British Columbia was one of only three provinces to see an increase in the value of residential building permits in May, according to Statistics Canada data released July 8. Residential permits in the province were up 7.4 per cent from April to $741 million…
All posts by Christina
Article for REW.ca: Total Value of Vancouver Homes Reached $526.3b in 2012: StatCan
The total market value of all residential properties in Vancouver reached $526.3 billion in 2012, according to new information released by Statistics Canada today. That’s an increase of three per cent from $511.1 billion in 2011, down from a 10.9 per cent year-over-year increase the year before…
Article for PAX Magazine: Forgetting Charlie – A Hawaiian Love Affair on Kauai’s North Coast
My first destination article for PAX Magazine appears in the summer issue. Find the digital version at PAXMagazine.ca.
New article for PAXnewsWest.com: Exploring Anantara’s newest Thailand properties
Anantara Hotels and Resorts, a brand launched with one resort in Thailand in 2001, now includes 13 hotels and resorts across the country, with a collection of 35 properties stretching cross Asia, the Middle East and Africa. While the brand may not be well known to Canadians, it is part of the Minor Hotel Group, one of the largest hospitality and leisure companies in the Asia Pacific region, and a member of the Global Hotel Alliance.
PAXnewsWest.com recently had the opportunity to visit two recent additions to the Anantara portfolio in Thailand to learn what this luxury hotel brand can offer the Canadian traveller…
Article for PAXnewsWest.com: Transat launches largest sun brochure yet
The sun obliged yesterday, shining on guests as they arrived at the Transat Holidays 2015–2016 sun product launch in Vancouver, presented at an intimate lunch for 20 agents at Blue Water Café.
Transat’s new 2015–2016 sun brochure features 35 destinations. For the first time, all vacation destinations are offered as Transat Holidays packages, including those previously available only under the Nolitours banner…
Article for REW.ca/The Vancouver Courier: Five Great Things About Living in … Mount Pleasant
While it’s hard to think of today’s Mount Pleasant as a suburb – it’s a thriving neighbourhood that spans Vancouver’s east and west sides and offers easy access to all parts of the city – it did start out that way. In the early 1900s, the area was one of the first residential communities south of False Creek. Today, it’s one of the hottest places in Vancouver to call home. Here are five reasons why the more than 26,000 people who live in Mount Pleasant love their neighbourhood…
This article also appeared in the Vancouver Courier.
Article for PAXnewsWest.com: KVB reveals romantic side of Kauai
“I could have lived anywhere, but I chose to live on Kauai.” It was a refrain heard over and over again on a recent PAXnewsWest.com visit to the destination.
“Kauai has a feeling, a spirit,” said Sabra Kauka, a Kauai cultural representative. “It has a way of embracing you and saying ‘Aloha.’”
Ninety-seven per cent of Kauai’s land is undeveloped, with many pristine areas accessible only by boat or foot, and some only by helicopter (a quirky piece of legislation prevents the construction of buildings that exceed the height of a mature coconut tree)…
Article for PAXnewsWest.com: TTM+ 2015: Experiential travel & the essence of “Thainess”
The Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2015 wrapped up Friday after three days of connecting Thailand tourism operators and service providers with buyers and media.
The 2015 Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) campaign encourages visitors to “Discover Thainess,” a theme much discussed at the event. What exactly is “Thainess”? It’s that unique aspect of Thailand that keeps visitors returning to the country…
Article for PAXnewsWest.com: Thailand Travel Mart Plus – A day in Bangkok
PAXnewsWest.com is on location in Thailand this week for the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2015.
Before attending the TTM+ opening reception last night, media guests (including PAXnewsWest.com) spent the day exploring Bangkok with Tourism Authority of Thailand representatives. First was the Pak-Klong Market, the largest wholesale and retail flower market in Bangkok, which also does a brisk business in produce. After a quick peek at the rows of stalls selling garlands, roses, herbs, and fruits and vegetables, it was off to the Amita Thai Cooking School for a lesson in Thai cuisine…
Read the rest at PAXnewsWest.com
Article for REW.ca: Five Great Things About Living in … False Creek
False Creek became a unique waterfront community in the 1970s, when the former industrial land was developed into a planned community with plenty of green space and prime waterfront views. It’s now dealing with some uncertainty, as two-thirds of residents live on leasehold land, with many of the leases set to expire in 2036. What that means for the future of real estate in the community remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a hotbed of culture and recreational activities. Here are five great things about living in this slice of the city that embodies Vancouver’s West Coast vibe..