Destinations
RLV, Merit Appoint Hamre
H.I.S.-Red Label Vacations Inc. (RLV) and Merit Travel have appointed Lora Hamre as the new Director of Retail and Independent Consultant Program. An experienced business leader, Hamre started assuming responsibilities on May 2, 2022. Her role is primarily focused on growing the retail and independent travel divisions with finesse and forward-thinking while fostering new business development activities that drive greater engagement and opportunity. She has over 20 years of industry experience, most recently working as Business Development Manager for Trafalgar Travel. Her sales,...
RVC 2023 Heads to Québec City
Québec City will be the official host of Rendez-vous Canada 2023, shining the spotlight on this “one-of-a-kind city” at Canada’s premier international tourism marketplace. Robert Mercure, General Manager of Destination Québec cite, said that: “In 2020, we indicated that the cancellation of Rendez-vous Canada in our destination was only a postponement. So, we are happy to welcome this grandiose and major event for the tourism industry in 2023.” Mercure continued: “In addition to providing a memorable immersion in an authentic French-speaking culture, Destination...
Hong Kong Tourism Board Ready For The Revival
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) held its annual Tourism Update event online late last week (May 6), announcing a revival plan that highlights Hong Kong’s vibrant developments and new experiences, aiming to generate a positive ambience and make the city top-of-mind destination for worldwide travellers when travel resumes. With the theme “Together Towards New Horizons,” Tourism Update 2022 attracted 3,200 trade representatives from travel agencies, attractions, hotels, airlines, retailers, restaurants, and meeting and exhibition organizers from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and...
Get Off The Beaten Track In Saint Lucia
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) has launched a bespoke accommodations program to showcase 400-plus smaller accommodation properties in Saint Lucia. Collection de Pépites features a broad range of one-of-a-kind island jewels, including local B&Bs, boutiques, inns and luxury villas. The name originates in the island’s French heritage and means a collection of small pieces or nuggets of gold. The aim is to introduce travelers to properties that have 35 rooms or fewer, which may not be as well-known as the island’s larger hotels and resorts. Many of the properties...
Air Transat Launches Montreal-Amsterdam Route
Air Transat has launched direct service between Montreal and Amsterdam that will operate until mid-October with three flights per week at the height of the season: on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. With this service, the airline is responding to the significant demand from travellers who want to discover Europe this summer and strengthening its fast-growing transatlantic operations. Joseph Adamo, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Transat, said: “We are very excited to provide our customers with easy access to another jewel of European culture. Amsterdam joins 18 other...
Words Of Wisdom
Baxter Media’s Baxter Student Ambassador Program remains committed to identifying the travel industry’s most-promising student talent in tourism and hospitality programs at Canada’s leading colleges and universities. BSAP is the only travel and tourism student mentoring program of its kind in Canada, offering learning and networking opportunities for aspiring travel industry professionals. BSAP plays a vital role in the long-term survival of the travel industry. Now in its eighth year, the program continues to work with colleges and universities from across Canada to identify...
GBTA Tackles Sustainable Business Travel
The topic of creating a greener future for business travel took centre stage for the first time at the GBTA Canada Conference in Toronto this week as close to 600 Canadian leaders, professionals and other stakeholders gathered from a cross-section of the travel industry including airlines, hotel companies and corporate travel agency leaders. Sustainability has moved to the front of the agenda for economies, companies and the world at large. It is also a priority for the business travel industry, as revealed in new research from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) where...
TIAO Launches Nonpartisan Election Microsite
In new data released by the Tourism Industry Assocation of Ontario (TIAO), almost half of all tourism businesses remain very concerned about the future of the tourism industry in Ontario and that despite many restrictions being lifted, continue to face significant economic pressures and labour challenges to ensure its recovery. In April, TIAO conducted a survey to understand the priorities of the tourism industry as Ontario heads into an election. The survey data affirmed that tourism has reached a critical point in recovery. Reflecting the severity of the situation, 92% of...