Destinations
Merry Christmas From All Of Us At Baxter Media
We know that 2021 has been a hard year for all of you, but we also believe that there are better things to come in 2022. And with Christmas upon us: It is time to leave the past behind. It is time to embrace the possibilities of the year ahead. It is time to celebrate with family and friends. It is time to find joy in the laughter of a child. It is time to find hope in a child’s smile. And it is time for all of us here at Baxter Media to wish each and every one of you a sincere and heartfelt, Merry Christmas. Oh, and by the way, all of us here at Baxter Media...
Bahamas Updates Testing Protocols
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation is implementing new testing requirements for all persons entering The Bahamas as a precautionary effort to continue to keep the destination safe. Effective Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, the following protocols will take effect: All those travelling to The Bahamas from other countries, whether fully vaccinated or unvaccinated, will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas. Vaccinated travellers can present either a Rapid Antigen Test...
TravelBrands Gives Back
TravelBrands has donated $5,000 to Food Banks Canada as part of its commitment to help fight food insecurity. The company donation was matched by a personal donation by Frank DeMarinis, CEO of H.I.S-Red Label Vacations Inc. DeMarinis observed that: “Giving back is one of our company pillars. With the increased difficulties that the past two years have brought, more than ever, we have to stand by these values with concrete action. The seeds we sow today are what help pave the way to a better tomorrow, and we are proud to support an organization like Food Banks Canada. Their...
Things Progressing Positively For Jamaica
Jamaica’s tourism industry got an early Christmas present from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which downgraded the popular Caribbean holiday destination from a Level 3 to a Level 2 designation in its latest COVID-19 travel advisory. Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett commented: “This is a very positive sign for Jamaica as we continue making progress on our path to recovery. This reduced designation is a testament to the work of our government and the Jamaican people themselves to mitigate the impact of this pandemic.” Minister...
Good News From The Bahamas
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation has responded positively to the updated travel advisory issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that reduces its travel recommendation for The Bahamas from a Level 3 to a Level 2 destination. The CDC evaluates lower risk due to decreased COVID-19 case counts as well as lower case trajectory. Vaccine coverage rates and performance also play a role in the CDC’s determination of advisory levels. This recent change is an indication that our diligence is proving successful in minimizing the spread and for...
Transat Offers Update On Changes, Cancellations
In a message to travel advisors, Transat says that “unfortunately travel demand has slowed since the recent government advisory to Canadians to avoid non-essential international travel.” And it continues that: “Since then, we have offered those booked to travel Dec. 16, 2021 to Jan. 12, 2022, the opportunity to change their travel dates or to cancel and receive a travel credit. To make changes, agents must call our Contact Centre, there will be no change fee, but any fare difference will apply. Requests for cancellation must be submitted using our online cancellation...
TIAC Welcomes Feds Moves
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is welcoming the federal government’s introduction of new regulations that would temporarily expand the Local Lockdown Program to include employers subject to capacity-limiting restrictions of 50% or more and reduce the current-month revenue decline threshold requirement to 25%. TIAC also applauded the temporary expansion of the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit to include workers in regions where provincial or territorial governments have introduced capacity-limiting restrictions of 50% or more. The industry association said that it...
Forecast 2022
2021 had all the hallmarks of becoming a successful year, but unfortunately for a number of reasons, it didn’t quite achieve its potential, writes Eric Barber, vice president, national sales, Realstar Hospitality, in the latest issue of Canadian Travel Press. At one point, Barber observes: “A week ago, I would have painted a very optimistic picture of 2022 for our industry. A week is a long time in the travel business these days, and unfortunately any optimism I had is now gone.” Barber joins Collette’s Brett Walker; Flight Centre Travel Group’s Chris Lynes;...