Destinations
New Experiences In Antigua & Barbuda
As vaccination rates increase, Antigua and Barbuda continues to see the easing of on-island restrictions; allowing visitors to enjoy some newly re-opened tourism experiences. New opening hours for all of Antigua and Barbuda’s 365 beaches are from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Water excursions are also now officially open allowing visitors to sail to Antigua’s sister-island Barbuda, for a visit to the Magnificent Frigatebird Sanctuary or drop anchor within reach of a deserted beach. In Antigua, vacationers can now enjoy kayaking, a circumnavigation cruise, snorkeling and an abundance of...
Ottawa Tourism Extends Tour Operator Incentive Program
Ottawa Tourism is extending its Ottawa Visitor Incentive Program (VIP) -- which encourages tour operators to bring more visitors to Ottawa -- until Feb. 28, 2022. The program, which offers an incentive of $50 per room night when a paid admission to an eligible attraction is included, was originally scheduled to end on Dec. 31, 2021. Hotels and attractions must be paid by the tour operator and proof of payment is required for the funding. There are no minimum room night requirements. Travel must be completed by Feb. 28,...
Barbados Makes Testing Changes
Effective Oct. 24, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers with a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result will no longer be required to take a second COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in Barbados, or observe a quarantine period. Health officials at the Grantley Adams International Airport may select fully vaccinated travellers with a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result at random for a Rapid Antigen arrival test on entry. In this case, these travellers must: Take the Rapid Antigen arrival test as directed at the airport free of charge Await the results of the Rapid Antigen Test (no...
An Unfortunate Reality
While Canada, the United States and Europe have more than enough vaccines to inoculate their populations, the rest of the world continues to lag behind, both in terms of having access to vaccines and to getting people in those regions vaccinated. “The combination of vaccine equity and [vaccine] hesitancy could constitute a worse pandemic than COVID-19,” observed Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett. In conversation with Canadian Travel Press during a recent Toronto visit, Minister Bartlett pointed out that: “The heart of the recovery of the global economy – and...
UPDATE: Standardized PoV, More Support Announced
Canada now has a standardized proof of vaccination. Details of it were announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday (Oct 21), who explained that -- in collaboration with provinces and territories -- a standardized Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination is now available to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon, and will be available in the other provinces soon. The Prime Minister also said that Canada is engaging with international partners to obtain recognition and acceptance abroad, so...
Government Lifts Global Travel Advisory
ACTA is clearly pleased that the federal government has lifted its global travel advisory and returned to its pre-COVID-19 country-specific risk assessments, but it's disappointed that the government's Level 4 advisory against cruise travel remains in place. ACTA president, Wendy Paradis said that the industry association is “pleased the government has returned to a risk-based approach to travel advisories for fully-vaccinated travellers.” She pointed out that: “This approach follows the recommendations ACTA and Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable partners have been making...
Hit The Road With CanaDream This Winter
To celebrate the reopening of the US border in November, CanaDream has introduced a Long Hire Winter Sun Seeker offer. Kathryn Munro, VP Sales & Marketing, CanaDream, said of the new offer: “We are thrilled to offer guests a new option for exploring this winter,” “With our state-of-the-art Maxi Motorhomes now available for rentals of up to 90 days and confirmation of the US border re-opening to fully vaccinated travellers on November 8th, visiting Florida or California in your very own cabin on wheels has never been easier.” Pick-ups are available from now through...
Jamaica A Winner At World Travel Awards
Jamaica has once again received international recognition at the 2021 World Travel Awards Caribbean & North America program, winning five trophies at the ceremony held in Dubai . Jamaica was awarded first place in the following destination-specific categories: Caribbean's Leading Destination Caribbean's Leading Cruise Destination Caribbean's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination Caribbean's Leading Nature Destination Caribbean's Leading Tourist Board Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, commented: “We are extremely delighted and honoured to...