Easter Travel dull for Canadians ... Carnival cruise cancellations ... Deal of day

I guess it makes sense. It doesn't exactly make Canadians look like world travel beaters in terms of exotic destinations, but it shows some very solid bargains to be had for next weekend.

Hotwire.com this week unveiled a list of the 10 most popular Easter destinations for Canadian travellers, based on bookings with their site. They said Canadians seem to be staying closer to home this year compared to 2012.

Here's a look at their findings for most bookings, with average nightly rates found on Hotwire:

1. Toronto, $80 (quite the bargain)

2. New York, $201 (not bad for NYC, actually)

3. Montreal, $80 (see photo at right)

4. Vancouver, $82

5. Seattle, $97

6. Las Vegas, $81

7. Boston, $97

8. Orlando, $73

9. Chicago, $80

10. Minneapolis, $54 (probably shoppers from Manitoba)

New York was the top destination for Canadians last year. Vancouver was sixth last year but fourth this year.

CARNIVAL CRUISE WOES

Carnival has cancelled ten cruises that were slated for its damaged Triumph ship. The cruise line announced Tuesday that the Carnival Triumph will be out of service longer than first expected after it was crippled by an engine fire in the Gulf of Mexico last month, leaving 4,200 people stranded for five days.

AP reports the company said the ship won't return to service until June 13, which means the cancellation of 10 more cruises.

"Those guests will receive full refunds, reimbursement for non-refundable transportation costs and a 25 per cent discount on a future four- to five-day cruise," AP said. "Also, the Carnival Sunshine, which is undergoing a scheduled full-ship makeover, will return to service May 5, following the cancellation of two European cruises."

Carnival says it is improving services that can run on emergency power and also fixing ship's fire prevention systems. Yeah, I would hope so.

USA TRAVEL WOES, TOO

A story from USA Today says overseas travelers want to avoid the United States because of long wait times and inefficient entry procedures at gateway airports -- and recommend to others that they too stay away.

A new survey of travellers from Britain, France, Germany, Japan, China and Brazil (but not Canada) found 43 per cent of travelers who had traveled to the United States say they'll tell other countrymen and women not to visit because of the cumbersome entry process.

It comes at a bad time for the U.S. as they're spending a small fortune to promote the country with their BrandUSA campaign. It's a good campaign that shows off the best of the U.S., but it may not matter if people are turned off by a customs or immigration hassle.

The USA Today story said one in three travelers said that "the U.S. was falling behind other countries or it was the worst they had ever experienced in terms of getting through U.S. Customs and Border Protection procedures.

* Business travelers, especially, said they were put off by the entry process, with 44% saying they will refuse to visit in the next five years.

* One in seven international travelers said they had missed a connection because of delays at Customs. Two-thirds said they would consider the U.S. an attractive destination if the Customs lines and wait times were shorter."

Speaking of the Statue of Liberty, the old girl's island was damaged by Superstorm Sandy. But officials Tuesday said it should re-open by the Fourth of July. Hopefully visitors will be able to clear U.S. customs by then.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on hand for an Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Celebrity Reflection for $898, including $99 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: $75 Onboard Credit per cabin
• BONUS: Includes Classic Beverage Package for Two! See offer details for more info.
• 7-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise sailing on the Celebrity Reflection
• Ports of Call include: Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten
• Accommodations in a Oceanview (Category 8) or Deluxe Ocean View w/ Veranda partially obstructed (Category 2C) stateroom

• The brand new Celebrity Reflection has the most up-to-date amenities and attractions
• The beautiful grassy knoll of the Lawn Club has private alcove hideaways, a delicious grill and other activities
• Visit some of the best ports the Eastern Caribbean has to offer

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on December 7, 2013
  We also offer other departure DATES and FLIGHTS.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Oceanview (Category 8):
  1st & 2nd Passenger: $799
  3rd & 4th Passenger: $399
  Tax: $99
  
  Deluxe Ocean View w/ Veranda partially obstructed (Category 2C):
  1st & 2nd Passenger: $889
  3rd & 4th Passenger: $499
  Tax:  $99
  
  
• Classic Beverage Package: Applies to two guests per stateroom and includes beers up to $5 per serving; spirits, cocktails, and wine up to $8 per serving, all soda selections, fresh squeezed and bottled juices, premium coffees, and teas and non-premium bottled water.
• Server gratuities are included
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until March 20 at 5PM EST. After this time, this offer is 100% non-refundable

 

 

 

Hockey sticks back on planes in U.S., but not Canada??!! - Deal of Day: D.R.

So, the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration says it will once again allow folks to carry pocket knives on board airplanes. Ditto for golf clubs and hockey sticks.

Here in Canada? No such plans. At least not yet.

As a Canadian, I’m appalled. I mean, hockey sticks could go on American planes flying from, say, Chicago to Toronto. But not on flights from Montreal to Boston?

It’s like outlawing double-doubles, or having United Airlines institute free poutine in economy class but not Air Canada.

Seriously, I’m not sure how it works. I’d like to think the Canadian folks will go along eventually. But we are, last time I checked, a separate country and we have our own rules and we do not simply follow the U.S. lead.

The TSA announcement from the States says knives with a blade of 6 cm (2.36 inches) or shorter are allowed. They can’t be more than a half-inch across at their widest point, cannot have a molded grip and can’t have a locking or fixed blade.

It'’s interesting. But the bit about golf clubs caught my eye. I mean, at a time when overhead bins are already full to the brim who takes their golf clubs on as a carry-on item? Other than Donald Trump, I mean.

Personally, I’d love to practice my putting at 35,000 feet. Or maybe even try some four-irons, which I could always aim at the guy who likes to slam his seat back into my face as soon as the seat belt light goes off.

MIAMI TOURISM ON THE RISE

The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau announced that overnight visitors to what’'s called Greater Miami and the Beaches rose 3.5 per cent last year to a record 13.9 million overnight visitors overall.

It’s the third consecutive year of record overnight visits to the area, which we all know has awesome hotels, restaurants and beaches.

Officials said there was a 5.2 per cent hike in international visitors to 6.8 million. Domestic overnight visits rose 1.8 per cent to 7.1 million.

They also said a record $21.8 billion in visitor expenditures was generated in 2012, an increase of  5.1 per cent from 2011.

