Destinations
IATA Calls For Caution On DCC Validity
IATA is calling for caution following the European Commission Recommendation that the EU Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) should only remain valid for up to nine months after the second vaccination dose, unless a booster jab is administered. Rafael Schvartzman, regional vice president for Europe for IATA, points out that: “The EU DCC is a great success in driving a common continent-wide approach to managing the COVID-19 health crisis and in facilitating the freedom of people to travel again. It underpins a fragile recovery in the travel and tourism sector. And it is critical that any...
More Countries Imposing Travel Restrictions
More countries were reporting cases of the new COVID-19 variant, B.1.1.529 or Omicron, and imposing restrictions on travel from Southern Africa over the weekend. Israel is shutting its borders for 14 days and putting new requirements in place for returning travellers, while restrictions have also been put in place by Qatar, Britain, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the Netherlands among others in an effort to prevent the spread of the new variant of concern. On Nov. 26, the Canadian government that as a precautionary measure, until January 31, 2022, it is implementing enhanced...
The WestJet Group Takes Off With AZOVA
The WestJet Group has rolled out a significant expansion to its COVID-19 testing program through AZOVA -- a leading digital health technology platform. The new program is designed to give guests the confidence to book their holiday travel knowing all their COVID testing requirements are available through a convenient and easy-to-use site at https://www.azova.com/westjetswoop/. With AZOVA's app-based program, guests have access to a vast network of approved testing locations across Canada and the majority of WestJet transborder and international destinations. Additionally, AZOVA...
Navigator of the Seas Now Calling L.A. Home
After being refurbished and refitted with new activity, entertainment and dining features, the Navigator of the Seas by Royal Caribbean International is back and sailing in West coast waters. It’s been over a decade since RCI has operated cruises from California. Now home ported in Los Angeles/San Pedro, the “amplified” Navigator of the Seas made its debut with a short intro cruise attended by travel advisors and travel media from across the U.S. and Canada last week. They spent two days/two nights exploring the ship’s many amenities and attractions, including a selection of...
Advica Travel Club Has Canadians Covered
Advica Travel Club has launched of its new concierge healthcare membership program for Canadians travelling to the United States. In tandem with the reopening of borders and at the height of snowbird departure season, Advica Travel Club addresses the many health and COVID testing-related concerns Canadians travelling to the United States are grappling with. Through a partnership with Redirect Health, Advica Travel Club connects members directly to leading healthcare providers for timely medical advice, treatment, and solutions. With 24/7 care, quick response times, and...
Trends To Watch In 2022 From Outdoorsy
If you’re wondering what trends to watch for in 2022, Outdoorsy has a dozen or so to offer. The on-demand RV rental and outdoor travel marketplace – with worldwide offices in 4,800 cities and 11 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, France, and the UK -- was founded in 2015 and has booked over 4.7 billion days of travel. So, what are the trends that Outdoorsy is tracking? Consider the following: Trailers & Class C RVs were the most popular rentals, respectively, on Outdoorsy for 2020, 2021, and going into 2022. Of Canadians renting Class C: 13% of...
Air France Adds Caribbean Routes
Air France is expanding its flight schedule to leisure destinations this winter with the introduction of two North American routes to the Caribbean. Travellers can now fly from YUL-Montreal and JFK-New York to Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe. Air France will fly once a week between Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP), Guadeloupe, and Montreal (YUL), with the following schedule: AF624 Pointe-à-Pitre to Montreal departing 3:20PM arriving 7:50PM [Tue] AF625 Montreal to Pointe-à-Pitre departing 1:00PM arriving 6:50PM [Wed] The week of Dec. 6, 2021, Air France will add a second weekly flight...
Shifting Behaviours
A new report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Trip.com Group reveals the latest trends in traveller behaviour and future booking patterns in the wake of COVID-19. ‘Trending in Travel’ indicates strong growth in international spending for 2022 and beyond, projected to overtake domestic spending in 2022, as more destinations ease restrictions and vaccination rates continue to rise. Following a 69.4% decline (2020), global international spending on travel is set to rise by 9.3% in 2021, and significantly by 93.8% in 2022. The report also reveals how severe...