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travelcourier.ca ® November 14, 2019 Take in the splendour of LAKE LUCERNE + RIVER CRUISE & SUN DESTINATIONS 1114pg01.indd 1 2019-11-12 11:11:13 AM WIN A VACATION FOR TWO ON BOARD MSC MERAVIGLIA ruises take vacations to a whole new level, offer- GRAND PRIZE: ing multiple sunny getaways in one. With shore One lucky travel agent will win a trip for two (2) from Cstops at a number of ports, cruisers can explore any available Canadian gateway to Miami, Florida, on different destinations and experience unique adventures board Sunwing Airlines and seven (7) nights accommo- before returning to the ship for even more fun in the sun. dation in an inside cabin on board MSC Meraviglia. It includes round-trip transfers from Miami to PortMiami, Sunwing and MSC Cruises are offering a week-long meals (excluding specialty restaurants), accommoda- cruise on board the ultra-modern MSC Meraviglia for tions and Easy Drink beverage package*. Travel is valid one lucky travel agent and a companion. Sail the high from December 22, 2019 to March 29, 2020. Blackout seas on board this luxury ship and explore several exotic periods apply. For a detailed list of contest rules and Caribbean destinations while enjoying the compli- regulations, please visit: mentary Easy Drink beverage package and Fantastica https://www.travelpress.com/win-a-sunwing-msc-cruise. Experience. Delicious dining, top-tier entertainment and plenty of splash-worthy fun await! *Terms and conditions apply. To Enter: Simply answer the following question online at https://www.travelpress.com/win-a-sunwing-msc-cruise Question: Where is the new port of call for MSC Cruises' exclusive private man-made island? 1. Nassau, Bahamas 2. Costa Maya, Mexico 3. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas 4. Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands Deadline for entry: TRAVEL December 20, 2019 COURIER® 1114pg02.indd1107PG10-13.indd 18 13 2019-11-1111/11/2019 11:53:31 1:55:57 AM PM the lede Havana CUBA OPENING MORE LUXURY HOTEL OPTIONS ian stalker Lessner Gomez, director of the Cuba Tourist Board’s Toronto office, told a recent Cuba’s tourist trade is Toronto gathering that the country – on the verge of gaining more than 4,200 addi- reaching out to those tional hotel rooms – is introducing a “new generation of modern and upscale hotels” in both Havana and beach destinations. who enjoy plenty of Among hotel openings in the Cuban capital will be the five-star, 162-room Gran creature comforts on Hotel Bristol Kempinski, Kempinski’s second hotel in Old Havana. “The Grand Hotel Bristol Havana Kempinski is scheduled to open at the end of the their vacations. year, and it will be the third property of this European luxury hotel group in Cuba,” Gomez said. The hotel is two blocks from Old Havana’s upscale Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski. Kempinski also decided to open a resort on Cayo Guillermo, found off Cuba’s north coast. The 245-room resort will be the first non-all-inclusive in the area. Other Havana hotel openings include the new five-star Sofitel Paseo del Prado, which has 250 rooms and is located in “one of the most beautiful areas in Havana,” Gomez reported. “It’s part of the new generation of luxury hotels that will make this vibrant city one of the top destinations in the Caribbean.” This year saw the opening of the Meliá International Hotel in Varadero, with Gomez declaring that the “absolutely spectacular” hotel is on “the “best part of Varadero Beach.” “Built with top-notch technology and a green concept, it is one of the best examples of the new modern and trendy hotels that are being built in Cuba,” he stated. The Cuban government has earmarked Cayo Cruz as the latest island off Cuba’s north coast to become a tourist destination, with the 546-room Valentin Cayo Cruz the first hotel to open there. continued on page 4 november 14, 2019 | travelcourier.ca 3 1114PG03-04-06.indd 3 2019-11-11 2:33:22 PM NEWS continued from page 3 It will be followed by the 50-room The schedule is as follows: 1:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. EST. Experience the Marina Plaza Hotel & Spa. Nov. 15 – Sandals Royal Bahamian, ultimate golf, tennis and spa resort “This beach is comparable to 1:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. EST. Learn more about located in the Exuma Cays in the Cayo Largo, with incredible blue the Bahamas’ most elegant resort with Southern Bahamas. turquoise water that invites tourists its own offshore island in Nassau. REGISTER: https://register.gotowebi to relax and forget it all,” Gomez said REGISTER: https://register.goto nar.com/register/2007050024884133634. of Cayo Cruz. webinar.com/register/8235112694142216962. Nov. 29 – Sandals Grande St. Lucian, December will see the opening of the Sirenis Cayo Santa Maria Le Mirage on Cayo Santa Maria. Hotels are also scheduled to open in Trinidad, Holguin, Cienfuegos, Havana and the Cayos next year. tc SANDALS SAYS ‘LET’S TALK’ TO CANADIAN AGENTS Just in time for the busy winter sea- son, Sandals has released its November schedule of weekly “Let’s Talk” webinar series for travel agents. The fast-paced online sessions – con- ducted exclusively for Canadian agents – are just 30 minutes long, but packed with important information such as real-time product updates directly from the resorts’ management teams in the Caribbean, as well as sales and marketing tips and Nov. 21 – Groups, 12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m. 1:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. EST. Explore this scenic details on current booking incentives to EST. Join Grant Lawlor, national groups resort offering grand views on its own increase agents’ commissions. manager, Unique Vacations Canada Inc., peninsula, with the Caribbean Sea on one Simply by registering, agents will also as he explains a new way to book groups side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. receive a recorded version post-webinar with Sandals – Group Code. REGISTER: https://register.gotowe- that they can play back at their leisure in REGISTER: https://register.goto binar.com/register/6627218775519828738. the event that they are unable to partici- webinar.com/register/5591230335043504131. pate during the live session. Nov. 22 – Sandals Emerald Bay, news continued on page 6 TRAVEL Vol.54 No.41 www.travelcourier.ca ® COURIER BaxterMedia$" #axter.edia$" CdnTravelPress Baxter.FEJB$" FOUNDER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE V.P. OPERATIONS BAXTERMEDIA W.H. 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PRINTED IN CANADA Copyright 2019. 4 travelcourier.ca | november 14, 2019 1114PG03-04-06.indd 4 2019-11-11 2:34:13 PM Victoria departures Saturdays Dec 21/19 - Mar 28/20 Vacation Better Vacation Better Tip #269 Experience two beautiful destinations in one in Best price Award-winning Top-rated resorts With you every guarantee service and excursions step of the way Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo! 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Canada after returning from the We are thankful to work alongside Live In an effort to make cruise vacations Dominican Republic for WestJet’s Different to continue making these available to everyone, Carnival Cruise Line ninth humanitarian trip with WestJet important trips happen.” has partnered with Uplift to bring flexible Live Different Builds.