Destinations
TravelOnly Goes Live With Workshops
After close to a year of virtual training, webinars and events, TravelOnly celebrated the return of its very successful live training workshops on Nov. 27 in Toronto. More than 50 TravelOnly advisors, partners and executives were in attendance and the energy and excitement in the room was palpable. CFO Ann Luciani kicked off the event with a heartfelt message to the audience (which included a live broadcast to over 50 advisors across Canada). Luciani reflected on the challenges of the past year and recognized that many in the room had suffered both professional and personal...
Canada Ramps Up Border, Testing Measures Again
The federal government is again ramping up border measures following the World Health Organization announcement that it had classified B.1.1.529 as a variant of concern called Omicron. Since the WHO's announcement, Omicron has been found in a number of countries and regions, including a number of travel-related cases confirmed in Canada. As a result, the Canadian government is expanding the list of countries with entry prohibitions – which it announced on Nov. 26 – to include Egypt, Nigeria and Malawi. The other countries on that list are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique,...
Bermuda Makes Testing Protocol Changes
The Bermuda Tourism Authority is welcoming the loosening of COVID-19 border protocols. The Bermuda Government announced changes to the pre-arrival test requirement to accept certified antigen tests effective Nov. 29, 2021. The rapid test result turn-around time, accuracy, and widespread availability of antigen tests will make the pre-arrival process significantly less burdensome for prospective travellers. As well, the government announced that follow-up testing for visitors staying seven days or less would only be what is required to return to their destination. Charles H....
All About Helping Kids For Air Canada Foundation
It’s Giving Tuesday and your donations will go a long way in helping Jessica and her son Israfil, a two-year old boy who suffers from a rare type of cancer, and many other kids across Canada, to fly for medical appointments. That’s the goal of the Air Canada Foundation Aeroplan Points Matching Week is all about: helping children reach medical care. Valérie Durand, spokesperson for the Air Canada Foundation, said that: “Your generosity, year after year, truly makes a difference in the lives of children and their families. With your precious contribution we've been able, over...
Tourism Rebounding, But Recovery Remains Fragile
Following a weak first half of 2021, international tourism rebounded during the Northern Hemisphere summer season, boosting results in the third quarter of the year, especially in Europe. That’s the topline findings of the newly released UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, which reveals that international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) increased by 58% in July-September compared to the same period of 2020. However, they remained 64% below 2019 levels. Europe recorded the best relative performance in the third quarter, with international arrivals 53% down on the same three-month...
Gift a Christmas Tree this Holiday Season
Looking for a unique gift this Christmas? Well, Trees4Travel has created a special digital Christmas card that can be sent to friends, family or clients for the price of a regular greeting card. All trees gifted will be planted in a developing country on behalf of the recipient, helping to restore the world’s forests and biodiversity, and to support impoverished communities. Christmas tree recipients can follow the progress of their planting projects on the Trees4Travel website once they receive their gift card. As well, the gifted tree will be backed by the Trees4Travel...
Pandemic Concerns Could Impact European Ski Season
According to GlobalData, another European ski season could be hanging in the balance. The global data and analytics company notes that demand for ski trips in Europe is expected to take a hit this year due to rising COVID-19 cases, warning that these destinations could see reduced footfall as early as December. GlobalData said that December usually sees budding skiing travellers heading to Europe, which offsets the continent’s post-summer slowdown in travel. For example, Europe saw domestic and outbound trips increase by 38.3% from November to December in 2019 -- the last year...
Jamaica Gears Up For The Rebound
Clifton Reader, President of the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association, is upbeat about the future of tourism to the Caribbean destination. “We are no longer inside the tunnel looking for the light, we are outside of the tunnel,” he said during a recent destination update in Jamaica. “Ladies and gentlemen, tourism is open and ready in Jamaica.” After a turbulent time, Reader said Jamaica is now “averaging 65% occupancy for this winter season” — representing 70-80% of its business in 2019, which marked the best year ever for travel to Jamaica. The Managing Director...