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From a boat-float parade along its famous River Walk to a closing night gala at The Alamo, delegates will long remember this year’s IPW in San Antonio as US travel officially emerged from the pandemic.

More than 5,000 attendees from 60 nations, including over 100 travel buyers, agents, and media from Canada helped the annual travel trade show return to pre pandemic levels.

Indeed, Canada, along with Mexico boasted registrations close to 35% above 2019 levels.

And those who attended experienced one of the most memorable conferences of recent years, with one Canadian delegate issuing the ultimate compliment: “the vibe reminds me of New Orleans.”

More than just a trade conference, IPW is a showcase for its host city, and colourful San Antonio pulled out all the stops, including the second-night “Festival Del Rio” boat parade, which is usually reserved for Christmas and Fiesta, along the amazing River Walk.

Media, including Travel Industry Today, were treated to the customary press breakfast at the impressive Witte Museum, home to an extensive T.rex exhibit that stars a “Canadian” inhabitant, Scotty.

Other highlights included opening night gala at La Villita historic arts village, featuring outdoor pavilions representing the city’s cultural diversity, though mostly 65% Mexican population roots, and a special presentation of the spectacular nightly sound and light show “The Saga” on the facade of the San Fernando cathedral.

And, of course, the finale at The Alamo, providing attendees the first glimpse of the iconic attraction’s new Palisade exhibit, a newly constructed representation of the Spanish mission’s fence-like fortification, completed that day just in time for the party, and part of an ongoing US$400 enhancement and expansion of the UNESCO site.

At the trade show, luncheon events featured performances by The Counting Crows, country start Dierks Bentley, and the always anticipated annual NYC Tourism-sponsored Broadway extravaganza, which presents live performances with original actors from the latest shows – this year featuring MJ (Michael Jackson), Moulin Rouge!, A Beautiful Noise, & Juliet, Once Upon a One More Time (Britney Spears), and Back to the Future, all courtesy of Broadway Inbound.

With IPW returning for the first time to pre pandemic attendance numbers, US Travel president and CEO Geoff Freeman declared of the 54th annual event: “This show is better than ever – the energy, the enthusiasm. This is fantastic! It’s so great to see the history, the culture, and the soul that makes San Antonio so special.”

Visit San Antonio CEO Mark Anderson hailed the event as representative of the return of international travel to the US and also as a “historic moment” for the first-time host city – and first Texas location since Dallas in 2000.

“At this year’s IPW, there is one item I hope you will remember,” he told delegates. “That San Antonio is a hidden gem among the world’s most majestic locations and that it is growing and evolving faster than any city in the United States of America.

“Our city is over 300 years old, but with an intentionally preserved history that embodies some of America’s most historical landmarks, including 17th century Spanish missions,” he continued, while also noting that the city has been named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy (one of two in the US).

And it is, he maintained, a city where the “spirit of Fiesta” is celebrated year-round.

If IPW was any indication, Anderson is not wrong.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The all-new Sandals Dunn’s River has opened to guests as the 17th resort in the Sandals Resorts portfolio. Having debuted over 30 years ago, the 260-room Ocho Rios property is “utterly transformed” – except for the stunning stretch of white sand beach it inhabits.

On a site originally handpicked by Sandals Resorts International founder the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, the new-look all-inclusive resort features fresh culinary concepts and elevated suite designs – including the introduction of Jamaica’s first SkyPool suites – and retains its deeply personal connection to its alluring setting on the island’s north coast.

The all-new Sandals Dunn’s River has opened to guests as the 17th resort in the Sandals Resorts portfolio. Having debuted over 30 years ago, the 260-room Ocho Rios property is “utterly transformed” – except for the stunning stretch of white sand beach it inhabits.

On a site originally handpicked by Sandals Resorts International founder the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, the new-look all-inclusive resort features fresh culinary concepts and elevated suite designs – including the introduction of Jamaica’s first SkyPool suites – and retains its deeply personal connection to its alluring setting on the island’s north coast.

“Ocho Rios has been the backdrop of some of my family’s most pivotal moments, including along this very beach where my father grew up and turned a perhaps once unimaginable dream into one of the world’s most well-known hotel brands,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI) at the opening, adding, “Today, we celebrate innovation and a commitment to excellence as we unveil the next generation of Sandals Resorts in our home country of Jamaica. I cannot think of a better way to honour his legacy and acknowledge the incredible future of our brand than to welcome our very first guests to Sandals Dunn’s River. It’s great to have you home.”

The resort has been designed to reflect its Jamaican roots by embracing the essence of the destination’s rivers, lush forests, and majestic banyan trees. The source of the water that flows through Sandals Dunn’s River is from the natural reserves of the Dunn’s River Falls, from the lobby waterfalls to the cascading pools of the Red Lane Spa.

Guests will also experience the debut of the brand’s first-ever signature fragrance, which greets guests upon arrival to the open-air lobby.

