Destinations
A Boost For London Tourism, But Challenges Remain
GlobalData says that a £10 million campaign will be a boost for London’s tourism industry, but COVID-19 challenges remain. The data and analytics company noted that London’s tourism sector will benefit from the planned multi-million-pound campaign to drive visitors to the city, however, it also notes that the tourism industry remains in a precarious position as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hannah Free, travel and tourism analyst at GlobalData, observed that: “London’s tourism industry has been badly affected by COVID-19, which has kept many business and leisure...
Zurich Canada Launches New Coverage
Zurich Canada is now offering customers Group Accident Insurance that combines customizable coverages with first-class support services for employees before, during and after their trips. At a time when business travel is expected to increase after years of pandemic-related restrictions, Zurich’s new solution can provide a level of protection and peace of mind for businesses and their employees. Employees, employers and participant groups today are seeking a broader range of group accident coverages, for good reason, said Khalid Sohail, Head Accident and Sickness at Zurich...
WestJet Group, Sunwing Chart A New Course
Sunwing’s president of tour operations had a message for the Canadian travel trade following yesterday’s (March 2) announcement that the WestJet Group was acquiring Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines and would be joining forces to create a new tour operating business. Dawson writes: “We are excited to announce an agreement under which the WestJet Group will acquire Sunwing Vacations (inclusive of SellOffVacations and Vacation Express) and Sunwing Airlines to create a new, combined tour operating business which will be led by Sunwing’s CEO Stephen Hunter. As part of the...
Kayak Data Shows Canada Searches Spiking
KAYAK has released new data revealing Canada to be a beloved travel destination for international travellers, given recent news around testing requirement changes. In fact, travel searches to Canada spiked 57% between Feb. 15 and Feb. 22 for future travel indicating eased testing requirements are luring international travellers to the Great White North, the first chance they can get. Data from KAYAK shows spikes in searches over the past week from international travellers, with the top cities planning to visit Canada including Washington (204%), Munich (43%), San Diego (42%),...
Direct Travel, Crisis24 Team Up
Direct Travel, Inc. and Crisis24, have announced they are establishing a strategic partnership. Through the strategic partnership, Crisis24 will continue its mission of addressing the needs of organizations and individuals to provide duty of care programs and ensure business continuity. By combining Direct Travel’s access to clients in the middle market with Crisis24’s intelligence and technological resources, the partnership will allow middle market clients to access the best and most advanced actionable risk management solutions. Stephan Malvoisin, senior vice president at...
I Stand With Ukraine
Editor’s Note: In a powerful commentary, Bruce Poon Tip makes it clear where he stands on Ukraine, observing that: “Travel is the most powerful way we can open our hearts, minds and eyes to the beauty of the world, especially in the darkest of times” and he urges everyone to stand together for peace. Poon Tip writes: “It’s as though we’ve learned nothing in the past 75 years -- I would have hoped we had learned from our collective experience. The past two years we have been living through a global pandemic that has caused physical separation for millions around the...
Unique Vacations Promotes C.J. Smith
Maureen Barnes-Smith, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Canada, Unique Vacations Canada has announced that C.J. Smith has been promoted to Director of Sales. Smith’s promotion is effective immediately. He has been an indispensable member of the Canadian sales team for Sandals and Beaches Resorts since 2008, and was most recently Senior National Sales Manager. He first joined the Sandals family in 2001 with various on-resort roles at Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Negril before moving to Canada in 2008 to assume the position of Business Development Manager, Alberta. After...
Another Award As Best Ski Hotel For Pan Pacific
The Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside has once again earned the title of Canada’s Best Ski Hotel at the World Ski Awards. That makes it nine years in a row for this Pan Pac property. The World Ski Awards is the premier awards program in global ski tourism, with hundreds of thousands of travel professionals, skiers, hotel guests and media casting their votes for their favourite ski destinations and brands. Categories include best ski resort, best ski hotel, best ski boutique hotel and best ski chalet. This winter, Whistler is open to fully-vaccinated US and international visitors,...