travel gear

Direct Route to Scotland from Toronto Announced

December 1, 2011 One of Canada’s largest tour operators will launch its first direct route to Scotland next summer. Sunwing will operate a twice-weekly seasonal service between Toronto and Glasglow, from June to September. The new service was announced by Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for culture and external affairs, when she was in Toronto this week. Andrew Dawson, from Sunwing Travel … Read More about Direct Route to Scotland from Toronto Announced

Jamaica’s Strawberry Hill Reopens After Extensive Refurbishment

November 29, 2011 Jamaica’s Strawberry Hill Hotel & Spa has reopened following extensive refurbishment. Located in the Blue Mountains, Strawberry Hill provides panoramic views of the mountains and surrounding area. The refreshed guestrooms feature the property’s original antique furnishings, including canopied four-poster beds, solid mahogany desks and ornate hand-carved fretwork. A focal … Read More about Jamaica’s Strawberry Hill Reopens After Extensive Refurbishment

Las Vegas Convention Center to Provide Free Wi-Fi

November 25, 2011 The Las Vegas Convention Center has partnered with Smart City Networks to give customers free Wi-Fi in all public areas of the venue. Free basic Wi-Fi access, ideal for basic daily tasks, like checking e-mail or surfing the Web, will be available at all times in all public areas, but visitors may choose to upgrade to a premium connection for more bandwidth. Exhibitor grade Wi-Fi … Read More about Las Vegas Convention Center to Provide Free Wi-Fi

Las Vegas on a Plate

November 23, 2011 Reporting from the restaurant front lines of my fall trip to Las Vegas. Here are the highs and lows of a week (mostly) well spent. Lotus of Siam – Some years ago, Gourmet magazine crowned this unpretentious resto – located in a mall about a mile from The Strip – the best Thai restaurant in the U.S. Food was vibrantly spiced and carefully prepared and I’d return in a heartbeat. … Read More about Las Vegas on a Plate

Las Vegas Tourism Shows Signs of Steady Recovery

November 23, 2011 The Las Vegas tourism industry continues to show signs of a steady recovery, with officials forecasting 39-million visitors to the destination in 2011, only the second time in history the city will reach that mark. “After a year and a half of steady growth, we can say with confidence the tourism industry in Las Vegas is in recovery,” said Tom Collins, Clark County commissioner … Read More about Las Vegas Tourism Shows Signs of Steady Recovery

California’s John Wayne Airport Opens New Terminal and Expansion

November 22, 2011 John Wayne Airport, in Santa Ana, Calif., has opened the new Terminal C as part of the $543-million Airport Improvement Program. Terminal C includes six new bridged aircraft gates, two new commuter terminals, more security checkpoints and new dining and shopping options. This adds 282,000 sq. ft. of new space to the existing 448,000 sq. ft. in Terminals A and B at the Thomas F. … Read More about California’s John Wayne Airport Opens New Terminal and Expansion

Air Canada Increases Calgary Flights to Tokyo and Frankfurt

November 17, 2011 Air Canada has boosted its international flights from Calgary to Tokyo and Frankfurt. Beginning April 27, 2012, Air Canada will ramp up its Calgary-Tokyo non-stop summer service to five flights per week. As of Feb. 4, 2012, the airline will operate its non-stop daily flights from Calgary to Frankfurt with larger 265-seat Airbus aircraft year-round to allow for a 25-per-cent … Read More about Air Canada Increases Calgary Flights to Tokyo and Frankfurt

Starwood to Open 10 New Sheraton Resort Properties in 2012

November 17, 2011 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced that the Sheraton brand will open 10 new resorts by the end of next year. With the addition of nine resorts in China and one in Indonesia, Sheraton will have the largest portfolio of resorts under one brand in the four- and five-star category. Sheraton currently boasts a portfolio of nearly 60 resorts in destinations … Read More about Starwood to Open 10 New Sheraton Resort Properties in 2012

Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Introduces Meeting Programme Supporting Local Charity

November 15, 2011 The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort in Los Cabos has introduced a programme to encourage meeting groups to support a local charity. Under the programme, groups that stay at the property can donate time, money or in-kind goods to Casa Hogar de Cabo San Lucas, which houses, educates and cares for more than 20 boys who have become homeless due to abuse, poverty or … Read More about Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Introduces Meeting Programme Supporting Local Charity

CN Tower EdgeWalk Earns Guinness World Records Title

November 9, 2011 The EdgeWalk attraction at Toronto’s CN Tower has earned the Guinness World Record for the Highest External Walk on a Building. On Nov. 8, Carey Low, the Guinness World Records Canadian representative, presented the certificate to Jack Robinson, CEO of the CN Tower. EdgeWalk opened Aug. 1 and is 1,168 ft. above the ground. It entails a full-circle, hands-free walk on a … Read More about CN Tower EdgeWalk Earns Guinness World Records Title

