Destinations
Born To Explore
On Aug. 27, Tara Sparshu, a professional travel consultant with TierOne Travel in Edmonton, Alta., embarked on her first international trip since the industry was altered by the onset of the global pandemic. “For me it was important not only because I miss travelling to see and experience new destinations but also to learn about what it’s like to travel now, learn and experience firsthand the new travel protocols so I can help my clients through these processes, as well as show people that travel can definitely be done safely,” Sparshu tells Travel Courier. Sparshu was one of...
US Set To Ease Travel Restrictions In November
The Biden Administration has indicated that it plans to ease restrictions on foreign travel into the U.S. beginning in November. At that time, it will require all foreign nationals entering the U.S. by air to be fully vaccinated. However, restrictions on non-essential travel from Canada and Mexico will continue to be in effect at the land borders until Oct. 21. With the changes the Biden administration is making in November, foreign travellers will be required to present proof of vaccination before they board their flight to the U.S.; they’ll also have to present proof of a...
Swoop Adds To Winter Schedule
Swoop is adding non-stop service to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) to its winter schedule from both Edmonton and Toronto. The carrier’s non-stop service will operate twice weekly from Toronto and once weekly from Edmonton. Bert van der Stege, head of commercial & finance, Swoop, said: “We are thrilled to expand our winter schedule just in time for our travellers in Toronto and Edmonton to book that long-awaited vacation to Los Cabos, Mexico.” He continued: “With non-stop flights available for as low as $139.00 † one-way, we are pleased to be offering...
Baxter Media Names Christine Hogg Editor of OFFSHORE
Christine Hogg has joined Baxter Media as the new Editor for OFFSHORE Travel Magazine. OFFSHORE - travel at its finest is Baxter Media’s unique, luxury travel magazine that is distributed to an exclusive pocket of recreational homes in the Muskoka region north of Toronto as well as to Globe and Mail subscribers in select neighbourhoods in the GTA. Under Christine’s guidance, OFFSHORE will increase its frequency to four issues a year and it will also enhance its web content and Social Media presence to service its growing readership. Christine is an experienced journalist and...
Checking In With Vrbo
Vrbo -- an Expedia Group company – is expanding its Fast Start – which is designed to help new properties capture vacation rental demand -- to Canada, France and the UK. The program increases the visibility of new properties in the first 90 days and displays a review score based on reviews from other travel sites. It launched earlier this year in the United States and today marks its global rollout. Properties eligible for Fast Start are listings with a 4.5+ review rating and have earned more than $3,000 in the last year, or the host is a Superhost. New properties across all...
A Positive Summer For Choose Chicago
The recovery is continuing for Chicago’s tourism and hospitality industry with Choose Chicago reporting that key performance indicators for the first half of 2021 suggest that tourism’s post-COVID recovery has positive momentum, with the city experiencing a successful summer travel season. Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot said that: “Tourism and hospitality remain two of Chicago's most critical industries, as they impact residents across every zip code and every neighbourhood.” Mayor Lightfoot continued: “Business owners and employees within these industries have been at...
Lots Of Prizes At ACTA’s Virtual Summit
ACTA’s Travel Industry Summit will have some very generous prizes that will be given away to participants at the event that will be held Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 -- courtesy of the ACTA summit’s premier sponsor, Air Canada and from various other trade show exhibitors in attendance. Prize winners will be announced at different times throughout the 2-day agenda. Travel agents must be in attendance to be eligible, and the more agents participate in the conference, the better chance they have of winning: 5 prizes to be drawn offering 2 tickets on Air Canada for North America, including...
A Little Appreciation From Greater Palm Springs
Visit Greater Palm Springs is inviting travel professionals to experience the laid-back lifestyle found in Greater Palm Springs and become an “Agent of Chill” during the 9th annual Travel Professionals Appreciation Month, Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, 2021. Gary Orfield, director of tourism development for Visit Greater Palm Springs, said that: “With our Safer Together, Greater Together Pledge, we are ready to welcome travel professionals to Greater Palm Springs.” And he continued: “We invite our travel professional partners to come out and experience firsthand why their clients...