I didn’t see a breakdown of countries, but I can imagine Canadians were at the top of international visitors. We go a lot, but we can’t match the folks from Brazil or Russia for spending, I’m told.

"“The Bureau’'s aggressive marketing and expansion of the popular summer and shoulder season promotions, including Miami Museum Month, Miami Romance Month, Miami Spice Restaurant Month, Miami Spa Month, Miami Attractions Month and Miami Live Music Month were enjoyed by more visitors and residents than ever in 2012,”" said visitors bureau president & CEO William D. Talbert, III.
“

"These GMCVB promotions continued to fuel the momentum that established year-round travel and tourism for the destination,”" he said. "In 2012, the GMCVB added to the menu of these popular promotions in March by launching the first Miami Film Month to raise awareness of Greater Miami’s spectacular art cinemas, film festivals and connection to the film and entertainment industry.  In addition, as home to some of the most spectacular, challenging and desirable golf courses in the world, the GMCVB launched the first ever Miami Golf Month in April, providing visitors and residents with extraordinary offers and options at courses and hotels throughout the destination."

The World Golf Championship-Cadillac Championship is being held at Miami’s Trump Doral resort this week.

BEST CANADIAN HOTELS FOR FAMILIES

TripAdvisor this week came out with its Travelers' Choice Awards for Hotels for Families. Here are there top 10 for Canada.

1. Safari Beach Condo Resort, Osoyoos, B.C. 2. Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, 3. Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets, Banff, 4. Sunny Point Resort Cottages and Inn, Parry Sound, Ontario, 5. Lakeview Inn and Suites Miramichi, Miramichi, New Brunswick, 6. La Seigneurie du Triton, Lac-Edouard, Quebec, 7. Super 8 Motel Three Hills, Three Hills, Alberta, 8. Skyline Inn, Niagara Falls, 9. Legends, Whistler, B.C. and 10. Comfort Inn Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls.

That's a nice four of the top ten for Ontario, for those keeping score at home.

STARWOOD ON THE MOVE

Starwood this week said it plans to open 50 new hotels in Europe in the next five years, including three in Turkey and a third hotel in Moscow. They're also getting into Tajikistan and adding a hotel in Kazakhstan. Officials also said they're aiming to have 100 hotels under operation and development in Latin America by the end of 2013. Currently, Starwood has a strong footprint of 71 hotels in 13 countries.

By 2015, six new Aloft branded hotels will open in Latin America, bringing the total number to eight. This year, Aloft will debut in Panama and Mexico and by 2015 the brand will arrive in Asuncion, Paraguay and in Uruguay.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal this week for lovely Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for just $885, including $390 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save up to $560 per couple by booking with Jaunt.ca
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-Star IFA Villas Bavaro Resort & Spa, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Includes return airfare from Toronto, Halifax or Montreal to Punta Cana, with round-trip airport/hotel transfers in the Dominican Republic
• Accommodations in a Superior Room featuring 1 King or 2 Double beds, a French balcony and a garden, pool or partial ocean view
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

Why We Love It:

• Seven distinct restaurants and seven bars offer lots of diversity
• Pamper yourself at the IFA Corallium Spa
• Playa Bavaro is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  Toronto: May 14 ,21, 28 & Jun 4, 11, 18, 2013
  Halifax: May 4, 2013
  Montreal: May 06, 13, 20 & Jun 3, 10, 17, 2013
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  Toronto:
  Single: $645 plus tax
  Double: $495 plus tax
  Triple: $475 plus tax
  Quad: $455 plus tax
  Children (2-12 yrs): $395 plus tax
  Tax: $390
  
  Halifax:
  Single: $745 plus tax
  Double: $595 plus tax
  Triple: $575 plus tax
  Quad: $555 plus tax
  Children (2-12 yrs): $495 plus tax
  Tax: $392
  
  Montreal:
  Single: $1045 tax included
  Double: $895 tax included
  Triple: $875 tax included
  Quad: $855 tax included
  Children (2-12 yrs): $795 tax included
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until 5PM EST on March 13, 2013. After this time, this offer is 100% non-refundable.

                

WestJet carry-on bag change ... Ikea hotels on the way ... Deal of Day: Scotland

WestJet announced today that guests can now carry just one carry-on bag onto their planes, instead of the previous limit of two.

Officials are talking about this change (effective April 4) making  things smoother onboard, with more space and easier boarding. Of course, if you want to create lots of space let’s not allow any bags on board. Think of the time we’d all save that way.

This can’t possibly be couched as a victory for travelers, who now will be forced to check more bags or cut down on luggage.

The new limit means one bag on board (of a certain size, of course), plus one so-called “personal item.” Which is the same as Air Canada now allows.

The WestJet press release on the issue described a personal item as including “small purses, laptop bags or mobility or child restraint devices.”

Me? I think what we need is an airline restraint device.

IKEA HOTELS COMING TO EUROPE

I touched on this some time ago, but now there's official word that Ikea has teamed with Marriott to open a series of budget-minded hotels across Europe.

According to travelmole.com, Ikea's parent company "has confirmed it is to open around 50 budget hotels in Europe in the next five years in partnership with Marriott International, with the first opening in Milan (see photo)."

The hotels will be branded Moxy and are aimed at youth travelers on a budget. Rooms look to be going for around $100 a night, which isn't bad for Europe but is a significant step above a hostel rate.

Marriott apparently has spent $500 million or so on the project and has plans to build 50 hotels in the next five years and 150 over 10 years. Travelmole said it's "looking for sites close to business parks, airports, train and underground stations in the UK, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and Austria."

The hotels will have "upscale bathrooms and guestrooms will be kitted out with modern technology including flat screen TVs and built-in USB ports, and there will be meeting rooms and snack bars."

The rooms apparently won't feature Ikea furniture but will be built mostly off-site and then transported to various cities for final assembly, no doubt by engineers with really big Allen keys and a set of baffling instructions.

HOTEL PRICES ON THE RISE, AND SO ARE REWARD PROGRAM COSTS

Feeling the pinch in North America? There's good reason for that. A new study by hotels.com finds that hotel prices in North America rose 5 per cent last year; considerably higher than the worldwide average ike of 3 per cent.

Here in Toronto, prices rose only 2 per cent. In Montreal, they were up 3 per cent. But rooms can get expensive in some parts of the country, with average prices in Kananaskis, Alberta last year pegged at $259 and in Lake Louise at $246.

