TOFINO, British Columbia, Oct. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Condé Nast Traveller today announced the results of its annual  with Wickaninnish Inn recognized as the #3 Best Resort in the United States and Canada category, and #1 in Canada within that category. Readers also placed the Wickaninnish Inn in the top 10 in the USA-focused edition of Condé Nast Traveler.

Condé Nast Traveller received more than 182,500 survey responses from readers across the United Kingdom rating their travel experiences across the globe to offer a comprehensive look at the places they eagerly anticipate revisiting. The Readers' Choice Awards, with their unparalleled legacy as the travel industry's longest running and most prestigious accolades, remain the ultimate symbol and acknowledgment of excellence within the travel sector. The full list of winners can be found .  

Charles McDiarmid, Maître de Maison of Wickaninnish Inn, shared: "We are incredibly honoured to once again be recognized as the #1 Resort in Canada (#3 Best Resort in the US & Canada) by the UK readers of Condé Nast Traveller. We are equally pleased that readers of the US-focused edition of Condé Nast Traveler also placed the Wickaninnish Inn in the top 10 in their ratings this year. These awards reflect the dedication and passion of our entire team, who work tirelessly to craft memorable experiences for our guests while staying true to our commitment to excellence, sustainability, and our profound connection to the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. We are deeply grateful for this recognition and remain devoted to upholding the high standards that make Wickaninnish Inn such a distinctive and cherished destination."

Nestled on the rugged coastline of Vancouver Island, Wickaninnish Inn has long been celebrated for its harmonious blend of natural surroundings, genuine hospitality and rustic elegance. With sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean from its perch on Chesterman Beach, locally inspired cuisine, and a deep commitment to sustainability, the Inn offers guests a uniquely immersive and rejuvenating experience.

The 2025 Readers' Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveller's website at cntraveller.com/inspiration/readers-choice-awards and celebrated in the November issue.

VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Canada is having a moment. From coast to coast to coast, the country's natural beauty, open-hearted spirit, and unforgettable travel experiences continue to capture the imagination of travelers worldwide. This week, that admiration was reaffirmed as Canada was named among the , one of the most respected accolades in global travel.

Each year, Condé Nast Traveler invites hundreds of thousands of readers to rate their favorite destinations across the globe. In the 2025 rankings, Canada earned the #10 spot, a recognition that celebrates both the country's breathtaking landscapes and the warmth of its people. Other parts of the country were recognized in categories like "" and "."

This recognition joins a wave of 2025 accolades, among them Most Loved Country in the World in the , reflecting Canada's natural beauty, safety, and welcoming spirit. Canada also snagged three of the top five spots on including Mon Lapin (Montréal, Québec), Restaurant Pearl Morissette (Lincoln, Ontario) and Tanière3 (Québec City, Québec). It's further proof that in Canada, travelers naturally find what they're looking for.

"Travelers today are craving what's real; experiences that build compassion, spark belonging, and remind us of what we share," says Gloria Loree, Senior Vice-President, Marketing Strategy & Chief Marketing Officer at Destination Canada. "For Americans, Canada offers exactly that. It's a place that welcomes you in, leaves a lasting mark, and sends you home seeing the world and one another a little differently."

As travelers seek connection, meaning, and authenticity, Canada continues to deliver whether through vibrant cityscapes like Toronto and Montréal, wild wonderlands like Banff and Yukon, or Indigenous-led experiences that honor the land and its stories. From the people to the places, here's a taste of what makes those moments so lasting:

• A welcome that feels personal. In Canada, kindness isn't a gesture, it's a way of life. Conversations come easily, and visitors feel like neighbors from the moment they arrive.
• A culture open to many stories. Canada's identity is woven from many threads - Indigenous, French, English, and global - blending into a mosaic that shows up in every neighborhood, market, and festival.
• Cities in harmony with nature. From Montréal's creative spirit to Vancouver's coastal calm, Canadian cities invite exploration while keeping nature close at hand.
• Room to breathe. Towering peaks, quiet forests, and endless skies remind travelers to slow down, recharge, and reconnect with the world around them.
• Moments that can't be staged. Whether sparked by a shared meal, a starlit sky, or an unexpected act of generosity, the experiences in Canada linger - leaving travelers more open, grounded, and inspired.

With this recognition from Condé Nast Traveler's U.S. readers, Canada's place as a global leader in tourism is stronger than ever and is a true reflection of a destination where travel feels both transformative and true to its nature. To learn more, please visit to see "."

The Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA) is excited to introduce the ORHMA Employee Benefits Program, a new, exclusive group health insurance program developed specifically for hospitality businesses across Ontario. In partnership with Western Financial Group (Western), this initiative brings tailored, high-value health benefits solutions directly to ORHMA members — designed with their unique business challenges in mind. 

