NEW YORK CITY – They’re everywhere these days; hotels that go out of their way and go way too far to try to prove they’re hip and millennial friendly. You know the ones I mean; the places with all the flashing lights, lobbies without any place to sit and goofy signs on the door of your room that say things like “Hey, dummy, the toilet is over THERE.” My wife and I recently got to spend two nights at the Kixby hotel in the lower part of midtown Manhattan (45 West 35th St.), where the attitude is a little more Read more

I get a lot of pretty boring press releases across my desk every day. But this one I like; a look at some places in the world that haven’t yet been overrun by tourists with selfie sticks. It’s from the folks at Intrepid Travel, who run great trips all around the world and know a thing or two about over-tourism. Here’s what they sent along today. I’d add a few other places to the list if anyone asked me, including The Azores (think Portugal meets Ireland meets Hawaii), Slovenia in Europe, Western Australia, the Hawaiian island of Molokai and, here Read more

As someone who has covered Canadian tourism full time for a dozen years now, this is great news. Northwest Territories, which hasn’t been terribly active in seeking visitors over the years, has launched a new campaign based on the theme “NWT Will Change You.” And they’ve hired Punch Canada, a major public relations/marketing firm, to help out. I think it’s terrific, as this an area of Canada just waiting to be explored. I must confess I haven’t been. I’ve talked with their tourism reps before but it never quite seemed to happen. But I’ve always thought it would be a Read more

There are lots of streets called Broadway. But Broadway in New York is a theatrical state of mind as much as it is a road. If you take a tour of any kind in the city, chances are the person leading the way will be a part-time actress, actor or singer; someone trying to earn their chops and make it to the top. Seeing a show on Broadway is one of the best things to do in New York City, where you’ll find massive marquees advertising everything from sensitive, historical dramas to over-the-top musicals, and everything in between. And it’s Read more

I love my country. And I love hotels. So this was a natural post for me, courtesy of the folks at IHG. I hope you enjoy these photos. As a global leader in delivering true hospitality, InterContinental Hotels Group launched Views from IHG – a photo series where they asked five Canadian cityscape photographers to capture what ‘True Hospitality’ means in five different cities across Canada – inspired by IHG hotel rooms views and surrounding neighbourhoods – of Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Fredericton. Photographers featured include: Vancouver: @ggeoffreyy Calgary: @brandonf92 Toronto: @torontoontop Montreal: @ericbranover Fredericton: @marcusrogers100 Each photographer was Read more

I always like to support Canadian products, and that includes tourism and related companies like Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, which has its world headquarters in mid-town Toronto. I’ve been lucky enough to stay at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts around the world, including Maui, Hawaii Big Island, New York City, Santa Barbara, Chicago and other places. They’re all different but they all raise the bar in terms of rooms, style, food, drinks and service. So I’m always happy to give them a little bit of attention when I can. I got a note from their public relations team today Read more