Destinations
Liberals Pledge To Extend Industry Support If Re-Elected
Well, it didn’t take long for the industry to get a response to its call to make continued support for this country’s travel and tourism industry an election issue. In Longueuil, Quebec earlier today, Liberal leader, Justin Trudeau made it clear that if re-elected a Liberal government would provide a bridge program to sustain Canada’s hardest hit businesses in order to help the tourism, hospitality, conventions and festival sectors survive the enduring impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Needless to say, the response from industry associations was positive with TIAC president...
Never Have I Ever, TO Launched
Locals and visitors are being called on to join a citywide game and explore Toronto in new ways as part of a collaborative tourism recovery campaign that’s been launched to support of Toronto’s visitor economy. Never Have I Ever, TO – crafted by Destination Toronto, is in close collaboration with the City of Toronto, BIAs, and businesses across all sectors of the tourism and hospitality industry – is a collective show of support comes at a time when Toronto’s tourism and hospitality industry continues its critically-needed reopening and recovery. The $4.2-million...
Soaking Up The Sun In Jamaica
“We’re very special! We’re the first FAM out of Canada,” Giselle Williams, the Business Development Manager for Unique Vacations Canada Inc., announced to a small group of hand selected travel advisors on location in Jamaica as the bus departed Montego Bay heading towards Ocho Rios yesterday (Aug. 16). “It’s also the first FAM trip to Jamaica exclusively for Canadian travel advisors.” Over the course of the next few days, the FAM group will experience three distinct properties in Ocho Rios: Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, Beaches Ocho Rios and Sandals Royal Plantation, marking...
Jamaica Ready To Set Sail
Cruise operations are resuming in Jamaica today (Aug. 16) with the Carnival Sunshine scheduled to call at the Port of Ocho Rios. It will be the first cruise ship with international passengers to call at a Jamaican port since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also mark a major step in the phased reopening of Jamaica’s tourism sector, which has been adversely impacted by the global pandemic. Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett said: “I am very pleased to advise that Jamaica will finally see the return of cruise on Monday August 16. We welcome this resumption as we...
TIAC Ramps Up Advocacy For Sept. 20 Election Campaign
With a federal election set for Sept. 20, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has made it clear that it will be continuing its advocacy for greater support for the country’s travel and tourism industry during the course of the campaign. TIAC notes that throughout 2021, it has owned the advocacy push for greater support for the industry. This included major achievements such as enhanced Federal Budget measures, an expanded Tourism Relief Fund, extension of CEWS and CERS, and opening the US/Canada land border to American tourists. In addition to owning the advocacy...
ACTA Gears Up For Vote With Operation Survival: Phase II
ACTA is gearing up for the federal election campaign with the launch of Operation Survival: Phase II, noting that it provides a great opportunity to make support for the industry an election issue. Wendy Paradis, ACTA president, observes: “Now more than ever, ACTA is urging members to engage in grassroots advocacy efforts by meeting with Members of Parliament, all candidates, and other decision-makers to ensure sectoral support for Travel, Tourism and Travel Agent issues becomes an election issue. This election provides a unique opportunity for us to elevate our...
TTAND Adds Seabourn As An Approved Supplier
The Travel Agent Next Door has named Seabourn to approved supplier status for the host agency. Flemming Friisdahl, founder, The Travel Agent Next Door, said that: “We are seeing an increased demand for luxury and expedition product and Seabourn definitely belongs in our luxury portfolio.” He added: “Our agents have been asking for more cruise companies of this calibre of cruise line and we are very pleased to add Seabourn to our offering.” Steve Smotrys, Vice President, Global Sales & Trade Relations at Seabourn said the company is “thrilled to be able to strengthen...
WestJet Encore Cabin Crew Ratifies Agreement
WestJet Encore reports that Encore Cabin Crew members -- represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) -- have ratified their first five-year agreement. This ratified agreement is in place from Aug. 1, 2021, through to and including July 31, 2026. Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO, said: “I am glad to be sharing, once again, that we have achieved a collective agreement with CUPE. This agreement, with our WestJet Encore Cabin Crew Members, shows that we continue to bargain productively and respectfully with our union partners.” Sims added: “The result shows...