SAN ANTONIO – Fort Myers is recovering nicely from Hurricane Ian. California is bursting with visitors. Washington D.C. wants more international travellers. And Philadelphia says like us or get out of town. Nearly a dozen U.S. destinations took to the stage at this year’s U.S. Travel Association/IPW convention in San Antonio to trumpet everything from world class cuisine to mosquito-chomping bats. There was also an actual trumpet player and a wonderfully talented poet laureate from Orlando. Here are some of the highlights from IPW press conferences this week, including some Canadian visitation information. FORT MYERS AND BEACHES Miriam Dotson, communications Read more
Puerto Rico
Eugene Levy is living large as he records his new TV show. I’ve also got update on a retirement cruise ship, a Black History initiative for New York, snow in Hollywood, and news about Singapore cancelling its Vancouver flights. RETIRE AND LIVE ON A CRUISE SHIP Here’s a great way to retire; live on a cruise ship that sails the world. Business Insider says Victoria Cruises Line is chartering a nearly 30-year-old cruise vessel formerly owned by Holland America for use as an adults-only residential cruise ship. The cost starts at $8,000 USD per month for two people and guests Read more
On the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, Puerto Rico is reporting peaks in incoming travelers, record revenues and more local tourism employees than ever before in its history. Puerto Rico’s unique appeal as a U.S. territory with an unparalleled cultural flair, natural wonders and warm “Boricua” spirit continues to allure travelers, contributing to the Island’s tourism successes in 2022, which include: More than 5.1 million passengers arrived at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, a 6.5% increase from 2021. Approximately $8.9 billion in revenue was generated by travel and tourism, a 39% increase over the previous high in 2019. (Tourism Economics) The island Read more
Ireland tourism is on the rise. Ditto for Puerto Rico. But the most interesting news of the day comes from China. If you’re like me (I’m not saying that’s a good thing), your biggest pet peeve on an airline is when someone sitting in front of you reclines their seat. I don’t mind if it’s a night flight; that’s to be expected. And I would do the same thing. But unless you’ve just flown in from Australia, I don’t see the need to recline your seat on a day flight and cram the space of the person sitting behind you. Read more
More Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are rolling in for travellers. Celestyal, the award-winning, number one choice for travelers to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean, is making the experience of a multi-destination Greek Island vacation less expensive this holiday season with its just announced “Big Blue Day” holiday sale, featuring 23 days of cruise and value-add upgrade savings. Recently, Celestyal launched a new, two-tiered pricing structure to provide more choice and value. The entry-level, “inclusive” fare offers complimentary dining and select drinks with meals, entertainment, daily activities, port charges and gratuities. This entry level fare also comes Read more