Submit an L.A. RFP for a Chance to Win $1,000 Amex Gift Card

November 8, 2011 Planners who submit an RFP, by Nov. 30, 2011, via LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, for a meeting or event in Los Angeles, will have a chance to win an American Express gift card. All meeting and event planners who submit an RFP to LA INC. by the deadline will be entered for a chance to win one of five $1,000 American Express gift cards. For groups,  city … Read More about Submit an L.A. RFP for a Chance to Win $1,000 Amex Gift Card

WestJet Launches Seasonal Toronto-San Juan, Puerto Rico Service

November 7, 2011 WestJet has launched twice-weekly seasonal service from Toronto to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Service between Toronto and San Juan will operate Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 5 to April 28, 2012. This service connects to most of WestJet's Canadian cities. Additionally, daily codeshare service to San Juan via Miami is also available. “We are very excited to be launching non-stop … Read More about WestJet Launches Seasonal Toronto-San Juan, Puerto Rico Service

MGM Grand Launches $160-Million Guestroom Renovation

October 25, 2011 The MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, has revealed designs for the $160-million renovation of guestrooms and suites. Now underway, the extensive remodel includes all 3,570 guestrooms and 642 suites in the main tower. The new room and suite designs feature warm designs and color palettes with contemporary furnishings. In addition, a number of one- and two-bedroom suites will be … Read More about MGM Grand Launches $160-Million Guestroom Renovation

Test Driving the CN Tower’s EdgeWalk

October 25, 2011 I never thought the first time I’d see the view from the top of Toronto’s CN Tower, it would be from outside. At 9:00 a.m. one gorgeous September morning, I took a stroll around the CN Tower’s roof, 1,168 ft. above the ground, to test-drive the EdgeWalk attraction, which debuted in August. Now, I’m not some kind of adrenaline junkie. I’ve never bungee-jumped or dove from a … Read More about Test Driving the CN Tower’s EdgeWalk

Trump Toronto Set to Open Jan. 31, 2012

October 20, 2011 Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto is set to welcome guests Jan. 31, 2012, marking the brand’s second international hotel and first in Canada. Located in the downtown business district, the 65-storey property’s 261 guestrooms and suites will feature wired and wireless, high-speed Internet access and high-tech conveniences such as bedside touch-panel controls, for … Read More about Trump Toronto Set to Open Jan. 31, 2012

Caesars Consolidates All Meetings Business

October 12, 2011 Caesars Entertainment is consolidating all meeting business into a single department, to simplify the process for meeting planners. The reorganization, which affects 38 properties in the U.S., is patterned after the Las Vegas Meetings by Caesars program, which has handled meetings business for the company’s Las Vegas hotels. The new structure, manned by one leadership team, … Read More about Caesars Consolidates All Meetings Business

Planners & Suppliers: A Symbiotic or Parasitic Relationship?

September 27, 2011 Meeting Professionals International’s (MPI) decision to implement a two-tiered membership fee – where suppliers pay more than planners – is generating a lot of conversation about what is best for our industry. As I understand the issue, MPI believes that planners cannot afford a membership cost increase right, now considering the economic uncertainty within the U.S. However, … Read More about Planners & Suppliers: A Symbiotic or Parasitic Relationship?

Atlantis Sued Over Mandatory Housekeeping, Utility Fees

September 19, 2011 Kerzner International is vigorously fighting, and denying, a class-action lawsuit alleging that it engaged in “unfair and deceptive practices” relating to the ‘mandatory housekeeping gratuity and utility service fee’ it charges guests at its Atlantis resort, in the Bahamas, according to the local Tribune Business. An amended complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the … Read More about Atlantis Sued Over Mandatory Housekeeping, Utility Fees

WestJet Launches Service from Prince George, B.C., and Hamilton, Ont., to Las Vegas for 11-Week Trial

Sept. 12, 2011 WestJet has launched twice-weekly service from Prince George, B.C., and Hamilton, Ont., to Las Vegas, for an 11-week trial period. In July, the company announced that it had a window of additional flying time, over an 11-week period, between both of those Canadian cities and Las Vegas. As a result, WestJet is “taking the opportunity to test the feasibility of this service,” said … Read More about WestJet Launches Service from Prince George, B.C., and Hamilton, Ont., to Las Vegas for 11-Week Trial

Canadian Cruise Line Offers Cuban Excursions, Beginning Dec. 4

September 7, 2011 A Toronto-based cruise line will offer week-long cruises around the island of Cuba, beginning Dec. 4. Cuba Cruise will depart from Havana and visit such places as Cayo Guillermo; Bahia Nipe; Cienfuegos/Trinidad; Santiago de Cuba; Cayo Los Caguamas, a private island; and Punta Frances. Cruises take place aboard a 1,200-passenger ship, called Louis Cristal, that was built in 1980 … Read More about Canadian Cruise Line Offers Cuban Excursions, Beginning Dec. 4

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