Destinations
Spike Could Jeopardize UK Domestic Travel Recovery
While there is strong demand for staycations in the UK being strong, the rise in COVID-19 infections and the requirement to self-isolate if ‘pinged’ could jeopardize summer plans, and tourism operators could miss out on much-needed revenue this summer, according to GlobalData. In its live poll, the data and analytics company found that domestic holidays are set to be the most popular in the coming 12 months, with 30% of UK respondents opting for this type of trip, marginally lower than the 32% of global respondents preferring domestic travel. With restrictions continuously...
Canada Extends Ban On India Flights
Transport Canada is extending the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that restricts all direct commercial and private passenger flights to Canada from India until Sept. 21, 2021, at 23:59 EDT. As a result, all direct commercial and private passenger flights to Canada from India are subject to the NOTAM. Cargo-only operations, medical transfers or military flights are not included. Transport Canada is also extending the requirement related to third-country pre-departure COVID-19 molecular tests for travellers to Canada from India via an indirect route. This means that passengers who depart...
A Lifeline For The Hardest Hit
Tourism HR Canada has launched a federally funded Student Work Placement Program that offers paid work-integrated learning opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector. Called Propel, the new program benefits the full spectrum of the visitor economy as it emerges from the crushing impact of the pandemic. Students gain paid hands-on learning and mentoring in their field of study. Employers acquire much-needed early talent to help with the recovery of the industry, as well as assistance with wages after an 18-month stretch of little or no income. Post-secondary institutions...
Romance Is On The Rebound
AMResorts’ Carlo Trinidad says destination wedding groups have come back with a vengeance. “We are fortunate in Canada where wedding groups typically book at least 10 to 12 months in advance, sometimes longer. So not only have individual bookings spiked, but also wedding groups,” Trinidad, the Business Development Manager for Western & Central Canada for AMResorts tells Travel Courier. “By pure capacity from the tour operators, Cancun/Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, and Punta Cana lead the pack in popularity.” Trinidad reports that destination wedding groups are very...
A Sigh Of Relief
Following an intense final round of negotiations that lasted more than 36 hours, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) reached a tentative agreement with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) late Friday, August 6. Chris Aylward, PSAC national president, said: “We are relieved that CBSA and the government finally stepped up to address the most important issues for our members to avoid a prolonged labour dispute. The agreement is a testament to the incredible hard work and dedication of our bargaining team who worked...
Planeterra, CTO Partner On Community Tourism
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Planeterra have joined forces to support community tourism in CTO member countries. The strategic partnership aims to scale up community tourism throughout the Caribbean with the goal to enhance the social, economic and environmental well-being of communities in the region. As well, the organizations will be seeking funding to build the capacity of enterprises, while encouraging community tourism enterprises towards the training and mentorship offered by Planeterra’s Global Community Tourism Network. Neil Walters, the CTO’s acting...
Travellers Need Negative COVID Test To Visit Belize
Effective today (Aug. 9), all travellers -- both vaccinated and unvaccinated -- entering Belize from other countries will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test. All travellers entering Belize at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) will be required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of travel or a negative result from any approved Antigen Rapid Test taken within 48 hours of travel. If no test is presented, a COVID-19 test will be administered at the airport for a fee of US$50 per passenger. Children under the age of 5 years will...
Lockdowns Weaken Oz’s Domestic Travel Recovery
According to GlobalData, with Australia battling a rise in COVID-19 cases, domestic travel has reduced drastically. And the data and analytics company also points out that while Australia’s domestic recovery was strong in H1 2021, the reintroduction of lockdowns and state border closures will serve as a blow, and set to weaken and slow down the domestic travel recovery. Additionally, GlobalData says that Qantas airline standing down its staff signals the prospect of a longer road to recovery. Gus Gardner, associate travel and tourism analyst at GlobalData, points out that:...