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Where we travelled: The destinations, hotels & ships PAX explored in 2024

From climbing sky-high sand dunes in Namibia to plunging into the frigid waters of Greenland, to dancing with ’90s group C+C Music Factory in Jaipur, India, the year 2024 took PAX’s editorial team to thrilling and exciting places.
It was a year of big and bold adventures for our writers, who travelled to some of the world’s most fascinating, exotic and luxurious destinations, hotels and cruise ships to bring you, our valued readers, a treasure trove of dynamic travel stories.
PAX takes immense pride in our signature "On Location” content. Driven by a mandate to go beyond press releases and marketing materials, our team of talented writers fly around the world to dig up real details that travel advisors can use.
With PAX, readers get a front-row seat to the latest innovations in travel and tourism. Our team is usually among the first to see and experience offers as they enter the market.
From hotels and resorts, to ocean, river and expedition ships, to new experiences in destinations, every PAX travel story follows the same mission: to bring travel advisors compelling, on-the-ground coverage that helps expand their knowledge and, hopefully, inspire future bookings.
Every story comes with a promise to show readers interesting locations through vivid storytelling, in-depth interviews and original photography and video – unique, one-of-a-kind content that can’t be found anywhere else.
What can we say? We love what we do!
This year was packed with electrifying stories – many of which were assigned exclusively to PAX – as the travel industry debuted new experiences that revolved around luxury, nature, adventure and a connection to local communities.
Here’s all the places PAX explored in 2024!
Grand Velas Boutique Hotel Los Cabo (Exclusive)
Velas Resorts. If you know, you know. The year started off with a dose of luxury, with a capital L, in Mexico as PAX was the first media outlet to visit newly-opened Grand Velas Boutique Hotel Los Cabos, an adults-only, all-inclusive sanctuary on a tony stretch between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.
Facing the Sea of Cortez, the property’s 79 spacious suites are like luxury homes, complete with Dyson hair dryers and straighteners, aromatherapy diffusers, goose down pillows, and more. One visual highlight, besides the vibrant bougainvillea flowers, is an ocean-facing infinity pool with mosaic tiles that swirl in shades of green and coral.
Factor in Velas’ culinary prowess and three-steps-ahead-of-everything service, and you’ve got a vacation fit for royalty.
The hotel joins two other Velas properties on the same street: the all-inclusive, AAA Five Diamond, family-friendly, 307-suite Grand Velas Los Cabos (which has a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star rating), and Mar del Cabo, a boho-chic, Greek-style boutique hotel with 48 apartment-style suites. We stayed at those, too (and didn’t want to leave). Read the story here. Published Jan. 18, 2024.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas
“It’s not about building the biggest ship, it’s about building the best ship,” said Lisa Connell, director of sales, Canada at Royal Caribbean International. The arrival of Icon of the Seas – the “world’s largest cruise ship” – generated some big-time buzz as travel pros and media flocked to Miami to catch a glimpse of the first-of-its-class vessel in January.
With twenty decks, more than forty restaurants, bars and lounges, 28 types of accommodations, and with a capacity for 7,600 passengers (nearly 10,000 if you include the crew), Icon is the definition of “megaship.”
Or, a combination of “over 50 years of dreaming, innovating and living our mission every day to deliver the world’s best vacations,” as Jason Liberty, president and CEO for Royal Caribbean Group, put it at Icon’s naming ceremony, which welcomed actor Mario Lopez (of Saved by the Bell fame) and star fútbol (soccer) player Lionel Messi.
The “iconic” part was how we somehow managed to explore every nook and cranny of this gargantuan vessel in just three days. Read the story here. Published Jan. 26, 2024.
Seven Seas Grandeur (Exclusive)
The new Seven Seas Grandeur takes luxury up several notches by showcasing artwork valued at about $6 million USD, including three Picassos and a custom-designed Fabergé Egg, writes PAX's resident “Cruiseguru” Diane Tierney, who secured an exclusive spot on board the marble-covered ship with outdoor spaces that scream St. Tropez.
