Author: Torry K.

The Avenir, an ambitious mixed-use casino complex proposed for Manhattan’s West Side, is set to feature a luxurious 1,000-room hotel affiliated with Hyatt, contingent on successful approvals from city officials. This hotel, named The Avenir, will join the esteemed Destination by Hyatt collection, linking it to the popular World of Hyatt loyalty program. The vision behind The Avenir stems from developer Silverstein Properties, which aims to bolster the lucrative convention business in proximity to the Javits Center. Tal Kerret, president of Silverstein Properties, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “New York City is competing globally for exhibitions, conventions, and meetings.”…

Delta Air Lines Expands International Reach from Seattle with New European Routes In an exciting development for travelers, Delta Air Lines is set to launch nonstop flights to two new European destinations from Seattle in May 2026. The airline will operate routes to Barcelona and Rome, enhancing connectivity for passengers in the Pacific Northwest. Nonstop Flights to Barcelona and Rome Delta’s new services will utilize state-of-the-art Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, featuring Delta One and Premium Select cabins for a premium travel experience. The Seattle to Rome route will operate four times a week, while flights to Barcelona will run three times…

As the holiday season approaches, Sunwing Vacations is launching an enticing promotional opportunity designed for travel advisors. Dubbed “Advisors Orange Friday,” this campaign runs from November 4 to November 10, 2024, and offers advisors a chance to enhance their earnings while customers book their dream vacation to Cuba. Enhanced Commission Rates on Cuba Bookings During this limited-time promotion, travel advisors will receive an additional 2% commission on package bookings to any resort in Cuba. This special offer is valid for travel dates between December 22, 2024, and April 20, 2025, giving advisors a significant boost in earnings while encouraging clients…

Following a ceasefire on June 24, tourists who were stranded in Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict were finally able to depart the country after both the airport and airspace reopened. However, the future of Israel’s tourism industry, which has been fragile since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, remains uncertain. The Israel-Iran conflict escalated on June 13, when Israel launched attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, causing significant disruption to travel and halting the recovery of Israel’s tourism sector. As tensions heightened and Israel’s airport and airspace were shut down, many visitors attempted to exit the country through neighboring…

Blue Diamond Resorts has introduced Royalton Vessence, a new adults-only extension of its esteemed Royalton brand. This innovative resort brand is designed specifically for the modern traveler seeking tranquility and deeper connections to their travel destination through art, local flavors, and sensory experiences. Royalton Vessence is set to make its debut on the beautiful west coast of Barbados, taking the place of a previously planned Royalton Chic Barbados project. The all-inclusive Royalton Vessence Barbados is slated to open in summer 2026 and will be part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The Essence of Royalton Vessence The branding of Royalton Vessence aims…

A recent study by the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism reveals that while overall visitor satisfaction in Hawaii remains strong, the outlook for Canadian travelers returning has diminished significantly. The findings, based on surveys conducted with visitors from various markets including the U.S. West, U.S. East, Japan, Canada, and Europe, highlight that Hawaii garnered positive ratings. Most respondents across these markets rated their experience a 7 out of 8. Visitor expectations have also shifted positively, with more travelers from the U.S. West, U.S. East, Canada, Oceania, Korea, China, and Europe indicating that their trips exceeded expectations. Interestingly,…

Taiwan Outdoors’ Micheal McCreesh with some of the Ami dancers Taiwan, a vibrant island nation roughly two-thirds the size of Nova Scotia, is rapidly emerging as an enticing destination for travelers. This diversity was showcased at a recent Taiwan Tourism B2B event on June 9th at the stylish Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto. Highlighting Taiwan’s Allure This inaugural event, part of a three-city tour across North America, attracted around 80 professionals from the Canadian travel sector alongside a large delegation from Taiwan. Participants included inbound tour operators, a traditional Amis dance troupe, and a well-known Taiwanese television figure. In 2022,…

G Adventures is excited to announce the return of its popular Change Makers rewards program, presenting Canadian travel advisors with a unique opportunity to secure a spot at the upcoming GX Summit in Jordan, set for September 2025. This initiative, designed to celebrate and empower travel agents, aims to recognize their contributions in the travel industry. Change Makers Challenge Details The Change Makers Challenge is currently active and will run until May 31, 2025. Travel agents can earn one entry into the GX Summit raffle for every booking they make during this period. The top ten sellers from each region…

Travelers planning journeys to the Gulf states and surrounding regions should be prepared for extended travel times if airlines continue to avoid Iranian airspace, despite the recent Iran-Israel ceasefire. On June 25, airspace across Iran and the Middle East became operational again; however, platforms like Flightradar24 revealed that most airlines still opted to bypass Iranian airspace, choosing northern routes over Turkey or southern paths via Egypt and Saudi Arabia instead. Impacted Airlines Airlines particularly affected by these changes include major Gulf carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, according to Ian Petchenik, director of communications at Flightradar24. Air India has…

Starting July 1, 2024, a new cruise tax will be implemented in Greece, significantly impacting popular destinations like Mykonos and Santorini. As reported by AFAR, the tax is set at 20 euros per passenger during the summer season, which runs from July 1 to September 30. Seasonal Tax Rates for Cruise Passengers The new tax structure will vary significantly according to the season. Following the peak summer rate of 20 euros, the tax will decrease to 12 euros in October. Then, from November to March, the tax will further drop to just 4 euros. As the spring arrives, the fee…