Toronto, ON (February 19, 2025) – is pleased to announce the addition of  to its management portfolio, effective February 17, 2026. Located on Nova Scotia’s South Shore with sweeping views of Mahone Bay, the resort is recognized as a longstanding coastal retreat offering full-service amenities perfect for leisure, group and business travellers.

“Oak Island Resort & Conference Centre is a distinctive property with a strong sense of place, and Atlific Hotels is proud to be entrusted with its management,” said Philippe Gadbois, COO, Atlific Hotels. “We are committed to delivering dependable, guest-focused service rooted in operational excellence and look forward to working with the Oak Island team to build on the resort’s reputation as a premier Nova Scotia destination.”

The resort features 119 nautically inspired guestrooms, many with balconies or patios overlooking the bay, as well as oceanfront chalets, suites and villas. On-site amenities include indoor and seasonal outdoor pools, spa services, mini-golf, hot tub and sauna facilities, fitness centre, tennis courts, a variety of water sports, and walking and cycling trails. A full-service marina operating mid-May through mid-October offers dozens of berths and moorings, allowing boaters to dock directly at the resort and enjoy its dining and leisure facilities.

Dining options include Oak & Oar Restaurant, offering regional cuisine with ocean views, and Three Sheets Bar + Social, a casual gathering space featuring drinks, light fare and live entertainment. The property also hosts seasonal events and curated getaway packages throughout the year.

Located a short drive from downtown Halifax, Oak Island serves as a gateway to Nova Scotia’s South Shore, providing convenient access to Mahone Bay, Lunenburg, Peggy’s Cove and other historic and scenic communities. The resort also offers flexible meeting and event space suited to conferences, weddings and social gatherings.

With its oceanfront setting, diverse accommodations and range of recreational offerings, Oak Island Resort & Conference Centre begins its next chapter under the management of Atlific Hotels, bringing experienced oversight and operational stability to one of Nova Scotia’s established coastal destinations.

TORONTO, Feb. 19, 2026 /CNW/ -  proudly announces the appointment of as its new General Manager. Chelan brings a wealth of experience and a passion for excellence, transferring from , where he served as General Manager.

Chelan's career with Four Seasons began in 2007 as Senior Director of Marketing for the brand's resorts in Mauritius and Seychelles. His journey later took him to Dubai, where he oversaw marketing for Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre, before joining Whistler in 2017 and rising through key leadership roles.

"Chelan's strategic vision, unwavering commitment to service excellence, and genuine care for our people have played a defining role in shaping how we welcome and serve our guests," says , President, Hotel Operations, Americas. "His global perspective and deep understanding of what defines exceptional service will be a tremendous asset as we continue to elevate the guest experience in Toronto." 

Under Chelan's leadership in Whistler, the Resort achieved several notable accolades, including being recognized with 2 Michelin Keys in 2025, awarded #1 Resort in Canada by Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, and #1 Resort in Canada by Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards.

"I am honoured to take on this role at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, the flagship property and birthplace of the Four Seasons brand," says Chelan Goonetilleke, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. "I look forward to carrying on our tradition of warm, genuine hospitality that reflects Canada's welcoming spirit and the vibrant energy of this world‑class city."

Outside of work, Chelan looks forward to immersing himself in Toronto's vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cocktail bars, and exploring the city's many golf courses in summer.

TORONTO, ON (February 12, 2026) – is proud to announce the launch of the Global Chef Series set to premiere on March 6 and 7, 2026, with a two-night residency from Felipe Schaedler, the celebrated São Paulo-based chef behind Banzeiro. The residency kicks off a year of refined and rare international culinary collaborations at the hotel. 

The Global Chef Series is an exclusive culinary program welcoming internationally acclaimed chefs for highly limited collaborations at  Restaurant. Each residency pairs a celebrated guest chef with Park Hyatt Executive Chef Jonathan Williams to craft immersive, multi-course tasting menus bringing the distinct flavours and signature dishes of the chef’s home city to Toronto for a brief moment in time. Each residency will be complemented by a curated selection of fine wines and spirits, selected to enhance and elevate each menu.

Chef Schaedler’s cooking is defined by rare ingredients, ancestral techniques, and a deep respect for Brazil’s biodiversity. His Toronto appearance marks a highly anticipated Canadian debut, with a tasting menu inspired by the flavours, textures, and stories of the Amazon.

The multi-course tasting menu presented by Chefs Schaedler and Williams is priced at $165 CAD per person, with an optional wine pairing available for $95 CAD per person. Reservations are now available via .

“Our guests are curious, well-traveled, and eager for experiences that feel meaningful and transportive,” said Eduardo Bressane, General Manager, Park Hyatt Toronto. “Park Hyatt has always been about offering experiences that feel truly rare - the kind of moments our guests can’t easily find anywhere else. By bringing these internationally renowned chefs to Toronto, alongside our own exceptional Chef Jonathan Williams, we’re continuing that commitment, connecting our guests to world-class talent and cultural experiences in our distinct setting.”

Joni has confirmed a distinguished series of six Global Chef Series dinners throughout 2026. Upcoming April and June events include:

 ●      April 24 & 25: Jean-François Rouquette of PUR’, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme (One MICHELIN Star).