"If only one word could be used to describe Regent Seven Seas’ new Grandeur ship to your clients, it should be 'breathtaking," Tierney writes. And, with 548 crew caring for some 746 guests, the service sings. “Just slightly raise your hand while lying by the pool,” Tierney reports. Read the story here. Published Jan. 29, 2024.
The Little Nell – Aspen (Exclusive)
A playground for the fabulous, the very word Aspen conjures up images of glamour set amongst the slopes of Colorado. And if there is one hotel that is synonymous with Aspen, it's The Little Nell, a five-star, 92-room retreat in the mountains.
It’s the only “ski in/ski-out hotel” in town, and one that signified “quiet luxury” eons before that was a buzz phrase, ever since its opening in 1989, writes PAX’s Shinan Govani, who got an exclusive look.
The whole feel? “Like staying at some in-the-know inn, where much is taken care off – everything from complimentary pick-ups to and from the airport to the in-room mini-bar, loaded with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks that are all complementary and regularly restocked (alcoholic drinks costs extra, as does the oxygen – a container of which sits in the fridge!),” Govani observes. Read the story here. Published Feb. 14, 2024.
Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Melia Trinidad Peninsula – Cuba (Exclusive)
When it comes to vacations, Canadians and Cuba go together like sand and sunshine. But as PAX’s Michele Yeo learned on a trip to Cuba’s south coast, there’s more to the island than mojitos and beachside bliss.
Utilizing Sunwing’s resumed service to Cienfuegos, PAX visited the new Melia Trinidad Peninsula, located 14 km outside of the city of Trinidad, a city declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1988. Cue cobblestone streets and buildings with red roof tiles, spanning 55 blocks.
But it was an adventure in the Escambray Mountains that tied everything everything. Cue the hiking trails, waterfalls, views for days, swimming holes, and crystal clear water. Read the story here. Published Feb. 29, 2024.
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa – Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia’s Coconut Bay, an all-inclusive resort for families and adults, was in the midst of a major overhaul, modernizing its 250 rooms and suites, when we visited the property in February. The lush, “Two Worlds In One” compound, located on Anse de Sables Beach in Vieux Fort, has also enhanced its spa, adding more ocean-facing massage cabanas.
While the resort, a former Club Med, cranks up the family fun, there's still room for a peaceful adults-only holiday, PAX learned. Chocolate-infused body scrubs and all. Read our nine takeaways here. Published March 21, 2024.
Toulouse, France – Rendez-Vous en France
Rendez-Vous en France, the French tourism industry’s premier B2B trade event, took place in Toulouse this year. The capital of France’s southern Occitanie region is known for many things – notably, the blush bricks that are used in many of its buildings (the city’s nickname is “La Ville Rose,” translated, “The Pink City”).
But Toulouse is also recognized for its activities in the sky. Airbus is headquartered there, and the city is a leader in space projects, from satellite production to running its own spaceflight discovery centre, Cité de l'Espace. What’s more? It’s a gateway to the Pyrenees, a sprawling section of flat-topped massifs and folded linear ranges that straddle the border of France and Spain.
From limestone caves in Barousse to mountainous villages to historic towns (like Saint-Lizier), to copious amounts of local wine and cheese, the postcard-perfect Pyrenees unlocks the secrets and joys of untapped France. Read the story here. Published March 26, 2024.
Crystal Symphony (Exclusive)
Crystal Symphony had such an extreme makeover by its new owners Abercrombie & Kent, “it’s like she’s been reborn," writes PAX’s Diane Tierney, who experienced the all-inclusive ship in Hong Kong.
The reimagined vessel, which returned to service last year, carries 606 guests and 575 crew – a rare high ratio for the industry. She used to carry about 900 guests, but the line wanted to enlarge the accommodations. Now, there’s so much space – 84 cubic feet per guest!
Symphony also has beautiful new features, finishes, and meals that "are not just excellent, but exceptional," Tierney writes. Read the story here. Published March 29, 2024.
