Destinations
Sunwing Ups Sun Lift Out Of Toronto, Montreal
Sunwing is adding a number of new routes from Toronto and Montreal with direct flights to St. Maarten, Aruba and Los Cabos. Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations at Sunwing, said that: “Following positive customer demand for our initial destinations of Cancun, Punta Cana and Montego Bay, and based on increasing demand to travel in the early fall, we decided to expand our flight service and destination offerings ahead of schedule.” Dawson continued: “Our customers are looking for even more choice and flexibility. We’re excited to help them plan their dream getaway with...
BC Rolling Out Proof Of Vaccination Plan
British Columbia will be requiring people attending certain social and recreational settings and events to have proof of vaccination beginning Sept. 13. The move is designed to continue to increase the vaccination rate across the province and provide confidence to fully vaccinated people that those around them are also fully vaccinated. The Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) notes that the new order from the provincial health officer will require individuals to provide proof of vaccination to access a broad range of social, recreational, and discretionary...
Sunny And Sustainable In Los Cabos
For many, a sunny getaway in Los Cabos is simply about an escape to warmer climes, but tourism authorities have been pursuing green travel initiatives to make those getaways that much better and, in the process, help in the battle against climate change. With 42% of its total territory designated as a Protected Natural Area, Los Cabos takes great strides to preserve its diverse array of flora and fauna for future generations to admire and enjoy. Looking forward to the future, the destination’s efforts now extend far beyond ecological preservation. The widespread, dedicated...
The Return Of The Fam Trip
Want to know a creative way to spark inquiries and motivate clients to stop dreaming and lock in upcoming trips? Consider highlighting some of the special experiences and features that await on future vacations while going live on location from an idyllic Caribbean destination. That’s exactly what Clementina Iannuzzi of Dream Adventures with TTAND did while attending Sandals Resorts’ first Canadian FAM trip this week in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and within the hour she already fielded promising requests for bookings. “The live on my Facebook page was very successful,” Iannuzzi...
A Critical Time For The Agency Business
ACTA says that it’s pleased with the announcement that as part of its election platform, the Liberals indicated that it they’re re-elected, they will provide hardest-hit businesses in the tourism sector – those with a minimum 40% revenue loss -- a new rent and wage subsidy at a maximum 75% rate from September 2021 – May 31, 2022 as part of the Liberal platform. The industry association has confirmed that travel agencies qualify as an eligible business under this proposed plan. Wendy Paradis, ACTA president, said that: “ACTA is pleased with this announcement, as these...
Go Back to School with Jamaica, Pinch Social
Are you ready to go back to school? Well, in a special edition of its Irie Hour tomorrow (Aug. 24), the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has invited some special guests from Pinch Social to host a professional-development session designed specifically for Canadian travel specialists. With many retail advisors working in the digital space for the first time now, this custom social media marketing workshop will show agents how to use and optimize various social media platforms for their business to enhance their online presence, reach new clients, and achieve success in the new consumer...
U.S. Travel Reacts To Extended Border Restrictions
The U.S. Travel Association has reacted to the extension of border restrictions on Mexico and Canada through to Sept. 21, 2021. In a statement, USTA’s executive vice president of public affairs and policy, Tori Emerson Barnes said that: “Travel restrictions are no longer protecting us from the virus – vaccines are. Every day that our land borders remain closed delays America’s economic and jobs recovery, causing greater damage to the millions of people whose livelihoods depend on travel and tourism.” Emerson Barnes continued: “For each month the status quo continues at...
Industry Gathers For The ‘Social Event Of The Summer’
TravelOnly members are clearly willing to travel. TravelOnly agents Pat Probert and Mary de Almeida organized an Aug. 19 travel industry Toronto gathering that Probert notes drew TravelOnly members from far and wide. "Agents travelled from Ottawa, Sault Ste Marie, Windsor, London, St Catharines, Keswick and many other places … It was just amazing that they come from all over the province to be here," Probert reports. Indeed, a particularly prominent TravelOnly figure was on hand for the event and happy to make an appearance. "What a great time for so many in the travel...