●      June 5 & 6 with Alberto Landgraf of Oteque, Rio de Janeiro (Two MICHELIN Stars; Latin America’s 50 Best).      

Future dinners will feature Ninh Le Trung Hau of Square One, Park Hyatt Saigon (MICHELIN Guide Selected), and André “Matsumoto” Saburo of Taberna Japonesa Quina do Futuro, Recife, with a sixth chef to be announced, to cap the 2026 series in December.

Each chef will present a highly limited engagement, reinforcing the Global Chef Series as one of Toronto’s most ambitious and internationally connected dining programs.

Reservations and ticketing details will be released 30 days prior to each event start date. Early booking is strongly recommended due to limited capacity.

Tech Tuesday Webinars - AI and Cyber Security

In partnership with TNS, TIANS/NSTHRC are offering a "Tech Tuesday" series. Provided by experts at On-Line Computer Services these targeted webinars will provide you with relevant information to build your adoption of emerging digital tools and foster cyber security practices.  All Sessions run from 2-3pm on Tuesdays, except #4 on a Monday.  Register for one, or all – email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to sign up or contact Lynn McDonagh Hughes at 902.423.4480.

NOTE: This Webinar Series Kicks off next week! Register now for the February 17th Session!

Webinar #1 - Tuesday, February 17 | Hello, My Name Is AI
  

AI is the current hot buzzword, but not everyone understand its potential use in their tourism business.  Join us for this beginner-friendly short course on the basics of AI and gain confidence in starting to use some elements in your own operation.

Webinar #2 - Tuesday, March 3 | Surviving the Outage  
  

When the Cloud has an outage and the internet goes down, it can create service and communication issues. Learn how to build a business IT continuity plan that enables you to manage an outage, support guest the experience and protect your business data.

Webinar #3 - Tuesday, March 17 | The AI Co-Pilot: Beyond the Hype

This webinar will focus on how to leverage AI to create efficiencies and enhance productivity for your own operation. Join us to learn practical ways you and your team can use AI for daily administrative tasks and save hours of valuable time each week.

Webinar #4 - Monday, March 23 | The Weakest Link: Cybersecurity for Humans

Humans are the weakest link in cybersecurity, roughly 68% to 95% of security breaches involving human error, such as phishing, weak passwords, or improper data handling. Attackers exploit human emotions like urgency and trust, making ongoing training a must.

Workshops to Support your Business

Neurodiversity Workshop

Join us for an educational, interactive session designed to foster understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. This workshop will cover terminology, dispel misconceptions, and provide practical, actionable strategies for creating a supportive environment in your workplace.

Thursday, March 5 | 9:30am-12:30pm | Best Western Plus Chocolate Lake, Halifax
Facilitator:  Ann Divine, Ashanti Leadership

Crisis Management in Tourism On-Line Workshop

The last few years has seen Nova Scotia tourism operators deal with situations ranging from forest fires to government restrictions of wooded areas.  This interactive virtual workshop will include the following topics: what crisis communications actually means in tourism; the role of operators vs. official response agencies; how to communicate when facts are still emerging; aligning with official sources without amplifying confusion and visitor-facing communication principles during disruptions. The session will be practical, tourism-specific and grounded in real-world crisis experience.

Tuesday, March 24 | 2:00-3:30pm | On-Line
Facilitator:  Corrine Bundschuh, Event Muse Consulting

Psychological Safety Workshop

Creating an environment where people feel safe to take interpersonal risks, make mistakes and disagree with others is key to creating a safe working environment. Psychological safety in the workforce enhances trust and community. This training program shares strategies for designing a safe space in the contemporary workplace and will also include raising awareness about the subtle but serious impact of microaggressions.

Thursday, March 26 | 9:30am-12:30pm | Best Western Chocolate Lake, Halifax
Facilitator: Ann Divine, Ashanti Leadership

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR ALL WORKSHOPS

SIGN UP BY EMAILING This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 or contact Lynn at 902.423.4480

BELONG - Employer Workshop: Creating Truly Accessible Tourism Workspaces

Coming Soon!  Watch for the March Date and South Shore Location to be Announced

Creating inclusive and accessible tourism workplaces takes more than good intentions – it requires leadership, mindset shifts, and practical tools. This interactive session introduces employers to key concepts from the Belong training program, developed by Tourism HR Canada and funded by the Government of Canada.

Participants will:

• Experience select Belong training content firsthand;
• Explore strategies for inclusive hiring, onboarding, and workplace design;
• Learn how to shift mindsets around disability and accommodation;
• Discover tools and approaches to embed accessibility across the employee lifecycle.

Registration is Open - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." target="_blank">

Emerit - Real Skills for the Real World

Emerit online learning offers the ultimate in easy-to-use, portable, and engaging skill development—for job seekers, frontline, workers, supervisors, owners, operators, and entrepreneurs. Emerit eLearning is based on current , developed with input from thousands of tourism professionals from across Canada.

All Emerit training is focused on building real skills - not just memorizing information. Emerit eLearning enables individuals to use the best approach for their learning style.

• Accessible training anywhere, anytime
• Self-directed and flexible
• Independent or group settings
• In the workplace, the classroom, or at home
• Optimized for desktop, tablet, and mobile

Learn More at