Colorado and Wyoming – Brand USA MegaFam
Brand USA's first-ever MegaFam for Canadian travel advisors was an event of massive proportions. The week-long adventure – sponsored by Air Canada and United Airlines – involved 55 agents, who were placed on six unique itineraries in the United States. PAX was assigned to “Western Wonders: Peaks and Plains,” which whisked us to Denver and Fort Collins in Colorado and Cheyenne in Wyoming,
Denver is called "The Mile-High City" because its elevation is one mile above sea level. It’s also sports central (there are six professional sports teams). The abundance of arenas and other venues – like nearby Red Rocks Amphitheatre – are a draw for some of music’s biggest names.
Fort Collins, meanwhile, has an Old Town district that served as the inspiration for "Main Street U.S.A." at Disney's theme parks. But the landscape changed in Cheyenne, where “howdy” stirs the whiskey drink. Yee haw! Read the story here. Published March 22, 2024.
Valiant Lady – Virgin Voyages, TDC Cruise Academy (Exclusive)
In April, travel advisors and suppliers set sail with Virgin Voyages to participate in Transat Distribution Canada’s (TDC’s) TDC Cruise Academy – the network’s first conference at sea since the stabilization of the pandemic.
PAX, exclusively, was invited on board the 2,700-passenger Valiant Lady, a 17-deck ship, to cover the event. At 278 metres long, Valiant has 1,330 cabins and 78 suites. Additionally, the action (and value)-packed ship has more than 20 eateries – including six restaurants with menus that were designed by Michelin-star Chefs.
“Scarlet Night,” when passengers dress in red and explore a wild menagerie of circus acts, flash dances and art activations, was one standout extravaganza. But an on-demand champagne delivery service, called “Shake for Champagne,” on the cruise line’s app, left us thirsty for more. Read the stories here and here. Published in April 2024.
Alaska – Ruby Princess, Trevello’s 30th anniversary conference
Trevello Travel Group claimed a sweet spot on the calendar. It’s national conference and 30th anniversary celebration landed on Travel Advisor Day (May 1), aboard the Ruby Princess, on a voyage to Alaska.
The host agency's energy-filled event welcomed some 400 people, who participated in a week of workshops and networking sessions as snow-capped mountains and whale-filled waters glided by.
We followed the trail of Alaska’s gold rush on the White Pass in Skagway, ate king crab in Juneau, and admired totem poles in Ketchikan. But the “most-liked” moment, perhaps, was a tender embrace captured between Trevello’s Caroline Hay, general manager of cruise, and Zeina Gedeon, company CEO, on the side of the ship. “I’m flying, Caroline! I’m flying!” Read the stories here and here. Published in May 2024.
Iberostar Paraiso del Mar – Mexico’s Riviera Maya (Exclusive)
The fourth edition of Journey for Change – a program by Transat that focuses on sustainable tourism – kicked off this year with Air Transat teaming up with Iberostar and the University of Guelph’s School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management for a international field study program.
PAX’s Jessica Huras flew to Mexico to see it in action, joining fourteen students at Iberostar Paraiso del Mar in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
Throughout the seven-day program, students dove into eco-friendly experiences, including talking with locals about conserving cenotes, participating in a beach clean-up and getting a closer look at Iberostar’s waste reduction initiatives. Read the story here. Published May 17, 2024.
New York City – Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Exclusive)
“The greatest thing, you'll ever learn, is just to love, and be loved in return.” That emotional line from Baz Luhrmann’s zany 2001 romance-musical movie Moulin Rouge! – lyrics originally sung in the 1948 song “Nature Boy” by Nat King Cole – has a way of pulling the heartstrings. But hearing the words sung by Broadway actors, live in New York City, triggered next-level emotions.
PAX visited The Big Apple one weekend to see Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre and can-can confirm the opulent high it brings. Broadway’s recovery from the pandemic has been slow, but the demand for shows – especially popular ones, like Moulin Rouge! – is steady. Depending on the day of the week, good seats might be hard to get.
Fortunately, there's a solution for travel advisors that makes theatre bookings easier: Broadway Inbound. It’s a company that puts tickets in the hands of travel pros ahead of time. Read the story here. Published May 30, 2024.
