Destinations
ITAC, Destination Canada Renew MoU
Destination Canada (DC) and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) have agreed to renew and expand their partnership through a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU); representing an important collaboration between the two organizations to support the recovery of the Indigenous tourism industry in Canada. Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, said: “The Indigenous tourism experiences available here for Canadian and international travellers are unique in the world. It is through respect and partnership that we will ensure that...
Costa Rica Loosening Restrictions
Beginning April 1, Costa Rica will no longer require travellers to complete an online Health Pass when visiting the destination. Additionally, unvaccinated travellers will no longer be required to purchase a travel insurance policy. However, it will still be recommended that travellers purchase travel insurance to cover medical and lodging expenses in the event of contracting COVID-19. As of March 1, all business establishments require vaccination QR codes upon entry and commercial establishments that do not require vaccination QR codes can only operate at 50% capacity. That...
Industry Nervous Of Ukraine’s Impact On Europe Recovery
While the travel industry has been making steady gains over the last year and optimism for 2022 is high as it recovers from the impact of the global pandemic, the war in Ukraine has some in the industry nervous about Europe’s tourism recovery. The latest MMGY Travel Intelligence surveyed hundreds of U.S. travellers planning to visit Europe about the war to understand its impact on traveller sentiment and behaviour. Key findings from that survey reveal that: 62% of U.S. travellers cited concerns about the war in Ukraine spreading to nearby countries as a factor impacting plans...
Bermuda Relaxes Protocols
Bermuda has announced updated COVID-19 protocols, offering new travel guidelines that will streamline the process for vaccinated travellers visiting the island by air. As of March 7, 2022, the revised guidelines will continue to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors, while making it even more convenient for visitors. Charles H. Jeffers II, Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) CEO, said that: “News of Bermuda’s relaxed travel guidelines has been met with great enthusiasm from travellers who can’t wait to return to our island. Our hotels and businesses are open with the...
A World Of Possibilities For Travel In 2022
The highly transmissible Omicron variant certainly had a very negative effect on the Canadian travel industry, with severe government restrictions either scaring or demotivating prospective Canadian travellers looking to escape a very harsh winter in many areas of the country, writes Eric Barber in the latest issue of Canadian Travel Press. This had the making of the first winter where the agency community could have profited from Canadians booking their package vacations in the south. Unfortunately, it was greatly affected by yet more restrictions. Compounding this are the events...
Indigenous Tourism: Talking Product And Beyond
In the second part of a two-part primer on Indigenous tourism in the latest issue of Canadian Travel Press, Jason Picard-Binet, sales manager for the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), talks more about ITAC’s role and activities, as well as providing some examples of the kind of Indigenous tourism product that’s available. At one point in the conversation, Picard-Binet observes: “One of the challenges of our industry is cultural appropriation. It is therefore very important to check the ownership of a business that offers indigenous cultural activities before making...
UNWTO Considering Requests To Suspend Russia
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is convening an emergency session of its Executive Council in Madrid today (March 8) in response to the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. The move follows requests from Guatemala, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia and Ukraine for the suspension of the Russian Federation from membership of UNWTO. As a result, and in accordance with Rule 3.4 of the Council’s Rules of Procedure, the UNWTO Secretary-General has called for an emergency session of the Executive Council to address the matter; with the decision being made following...
Last Chance to Register for ITAC Webinar
Baxter Media is sending out a friendly reminder for all travel professionals to attend a webinar with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) tomorrow, March 9 at 1 p.m. (EST). ITAC will be offering an authentic Inuit sculpture from Transformation Fine Art gallery located on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), also known as Calgary. "Our ancestors have been sharing with and welcoming visitors to our traditional territories since time immemorial. Our...