Looking for a sun holiday? Prices in the Caribbean were up 6 per cent last year, the study said. Asia prices rose just two per cent, while prices in Latin America crept up by just 1 per cent. Prices in the Middle East and Europe dropped slightly, which is good news for many travellers.

In addition to paying more for North American hotels, consumers here face some bad news on the rewards program front. CNN reports that Marriott, Hilton and Starwood, which operate Westin and Sheraton hotels and many others, are all increasing the number of points needed to get free nights at their properties.

Hilton, CNN said, will nearly double the points needed to stay at its most popular locations in peak times. Marriott, it said, will hike the number of points needed to stay at more than 1,000 of its hotels around the world after May 15. And Starwood plans to hike the "combined points and cash needed to stay at the majority of its hotels by 25 per cent."

Bad news, folks. Bad news.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY: SCOTLAND

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on hand for a fabulous trip to Scotland, priced at $3,465, including $567 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: Extend your flights for up to 30 days at no additional cost, and return from anywhere Transat flies in Europe
• BONUS: $150 Future Travel Voucher
• 10-day/8-night Scottish Dream Tour & Military Tattoo featuring a Loch Ness cruise, visits to Edinburgh Castle, reserved seating for the Military Tattoo and more!
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Glasgow on Air Transat
• Includes all transfers in Scotland via luxury coach, services of a professional English speaking tour guide, and all sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
• 8 nights' accommodation in Superior First Class hotels (based on double occupancy)
• Includes full breakfast daily (except day one), and 6 dinners throughout the tou

• The incredible amount of inclusions in the trip, from accommodations in Superior First Class Hotels, Military Tattoo, meal inclusions, to cruises, tours and more
• Visits and admissions to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Inveraray Castle, Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle, Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Balmoral Castle or Crathes Castle, Glamis Castle, St Andrews and Edinburgh Castle
• Cruise on the legendary Loch Ness, and Loch Lomond

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on August 13, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, and based on double occupancy):
  Toronto:
  Single: $3448 + 567 tax
  Double: $2898 + $567  tax
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable

 

 

 

 

Myrtle Beach shows the love ... Lonely Planet top spots 2013 ... Deal of day

They certainly love Canadians down in Myrtle Beach.

The coastal South Carolina city is celebrating its 75th anniversary this month, and they'll be holding what's called "Can-Am Days" with discounts for Canucks from March 9 to 17. They made an appearance Friday at the Toronto Star Golf and Travel Show down at the convention centre and brought out some appetizers and a birthday/anniversary cake and, naturally, a little bubbly.

There have been a ton of renovations and upgrades at Myrtle Beach hotels, officials said, and the access is easier than ever. Porter began their flights from Toronto Island airport last month, and they also have vacation packages through their Porter Escapes company. WestJet will start run flights from May 2 to Oct. 24 (Thursday and Sunday), and they also have vacation packages with various properties so you can book activities, flights and hotels together and save.

In addition, Myrtle can be reached on direct flights from Niagara Falls, Plattsburgh N.Y. (useful for Montreal folks) and Detroit.

The area has 102 golf courses, most quite affordable and many of them stunners. I played one a couple years ago called Caledonia Golf and Fish Club that was absolutely outstanding; perhaps the prettiest non-oceanside course I've ever seen.

They also have great food and an endless beach and plenty of activities for kids and adults, both. They've created a website called visitmyrtlebeach.com/75secrets with 75 "secret" things to do in Myrtle Beach, ranging from Pirate adventures to dolphin-watching and visiting art museums and wine-tasting.

LONELY PLANET, ON THE OTHER HAND, DOESN'T LOVE US SO MUCH

Lonely Planet recently conducted an online poll/review, asking fans on Facebook, Twitter, Google-plus and Thorn Tree where they've travelled and what they liked most. Their top 20 destinations overall were as follows (in order): Bhutan (see photo below), Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, Iceland, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Argentina, U.S.A., Indonesia, Iran, Burma, Peru, Nepal, Colombia, Georgia, Italy and the Maldives.

Interesting. Note the lack of the U.K. and France on the list, which weighs fairly heavy with unusual spots such as Iran (did Ben Affleck get a vote?), Bhutan, Colombia and Burma (Myanmar).

The top 10 for food were Italy, Thailand, India, Japan, Argentina, Vietnam, France, Lebanon, Taiwan and Spain. Top value spots were Thailand, India, Bolivia, Cambodia, Ghana, Vietnam, Laos, Philippines, Indonesia and Bulgaria. Top rated for entertainment were the U.K., U.S.A, Argentina, Australia, Ireland, Thailand, Spain, Hong Kong, Brazil and Singapore.

There were a slew of other categories, including shopping, "meeting locals" and "cultural sights."

Canada, you ask? Well, not so hot. We came in fourth on the safety list (big whoop), behind Japan, Iceland and New Zealand. And we were ninth in the nature category. Which is nice but also pretty boring, when you get down to it. The top 10 in the nature category were Costa Rica, Iceland, New Zealand, Bhutan, Australia, Namibia, Ecuador, Brazil, Canada and Kenya.

Oh, well.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY: ST. MAARTEN

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for lovely St. Maarten in the Caribbean. The deal is for $1,095, including $230 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save up to $328 per couple compared to what's available in market!
• BONUS: Features lower taxes thanks to Sunwing's Tax Buster Promotion
• BONUS: Sunwing inclusions offer a spa discount, unlimited a la carte dining, $20 USD casino vouchers, discount on Hertz car rental and more!
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-star SMILE at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino, located in St. Maarten
• Includes return airfare from Toronto or Montreal to  St. Maarten and round-trip airport/hotel transfers at your destination
• Accommodations in a Deluxe Garden View Room, featuring 1 King or 2 Double beds and private balcony showcasing views of the island and adjacent golf course. Maximum occupancy: 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

 

• Plenty of activities for kids will keep them in high spirits and you in relax mode
• A guest pass to the nearby Sonesta Great Bay Beach resort gives you access to double the exquisite amenities
• Maho village is known for both its charming boutiques and extravagant nightlife

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  Toronto: April 11, 18, 21 & 28, 2013
  Montreal: April 11, 18, 21, 25 & 28, 2013
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Toronto:
  
  April 11, 18 & 21:
  Single: $1165 plus tax
  Double: $965 plus tax
  Triple: $930 plus tax
  Child (2-12): $295 plus tax
  Tax: $230
  
  April 28:
  Single: $1065 plus tax
  Double: $865 plus tax
  Triple: $830 plus tax
  Child (2-12): $295 plus tax
  Tax: $230
  
  Montreal:
  
  April 11, 18 & 25:
  Single: $1435 tax included
  Double: $1235 tax included
  Triple: $1200 tax included
  Child (2-12): $545 tax included
  
  April 21 & 28:
  Single: $1375 tax included
  Double: $1175 tax included
  Triple: $1140 tax included
  Child (2-12): $545 tax included
  
  

 

 

Air Canada going all soft and mushy ... New Caribbean web site ... Deal of day

First it was a press conference to talk about how the folks they hire for their new discount airline, Rouge, might get trained by Disney management.

