Destinations
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...
Vaccinated Tours, Travel-Ready Programs From G Adventures
G Adventures is introducing its new Vaccinated Tours program, with each trip having a fully vaccinated chief experience officer (CEO or tour guide) confirmed to lead the tour, on which all travellers must also be fully vaccinated. When surveyed, 56% of travellers globally expressed that having a vaccinated CEO was actually more important to them than their fellow travellers being fully vaccinated, which 45% of travellers indicated they would prefer when travelling on a small group tour. Due to the vast number of tours and destinations G Adventures is currently operating in, and the...
Air Canada Connects With Munich
Air Canada has released additional details of its planned Munich (MUC)-Toronto (YYZ) schedule. The loosening of restrictions enables foreign nationals who have been fully vaccinated with the Canadian government-accepted vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and J&J) at least 14 days prior and who meet specific entry requirements to enter Canada for non-essential travel. Jean-Christophe Hérault, Regional Sales Manager Germany, Switzerland, Austria & Eastern Europe at Air Canada, said: “As travel restrictions ease across the globe, we are committed to rebuild our...
Hawaii Governor Asks People To Delay Trips
Hawaii’s governor, David Ige is calling on Hawaii residents and visitors to delay all non-essential travel through the end of October 2021 due to the recent, accelerated surge in COVID-19 cases that is now overburdening the state’s health care facilities and resources. In making the announcement, Gov. Ige said that: “Our hospitals are reaching capacity and our ICUs are filling up. Now is not a good time to travel to Hawaii.” The governor added: “It will take six to seven weeks to see significant change in the number of COVID cases. It is a risky time to be traveling right...
Antigua Welcomes Celebrity Equinox
Antigua & Barbuda recently welcomed the Celebrity Equinox at Antigua Cruise Port. More than 2,000 passengers were warmly welcomed to St. John’s by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism and Investment, Senator, The Honourable Mary-Clare Hurst along with other tourism executives and representatives of Antigua Cruise Port, the Antigua & Barbuda Port Authority, and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. This Solstice-class ship was the first large vessel to dock at St. John’s since the restart of the Antigua & Barbuda cruise season in July. Dona...