Destinations
Bella Coola Heli Sports Earns World’s Best Status
Bella Coola Heli Sports (BCHS) has once again topped the World Ski Awards, earning a fifth-consecutive nod as the World’s Best Heli Ski Operation. BCHS first started operations in the sprawling BC backcountry in 2003, and was first crowned best in the world at the 2017 edition of the awards. BCHS boasts the world’s largest heli-sports tenure — 3.55 million acres of terrain stretching from the northern fjords and mountains of Bella Coola southeast to Mt. Waddington, the highest peak in the province. It is accessible to a wide range of lodging facilities in the heart of the Coast...
Ireland Welcomes Air Canada Flights
Irish eyes were certainly smiling following Air Canada’s announcement that it was launching an expanded Summer 2022 international schedule with 34 routes relaunching across the Atlantic and Pacific, including Vancouver to Dublin (June 1) and Montreal to Dublin (June 2). Sandra Moffatt, Manager, Tourism Ireland, Canada, said that: “In a clear sign that international travel is back, we are excited with the news of Air Canada’s resumption of direct routes from Montreal and Vancouver to Dublin. 2022 now sees five direct gateways across Canada and we look forward to welcoming...
TICO Board Approves Compensation Fund Claims
TICO’s Board of Directors has approved a total of 82 claims against the Ontario Travel Compensation Fund totaling $134,324.99 to assist 149 consumers who did not receive the travel services for which they had paid. The claims were approved between December 2021 and February 2022. On Feb. 22, 2022, TICO’s Board of Directors approved 39 claims totaling $68,281.24 to assist 66 consumers who did not receive the travel services for which they had paid. The approved Ontario Travel Compensation Fund claims are as follows: Fly Jamaica Airways - 20 claims to assist 35 consumers,...
Jamaica Updates Travel Protocols
Beginning March 1, 2022, international visitors to Jamaica will no longer be required to obtain travel authorization to enter the island. Travellers 12 years of age and older will only need to provide a negative result from a COVID-19 Antigen or PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to their travel. Additionally, travellers to Jamaica will no longer face travel-related quarantine measures. Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett said that: “Eliminating travel-related quarantines and the need for travellers to fill out and receive approval of the Travel Authorization...
ACTA Advocacy Works As OPC Permit Waiver Extended
Following continued advocacy, ACTA reports that the Quebec provincial government has announced that it will waive the OPC permit from Feb 2022 until February 2023. ACTA has been calling for this extension to provide much-needed relief for travel agencies. Manon Martel, membership manager Quebec for ACTA, said that: “Without assistance, many travel agencies will not survive the many government restrictions that till remain on travel.” Martel noted that: “Even with sales starting to come in, it will be a long time before travel agencies see revenue and begin to...
First In Service Expanding In Canada
First in Service Travel LTD (F1S) has expanded its operations to include Canada. More than two years in the making, the announcement heralds the New York City-based company’s growth strategy for corporate, luxury leisure and entertainment travel not only for Canada, but also encompassing much of the Western Hemisphere. Willa Griffin will help lead F1S Canada. Fernando Gonzalez, F1S chief executive officer, who co-founded First in Service with his sister Erika Reategui in 1991, explained: “While we are only now formally announcing our entry into Canada, First in Service has been...
Indigenous Tourism: What You Need To Know To Sell It
In the first of a two-part primer on indigenous tourism, Jason Picard-Binet, sales manager for the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), sits down with Canadian Travel Press and provides an overview of some of the ‘need-to-knows’ for those who are interested in working with this country’s indigenous tourism businesses. The conversation began with the obvious question -- What is Indigenous Tourism? Picard-Binet explains that: “The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) launched a national consultation with industry members, Elders and the community to...
Thailand Makes Changes To Rules
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is reporting changes to Thailand’s entry requirements for fully vaccinated travellers. Effective March 1, (for entry into Thailand on March 7) fully vaccinated travellers from any country around the world can apply for a 'Test & Go’ Thailand Pass under newly announced eased requirements. Previous rules included mandatory PCR tests on Day 1 and Day 5, however, the second test has been changed to a self-ATK test. For more specifics on all all entry requirements, go to...