Then, just this week, a top Air Canada official was telling a business panel in Toronto about the airline's "culture change."

Hmmm. A suspicious person might sense there's a pattern or something.

Speaking at a meeting of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives at the Ritz Carlton hotel this week, Air Canada Director of Sales Kathy Mason was asked to gaze into her crystal ball and talk about the future. Mason told the group Air Canada last year celebrated its 75th anniversary and that the airline finally is on the other side of a series of labour disputes.

"I think we're looking at a culture change," she said. "We have to have happy employees to have happy customers."

The issue wasn't pursued but I still found it pretty interesting. Especially when a similar line of thinking was brought up at the press conference late last year to announce Rouge, the new Air Canada discount line that will serve Europe and the sunny south starting this summer.

At the December session on Rouge, officials promised that flight attendants will be trained for both safety and "warm, welcoming service." They also suggested that Disney might be brought in to help make the Rouge attendants smiling, happy people.

It's clearly a nod at WestJet. So I asked at the time if Air Canada would give the same training for "warm, welcoming service" to regular (non-Rouge) crew members if it seems to work.

Naturally, they suggested Air Canada folks are just wonderful as things are and reminded me they've won the Skytrax award as best North American airline several years in a row. Which is true. It's a very good airline most of the time. And I wouldn't want to see them start telling jokes like some of the WestJet attendants I've flown with. But AIr Canada clearly sees room for improvement and seems intent on making changes.

NEW CARIBBEAN WEBSITE

It's tough to turn dozens of small islands and bigger nations into one marketing force. But the various Caribbean tourism associations have banded together to create www.CaribbeanTravel.com.

There are great photos, of course, and plenty of information on great beaches and food. It's quite a lovely site.

"Improvements to the design and search facilities have been made after all 33 destinations joined forces to develop a new site and agreed to use common formatting," according to a report on travelmole.com, explaining the site was created by the Caribbean Tourism Development Company, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.

"In the next stage of the development, visitors who register will be entered into a monthly prize draw to win a free Caribbean holiday, and will be eligible for the Grand Prize one-week 'Caribbean Vacation of the Lifetime' at the end of a year-long promotion on the new website."

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on offer for sunny Cancun, Mexico for eight days and seven nights for $1,446.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: $1500 Resort Credit per room that can be used towards spa treatments, golf, select tours, upgraded wine list, wedding packages and more!
• BONUS: FREE upgrade to a Deluxe Gold Room featuring 1 king-size or 2 double beds, sunset view balcony, double Jacuzzi, in-room liquor dispenser, and room location closer to the beach. Maximum occupancy: 4 persons
• BONUS: FREE WIFI and Unlimited phone calls to Canada
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 5-Star Hard Rock Hotel Cancun, located in Cancun, Mexico
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Cancun and round-trip airport/hotel transfers in Mexico
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

 TripAdvisor's Traveller's Choice Winner 2012 for Families

• Use your $1500 resort credit for a range of perks including spa treatments, selected excursions, golf and more
• From the elaborate fitness centre, exquisite dining options and outdoor amphitheatre, you'll be able to vacation like a rock star no matter what you decide to do

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on April 12 & 19, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person. plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  
  Single: $1729
  Double: $1099
  Triple: $1059
  Quad: $1039
  1st & 2nd child up to 12 years: $549
  Tax: $346.82
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

DayGuest.com comes to polite, quiet Canada ... Jaunt.ca deal of day is Curacao

What would Canada's founding fathers think? Geez, what would the guys think who banned beer at the ballpark and locked the playgrounds on Sunday in Toronto?

A company called DayGuest.com has set up shop in the true north strong and free, offering folks day-time use of hotels for significant savings versus overnight stays. It's billed as a service for folks who simply want to freshen up or for business folks who might have a late appointment but need a daytime nap.

Yeah, right. To their credit, they also concede there could be, ahem, other reasons for daytime usage.

In a press release sent earlier today, Founder and CEO Philippe Cohen said his company is offering hotel rooms in various locations, near airports and in the city, for a few hours during the day, at deeply discounted rates (30-70% off).

"We already have over 100 hotel partners and are currently working on major chain deals," Cohen said. "We've seen a lot of business being generated throughout Europe and the US with our offering and naturally extended it into Canada. We provide access to otherwise hard to find reservations and otherwise unaffordable luxury rooms, DayGuest removes the inconvenience and embarrassment of the process.

"The users we anticipate include travelers stranded on long stopovers at airports, cross border business trips, staff sent to locations where corporations have no office, couples that have nowhere else to go and sometimes people from neighbouring cities for a Raptors of Leafs game (now that the Leafs are back).  We simply offer the possibility to rest, refresh, nap or meet privately. On the hotel side of things, we help them take advantage of the thousands of rooms that remain empty every day to generate additional revenue."

I went online today at dayguest.com and found several rooms at the airport for $65 to $79 or so, including a Quality Hotel and Suites in Etobicoke for $79 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In looking around on the Internet, I also found a website called between9and5.com, which was offering rooms at a couple of Toronto hotels for daytime use, including the Delta Toronto Airport West for $106.61 U.S. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We ran a USA Today story in Star Travel recently that talked about a company called dayusehotels, which operates around the world but not yet, it appears, in Canada. They're quite open about the whole thing, with descriptions about having affairs and arranging secret sex trysts and all. They appear to have nice hotels in New York City for daytime use for about $135 and up.