Built for restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality employers of all sizes, the program delivers preferred pricing, flexible coverage options, and a white-glove service model that puts ORHMA members first. From onboarding to claim support, Western has committed dedicated resources and advisors to ensure members receive not just coverage, but personalized attention, hands-on support, and expert guidance every step of the way. Whether navigating plan comparisons or resolving a claim issue, members can expect fast, responsive, and industry-aware service. 

“At a time when employee retention and well-being are critical to hospitality operators, we are excited to launch this new Employee Benefits Program with a trusted partner,” said Tony Elenis, President & CEO of ORHMA. “Western Financial Group understands the unique needs of our industry. This tailored solution ensures our members have access to competitive, value-driven benefits that help them attract and support their teams.” 

The program includes annual benefits reviews, easy-to-navigate plan options, claims and administration support, and an online portal for managing benefits in real time. Additionally, ORHMA and Western will collaborate on personalized hospitality outreach along with educational content, including webinars and in-person opportunities to connect directly with members. 

“We’re proud to partner with ORHMA to deliver a benefits solution that meets the real needs of hospitality operators,” said Matt Friesen, Senior Vice-President, Central Sales at Western Financial Group. “Our team is committed to providing not just insurance, but a full-service experience, backed by knowledgeable advisors, hospitality-specific expertise, and a deep understanding of what it takes to support this dynamic industry. For ORHMA members, we’re not just a provider, we’re a partner.” 

The ORHMA Employee Benefits Program is now available to all eligible ORHMA members across Ontario. Operators are encouraged to learn more and request a personalized consultation by visiting

NEW YORK 6 October, 2025 — Artificial intelligence is no longer a future trend but a present force reshaping hotel distribution and pricing. That was the central theme of the 4th Hospitality Pricing Innovation (HPI) Series, hosted by in partnership with the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC) and Keytel.

Held at Park Avenue Plaza in New York City, the roundtable brought together senior executives, distribution experts, and revenue leaders to examine how AI and data management are rewriting the rules of hotel distribution. The event concluded with strong participation and delivered actionable insights that directly affect hotel competitiveness worldwide.

Industry at a Crossroads

Panelists agreed the industry is entering uncharted territory, moving from human-driven to machine-to-machine rate negotiations, where bots will soon handle rates, availability, and conditions. Key takeaways included:

• Price integrity is non-negotiable: protecting direct channels against rate disparities is more urgent than ever in an AI-driven world.
• Personalization has limits: hotels should design experiences based on intent and context, not just fixed profiles.
• Content is strategic: each language not covered by a hotel’s website represents lost demand to OTAs.
• Efficiency through automation: real-time alerts and automated reporting help revenue managers oversee more properties with fewer errors.
• Value capture at the entry point: whoever controls the guest’s first touchpoint—Google, Apple, or OpenAI—will capture most of the value.
• Experiential travel is rising: AI will aggregate demand for micro-experiences, turning them into bookable products.

Executives Weigh In

“AI is no longer future talk—it’s already reshaping hotel distribution. Hoteliers must act now: organize data, strengthen content, and protect direct pricing,” said Jordi Serra, CEO of 123Compare.me.

Vijay Dandapani, President & CEO of HANYC, noted: “We are proud to have played a pivotal role in organizing this first-of-its-kind seminar on the new frontiers of digital distribution. Panelists and attendees alike shared insights that converged into actionable suggestions for the future of distribution.”

Raúl Álvarez, Global VP Digital Strategy, Innovation & eCommerce at Radisson Hotel Group, highlighted the transformative role of AI: “Artificial intelligence is redefining how we connect with our guests and strengthen direct bookings. At Radisson, we see AI not as a distant future but as a 24/7 partner that helps us work smarter, protect price integrity, and deliver value more efficiently. Price integrity builds trust with customers and enhances brand reputation, as travelers who see consistent pricing across platforms gain confidence and are more likely to book directly.”

Keytel added: “It has been an honor to co-organize the HPI Series in New York. The discussions on artificial intelligence were invaluable. While the event offered clear action points, it also showed that AI will bring increased operational costs for hotels. In this new era, experience, knowledge, and trusted partnerships are more vital than ever to help hotels maintain control of their strategy and shape their future.”

The discussions and insights from HPI New York have been compiled into the whitepaper “The New Rules of Hotel Distribution.” This resource provides hoteliers with a roadmap to strengthen their direct channel, protect profitability, and prepare for a market increasingly shaped by algorithms.

The whitepaper, “The New Rules of Hotel Distribution,” compiles the event’s insights and action points. It is available for free download [].