K2 Group has acquired the Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in Niagara Falls, New York. The deal marks the fifth Niagara Region hotel property, and first US hotel, for K2 Group’s growing hospitality portfolio. “We are confident in the strength and continued growth of the Niagara Falls region as a popular, dynamic vacation and business-travel destination. We are excited to have found a great value-add hotel opportunity on the American side of Niagara Falls. This property is already…
After two years of virtual award galas, the Canadian event community came back together to celebrate the 25th annual Canadian Event Awards live from Liberty Grand in Toronto, Canada, hosted by the Liberty Entertainment Group. The awards recognize events that focus on creative, design, production & logistics. Hosted by Courtney Stanley, produced by Corey Mandell and Chad Brinchneski and designed by Eric Aragon, the gala was a stunning collaboration of creative minds and a beautiful reunion of passionate and…
Lynx Air and Flair Airlines, Canada’s two biggest low-cost carriers, have announced expansions of their services. Lynx Air is expanding into the United States, with the addition of Orlando, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Las Vegas to its network. Orlando will be Lynx’s first US destination, with flights taking off from Toronto starting on January 27, 2023. Lynx’s US network will continue to expand over the following weeks, with the launch of services out of the Calgary gateway to Phoenix on February 7, 2023, Los Angeles on February 16, 2023, and Las Vegas on February 24, 2023. At that point, Lynx will…
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has received Level 4+ Airport Carbon Accreditation by Airports Council International, making it the first airport in Canada and only one of three in North America to achieve this status. The Level 4+ accreditation recognizes YVR’s role in setting a course for its own carbon reduction while actively working with aviation partners to drive broader emissions reductions. “At YVR, we have a long history of innovation and sustainability and are proud to be at the forefront of creating a greener,…
BPA Worldwide has purchased VSef, the global data format for the digital events industry. The move is the next step following its collaboration with VSef to create a single industry standard for digital events. VSef was launched in early 2021 in response to the rising uptake of digital event platforms and the increase in virtual event experiences. Its goal of creating a global standardized data format for digital events received backing from many world-leading organizers and platforms, including Informa…
David McBean joins Watermark Beach Resort, B.C. as general manager, effective immediately. He brings more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He holds an International Sommelier Guild (ISG) – Level One accreditation, and throughout his career has transitioned seamlessly between global brands and independent properties. “I’m thrilled to join the incredible team at Watermark Beach Resort,” said McBean. “I know Watermark has all the ingredients to becoming a world-class resort and destination. As a Southern Okanagan…
Lyell Farquharson has been named president of TTI Travel. TTI Travel is a Canadian family owned and operated company and one of Canada’s first Virtuoso agencies, as well as the exclusive affiliate of BCD Travel in Canada. Farquharson will oversee all of TTI’s lines of business and operations, in addition to managing strategic partnerships and business development opportunities. Farquharson’s three decades of travel industry experience include six years at WestJet. When he left the airline in 2018 he was…
The federal government is dropping mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirements for travelers on Oct. 1, 2022. The decision to end vaccine restrictions cited was based on Canada’s vaccination rate, availability of newer vaccines and treatments and data showing the country had passed the peak of the latest wave of coronavirus infections. As of Oct. 1, all travellers, regardless of citizenship, will no longer have to: Submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website; Provide proof of vaccination; Undergo…
The Vancouver Convention Centre announced the recertification of its West Building as LEED Platinum for Building Operations and Maintenance – maintaining its double LEED Platinum status. “Sustainability is at the core of everything we do,” says Craig Lehto, general manager of the Vancouver Convention Centre. “We take pride in the high standards we’ve set for ourselves to not only maintain our sustainable building features but to also incorporate environmental best practices in our day-to-day operations for the benefit of our…
Canadian architects Michael R. Henderson and Sandra G. Matthews, owners of Moon World Resorts Inc. (MWR), a Canadian-based architectural design and intellectual property licensor, have pitched an out of this world destination resort concept. The resort will feature a first-of-its-kind, spherical, moon-shaped hospitality venue, which promises guests a trip to the moon, without the need to venture into outer space. MWR is based in Toronto, Ont., and Vancouver, B.C. The company is licensing four MOON Destination Resorts around the…
