Destinations
Feds Expand Eligibility For Lockdown Support Programs
Led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, senior cabinet ministers announced that the federal government was temporarily expanding eligibility for key support programs in order to make sure that Canadians are protected and workers and businesses get the help they need to sustain them through new and necessary public health restrictions. In explaining the temporary expansion of eligibility for key support programs, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland explained that the federal government will be using regulatory authority provided in Bill C-2, and introducing new...
CRA Now Accepting THRP Applications
ACTA is advising that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is now accepting applications for the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) wage and rent subsidies. The association’s president, Wendy Paradis said: “We were very pleased to see the government act so quickly to put this in place so that agencies can apply for wage and rent subsidies now.” Agencies and some independent travel agents can apply for the wage and rent subsidies online with the CRA. The THRP gives up to 75% wage and rent subsidies to eligible travel, tourism, and hospitality businesses who suffered...
Let’s Get Ready For An Incredible 2022
During this festive season, the sales team at Unique Vacations Canada – led by Maureen Barnes-Smith, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Canada – share a simple but heartfelt bilingual video message to Canadian travel advisors. “Thank you for all you do……and let’s get ready for an incredible 2022” Check it out...
Cuba Won’t Close Or Change Entry Rules
Cuban authorities say the country won’t close and it doesn’t foresee changes in the entry requirements. The progress in the vaccination of its entire population, the dedication to scientific knowledge and healthcare for all is bearing fruit as Cuba copes with the Covid-19 pandemic. In a recent statement, Lessner Gomez, director of The Cuba Tourist Board in Canada, said that “Vaccinations, the general use of masks, social distancing and testing along with the strict health and safety protocols in place, are essential parts of the Cuba’s success”, adding: “It’s also good...
A Christmas Wish From Ian Race
“I’d like to take a moment to wish you and yours the very best of the holiday season,” writes K. Ian Race, senior vice president, corporate sales & business development for Direct Travel. Race continues: “It’s been a very challenging year & a period of time that actually stretches back for over 21 months for which we will all no doubt be happy to have firmly in our rear-view mirrors. No matter where you are located, no matter who you are working for, and no matter what you are doing today in your life, we have ALL been impacted in some way by this COVID...
St. Kitts Welcomes Return Of Air Canada
Air Canada returned to St. Kitts recently, marking the first time the airline has visited the destination in over a year. The arrival of the full flight of vaccinated visitors was another welcome boost for tourism adding to the twin-island Federations' record cruise tourism, which has seen a steady stream of ship arrivals including a record 21 ships visiting across the island's four ports in recent weeks. Earlier this month, St. Kitts announced that fully vaccinated international travellers (age 12 and older) arriving into the Federation are no longer required to test...
PAL Brings The Joy Of The Season
In mid-December, PAL Airlines and its partners brought some Christmas magic to 30 children from the Quebec City region. The magic happened at the Quebec City airport and PAL and its partners took the kids on a visit to Santa Claus in the North Pole. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAJg0rzeTro For most of the kids, it was their first flight and, naturally, there were lots of smiles and lots of excitement. And what better place for a kid to go on their first flight, but the North...
Royal Caribbean Makes Testing Changes
Royal Caribbean will no longer be offering its international passengers onboard COVID-19 tests, but will refer them to land-based test sites. The change is effective Jan. 5, 2022. Until now, the cruise line had been providing complimentary COVID-19 tests onboard its ships to international passengers so they could satisfy their home country test requirements to return. For international guests sailing on a cruise before Jan. 5, 2022, they will still be able to schedule a COVID-19 test onboard prior to debarkation day. Details on scheduling the test will be provided to passengers...