BC Tourism

RedAwning is doing to branded vacation rentals in North America and Europe something similar to what OYO Rooms is carrying out with branded budget hotels in India — trying to provide a consistent booking experience for travelers. But Emeryville, California-based RedAwning also is a technology play. Just as hotels use channel manager software to distribute their rooms to online and corporate travel agencies, RedAwning acts as a technological middleman that lets property managers list their properties — up to 100,000, at last count — on Airbnb, HomeAway, Expedia, Booking.com, FlipKey, and other channels. RedAwning is still tiny. Last year it processed only 50,000 transactions. But the concept it has hit upon represents a possible path forward for several players in the still-developing vacation rental ecosystem. First, RedAwning has created a soft brand. What consumers associate with the RedAwning brand name is a consistent contract no matter where the property is located globa...

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Lorena Peril stars nightly in Fantasy at the Luxor hotel-casino, belting out song after song with ease. This Las Vegas headliner didn't start out in the spotlight. Peril shares her story of going from housekeeper to headliner with the support of her family, being in the right place at the right time, and a lot of hustling and determination in this week's "Vegas Spotlight!" For more information about Fantasy and to see Lorena Peril perform visit Luxor.com.

While walking through Central Park on a brisk fall morning in 2020, Apollo Global Management Partner David Sambur took a call from a financial representative who was tasked by Las Vegas Sands Corp. with selling the company's Strip properties. Sambur, who oversees Apollo's private equity strategy and played a chief role in several gaming industry acquisitions and investments for the New York City-based firm, was intrigued by the initial phone conversation and subsequent follow-up discussions. "I thought it was really interesting, but questioned how they could make it happen," Sambur told The Nevada Independent in an interview last week. "We got to work trying to figure out how we could buy this iconic property in the middle of the COVID pandemic with financial markets essentially shut." Sambur said Apollo officials approached his friend and former Caesars colleague, John Payne, president of real estate investment trust VICI Properties. Nearly six month...

Canadians stuck abroad after testing positive for COVID-19 during a trip are warning others who are travelling during the Omicron wave to anticipate travel disruptions that could cost thousands of dollars and keep them away from home for much longer than expected. While the ordeal can force the rescheduling of return flights, many Canadians say they also have to deal with the unexpected costs of additional accommodations, food and multiple PCR tests while isolating internationally. Some also warn that the rules on how to return to Canada after testing positive are confusing and hard to navigate while abroad. CTVNews.ca asked Canadians travelling abroad who tested positive and have been required to isolate at their own expense to share their stories. The responses were emailed to CTVNews.ca and have not all been independently verified. Ontario resident Paula Bass has been stuck in Los Angeles for more than two weeks after testing positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 29...

Canada on Thursday has revised some of the restrictions for people travelling from India to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. In its updated travel advisory, the North American nation has stated that it has removed the requirements for flyers to get a negative RT-PCR report from a single lab operated by the company Genestrings at Delhi airport within 18 hours of departure of the flight. Earlier this rule was applicable to the people taking the direct flight between both the countries. In another modified advisory, the Canadian authorities have said that passengers from India taking a connecting flight from now on will not require to take a Covid-19 test in a third country which was the port of departure for a destination in Canada. "Removing, effective January 28, 2022, the modified pre-departure test requirements for travellers coming to Canada on direct or indirect flights from India or Morocco. Travellers from ...

"Freedom convoy" protesters demonstrated in parts of the Greater Toronto Area Thursday, as groups continue to head to Ottawa ahead of a protest this week against COVID-related mandates. Truckers and supportive protesters are heading to Ottawa from east and west parts of the country, as well as from southern Ontario where routes were scheduled to depart from several locations Thursday including Windsor, Sarnia, Niagara and Toronto, according to the organizers' website. Read more: 'Freedom convoy' expected to move through Greater Toronto Area Thursday The website indicated that the convoys would be passing through the Toronto area in the late morning hours, into the afternoon. Demonstrators gathered throughout parts of the GTA Thursday, with some groups on top of overpasses in anticipation of convoys moving through. A large crowd, with many waving Canadian flags, gathered at Highway 401 and Keele Street. Protesters also gathere...

The 40-year-old who unseated Alain Ducasse at one of the most prestigious restaurants in Paris challenged industry norms. Now, he's making waves in the French Caribbean, too. It's an interesting time to interview Jean Imbert. Without a Michelin star to his name, the self-described sailor from the shores of Brittany, France, with a rakish smile and boyish charm has managed to convince the upper echelons of hospitality (including Dorchester Collection and LVMH, the largest luxury conglomerate in the world) to make him the face of their flagship restaurants. That now includes Le Plaza Athénée in Paris on Avenue Montaigne, arguably the center of the gastronomic universe. Wait, what? How does a tv chef — winner of the French edition of "Top Chef" 2012 — beat an A-list roster of three star chefs for the food world's top job in the kitchen of Alain Ducasse, culinary legend with 21 Michelin stars and personal chef to French Presidents? Well,...

