News in Brief: Tuesday September 30
The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) has released data which indicates a 14% rise in visitors from overseas markets, up 4% from the previous year.
Canada’s international visitors were led by the India and China markets, growing by 47% and 37% respectively, while Japan, South Korea, and European nations such as France also jumped by up to 29%.
Supermodel Petra Nemcova is this year’s recipient of the World Tourism Humanitarian Award, recognising her philanthropic initiative and vision in creating Happy Hearts Fund (HHF) in 2006.
Nemcova is the founder and chairwoman of HHF, which endeavours to rebuild safe-resilient schools in areas impacted by natural disasters, and was inspired to start the fund after surviving the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Creative Holidays has announced the appointment of Michael O'Leary to the position of head of industry sales & customer relationship management.
O'Leary has worked extensively in the travel industry, with skills spreading across supplier relations, product, network operations and retail franchise loyalty.
Trafalgar has teamed up with Tourism Ireland to launch an exclusive air deal that allows guests to fly return economy into Dublin with Etihad and Virgin Australia from $1299 when combining their airfare with one of 14 guided tours of Ireland.
The offer is also combinable with Trafalgar’s 10% Early Payment Discount, and is available for bookings from today until October 31, with travel dates spanning from February 1 to October 31 2015.
Wendy Wu Tours has announced its newly released 2015-16 China brochure will remain one of the more competitive priced ranges on the market, due to a large number of partnerships with hotel groups and ground partners.
The new brochure also includes the Deluxe China Holidays range, which has been designed as an all-enxcompassing holiday that incorporates experiences not available on standard tours.
To mark the launch, the company is offering agents the chance to redeem a $20 Coles/Myer voucher on top of normal commission for every passenger deposited between September 29 and October 17 on fully inclusive or deluxe tours in 2015.
Ponant has announced its 2015 season of luxury expedition voyages to Alaska and Arctic Far North, with over 15 seasons of polar experience, including 7 remote lands and interactions with 5 ethnic groups.
The tours also feature optional shore excursions, including flight-seeing the Misty Fjords by seaplane, or the Rocky Mountaineer train trip in Alaska.
Cathay Pacific has released special fares to Hong Kong and China to celebrate its partnership with Australia’s Good Food Month festival, which will take place in Sydney in October.
The fares are on sale from now until October 17, with return economy flights starting from $857 to Hong Kong, $909 to Beijing and $965 to Chengdu.
The Oaks Pacific Blue Resort has undergone an extensive makeover in the lead up to summer, with the 500-metre pool receiving recoating and resurfacing treatments, as well as the draining and refilling with 3.5 million-litres of water.
The pool is the centre of the property, with all hotel facilities accessible from the pool, which also includes a 0.9-metre area for kids, and a heated spa.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced it will launch the W brand in Marrakech in 2017, with the opening of the 148-room W Marrakech.
Located in the Hivernage district, the hotel will be central to shopping and nightlife destinations, close to the airport, and will feature a signature restaurant, bars, business centre, pool deck and fitness facility.
Accor has expanded its Western Sydney presence following the managerial takeover of the Crowne Plaza Norwest Sydney in April.
The hotel has completed the rebranding to Novotel Sydney Norwest, and will launch this evening with an official event featuring local member for Baulkam Hills and MP David Elliott and Mayor of The Hills Shire Council Clr Andrew Jeffries.
The property is a 40-minute drive from Sydney’s CBD, and features 132 rooms, a restaurant and bar, swimming pool, gym and conferencing facilities for up to 300 people.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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