Jordan – The Travel Agent Next Door’s 10-year anniversary conference
“The experience of a lifetime.” That’s how Founder of The Travel Agent Next Door (TTAND) Flemming Friisdahl described his host agency’s national conference and 10-year anniversary celebration, which took place in the Middle Eastern country of Jordan.
The highly-anticipated week was a collaboration with G Adventures, Royal Jordanian Airlines and the Jordan Tourism Board. Beyond participating in conference-style training and networking activities, nearly 300 Canadian travel pros gained new perspectives on how travel can be a force for good. The itinerary featured day trips to Petra, Wadi Rum and G's Planeterra projects. G’s Founder, Bruce Poon Tip, was also a keynote speaker.
It was timely, raising awareness of Jordan’s wonders, as the destination faces a decline in tourism due to the neighbouring Israel-Gaza war.
But the pure logistics were insane. TTAND deployed a fleet of eight coach buses (nine, actually, in case one broke down), a travelling nurse and police escorts to keep the group moving, safely and securely, through Jordan’s vast desert landscape. Trucks hauled 300-plus suitcases to all the hotels, in advance, so they were ready to go in everyone’s rooms upon arrival.
Oh, and the parties. One, of note. A Bedouin-style beach bash, dressed up to resemble a traditional Bedouin camp site. Rugs, tens, robes and all. Read the stories here, here and here. Published in June 2024.
Silver Ray – Silversea
Silversea showcases such a unique design with its 728-passenger Silver Ray—its second expedition ship of the new Nova class—that it will surprise and delight your clients, especially if they are looking for a ship that’s different, writes PAX’s Diane Tierney.
Three major design features captivate: the ship’s asymmetrical shape, the abundance of outdoor space sdedicated to providing shade, and an enormous amount of exterior glass used for windows and walls—about 4,000 square metres (43,055 square feet), ushering in lots of natural light. The decor is subtle, “whispered luxury in soothing greys and blues.” Read the story here. Published June 19, 2024.
Namibia, Africa (Exclusive)
Big country, big adventure. Namibia, a desolate landscape of ochre-coloured fields and drought-tolerant shrubs, is a whole other side of Africa.
PAX was invited to tour this sprawling country with Exoticca and Canadian travel advisors. "It’s one of those bucket list destinations that’s so unknown,” said Mike Quinto, now Exoticca’s senior vice-president, North America Commercial, who was on the trip.
Go for the wildlife, stay for the landscapes and thrills. In Namib-Naukluft Park, towering dunes, in shades of sienna, resemble watercolour paintings at sunrise. Whereas at Deadvlei, a white-clay pan in the Sossusvlei valley, skeleton trees with haunting branches, more than 1,000 years old, form a barren forest. And don’t forget to go dune bashing at Sandwich Harbour, a hilly stretch along the Atlantic coast! Read the stories here and here. Published in June and July 2024.
Bogotá, Armenia, Salento, Medellín & Cartagena – Colombia (Exclusive)
"On this tour, I’m going to show you the real Colombia,” said Luis, our Chief Experience Officer, G Adventures' term for tour leader. That set the tone for what lied ahead as PAX joined travel advisors on G’s “Colombia Express” tour, visiting Bogotá, Armenia, Salento, Medellín and Cartagena.
From mural-covered cities to snacks made of "big-ass ants" to magical landscapes that inspired Disney’s Encanto movie, Colombia – with the Andes, the Amazon, the Caribbean, moorlands and valleys, and a fusion of Indigenous, Spanish, African and Caribbean backgrounds – is like six countries in one. Way more than what you’ll find in an Escobar drama on Netflix. Read the stories here and here. Published in July 2024.
Las Vegas – Virtuoso Travel Week
If there’s one thing about Las Vegas, it’s this: the city is constantly evolving with new and exciting attractions and hotels. From the LED-light covered Sphere to the recent opening of the W Las Vegas, tourism development doesn’t stop in Sin City, which, in recent years, has cemented its status as a hub for big-ticket sporting events.