Accommodations

Sandals “Firsts” on resort include Tufa Terrace SkyPool Butler Suites, a first in Jamaica with glass panel edge infinity pools spanning the length of balconies flanked by views of the Caribbean Sea.

Guests checking in to Coyaba Sky Swim-up Rondoval Butler Suites with Private Pools will find Sandals’ standalone circular villas have been thoughtfully reimagined with vast open-air rooftops from where to bask under the Ocho Rios sun and stars.

Luxurious Mammee Bay Beachfront Butler Suites feature expansive balconies that overlook the sea with privileged sunset views, and Travertine Beachfront Club Level Rooms are named after the well-known Dunn’s River Falls’ giant, natural limestone steps.

Culinary

The connection to Jamaica continues at BLUM, one of 12 new culinary concepts, while a quaint coffee outpost offers a first-of-its-kind coffee drinking experience with 25-cup cold drip towers, nitro cold brew on tap, and Modbar pour-over units.

Dunn’s Rum Club features the largest selection of rum on the island of Jamaica and any other Sandals Resort, celebrating the quintessential spirit by merging together storytelling with curated, cleverly named rum flights.

Meanwhile, the swank Lapidus Lounge pays homage to Morris Lapidus, the famed architect who designed the site’s first resort – the Arawak Hotel, and whose joyful designs epitomized 1960s Caribbean chic.

Other options include the Laughing Waters Beach Bar, Jerk Shack, plus a variety of restaurants ranging from sushi to Latin American, French and Italian.

Activities

Luxury-included option include complimentary green fees at the nearby and newly refurbished Sandals Upton Estate Golf & Country Club, diving, rafting the Martha Brae River, and nearby Sandals Dunn’s River/Falls.

“Building extraordinary resorts that make it easy for our guests to authentically experience our home countries and the people that bring these incredible places to life, is the work of Sandals Resorts,” says Stewart. “The Caribbean is wide and diverse and brimming with flavour, and fun. There is so much to discover here and we want to bring our guests closer to it all.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Last week we looked at a host of SoCal destinations – some familiar, some less so – whose delegates attended the recent visit California sales mission in Niagara on the Lake, having put the insiders on the spot to tell us one thing they wished a Canadian knew about their region. Here’s Part 2, covering the middle and northern parts of the Golden State (starting north of Los Angeles).

SANTA BARBARA

Known as the “American Riviera,” walkable Santa Barbara is known for its Latin flavour, including red-roofed Spanish revival architecture, eclectic food and wine scene (including 15 Michelin starred restaurants), ocean, mountains, and as a perfect pairing with Los Angeles 90 minutes south, says Karna Hughes. “It’s a place to retreat and relax after the big city,” she says. Trains run from LA.

VENTURA

They’re still singing America’s 1972 hit ‘Ventura Highway” in this California town. “We’re one of the last quintessential California experiences!” says Julie Madsen. With clear, uncrowded beaches (perfect for surfing), Madsen recommends that Canadians “do the LA thing, then you come to Ventura and all that washes away.” About 90 minutes north of LA, it’s also the gateway to the ecologically amazing Channel Islands for a day trip.

YNEZ VALLEY

Two hours north of LA and four hours south of San Francisco, “Yennez” Valley is comprised of six districts that encapsulate “everything California has to offer, with wide open spaces and no traffic,” says tourist board president and CEO Shelby Sim. Exuding a classic Americana feel (mostly), communities include Santa Ynez (cowboy/horses), Los Olivos (wine), Los Alamos (hipster), Buellton (petrol), and the unique Solvang, dubbed the “Danish Capital of America,” complete with a windmill.

MONTEREY

“If you go to San Francisco, you have to go to Monterey,” says Emily Evans. Situated on the famous bay (and known for its aquarium and wildlife), there is also golf (notably Pebble Beach), wine, the ghost of John Steinbeck, plus scenic Carmel and Big Sur nearby. But what visitors may not know is the world class culinary scene that hit new heights during pandemic as many chefs (including Michelin stars) moved into the community to take advantage of the bounty of the sea and abundant produce (including wonderful artichokes befitting the region’s status as “artichoke capital of the world.”)

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Christina Glynn says her region is “open for business” after recent floods and fire. And Canadians, who can fly into nearby San Francisco or San Jose directly, will find “a lot to explore in a small amount of space,” ranging from a historic seaside amusement park (with central roller coaster) and the largest contiguous strand of Redwood trees in the world at Henry Cowell State Park.

NAPA VALLEY

Naturally, visitors are drawn by the world-famous wine, but don’t discount Napa’s music scene, says Sarah Gillihan. Live music can be found at local venues, events such as the Summer Series, and jazz and even classical music fests – and of course at some of the wineries. Not into music there’s also hiking, biking, kayaking, birding/wildlife and more. “I don’t think people expect that they can have a non- alcoholic visit,” says Gillihan.

RELATED STORY: All that glitters in the Golden State

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’: All that glitters in the Golden State

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News