Destinations
Yates Named CEO For VisitBritain, VisitEngland
National tourism agency VisitBritain/VisitEngland have announced that its deputy CEO Patricia Yates is stepping up to CEO. The interim appointment comes as the agency’s current CEO Sally Balcombe steps down from 8 April. The appointment was announced as VisitBritain/VisitEngland brought tourism industry leaders together at a ‘Rebooting the visitor economy’ event on March 29, outlining its focus to ensure tourism rebounds to once again become one of most successful and productive sectors of the UK economy. Commenting on Yates appointment, British Tourist Authority (BTA) Chair...
St. Kitts & Nevis Revise Entry Requirements
Beginning April 1, 2022, all international visitors arriving by air may show proof of either a negative COVID-19 antigen test or a negative RT-PCR test to enter the Federation. Antigen tests must be taken within the 24 hours prior to arrival; RT-PCR tests must be taken within the 72 hours prior to arrival. This is a revision of the previous requirement, which only allowed for RT-PCR tests. Lindsay F.P. Grant, Minister of Tourism, Transport and Ports, said: “The Federation is primed to continue welcoming visitors through the spring and summer months. We are fully open for...
Jumpstart Summer With Sunwing Deals
Sunwing is offering Canadian travellers savings of up to 30% on all-inclusive packages to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America when they book by April 17, 2022, and travel between May 1, 2022, and Oct. 31, 2022. Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations for Sunwing, explained that: “As we enter a new season of travel, one with no inbound testing requirements for the first time in nearly two years, we’re thrilled to offer our customers our lowest and most competitive prices for their highly-anticipated return to paradise.” Dawson noted that: “With a range of...
Ready For A Great Year
Discover America Canada says cross-border travel is on the verge of getting a major shot in the arm. Association president Susan Webb pointed out to members during the Tuesday annual general meeting of a group that promotes travel to the United States that as of April 1 vaccinated Canadians returning home to this country will no longer need to automatically undergo COVID tests. The testing has been seen as a major deterrent for out-of-country travel. "It's not an April Fool's joke," Webb said. "It's really going to help (encourage people visit the United States)." Canadians...
Anguilla Makes Changes To Entry Protocols
Anguilla’s Ministry of Health has released new guidelines for Anguilla’s entry protocols, in accordance with their evolving COVID-19 Exit Strategy. The new guidelines will come into effect on Friday, April 1, 2022. As of April 1, 2022, all fully vaccinated travellers to Anguilla who are 18 years and older will no longer need to apply for permission to enter the island via the travel portal at www.IvisitAnguilla.com. Those travellers will still need to present evidence of full vaccination status with an approved vaccine and a negative COVID-19 test; that is an NAA/PCR/RNA test...
Something To Think About
In new research commissioned by Rapid Test & Trace Canada – and conducted among members of the online Angus Reid Forum – it was found that 84% of Canadians are not planning to travel over March Break 2022. Over a third (36%) say they are planning to visit with friends and family. Among this group, only 11% are planning to ask those friends and family to take a COVID test before meeting up and mingling with other households. In hopes of preventing more COVID-19 infections over March Break and St. Patrick’s Day, the survey looked closely at how Canadians fared with COVID...
Jamaica 60 Event Sparkles In Toronto
In 2022, Jamaica has launched a year-long celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of its independence from Britain With the theme, Jamaica 60 – ‘Reigniting A Nation For Greatness,’ celebrations rolled into Toronto on March 26 at an event at the Toronto Event Centre, Grand Bizarre that was hosted by Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange and the Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett. It was a stellar event featuring entertainment, food and good company that was enjoyed by travel industry representatives and members of the Jamaican...
Thailand Makes Changes To COVID-19 Rules
Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has approved the lifting of the pre-travel testing requirement for international arrivals beginning April 1 as the kingdom prepares a four-phase plan to downgrade the COVID-19 pandemic to an endemic disease. International arrivals under any of the current three entry schemes – TEST & GO, Sandbox, and Alternative Quarantine (AQ) – will be allowed to enter Thailand without the need to show proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of travel. The number of approved airports has increased from 7 to 8 – Don...