has been repositioned to the Mediterranean. In May 2013 the 2,680-passenger Costa Atlantica will also be deployed in the region, giving Costa a combined total passenger capacity of 5,074 -- a 67% increase. With the debut of Costa Victoria in May 2012 and Costa Atlantica in May 2013, Costa Cruises will offer a unique...
Thailand is on the move
Thailand is moving on up. The destination is continuing to see its popularity with travellers grow as it posts increasing higher rankings on international listings and barometers. Most recently, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) ranked Thailand at number 11 -- up by one place since the previous year. With that momentum, tourism officials in Thailand are hopeful the country will ranked as one of the top 10 destinations, in terms of international tourism receipts, in 2012. Thailand was one of only five international destinations whose tourism receipts grew by more than $5 billion in...
Daytona picks Hentz
Jeffrey Hentz has taken over his new duties as the president and chief executive officer of the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Hentz was most recently the executive director and chief executive officer for California's Destination Yosemite/Mariposa County Convention and Visitors Bureau and he has over 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the travel and tourism industry. He has served as chairman of Visit California's High Sierra Region and as a member of the Visit California Marketing Commission and International Advisory Board. Hentz is actively involved in...
Adams, Jansen get new posts with Coast
Judy Adams has been appointed regional general manager for Coast Hotels & Resorts, while Amie Jansen has joined the hotel company as its regional sales manager for Alberta and NWT. In her new capacity, Adams will be responsible for overseeing operations at the 220-room Coast Coal Harbour Hotel and 269-room Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites in Vancouver. She's a veteran hotelier bringing 25 years of hospitality management experience to Coast Hotels & Resorts having served as general manager of various Fairmont hotels in B.C. and New Brunswick as well as Silverbirch Hotels & Resorts in Vancouver and...
Group bookings better at PCC with new reservations system
The Polynesian Cultural Center has undergone a significant upgrade to its agent booking system. Travel agents can now book reservations from anywhere in the world using the new "PCC Agent"booking system. This system gives agents the flexibility to book for groups of any size as well as specific seats for the "Ha: Breath of Life"evening show. The launch of PCC Agent is part of the Center's plan to enhance its activities, shows, restaurants, retail operations and more. (PCCAgent.com or...
Okanagan mini-resort starts day tours
A Vista Villa, a private mini-resort in the heart of BC's Okanagan Valley, has recently introduced five-day packages that include day trips in the region. The resort, best known for reworking the B&B concept to include dinners (Breakfasts and Barbecues), will start operating the packages on the May long weekend. Day trips will include gourmet lunch stops, cider tastings, winery tours and farms visits, all using executive minibus, trains and boats. The five-night package includes daily breakfasts, dinner and wine, three day trips and Jacuzzi suite accommodations. It is available through to the...
Tourism grows despite challenges
Despite the economic challenges in many of the source markets of Europe and North America, the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer reports that international arrivals worldwide grew by 5.7% during the first two months of 2012, with demand remaining strong in both advanced and emerging economy destinations. In Europe results were above expectations, growing by 5%, and boosted by the strong growth in arrivals to Central and Eastern Europe (up 8%) as well as to destinations of Northern Europe and Western Europe (both showing gains of 6%). The UNWTO points out that Europe's performance is a...
US puts national tourism strategy in place
The Obama Administration has delivered on its promise of a National Tourism and Travel Strategy designed to promote domestic and international travel opportunities throughout the United States. US commerce secretary, John Bryson and interior secretary, Ken Salazar unveiled the new blueprint for the country's tourism strategy in Washington, D.C yesterday. The national strategy lays out steps to be taken in five key areas and sets a goal of increasing American jobs by attracting and welcoming 100 million international visitors annually by the end of 2021 -- over a 50% increase over the number...