A new study shows the true power of tourism in Toronto. As anyone who checks in on this site now and then can attest, I’m a big believer in tourism as an economic driver, and it’s a constant source of amazement to me that our federal and provincial governments show little interest in the subject, and that they consistently underplay the importance of tourism by giving the tourism ministry job to relative unknowns in Cabinet and by giving them titles like “Minister of Suburban Architecture, TimBit Regulation and Tourism.” So, I’m hoping that Mayor Tory and Premier Ford and Prime Read more

Spain, Edmonton, Aruba and Universal Studios Hollywood wouldn’t seem to have a lot in common. But the latest report from the folks at Expedia Canada says those are some of the hottest places for Canadians using Expedia to book their trips. When it comes to analyzing travel trends, Expedia has a leg up. Being one of the world’s largest online travel brands means being able to uncover themes across air travel, hotel stays, searches and bookings, even experiences – all in the pursuit of arming Canadian travellers with everything they need to travel smarter in 2020. And today the results Read more

Aw shucks, folks; we’re speechless. A new study from the folks at usjetcost.com finds that Americans rate Canada as the country with the nicest, most welcoming locals. They also rated Canadians as the second nicest tourists in the U.S.. I’m personally baffled by this, but a majority of Americans in the study said the British are the most annoying tourists, with 31% of respondents naming them as the most bothersome. Next were Germans (16%) and Brazilians (13). I get that Americans overthrew the British government a couple hundred years ago because of taxes and the high cost of tea and Read more

A fabulous waterfront hotel. One of the world’s great cities. And amazing nature close at hand, including tiny, adorable penguins. Cape Town is one of the world’s most amazing cities; a place that truly does offer something for travellers of every style and every age. I recently spent three nights and days in the area, thanks to the folks at Goway Travel, and was overwhelmed by the variety of experiences and the vibrancy of the city. I was able to bed down for three nights at the posh Victoria and Alfred Hotel, which is located on the bustling V and Read more

One of the coolest spaces in Toronto. And some of the best food in the city. If you haven’t been to Chotto Matte in the heart of downtown Toronto (Yonge and Front, inside the gorgeous Brookfield Place), you’re missing a terrific dining and sensory experience; one that doesn’t feel like anything else I’ve seen in the city. Step inside and you’re immediately surrounded by a wildly colourful interior that features what looks like a waving banner and a very cool bar. It feels to me like a bold marriage between South Beach and Shanghai. Which kinda makes sense, as Chotto Read more

This story appeared on Sunday, Oct. 13 in the Los Angeles Times travel section, which requires a subscription to read. I’m providing a link to the story here but also printing the story on my own site for ease of reading. Here’s the LA Times link: https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2019-10-12/ On Lana’i, they’re putting the finishing touches on a multimillion-dollar remake of the old Four Seasons Lodge at Koele, which is being turned into a sumptuous spa and wellness retreat and is set to open November 1st. Its sister hotel, Four Seasons Lana’i, has rooms that start at about $1,000 USD a night. Read more