In August, PAX was in the dazzling desert city to cover Virtuoso Travel Week, an annual extravaganza for travel advisors and suppliers, spread across four hotels (the Aria, Vdara, Bellagio and Cosmopolitan) that, this year, welcomed more than 4,700 attendees. Known as “The Fashion Week of Travel,” the mega-event (an extension of the Virtuoso consortium) not only spotlights the latest trends in luxury travel, but also celebrates the growing influence of Canadian travel advisors who specialize in creating ultra-luxe experiences. Read our stories here, here and here. Published in August 2024.
Delhi, Agra & Jaipur – India, G Adventures’ “GX” Summit
This year’s second-annual GX Summit, presented by G Adventures, landed in India, where more than 400 travellers, travel advisors, suppliers, media and G staff discovered, and activated, the power of community tourism.
The multi-day event, which debuted in Peru last year, was a two-part experience: first, attendees, in separate groups, took in the sights and sounds of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, visiting G’s Planeterra projects along the way. Then, everyone met up for an all-day World Community Tourism celebration (in Jaipur) on World Tourism Day, where a line-up of thought leaders in community tourism presented.
But it wouldn’t have been a G event without an epic party (or two). A surprise Holi celebration, where participants threw brilliantly-coloured dyes at each other, and a pink-themed afterparty at Jaigarh Fort, featuring ’90s dance act C+C Music Factory and DJ Bruce Poon Tip, were part of the program. A trip for the books! Read the stories here, here and here. Published in September 2024.
Dublin, Wicklow County & Waterford – Ireland, Air Canada-United Airlines Race
Ready, set...Ireland! This year's Air Canada-United Airlines Race, in partnership with Tourism Ireland, brought travel advisors together for a lively competition in the streets of Dublin, where they completed a series of Amazing Race-style challenges.
Discovering the Irish capital's hidden gems and not-to-miss photo spots were some of the perks of participating, PAX’s Steff Bereznai found. Each member of the winning team also brought home two return airfare tickets to Ireland!
Then it was off to the east coast, to Waterford, the Glendalough "Monastic City" and beyond. “The beauty of Ireland is that it’s a small island with so much variety,” said our tour guide Ilona Madden. Meaning, it’s easy to experience many different things, in a short period of time. Read the stories here and here. Published in September and October 2024.
Vietnam & Cambodia – Scenic Spirit (Exclusive)
Scenic’s Mekong River cruise though Vietnam and Cambodia is akin to “Indiana Jones and Lara Croft meet Robin Leach” in all the best ways,” write PAX’s Diane Tierney. Soft adventure shore excursions – many that explore magnificent temples – are offered from the elegant 68-passenger Spirit ship, which has upscale amenities.
Tierney unpacked this river cruise from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia with a three-night, post-cruise land stay near Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious structure. Read the story here. Published Oct. 10, 2024.
Greenland – Ultramarine, Quark Expeditions (Exclusive)
Expedition voyages are in their gold rush era as more travellers – especially the been-there, done-that types – gravitate to parts unknown. To help travel advisors understand the trend, PAX, exclusively, was invited to explore West Greenland with Quark Expeditions aboard the new Ultramarine, a chic, 199-guest, purpose-built ship that was designed to “uncork” hard-to-reach polar regions.
From kayaking alongside spikey icebergs, to soaring helicopter rides, to meeting friendly locals in remote communities, to a frigid polar plunge, the land-and-sea adventure, led by a team of enthusiastic experts, was nothing short of exhilarating. Read the story here. Published Oct. 17, 2024.
Jamaica – Sandals Montego Bay
One Love was the word at the Sandals Jamaica Love conference in Montego Bay. Seven hundred travel advisors joined three hundred other attendees, including the Prime Minister of Jamaica, to share and discover where Jamaica, and by extension, Sandals, are headed in the future. PAX was hosted at the original Sandals Resort in Montego Bay, which opened in 1981.
