Destinations
TTAND Picks A Winner
The Travel Agent Next Door has announced the winner of its annual customer contest. Held in 2021, the contest builds client engagement on social media and grows the client base of TTAND agents The 2021 contest, which happens annually, was promoted widely online by TTAND agents and resulted in 42,000 online entries. Flemming Friisdahl, founder of TTAND, said: “This annual customer contest works well to build each agent’s client base and even during the pandemic, we continue to attract a lot of entries. It also helps our agents increase their social media presence.” The...
No More ‘Hotel Hospitals’ In Cuba
Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism has announced that it has eliminated ‘hotel hospitals’ and now passengers who test positive for COVID-19 -- who in the past needed to follow the country’s protocols and quarantine at these government designated facilities -- can now isolate in the same hotel they booked but in a different section or block. The rooms selected are separated from the rest of the hotel and being overseen by medical personnel. The new policy came into effect on Jan. 8, 2022. Lessner Gomez, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board in Canada, said: “It’s great that we...
Don’t Miss The JTB’s Irie Hour Tomorrow
The Jamaica Tourist Board is inviting Canadian travel advisors to join it for a special edition of its bi-monthly Jamaica Irie Hour show, taking place tomorrow – Tues., Jan. 11 – at 2:30 pm EST. Special guest at the event will be Nina Spencer, motivational speaker coach, who will inspire and motivate travel agents in these tough times. Topic for the one-hour coaching session will be “2022 Bring it ON! Forward Thinking: Profoundly Practical Strategies for Protecting Your Professional Passion and Building Great Client Relationships Despite Pandemic Times.” To register for...
Back In Full Swing: The Baxter Student Ambassador Program Returns For 2022
Now more than ever, the Baxter Student Ambassador Program (BSAP) plays a vital role in the long-term survival of the travel industry. Now in its 8th year, the program continues to work with colleges and universities from all across Canada to identify the most promising student talent in participating travel, tourism, and hospitality programs. Every year, amazing opportunities for learning and networking await the winning Ambassadors. Through hands-on experience, professional development, networking, membership opportunities, and virtual event invitations, these high achievers will be...
Israel Launches Corona-Safe Mini-Site
As Israel reopens to fully vaccinated and recovered incoming tourists, the Israel Ministry of Tourism has launched a dedicated landing page on its website that incorporates all the necessary and useful information related to local Corona guidelines that a vaccinated/recovered tourist would need to visit to Israel. The landing page, which will be updated in accordance with any future changes in regulations, is currently in English and will be translated to other languages in the near future. Information includes: Planning Your Trip -- definition of vaccinated and recovered...
Israel Set To Reopen Jan. 9
The Israel Ministry of Tourism is advising that as of Sun., Jan. 9, the country will reopen its borders to all international travellers, which means that US and Canadian travellers will be able to freely enter and depart the country as of that date. Commenting on the announcement, Gal Hana, Israel's Director of Tourism for Canada, said: “There’s no better way to kick-start 2022 than with the news that Israel is reopening its borders to international travellers including Canadian citizens beginning this Sunday.” Hana continued: “The country has implemented numerous...
Good News From Ireland
Tourism Ireland is welcoming the news of the lifting of additional pre-testing requirements for travel to the island of Ireland. For visitors arriving into the Republic of Ireland from Thurs., Jan. 6, vaccinated people with a valid Digital COVID Certificate or another valid proof of recent infection or vaccination will not need a test. Unvaccinated people will need a “not detected” PCR test result taken within 72 hours of their arrival into Ireland. These new regulations are effective immediately for the Republic of Ireland: Vaccinated or recovered travellers into...
Stepping Up The Fight For Independents
ACTA is stepping up its advocacy efforts, submitting a new relief proposal to the federal government focusing specifically on independent travel agents; and seeking further clarity on lockdown benefits for advisors. The industry association points out that the new year has once again brought massive challenges for travel agencies and travel agents including a blanket Level 3 travel advisory that has resulted in cancellations and staff shortages throughout the industry as the result of Omicron as well as cancelled programs and flight schedule changes. Wendy Paradis, ACTA president,...