It's interesting, for sure. In fairness, I actually can imagine folks on a layover wanting to take advantage of an airport hotel, not just folks looking for a laydown with a friend or loved one. And the business angle works, too. I mean, you can get free Wi-Fi at the airport or at Starbucks or McDonald's but they don't seem to have appreciated it the time I've gone and stripped down to my boxers and stretched out on the bench with a pillow and all.

TENNIS STAR JUMPS INTO HOTEL BIZ

Tennis champ Andy Murray is planning to transform a former country house hotel in Perthshire, Scotland into a boutique five-star property.

The winner of the U.S. Open championship and Olympic gold medallist from London last year wants to re-open Cromlix House Hotel in Kinbuck, Scotland next spring, just in time for the 2014 Ryder Cup, according to travelmole.com.

Murray said the project, which will create up to 40 new jobs, enabled him to "give something back to the community I grew up in."

Athletes have been involved in travel and tourism for some time, but I haven't seen too many opening hotels. Mike Weir, Canada's one-time Masters golf champion, has a winery down in Niagara that's quite good. Ernie Els and Nick Faldo have wineries, too. But I think Murray is doing something a little different with his Scotland hotel.

Next year is a big one for Scotland in terms of tourism. There's the Ryder Cup, mentioned above, which features Europeans against Americans and is always a huge treat for golf fans. It's also, more importantly, a Homecoming year for Scots, with a huge, year-long lineup of parties and festivals and events to celebrate their "creativity, culture and ancestral heritage."

For more information, check homecomingscotland.com.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a seven-night Air Canada Vacations deal on tap for colourful Curacao for $1,613, including $214 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save up to $560 per couple, compared to what's available in market!
• BONUS: Includes FREE Upgrade to an Oceanview Room
• BONUS: Enjoy welcome cocktails upon arrival, free Casino Matchplay coupons, free shuttle service to downtown area, and more!
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 3.5-Star Hilton Curacao in Willemstad, Curacao
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Curacao, and round-trip hotel/airport transfers in Curacao
• Accommodations in a Oceanview Room, featuring 1 king bed or 2 double beds and balcony. Max. occupancy: 4 adults
• EXCLUSIVE to Air Canada Vacations: All Inclusive Meal Plan featuring daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• Curacao is an intimate, secluded Caribbean destination
• The Hilton offers special extras like welcome drinks and an exclusive cocktail party
• The hotel has a beautiful beachfront property on pristine Piscadera Bay

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on March 30, 2013
  (Other dates available. Call us at 1-855-687-5925)
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Toronto:
  Single: $1779
  Double: $1399        
  Triple: $1299    
  Quad: $1249    
  Child 2-12yrs: $499
  Child 13-17yrs: $1169    
  Tax: $214
• Upgrade to Oceanview Room is applied at time of check-in
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

Travel ideas for March, awesome Ireland tourism video and my Deal of The Day

The cardinals are singing their mating songs. The temperature in Toronto is supposed to be above freezing for several days in a row. And daylight savings time is around the corner.

There's hope for spring, folks, and there are plenty of great places to check it out. Here are a few that come to mind on a grey but not overly cold Monday morning in T.O.

Victoria isn't quite in spring conditions yet, but the long-term weather forecast calls for temperatures up around 10 degrees by week's end. And the spring flowers should be coming out about now, which is always heartening.

Mind you, as expensive as it is to fly within Canada these days you may as well head south to something a little warmer. Yeah, they had snow in Tucson, Arizona last week at the WGC Match Play championship golf tourney, but that's pretty rare. The forecast is for daytime highs up around 20 Celsius by mid-week; just about perfect for golf or (for Canadians, anyway) lying by the pool.

It's a little cool right now down Myrtle Beach way, maybe 13 degrees later this week, but in the Tampa Bay area it's supposed to be near 20 and then down around 16 or so later this week. Not hot, but the Blue Jays are now in full spring training mode in Dunedin (see photo) so you don't have to worry if it's not perfect beach weather.

Further afield, here are some expected daytime highs for the next little while in various parts of the world.

Paris: Only 2 degrees today, says the weathernetwork.com, but all the way up to 15 or 17 degrees towards the end of next week. Talk about a change in seasons.

Rome: The cardinals gathering in Rome (as opposed to the ones in my backyard) should expect a bit of rain, but also temperatures soon up around 15 degrees.

Honolulu: Only about 23-24 degree highs the next couple days; downright chilly for Hawaiians. I bet the locals will be wearing toques.

Bangkok: Phew. Daytime highs all week around 35 or 36 with a fair bit of sun. Those luxury hotel swimming pools should be pretty full. Yeah, it's expensive to get there but a four or five-star hotel can often be found for $200.

Sydney: It's supposed to be around 28 today and tomorrow but then cooling off to the low 20's later in the week. Don't forget, for them it's about to turn into fall.

Jamaica: You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows in this part of the world. Daytime highs in Montego Bay ranging from roughly 24 (cool for them) to 28 C this week.

IRELAND TOURISM VIDEO

Ireland has put together a smashingly good travel video to help lure folks for The Gathering 2013, a huge festival where Irish folks - or those who wish they were - get together for festivals of all kinds. There are festivals for left-handed people, for folks named Clair (or Clare or probably Clara) and all sorts of gatherings, including a Messiah festival and a Riverdance festival and a ton of sporting events.

The video is loads of fun, with comedian Andrew Maxwell strolling the city and Ireland's seaside with surfers, babies in beards and folks with red hair (in various places), so check it out here.

TOURISM BOOST FOR IRAN? DOUBT IT

A "best picture" win for Lincoln would undoubtedly have helped boost tourism in Virginia, where much of the film was shot, and in Illinois, where Lincoln was born. Instead, Oscar gives the nod to Argo. Notwithstanding the factual inaccuracies (galore) and the downplaying (severely) of Canada's role, it's not a bad film. But I don't think it'll do a lot to boost tourism in Iran. Just a hunch.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY: GREECE AND TURKEY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal for a land and sea package for nine days and seven nights in Greece and Turkey for 2,029, including $670 in taxes .