So much to do, so little time. Executive Chairman Adam Stewart spoke on Sandals' “superpowers,’ Gary Sadler, EVP of sales and industry relations, talked about Sandals’ strong support for travel advisors, while PAX’s Kathy Buckworth caught up with Nino Montagnese, VP of Air Canada Vacations, to learn why ACV and Sandals work well together. Read the story here. Published on Oct. 18, 2024.
Sun Princess - Princess Cruises
Sporting a new exterior, the most striking feature on Sun Princess, Princess Cruises’ new 4,300-passenger ship, is a baseball hat design on the top deck – a turquoise glass visor over the bow and a bulbous glass cap behind, writes PAX's Diane Tierney, who covered the ship's North America debut in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“To stay relevant, you have to evolve,” noted Marsha Patrick, director of sales for western U.S. and Canada at Princess, on board. Read the story here. Published Oct. 22, 2024.
Secrets Playa Blanca & Hyatt Vivid Grand Island – Cancun, Mexico
"We have a chance to define what the future of all-inclusive really is," said Philippe Frey, SVP, operations, Hyatt Inclusive Collection Latin America & Caribbean. PAX's Doug Wallace attended the openings of two new adults-only resorts: Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres, about a half-hour north of Cancun, and Hyatt Vivid Grand Island, overlooking the mangroves of the Nichupté Lagoon at the south end of the city’s Hotel Zone, and discovers that he was meant to live the boho-chic resort life. Read the story here. Published Oct. 28, 2024.
Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka – Japan (Exclusive)
Temples, shrines and bullet trains. In Japan, a clean, polite and futuristic world awaits, and its one that travellers can now unlock with Air Canada Vacations (ACV). In October, PAX joined travel advisors on ACV's first-ever Japan FAM – a ride from Tokyo to Kyoto to Osaka – to experience ACV’s touring style, hotel partners and activities in the Land of the Rising Sun.
From viewing majestic Mount Fuji to binging on takoyaki (bite-sized balls of dough, filled with octopus) to gazing into Kyoto’s Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, the guided tour, part of ACV’s collection of packaged holidays in Asia, was filled with sushi, ramen and good value. Read the story here. Published Oct. 31, 2024.
Carnival Celebration – TravelBrands SeaU (Exclusive)
Fun and learning, activated! The ultimate training event at sea departed Miami in November on board Carnival Celebration, which hosted nearly 300 travel pros at SeaU, TravelBrands' annual cruise conference.
PAX, invited to cover the event exclusively, discovered an action-packed world aboard Carnival Celebration, a family-oriented ship, designed to hold up to 6,500 passengers, that debuted in 2022. With colourful amenities, including its own roller coaster (called “Bolt”), Celebration has six themed “Zones,” from 820 Biscayne” (a Miami-themed zone, named after the address of Carnival's original headquarters) to The Gateway” (a train station-like neighbourhood, with an LED ceiling, that pays tribute to the charm and magic of travel) to “Celebration Central” (a multi-purpose space, with 1,400 colour-changing lights, for live shows).
With its new Excel Class ships, which are larger in size, carrying more eateries, lounges, bars, and deck-top attractions, Carnival, we’ve determined, has entered a new era. Read the stories here, here and here. Published in November 2024.
Zermatt, Geneva, Andermatt, Lucerne, Alpnachstad – Switzerland (Exclusive)
Sweater weather in Geneva, golden-orange trees in Zermatt, hikes above the clouds in Lucerne. There are a lot of good reasons to visit Switzerland during the autumn season, and PAX checked all the boxes on an luxury-filled trip with eight travel advisors from Virtuoso.
From gooey fondue to secret wines to a five-star hotel that once welcomed Elizabeth Taylor and Karl Lagerfeld, the exclusive itinerary, which landed in Zermatt, Geneva, Andermatt, Lucerne, Alpnachstad, offered a taste of Swiss bliss. Read the story here. Published Nov. 19, 2024.
São Miguel & Terceira – The Azores, ACTA’s International Destination Conference
“The Azores is much more than a selfie spot,” said Rosa Costa, regional director of tourism for the Azores Government, addressing nearly 150 Canadian travel advisors at ACTA’s inaugural International Destination Conference.
