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Westjet Airlines Acquires Sunwing

2023/03/13

The federal government has approved WestJet Airlines’ acquisition of Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations. WestJet announced in March 2022 that it had reached an agreement to acquire Sunwing Airlines and its tour operations business, saying the deal would “deliver new travel options and greater value for travellers in the rapidly expanding leisure and work-from-anywhere travel markets.” The government said the decision to approve this acquisition was not taken lightly, especially considering the delays and bottlenecks experienced by travellers last…
Canada’s Largest Casino Set to Open

2023/03/10

Great Canadian Entertainment announced that its $1 billion, brand-new entertainment resort Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto will open this summer at the intersection of Highways 401 and 427. Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto will be Canada’s largest destination casino resort, spanning 33 acres. It will feature a Vegas-style casino, 400-room hotel, 5,000-seat entertainment venue, new parkade, and multiple on-site dining options. The existing Casino Woodbine will continue to operate with no interruption until Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto debuts…
Vancouver Hotel Shortage Looms

2023/03/10

Without new investment, the lack of hotel supply in Metro Vancouver will translate into significant losses to the provincial economy, according to a new study released by Destination Vancouver. To close the gap between current supply and projected demand, 20,000 new hotel rooms are needed in Metro Vancouver by 2050; with 10,000 of those new hotel rooms necessary just in Vancouver. Between 2022 and 2050, the cumulative economic impacts are projected to be: $30.6 billion in foregone output. $16.6 billion in…
B.C. Tourism Celebrates Excellence

2023/03/10

The British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) and the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) announced the winners of the 2023 B.C. Tourism and Hospitality Awards during the 2023 B.C. Tourism and Hospitality Conference Awards Gala, presented by Indigenous Tourism BC. “The winners and finalists of the 2023 BC Tourism and Hospitality Awards are a testament to the rich talent and hard work of those in the hospitality and tourism sector across our fair province. We are delighted to…
Naramata Inn Hires New Chef

2023/03/10

Chef Jacob Deacon-Evans has joined Naramata Inn in B.C. The Okanagan local is a farm-to-table champion and is set to continue Naramata Inn’s hyper-local mission as chef Ned Bell passes on the torch. Deacon-Evans has an extensive culinary career which all began at the small Robinson Road Bistro in Naramata at age 16. His commitment to hyper-local, hyper-seasonal ingredients, farmers and suppliers perfectly complement the culinary vision Bell set forth when launching the re-imagined Naramata Inn in 2020. As…
Oak Bay Beach is Biosphere Certified

2023/03/09

The Oak Bay Beach Hotel in Victoria has achieved the Responsible Tourism Institute’s Biosphere certification which aligns with 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations in areas that include climate change, environment, social, economy and culture. The hotel joins only two other Biosphere Certified accommodations in British Columbia. “The Oak Bay Beach Hotel has long been committed to sustainability, which was incorporated into many of the design elements when the hotel reopened in 2012,” says Madone Pelan, general…
Fairmont Banff Reveals Renovation

2023/03/09

Following a two-year, $35-million renovation of its suites and guestrooms, Fairmont Banff Springs has officially unveiled a new collection of Fairmont Gold and Signature Suites, designed by Jeffrey Beers International. The extensive makeover offers guests a new level of luxury and access to exclusive services in Banff’s iconic castle, featuring the coveted Crown Suite (formerly the Royal Suite), select one- and two-bedroom suites, plus Terrace Suites. The Fairmont Gold renovation includes 110 guestrooms and a new private arrival area that is perfectly…
The Value of an Event Planner

2023/03/08

By Angela Zaltsman Companies across the nation have seen employees transition from remote to hybrid to sometimes fully in-person work environments. Why? Because if the last three years have taught us anything, it is the value of being with one another. Work culture and building employee engagement are often pointed to as the motivation behind a push for in-office facetime, but studies have shown that team events are the true catalyst for meaningful employee-employer relationships. Team events offer not…
New Chef at Fairmont Vancouver Airport

2023/02/24

Chef Harris Sakalis joins Fairmont Vancouver Airport as executive chef, leading the culinary operation including the hotel’s award-winning [email protected] Restaurant and Jetside Lounge. Born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece, Sakalis grew up in a family of fishers and hunters on the Mediterranean coast, where good food and gathering around the table with friends and family wove into the fabric of his family life. He credits his family for his passion for the craft and his deep commitment to sustainable sourcing…
Ryan Duffy Joins Watermark Resort

2023/02/24

Ryan Duffy has joined the team at Watermark Beach Resort as the director of sales and marketing, effective immediately. “I’m thrilled to welcome Ryan to the team at the resort,” said David McBean, general manager of Watermark Beach Resort. “He’s a clear leader and team builder.” Hailing from Northern Ontario, Duffy’s career began in the hotel industry where he learned about the power of effective team building and leadership. Working in hotels from a young age, he held a variety…

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