Destinations
ACTA Adds Speakers For 2021 Summit
ACTA has added a number of keynote speakers and topics for upcoming Travel Industry Summit -- a bilingual national travel industry event – which is set for Sept. 30 to Oct. 1, 2021. The two-day virtual event will provide a forum to re-connect, reset and rebuild the industry along the road to recovery. Travel agents, independent travel agents, travel agency managers, owners and leaders, consortia partners and host agencies are all expected to be in attendance. Additional speakers include: Dr. Dominique Tessier – Medical Director, The Travel Health Group – Restoring...
Great Destinations Think Alike
When great destinations think alike, you never know what can happen. Destination marketing organizations Discover Halifax and Destination Toronto have -- separately, but simultaneously -- created marketing campaigns built around a Never Have I Ever theme. Halifax's Never Have I Ever and Toronto's Never Have I Ever, TO respectively aim to encourage locals and visitors from nearby markets to get out and enjoy experiences close to home. Both campaigns also have a focus on supporting local businesses that the pandemic has hard hit. Clare Tidby, VP, Marketing, Discover Halifax,...
UPDATE: Canada Makes The U.K.’s Green List
Not surprisingly, VisitBritain and other tourism officials in the United Kingdom have been buoyed by the news that the UK government will be adding Canada to its green list as of 4 am on Mon., Aug. 30, 2021. As a result, travellers from Canada will be able to enter the UK without a mandatory quarantine; however, they will still need to take a pre-departure test and a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 of arrival. Regardless of whether they are fully vaccinated, no quarantine will be required, unless an individual tests positive. As well, all visitors must complete the passenger...
JTB Announces Finalists For Edith Baxter Memorial Award
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has announced the five finalists for the inaugural Edith Baxter Memorial Award -- a new biennial award program established earlier this year in memory of long-time Canadian publishing icon Edith Baxter. Founded in partnership between the JTB and the Baxter family, the commemorative award recognizes outstanding individuals who contribute to the positive advancement of Jamaica’s tourist industry and/or Jamaican culture within Canada. Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica, said that: “Edith Baxter was a powerful voice in the Canadian...
Time For The U.S. To Recognize AZ, WTTC Says
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is urging the U.S. government to speed up approval of the UK’s AstraZeneca vaccine in order to help restore vital transatlantic travel. WTTC points out that while this week’s approval of the Pfizer vaccine by the U.S. CDC is a positive, it still doesn’t currently recognize AstraZeneca as an approved COVID-19 vaccine. So, even if the Biden Administration allows borders to reopen, the CDC’s non-recognition of AstraZeneca will be a significant barrier to transatlantic travel between the UK and the U.S. As a result, the WTTC, says...
TICO To Consult On Funding Framework, Fee Model
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) is planning on consulting with registrants and stakeholders on a range of issues and challenges relating to the current funding framework and fee model. Consultations are set to begin in September, with TICO noting in its announcement of the sessions that the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated Ontario’s’ travel marketplace and TICO’s consumer protection role during this period has also been challenged. It notes that following a series of communications and regulatory amendments which came into effect March 30, 2020, registrants have...
Last Chance to Register for Cayman Islands Webinar
All travel professionals are invited to attend a webinar with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism this afternoon at 1 p.m. (EST). The webinar will be presented by Tammy van Zyl with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and Melina Marcellini, Sales Manager for the Marriott Beach Resort. Dan McDonald of Baxter Media will be hosting and moderating. Tune in for an update on travel protocols and to see how your clients can comfortably travel to the Cayman Islands. Attend the full duration of the webinar for your chance to win a $250 Mastercard gift card! Be sure to sign in...
Air Canada Makes Full Vaccination Mandatory For All Employees
Air Canada is making it mandatory for all employees of the airline to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to report their vaccination status as of Oct. 30, 2021. In addition, the airline is making full vaccination a condition of employment for any individual hired by the company. The carrier notes that since the beginning of the pandemic it has been a leader in the adoption of science-based measures in response to COVID-19. This has included the airline being among the first to require pre-boarding temperature screening of customers, obligatory onboard mask-wearing policies and...