Fulfilling one of its core pillars (education), ACTA, in November, invited agents on a week-long FAM in The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal consisting of nine islands in the north mid-Atlantic.
Curiosity was piqued. After all, the nature-filled archipelago, located roughly 1,600 km west of mainland Portugal, is so unspoiled and pristine, it’s sometimes called “Europe’s Hawaii.” For a destination filled with emerald-green hills, mysterious caves, cow-dotted farm lands, fern-filled forests and crater lakes, it was impossible not to take a selfie.
But after spending time on two beautiful islands – São Miguel and Terceira – we learned that some destinations sing in deeper, more profound ways. Read the stories here and here. Published in November 2024.
Sunscape Coco Punta Cana – the Dominican Republic (Exclusive)
Sunscape Coco Punta Cana is a playground for kids and adults, writes PAX's Kathy Buckworth, who headed to the Dominican Republic to soak up some sun at the Bavaro Beach property, which opened last year.
From the "Un-Wined Cellar" for adults, to "Le Petit Chef" for kids, and splashy waterslides, the resort has emerged as a popular spot for Canadians. It’s also the second Sunscape in Punta Cana, part of the Hyatt family. Read the story here. Published Nov. 28. 2024.
Le Commandant Charcot – Ponant, Norway & Finland (Exclusive)
If you have clients that would like to visit the ends of the earth, Ponant Cruises’ Le Commandant Charcot is the ultimate expedition cruise ship to choose for its one-of-kind features, writes PAX's Diane Tierney, who experienced the luxury icebreaker on a voyage from Norway to Finland.
"The ship is a marvel of engineering," writes Tierney, calling the bucket list ship an industry game-changer – “powerful on the outside and plush on the inside.” Read the story here. Published Dec. 3, 2024.
East – Barbados (Exclusive)
"If The Crane was your wife, then East is your mistress," writes PAX’s Shinan Govani, who travelled to sunny Barbados to visit the newest property from Canadian entrepreneur Paul Doyle, owner of the iconic Crane hotel.
Secluded "East," located on the most easternmost point of the island, is all about villas with private infinity pools. And bringing the outdoors, in. Robinson Crusoe vibes, and like AI – “without it being AI,” Govani writes. Read the story here. Published Dec. 6, 2024.
Secrets Tulum and Beach Club – Mexico
Welcome to the jungle! Hyatt's 2024 Confidant Connect Live unfolded at Secrets Tulum and Beach Club, which opened last year. As PAX discovered on location, the adults-only, 300-suite enclave, part of Hyatt's Inclusive Collection, mimics its lush surroundings. Four circular (spaceship-like) towers seamlessly integrate the area’s verdant green flora, earthy hues and Zen vibes, a central state of mind in this hip corner of the Yucatan. The pools – there’s nine – resemble cenotes, naturally-forming sink holes, held sacred by the ancient Maya.
The property, as it was built next to a nature reserve, does not have direct access to the beach or ocean. But an idyllic beach club, open to all guests, awaits down the road. Tulum, this winter, is a hot-ticket destination thanks to its brand-new international airport. Read the story here. Published Dec. 10, 2024.
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta – Mexico, Tisson Travel Group’s Community Gathering
It wasn’t a conference, it wasn’t a FAM. Tisson Travel Group’s Founder, Tannis Dyrland, summed up her first-ever company meeting outside of Alberta as something deeper: “a community gathering.”
Community, after all, is the backbone of Calgary-based Tisson, a company Dyrland launched in 2023, exclusively for travel advisors in Alberta, for the purpose of providing mentorship and strengthening bonds with suppliers in Western Canada.
It’s a community that leans on each other – as PAX witnessed firsthand, after spending four days with the ladies, at dreamy, family-friendly Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta, watching them exchange sales tips and problem solve each other’s bookings.
Part introduction to the service-oriented world of Playa Hotels and Resorts and part Christmas party, the event's takeaway was clear: Tisson is a Western Canada success story to watch in 2025. Read the story here. Published Dec. 16, 2024.
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