In an effort to recognize employee excellence in the regional tourism industry, Explorers’ Edge has launched the 1st Annual Big Applause Awards that will be given out at the company’s Regional Tourism Summit on June 22, 2022. In an industry that was one of the hardest hit during the pandemic, the Big Applause Awards were created to honour tourism and hospitality workers from more than 800 businesses who continually put forth an incredible effort, despite the challenges faced, said James Murphy, executive director of Explorers’ Edge. “It’s been a hard couple of years, and what really kept our industry hanging Read more
Marriott
Canadian hotels are in the beginning of a “dramatic turnaround,” says Don Cleary, the president of Marriott Hotels Canada. I sat down with Cleary at the Ritz Carlton hotel in downtown Toronto today to talk about everything from the travel rebound to hotel renovations and labour shortages. We’re not back to early 2019 times just yet, but he says there’s definitely progress being made. “We’re beginning to see some encouraging signs,” Cleary said. “We are not out of the woods at all, but the last three to four weeks have been a dramatic turnaround. It’s like a light switch was Read more
With Spring Break just around the corner, Canadian ski resorts and urban hotels are gearing up to welcome guests from across the country. Here are five Marriott hotels across Canada that are offering room rates at under $350 CAD per night – making them super attractive for people looking for a quick spring ski getaway. Located just outside of Quebec City, Delta Hotels Mont Sainte-Anne Resort is a winter wonderland perfect for families or couples alike looking for skiing opportunities. Just steps away from the chairlift, guests can find rooms starting at $205 per night. For those looking for a Read more
The food is terrific. The renovated rooms are clean and bright. And the new design gives the feel of a boutique, downtown hotel. The 30-year-old Sheraton Gateway Hotel at Toronto Pearson Airport is undergoing a $30 million renovation, and it’s quite special. There was nothing wrong with the old hotel, which is a mere 40 or 50 steps from Terminal 3. But it was time for a change from sturdy, wooden headboards and black leather chairs and clunky wooden desks, and they’ve pretty much gutted the entire property. What’s here now is a sparkling, beautifully designed hotel that feels to Read more
A new travel voucher policy from Transat, a big boost for Indigenous tourism in Canada, a new rule requiring masks at Marriott Hotels around the world, COVID-19 trouble for Canadian travel and a posh new Kimpton hotel in Key West. My Future of Travel blog for July 22. Transat Alters Travel Voucher/Travel Credit Policy To offer greater flexibility to customers whose bookings have been cancelled due to COVID-19 or who cancelled their trips as part of Transat’s flexibility policy, Transat is relaxing the terms around the use of the future travel credits issued as a result. Those future travel credits Read more