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: FREE UPGRADE - Enjoy 5-Star Hotel Accommodations in Athens, Outside Cabin Stateroom on cruise portion, and Business Class for Ferry transfers
• BONUS: Extend your flights post tour for up to 30 days at no additional cost (return from Athens)
• 9-day/7-night Greek Islands & Turkey Cruise onboard the Louis Cristal, including 3 night post-cruise stay in Athens
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Athens on Air Transat
• Ports of Call include: Piraeus, Greece; Mykonos, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Patmos, Greece; Rhodes, Greece; Crete, Greece; and Santorini, Greece
• Includes 15 meals

• You'll have the chance to explore Greece in the heart of its most dynamic city, and to traverse its diverse islands
• Your ship provides comfortable, upscale accommodations

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on July 7 & July 14, 2013
  (Other dates available. Please call: 1-855-687-5925)
• Pricing (Rates are per person, and based on double occupancy):
  
  Single: $1739
  Double : $1359
  Tax: $670
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until Feb 28, 2013  at 5PM EST. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable

 

 

 

 

 

Best beach? TripAdvisor says Maui (but Tofino gets a vote) ... Deal of the day

I give Trip Advisor a bit of grief now and then over its ratings/voting patterns. But this one I can't argue with too much.

The company this week issued its annual list of reader's favourite beaches, and top of the class is Ka'anapali in Hawaii. Ka'anapali, which came into its own as a resort 50 years ago on the west side of Maui north of Lahaina, is an absolutely stunning piece of landscape with a number of big advantages.

Here are ten. First, it goes on for miles and miles and miles and miles. Second, the sand is soft and a very pretty gold-colour. Third, there are tremendous views of the neighbouring islands of Moloka'i and Lana'i. Fourth, it faces west so the sunsets, mostly over the Pacific but occasionally over one of the nearby islands, are outstanding. Fifth, being Hawaii, the weather seldom varies (although it was quite windy last week a friend tells me). Sixth, there are activities galore: whalewatching from October to April or so; plus sailing and snorkeling and great golf and dolphin tours and parasailing and bodysurfing and lots more. Seventh, the resorts are terrific; everything from glitzy spots like the Westin and Hyatt and Sheraton to the more subdued Ka'anapali Beach Hotel, which has great Hawaiian programming and is very true to the island culture. Eighth, there's a great pathway/walkway all along the sand, so you can go from one resort to another quite easily. Ninth, the food is terrific. Try Hula Grill or check in next door at Leilani's for outstanding fish tacos. Hint: instead of sitting with the crowds down below, go to the second floor deck at Leilani's for a fine view of the passing parade - or the sunset. Tenth, there's great shopping right at the beach at Whalers' Village; with fine jewelry and restaurants (Hula Grill and Leilani's are here) and t-shirt shops and a small museum dedicated to telling the story of the area's whaling history.

Oh, yeah, number 11: If you're a jogger and there are big waves, you might spot an attractive photographer snapping photos. This woman, who I got a picture of a couple years ago, was wearing a thong bikini and somehow grabbed the attention of a male jogger who approached her from behind...

I personally prefer Napili Beach, just up the road, as it's quieter. But it's hard to argue with anyone who puts Ka'anapali at the top of their list.

Oh, yeah, sorry, the next were Siesta Key Public Beach in Sarasota (a beautiful part of Florida), Gulf Islands National Seashore in Pensacola, Florida (I was there for the first time last month and the beaches are stunningly white and soft and powdery, see photo at left) and Fort De Soto Park in Tierra Verde, Florida (on the gulf, south of St. Petersburg and west of the 275 bridge in case you don't recognize the name Tierra Verde), giving Florida the 2-3-4 spots in the poll.

Coming fifth was Lanikai Beach in Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii, then Wailea Beach in Wailea, Maui (the south end of the island), Assateague Beach in Virginia, La Jolla Cove near San Diego, California, Laguna Beach (a fine choice) in California and Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve outside Honolulu on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. So, for those of you keeping score at home, that's Hawaii in the number 1, 5, 6 and 10 spots, Florida in positions 2, 3 and 4 and California with spots 8 and 9. Only one beach outside those states got a nod, which is Assateague.

Not to keep harping on Trip Advisor, but this DOES show how tricky these lists are. I'd like to have seen something from, say, New York's Long Island in there or perhaps South Carolina or Texas or even Oregon. And what about beaches on a lake? Don't those count?

Anyway, Trip Advisor also did a list of the world's (outside the U.S.) top strands. In order, those were Rabbit Beach in Lampedusa, Italy, Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos, Whitehaven Beach at Airlie Beach in Australia, Baia do Sancho on the Brazilian island of Fernando de Noronha, Flamenco Beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico, Playa de las Catedrales in Ribadeo, Spain, Lopes Mendes Beach in Ilha Grande, Brazil, Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda (a very worthy winner), Eagle Beach in Aruba and Rhossili Bay in Swansea, Wales.

Chesterman Beach in Tofino B.C., a long and lovely stretch with surfing waves and driftwood and a great atmosphere (see photo), came 13th in the world tally. Which is nice, as it means that not everyone thinks we're a land perpetually covered in snow drifts and ice blocks. Just sometimes. Like, um, now.

DEAL OF THE DAY: A CARIBBEAN CRUISE

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, is offering a good deal on a Caribbean cruise for $1,128: $999 plus $129 in taxes. I did a similar cruise with my family about ten years ago and everyone loved it.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: Includes $100 USD On Board Credit (applies to Oceanview bookings only)
• 7-Night Southern Caribbean cruise sailing on the RCI Adventure of the Seas
• Accommodations in one of the following staterooms: Inside (Category L), Promenade (Catefory PR) or Superior Oceanview Balcony (Category D2)
• Includes return airfare from Toronto or Montreal to San Juan, round-trip airport/pier transfers, and flight seat selection
• Cruise departs from and returns to San Juan. Ports of Call include: St. Croix, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados 
• Includes daily breakfast, lunch and dinner at various complimentary dining options

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on March 24, 2013
  (Other dates and gatways available. Call us at 1-855-687-5925)
• Pricing: (Rates are per person, plus tax, & based on double occupancy)
  
  Inside Stateroom (Category L):
  Toronto: $999 + $129 tax
  Montreal: $1128 tax included
  
  Promenade Stateroom (Category PR):
  Toronto: $1049 + $129 tax
  Montreal: $1178 tax included
  
  Balcony Oceanview Stateroom (Category D2):
  Toronto: $1699 + $129 tax
  Montreal: $1828 tax included
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

We want WiFi! / Hong Kong, Massachusetts and Scottsdale news / Deal of day

No kidding.

