Destinations
Overcoming Omicron
In the fourth quarter of 2021, uncertainty due to the Omicron variant negatively impacted Europe's travel and tourism sector, hampering prospects for its recovery in the first quarter of 2022. But the European Travel Commission (ETC) says that there is reason for optimism, predicting tourist arrivals to be just 20% below pre-pandemic levels in 2022, in spite of numerous challenges still facing the sector. In the most recent edition of the 'European Tourism Trends & Prospects' quarterly report from ETC continues to monitor the COVID-19 impact on the sector, examining how...
Sunwing Helping Agents Navigate Rule Changes
Sunwing is helping agents and customers seamlessly navigate the new measures easing border restrictions that were announced by the federal government earlier this week and which come into effect on Feb. 28. In anticipation of the effective date, the tour operator will be updating the Travel Requirements page on www.Sunwing.ca, the Sunwing Agent portal and its agent Facebook page in the coming days with helpful information and resources, in addition to sending out email reminders around the changing requirements. Sunwing will also be updating its hotel detail pages to reflect which...
A Guide To What’s New In The Caribbean
From hotel openings and fun ways to soak up the sun to the return of popular carnival festivals after a two-year hiatus, here's an overview of the latest travel news out of The Caribbean. Taking colour inspiration from the island’s Morne Trios Pitons; the Sisserou parrot and its Creole culture and Kalinago heritage, Dominica has launched a new brand identity complete with a new logo. The new brand is designed to better position Dominica as a competitive tourism destination. “Dominica is frequently confused with the Dominican Republic so we needed to create a distinction in the...
Discover Authentic Cultural Tourism Experiences with ITAC
Baxter Media invites all travel professionals to attend a webinar with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada on Wednesday, March 9 at 1 p.m. (EST). Join the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) for an amazing opportunity to discover authentic and eye-opening tourism experiences in this virtual presentation. "Our ancestors have been sharing with and welcoming visitors to our traditional territories since time immemorial. Our communities are guided by values of respect, honour and integrity, and tourism experiences demonstrate how Indigenous communities, both urban...
Lynx Air Expands Its Network
Lynx Air continues to grow its Canadian network with the addition of Victoria, BC and the expansion of its presence in Toronto, ON, and Winnipeg. The carrier will now serve six Canadian cities which include Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Kelowna and Victoria. Passengers will now be able to fly between Winnipeg, MB, and Toronto, ON with Lynx offering two flights per week between these two cities beginning Thurs., May 5, 2022 with prices starting at $69 one way. On Thurs., May 12, 2022, Lynx will take off to Victoria, BC, offering two services a week between Calgary, AB and...
NACC Wants A Clear Science-Based Plan
While it recognizes that the Feb. 15 announcement by the federal government is a step forward, the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) says that a clear, science-based plan is still needed. Suzanne Acton-Gervais, NACC’s interim president and CEO, said that: “Since the outset of the pandemic, Canada’s major airlines have worked hand in hand with the Government of Canada to keep air travel safe for travellers, workers and for Canadian families, including through their full support of the implementation of vaccination requirements for air travellers and...
ACTA Says More Is Needed
Following over a year of advocacy by ACTA and the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable, the Government of Canada announced Feb. 15th that the pre-departure molecular (PCR) testing requirement for fully vaccinated travellers would be removed effective Feb. 28, 2022. Fully vaccinated travellers may now use a negative rapid antigen test one day before their departure time or arrival at the land border. The test must be administered by a telehealth service, laboratory, or healthcare professional. Travellers may still use a molecular test within 72 hours of travel or furnish proof of a...
WS Says Pre-Departure Testing Needs To End
While the WestJet Group is welcoming the changes the federal government announced today (Feb. 15) – which include the removal of blanket travel advisory, end to advance PCR and arrivals testing requirements, changes to child travel policy and lifting of restrictions on international arrivals at Canadian airports -- it is also making it clear that until the pre-departure testing requirement is fully removed for fully-vaccinated travellers the travel and tourism industry’s recovery will continue to be impeded. Angela Avery, WestJet Executive Vice-President, External Affairs, said...