While the cost of PCR tests for travel has dropped somewhat in the Metro Vancouver region, folks should still expect to pay a minimum of $75 for a rapid antigen test, despite being able to order the tests for significantly less.  But this isn't the case for residents of other provinces.  Acculab charges $39 for a rapid antigen coronavirus test, which British Columbians may order in advance of their travel. This is the cheapest avenue for locals to take, as most companies require consumers to purchase multiple kits, costing upwards of $79.  For people who can't afford to wait, the cheapest local rapid antigen tests cost around $75. While this is significantly less than the cost of a PCR travel test, it is significantly higher than what Albertans and Ontarians can expect to pay (around $30 to $40 at pharmacies).  In Metro Vancouver  Iridia Medical, located at 1755 West Broadway in Vancouver, offers a variet...

Now that we're in the heart of winter here in the United States and with coronavirus positivity rates still near all-time highs, it's wise to review the latest CDC travel recommendations for domestic and international travel. There are several steps to take before, during and after travel. Domestic Travel Requirements Here are some of the domestic travel guidelines to observe. Being Fully Vaccinated The CDC continues to recommend that all U.S. citizens delay traveling domestically until they are fully vaccinated. For now, the CDC is not redefining the definition of fully vaccinated to include a recent booster shot if you're eligible for one.  However, they recommend that Americans get boosted if it's been at least five months since receiving the final Pfizer or Moderna dose or two months for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Masking Guidelines It's still federal law for passengers at least two years old to wear a mask during ...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Delta Hotels by Marriott Riviera Nayarit Debuts Beach Club    Travel Agent

There's something magical about Mexico. The cuisine is to die for, the culture rich, and the sea spellbinding. As you begin to imagine your travels for next year, put Mexico on the list. Whether you go for Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen or any other beloved spots, there is no bad choice. Make it easy on yourself and go for an all-inclusive option. The choices for families are vast. Here are just a few of them to inspire you to pack your bags. Club Med Cancun Club Med is the only Cancun resort with three private beachfront spaces. You and your family will have your fill of wet fun, be it sailing, scuba diving, water games, lounging at the family pool and more. Feeling adventurous? There's the flying trapeze and archery. If on the other hand your mood is chill, there are private oceanfront massages on the beach. Check out the family programs that offer all manner of entertainment, be it sandcastle competitions, mini golf, and treasure hunts. Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres...

In the spring of 1949, the 332nd Fighter Group — the unit of the Tuskegee Airmen — was in Las Vegas for the inaugural Continental Air Gunnery Meet, the U.S. Air Force equivalent of the U.S. Navy's "Top Gun" school, which would be started 20 years later. This all-Black fighter and bomber group, which trained in Tuskegee, Ala., was one of the most decorated squadrons in the segregated military during World War II. After working day and night to keep the 332nd planes flying during the competition, a few members of the ground crew decided to blow off steam at the famous Flamingo Hotel. They didn't get far. Security guards intercepted the men as they entered and ordered them to leave. The casino was for "Whites only," they were told. That type of treatment was not unusual in 1949. Many places across the country denied entry to Black servicemen even though they had put their lives on the line for their country in World War II. For 1st Lt. Harry Stewart — who flew ...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Notabene Publishes The State of Crypto Travel Rule Compliance Report    Longview News-Journal

Tauck is introducing a new in-depth, eight-day exploration of the Swiss and Bavarian Alps. The new tour is the company's first new land tour to be added since the start of the pandemic and also includes the rescheduled, once-a-decade Oberammergau Passion Play. "After a two-year wait, we're so excited to showcase the wonder and pageantry of the Passion Play to our guests," said Tauck's Chief Operating Officer, Jeremy Palmer. "The Passion Play was first inspired by a pandemic, which certainly brings an extra level of meaning and poignancy to the performances our guests will experience later this year." ADVERTISING Oberammergau Passion Play (photo courtesy Tauck) Tauck guests will view their performance from the Passion Play theater's "best-available" Category 1 seating before enjoying an overnight stay in the region. The Passion Play is just one of the many highlights on the journey. ...

LAS VEGAS , Jan. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM Resorts is rolling out its reimagined loyalty rewards program, MGM Rewards, on February 1 , unlocking unprecedented access for both gaming and non-gaming guests to the Company's 20+ premier destinations across the country, offering more ways to earn and a host of exciting new benefits.   For the first time, non-gaming customers will join their gaming counterparts and have the benefit of earning a currency - MGM Rewards Points - redeemable for complimentary food and beverage, entertainment, hotel stays and more. All members can now earn Points on nearly all expenditures at MGM Resorts destinations, integrating both non-gaming and gaming activity. In addition to MGM Rewards Points, customers playing slots also will earn Slot Dollars. MGM Resorts' five member tier levels - Sapphire, Pearl, Gold, Platinum and NOIR - remain in place. MGM Rewards offers members new and exclusive marquee benefits, including waived resort fee...