An amenities survey by hotels.com shows free Wi-Fi tops the list of what Canadians want out of a hotel.

The survey found that 70 per cent of us named standardized, free Wi-Fi as our top wish list item for 2013. Which is no surprise given our dedication to email and iPads and the Internet. I still find it shocking that so many hotels charge people, although one can often get around that by joining a hotels' frequent stay program, such as the Presidents Club with Fairmont.

Similarly, when asked what amenity is a must when booking a hotel for leisure travel, 37 per cent of Canadians said free Wi-Fi. On the other hand, 38 per cent of us raised our hand for "happy hour and wine tastings" as our favourite, newly offered hotel amenity. And 46 per cent of us said they wish they saw more complimentary bottled water in hotel rooms.

Asked about hotel turn down service, 31 per cent of Canadians said it's not worth the hype. I agree. I mean, I get turned down at hotels all the time. Bah-da-boom!

Other findings:

31 per cent of Canadians hope for free breakfast in hotels.

26 per cent of Canadians say a high-end coffee maker or espresso machine is is our favourite "modern" amenity.

35 per cent of us don't think the mini-bar is worth the hype.

70 per cent of Canadians say they don't take anything from a hotel, but that toiletries don't count.

Finally, the survey found that the most outrageous hotel amenity Canadians are hoping to experience is the free use of a Rolls Royce Phantom. That got 54 per cent of the vote. I bet if you had free Wi-Fi in the Rolls it would've scored even higher. And a happy hour/wine tasting bar, too.

TOURISM UPDATES IN TOWN

It was a busy week for tourism folks in Toronto. Hong Kong took advantage of Chinese New Year to talk at a meeting Wednesday night about their plans for luring more Canadians to HK this year.

Officials said there were 48.6 million visitors to Hong Kong last year, up 16 per cent. Of those,  393,000 were Canadians. That's an increase of 4.4 per cent on the Canadian side of the equation.

Hong Kong will be sending out some new commercials and new You Tube videos soon, with plenty of sights and sounds to entice would-be visits; dragon boat races and shoppers and colourful festivals and food spots and plenty more. So keep an eye out for those.

Hong Kong is billed as Asia's World City, and it's one of those places that truly has something for everyone; awesome food, great shopping, incredible markets and fascinating neighbourhoods, plus beautiful beaches and islands and mountains and world-class hiking trails and great golf courses. It's one of my favourite places on the planet, with a great cultural mix. It's Asian enough to be foreign and exciting for Canadians, but western enough to be comfortable.

Earlier in the day, a dozen or so representatives from Massachusetts regaled a group of journalists with information about their offerings. We Canadians know a fair bit about Boston and something about Cape Cod, but I suspect most of us don't know a lot about the Berkshires in the west part of the state and the whitewater rafting and the mountain hiking and the pretty valleys and former industrial towns turned into artsy centres with romantic inns and a bustling music scene.

It seems that every year the famed Boston Pops (I didn't know this, but the Boston Pops is basically the same as the Boston Symphony Orchestra but with a lighter music style for summer time, emphasizing things like jazz or even rock and roll music instead of heavy winter fare like Brahms or Beethoven) sets up summer camp in the Berkshires at a place called Tanglewood. This year they'll team up with the likes of Megan Hilty of Glee and Vince Gill on opening night.. Of course, you'll often find James Taylor in the area, singing his song about the how first of December was covered with snow, and so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston" and how the "Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frostin." Apparently Taylor is working on a new CD/album and might not appear this year, however. Just so you know.

Anyway, there's tons going on in Massachusetts. Boston (see photo at left) is opening new parks and new museums and the seaport area south of downtown is booming with new restaurants and a new waterfront. Cape Cod is as pretty as ever, I suspect, with hundreds of miles of beaches and a national park/seashore. They're starting a new train this year from Boston to Hyannis on the cape, rumoured to be around $32 a pop for a 90-minute ride that will run from Memorial Day in late May to Labour Day in September. Sounds like a winner to me.

There also are beautiful coastline towns on the Atlantic, plus the historical Salem area that's famous for its witch trails and the Plimouth Plantation at Plymouth Rock, where Pilgrims landed from Europe almost 400 years ago.

Some 684,390 Canadians visited Massachusetts last year. Of those, about 302,000 were from Quebec and 216,000 from Ontario, which makes sense given Montreal is only a few hours drive from Boston.

All in all, quite a lot packed into a relatively small state that probably doesn't get its fair due.

Down in Scottsdale, there's always a ton going on. There's a new, fun restaurant at the Four Seasons called Proof, with casual attire and good whisky and a fun atmosphere that includes shuffleboard, a soda fountain, local beers and tables that slide around on railway tracks. It doesn't look anything like a Four Seasons restaurant, and that's a fun thing to see. This summer they'll be offering rooms on weekdays for $129 and weekends for $169; excellent prices.

There's also a new B and B in Scottsdale and a couple of new, fun and affordable smaller properties. There's a cool canal that runs through town and also a free trolley to get you around if you want to avoid walking, or don't want to drive after tasting some local beers or having a glass of whisky at the fabled Pink Pony restaurant and bar.

 

AEROPLAN'S SWEET OFFERING

Aeroplan has created a one time event in Toronto for a weekend in March; a chance to create your own personal perfume.

The  experience will be offered Saturday March 16 at noon, 3 p.m. or 6 p.m. and on Sunday March 17 at noon, 3 or 6 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel's Harbour Suite on the lakefront in Toronto.

For 23,500 Aeroplan miles, you'll get the chance to check out different scents and create their own, personalized 50 ml bottle perfume with perfume creator and international model Ruby Brown during a two-hour workshop.

It's billed as a unique and glamorous experience, and would surely impress a special loved one.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, which would hit the spot on a wintry, bitter cold day like today in Toronto. 

