The Hawaiian government has asked visitors to stay away from West Maui until October 8 so it can deal with the terrible damage from the Lahaina fire. But it’s encouraging visitors to head to other areas of the island and support businesses that rely on tourist dollars. That’s especially so for smaller, independent shops versus the Costco’s and Starbucks of the world. Besides dining or shopping, there are tons of great nature spots to see and enjoy. West Maui definitely needs time to heal. But the area that’s closed for tourism is a tiny fraction of the island of Maui, Read more
golf
From China to the Caribbean, and Canada to California, I’ve been lucky enough to play golf at some great courses around the world. Here are some of my fave memories. Not necessarily the best courses (although some are spectacular, but some of the most memorable moments. MAUI MUNICIPAL COURSE, WAIEHU, MAUI The course at Waeihu, just a few minutes from the Maui airport, isn’t Kapalua, home of the season-opening tournament on the PGA Tour Schedule, It isn’t Wailea, with its deep green, perfect fairways and golden sand bunkers and Ritz Carlton-worthy clubhouse. But it’s a remarkable deal, and Read more
Many destinations are just beginning to get back to pre-pandemic visitor levels. The Palm Beaches left its 2019 numbers in the dust some time ago. Tourism representatives from The Palm Beaches touched down in Toronto this week for a cocktail meet and greet with advisors, industry officials and the media. Some 2.8 million visitors came to The Palm Beaches during Q1 of 2023, up 8.5% from last year, said Erick Garnica, Associate Vice President Global Leisure Sales. Canadian numbers were even more dramatic, with 153,000 first quarter visits; up 28% from last year and up 16% from 2019 levels. Canada Read more
One of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. Engaging locals. And, coming soon, what looks like one of the most spectacular golf courses on the planet. There are so many great things to see and do on Saint Lucia, one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. Senior representatives of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority rolled into Toronto recently for a rooftop lunch at 1 Hotel Toronto to show off what’s great and new on the island, and I was given a one-on-one interview with Tourism Minister (and Deputy Prime Minister) Dr. Ernest Hilaire and tourism authority CEO Read more
Hawke’s Bay in New Zeaand today was named a Great Wine Capital of the world, setting it alongside eleven other prestigious wine regions such as Bordeaux, Napa Valley California and Adelaide, Australia. Admission to the Great Wine Capitals program (Hawkes Bay is the 12th Capital worldwide) comes after a stringent selection process that looks at a region’s winegrowing industry, its history, its wine tourism, educational opportunities, business, and travel, as well as the cities and region itself. In announcing the news, Hawke’s Bay Tourism CEO Hamish Saxton said the significance of being named a Great Wine Capital of the Read more
