Destinations
Silversea Prepares For 2021-2022 Antarctica Season
Silversea Cruises has reached an agreement with Chilean authorities to depart from Punta Arenas for its 2021-2022 Antarctica season. Silver Cloud and Silver Wind will set sail from Punta Arenas, while the line's third Antarctica-bound ship, Silver Explorer, will continue with its scheduled plan to depart from Chile's Puerto Williams from November 2021. Roberto Martinoli, Silversea’s president and CEO, said that: “Leading the return of cruising in Antarctica, as facilitated by our agreement with the Chilean government, represents our commitment to delivering unforgettable...
Europe Will Be On Show At WTM London
Exhibitors from close to 20 European countries have signed up for WTM London, to seal lucrative business deals as the world opens up for travel again. WTM London’s physical show will take place at ExCeL London on Mon., Nov. 1 to Wed., Nov. 3, 2021, and it will be followed by WTM Virtual (Nov. 8 to Nov. 9). WTM London organizers report that one of the largest European contingents will be from Spain, including tourist boards representing regions such as Catalonia, Murcia, Balearic Islands, and the Canaries; brands such as TUI Espana and Jumbo Tours Espana; and attractions such as...
DR Unveils New COVID Protocols For Canadians
The Dominican Republic has announced new COVID protocols for Canadians, including the fact that PCR tests are not required on arrival. As regular flights resume from major cities to Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, visitors will have a random temperature check and breath tests administered at the airport upon landing. Prior to their incoming and outgoing flights, visitors will be required to complete a user-friendly arrival e-ticket - eTicket (migracion.gob.do) - that includes a health declaration and immigration information. The protocols have been created to be the “most...
London Travel Week Is Back In 2021
From Oct. 29 to Nov. 5, London Travel Week will bring together industry events that will celebrate the future of travel and provide attendees with the first chance to meet face-to-face. Over the seven days surrounding WTM London 2021, there will be a series of industry events taking place all over London, combining to form this global travel-hub of events. The event aims to accelerate business growth through its unique combination of networking, knowledge sessions and sponsored, bespoke events and business opportunities. London Travel Week Event Director, Simon Press, said:...
TDC Celebrates Opening Of New Marlin Agency In Regina
Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) is welcoming Heather Calvert and Sheena Revet, the co-owners of the brand-new Marlin Travel agency, located in Regina, Saskatchewan. With more than 40 years of combined experience in the travel industry, the two businesswomen will bring their passion and expertise to all types of travelers in Regina. Sheena Revet observed that: “For us, the association with the Marlin Travel brand was natural, even conditional to our adventure as travel agency owners, because the notoriety and trust that travellers have for this brand is so significant.” And...
Picture Perfect In Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Tourist Board says there's no reason why a Hong Kong vacation can't be picture-perfect. The tourist board recruited two skilled photographers -- Hong Kong native Patrick Cheung and Ontario's Lucan Coutts, who spent a year in Hong Kong -- for a Thursday Baxter Media webcast that offered travel agents tips on taking pictures while visiting the Asian destination. "There are treasures to be found in every Hong Kong neighborhood," Michael Lim, who oversees the tourist board's Canadian office, said during the webcast, called Instagrammable Hong Kong. Linda Ho of the...
A Disaster That’s Already Happened
New research from the Conference Board of Canada (CBOC) and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) reveals that although 2021 saw modest gains as a sign of early recovery, the industry still projects a 54% decline in direct GDP compared to pre-pandemic levels. Another study done using Destination Canada’s recovery model, projects that it will take until 2028 for Indigenous tourism to return to peak 2019 levels of employment and GDP. Changes since 2019: Prior to the 2019 pandemic, Indigenous tourism employed 38.9K employees, and brought in an estimated $1.86...
Air Transat Takes Off To Manchester
With demand growing as travel restrictions ease in both the United Kingdom and Canada, Air Transat is resuming its operations to Manchester earlier than initially planned. Beginning Oct. 19, it will once again offer direct flights to this popular English metropolis from Toronto. As well, Air Transat is resuming its direct flights between London Gatwick and Toronto on Sept. 15 (today), after many months of inactivity. Initially, the carrier will be flying three times a week between these two travel hubs and will gradually increase its service over the coming months. And the...