New and enhanced flights to exotic destinations such as Singapore and Stockholm, plus 120 destinations in North America. Air Canada has released its plan for the busy summer travel season, and it features a 30% growth in capacity to the Asia-Pacific region, including flights to Osaka, Seoul and Singapore. There’s also a 25% boost for key leisure destinations in Southern Europe compared to last year, including flights to Stockholm and Madrid. “We continue to see strong demand for southern European destinations, and have increased capacity to countries such as Italy, Greece and especially Spain for this summer,” said Mark Galardo, Read more
Lahaina
It’s easier than ever to lend a hand in the beautiful state of Hawaii. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) has partnered with Kanu Hawai‘i to make it simpler for visitors to search and sign up for enriching volunteer opportunities throughout the state. Travelers planning their trips in the Hawaiian Islands can now access the Mālama Hawai‘i Volunteer Dashboard at GoHawaii.com/malama, the state’s official website for visitors. “Travelers are seeking a deeper, meaningful experience, and what makes the Hawaiian Islands unlike anywhere else in the world is our people, multi-cultural heritage, and reciprocal connection with the land and ocean,” said Mufi Read more
Somehow I missed it, but I now see that the Hawaii Tourism Authority has launched a campaign to boost Maui tourism. Called Mākaukau Maui, which means “Maui is Read,” the campaign seeks to let would-be visitors know that it’s a good time to visit. “We wanted to offer a platform and a voice for them to make that invitation to folks,” T. Ilihia Gionson, the Hawai’i Tourism Authority’s public affairs officer, said in a story in Skift magazine. “We’re almost nine months since the fire, and we continue to hear ‘We’re not sure if Maui is open,’ or ‘We’re not Read more
It’s been six months since the Maui wildfires, and I still can’t believe it. I was sitting in my little back yard in Toronto working on a story on a lovely summer’s day last August 8 when I saw a note from my sister on Facebook to suggest something had happened in Lahaina. I had no idea. I checked the news and was dumbstruck at how a place I have visited 50-60-80 times over the years and loved with all my heart had been almost totally destroyed. I was on Maui in October of last year and saw the damage Read more
I had some wonderful visits in the U.S. and Canada this year, including a monumental train trip from Colorado to Utah, a wonderful six days in Prince Edward Island and great stays in Los Angeles, southwest Ontario, southern Florida and northern California. I also got to visit one of my fave islands, Molokai, and spent four nice but sobering days on Maui to see how they’re recovering from the devastating and still unfathomable wildfires. It wasn’t all pretty, but I had many a remarkable experience and more than a few great meals along the way. Thanks to everyone who helped Read more