 

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: Includes 3 a la carte dinners, early check-in/late check-out, a bottle of rum per room, and more!
• BONUS: Sunwing's SMILE inclusions - Two children (2-12 yrs) FREE (just pay for flight)
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the SMILE At Casa Marina Beach Resort, located in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
• Includes return airfare from various gateways (see pricing below) to Puerto Plata and round-trip airport/hotel transfers in the Dominican Republic
• Accommodations in a Superior Gardenview room,  featuring 1 king or 2 double beds and balcony or terrace. Maximum occupancy: 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• With children's activities and special pricing, this resort is the perfect family retreat

• Puerto Plata is a haven of outdoor exploration
• You'll enjoy special extras like a welcome cocktail and 3 a la carte reservations

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  Toronto: March 17, 19, 24, 26, 2013
  Ottawa: March 15 & 22, 2013
  Halifax: March 12, 2013
  Charlottetown: March 5 & 12, 2013
  Montréal: March 19, 22 & 26, 2013
  Québec City: March 18 & 25, 2013
  (Other dates available. Call us at 1-855-687-5925)
  
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person): 
• Toronto:
  Single: $655 plus tax
  Double: $495 plus tax
  Triple: $475 plus tax
  Child (2-12): $295 plus tax
  Tax: $290

Ottawa:

Single: $655 plus tax
Double: $495 plus tax
Triple: $475 plus tax
Child (2-12): $295 plus tax
Tax: $291

Halifax:
Single: $655 plus tax
Double: $495 plus tax
Triple: $475 plus tax
Child (2-12): $295 plus tax
Tax: $392

Charlottetown:
Single: $655 plus tax
Double: $495 plus tax
Triple: $475 plus tax
Child (2-12): $295 plus tax
Tax: $390

Montréal:
Single: $955 tax included
Double: $795 tax included
Triple: $775 tax included
Child (2-12): $595 tax included

Québec City:
Single: $955 tax included
Double: $795 tax included
Triple: $775 tax included
Child (2-12): $595 tax included

 

 

 

 

Thank God for Canadians.

That's not quite the message of the day in tourism, but it could be. In the last 24 hours, I've received press releases extolling the virtues of travellers from Canada enriching economies around the world.

We're great travellers. Of course, given days like today when I walked down Yonge St. and spotted small patches of lawn outside the Star building covered with brown-grey ice and bits of litter and cigarette butts, and with a stiff wind whipping off Lake Ontario just for added misery, it's easy to see why so many of us take to the roads and the skies.

Florida, naturally, is one of our favourite targets of tourism largesse. The Sunshine State this week announced that a record 89.3 million visitors arrived last year, up 2.3 per cent from the record 87.3 million in 2011. Of those 89.3 million visitors, about 10.2 million were international visitors and 3.6 million of those were Canadians.

VISIT FLORIDA said both the international and Canadian visitation numbers are record highs. International visits were up 9 per cent and Canadian visits up 7.3 per cent from 2011.

Officials also said the number of direct travel-related jobs in 2012 was also a record high, with 1,030,600 Floridians employed in the tourism industry.

Later on Tuesday I got a note saying that visits to Korea are on the upswing. Maybe it's the search for something new in Asia, or maybe it's Psy and his viral Gangnam Style video, but I've seen more stories on Korea tourism in the last year than in the previous couple combined.

The note the tourism folks sent out says tourist arrivals in 2012 were up 13.7 per cent over 2011, with more than 11.1 million arrivals in all. Canada's numbers were up 5.1 per cent to 128,000.

“Canadians continue to pick Korea as not only a top stopover destination in Asia, but also for its unique culture, cuisine and history," said NJ Park, director for Korea Tourism. "Easy transfers to many of Asia’s top destinations, a 5,000 year history as well as transit tours have been key in our increasing numbers."

Park said Canada and Korea are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations.

(On a related note, I saw an item from Associated Press on Tuesday that quoted North Korea tourism folks as insisting that tourism is booming since they launched their latest nuclear bomb test. Hey, if North Korea says tourism is booming it must be true.)

Finally, I got another note Wednesday (you might have guessed, but there's a theme here folks) to announce that Jamaica recorded an increase in Canadian visitors in 2012, the ninth year of increases in a row. Jamaica welcomed 403,200 Canadians in 2012, an increase of 6.4 per cent over 2011 and a remarkable 38.9 per cent hike since 2009.

“We are thrilled to report our ninth year of growth in Canadian visitors to Jamaica,” said Philip Rose, Regional Director of Canada for the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). “Our efforts to drive demand have been successful thanks to great partnerships with our airline, resort and attractions partners who continuously deliver great Jamaican experiences to visitors. It’s clear Canadians have cultivated a strong relationship with Jamaica which we will continue to foster.”

I was on the island in the summer of 2011, touching down at Half Moon A Rock Resort outside Montego Bay, which was spectacular; with a great beach and wonderful food and beautiful grounds. You can even ride a horse out into the surf.

I also spent some time in Montego Bay on the so-called Hip Strip and spent a night at the lovely Sandals resort in Negril, where I got to take in the cliff-diving at nearby Rick's Cafe. I topped it off with a stay at one of my favourite spots in the world, Jakes at Treasure Beach; a funky and fun and vibrant spot on the south coast that's a bit out of the way but well worth it.

So, all in all, some pretty impressive numbers for Canadian visitors. Let's hope our economy stays solid so we can keep it going and take even more trips in 2013.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, is offering a deal on a 13-day trip to beautiful Thailand. The trip is listed at $1,599 for land only, while a double including air transfer is $3,544 (including $425 in taxes). 

Jaunt Highlights

• 13-Day Enchanting Thailand Tour, including visits to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Thai temples, markets, hill tribes and more
• Land-only OR Air-Inclusive from Toronto via Cathay Pacific Airways, plus all transfers in Thailand. Pricing for both options below.
• Tour transportation via deluxe motorcoach and accompanied by English-speaking guide. Includes all admission fees, excursions and cruises specified in itinerary
• 11 nights' accommodation in 4-star hotels (double occupancy). Accommodations include stays in the following or similar: Montien Surawongse (Bangkok), The Legend (Chiang Rai), Empress (Chiang Mai) and Veranda Resort and Spa (Cha Am)
• Meals include 11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 2 dinners throughout your tour

• You'll have small tour groups with English-speaking guides
• See all the distinctive regions of Thailand from Bangkok to the jungles of Chiang Mai and the beaches of Cha Am
• Enjoy unique accommodations like a boutique river resort

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on October 26, 2013 departure
• Pricing (per person):

• Land Only:
  Double: $1599
  Single: $2209
  
  Toronto Air-Inclusive:
  Double: $3119 + $425 tax
  Single: $3759 + $425 tax
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• Refunds available until 5PM EST on February 13, 2013. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable.

 

 

 

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