Destinations
Cuba Officials Working To Boost Confidence
Cuban tourism authorities are insisting that tourists can vacation in “peace and safety” on the island, charging that recent demonstrations in Havana were prompted by people outside the country. “On Sunday, July 11, in certain parts of Cuba some disturbances and incidents took place. These were the result of an opportunistic plan designed from the outside, at a time when the country is working hard to overcome the impact of the pandemic, despite the unprecedented tightening of the economic blockade imposed by the U.S. government against the Cuban people,” the Ministry of...
Industry Reacts: A Great Step Forward
TIAC and ACTA say they are encouraged by the federal government’s announcement on the easing of border measures earlier today, while the National Airline Council of Canada (NACC) indicated that it was looking forward to the reopening of the border, but also said that further action is still needed. Noting that TIAC is heartened by the news for tourism businesses across the country, with its President & CEO, Beth Potter stating: “TIAC has been tirelessly advocating for a science-based plan for reopening our borders and restarting our visitor economy.” Potter...
Air Canada Ramps Up Canada-US Flight Operations
Air Canada is taking off this summer with a schedule which features 55 routes and 34 destinations and up to 220 daily flights between the U.S. and Canada. The new schedule coincides with the loosening of restrictions on travel between the two countries as of Aug. 9, 2021, enabling fully vaccinated Americans to enter Canada for non-essential travel and the removal of quarantine hotel requirements, relaxed testing requirements allowing Canadians taking short transborder trips for less than 72 hours to do their pre-entry tests in Canada, among other measures to ease restrictions. Seats...
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours Set To Celebrate 30th Season
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours will mark a significant milestone in 2021, celebrating its 30th season taking passengers on rides through the whitewater of the Niagara River. After being closed for several months due to COVID-19 restrictions, the company is excited to welcome guests back on board, and celebrate the significance of 30 years of business in the Niagara region. John Kinney, president of Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, said: “This is a really big year for us,” “Aside from celebrating three decades of business, this summer marks our re-opening as restrictions ease and we can...
TIAO ‘Delighted’ With Border Changes
In a message to its members, the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) notes that: “After months of campaigning for the Federal Government to announce it's plans on when and how it would re-open the border, I am delighted to be able to share with you the news on when fully vaccinated visitors, first from the United States and then other international visitors, will be able to cross the border. Canada will open the border to fully vaccinated Americans and permanent residents of the U.S. for non-essential travel on August 9. The Canadian government is also eliminating...
Canada Set To Open Border To Fully Vaccinated Travellers
Canada will reopen its border to fully vaccinated travellers from the United States beginning at 12:01 am on Aug. 9. Noting that this is “a first step,” the Canadian government said in an announcement today that it will allow entry to American citizens and permanent residents, who are currently residing in the United States, and have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada for non-essential travel on that date. On Sept. 7, 2021 -- provided that the domestic epidemiological situation remains favourable -- the government also announced that it intends to...
TICO Lays Charges
On June 16, 2021, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) charged Brian M. McKinlay with one (1) count of operating as a travel agent without being registered. It is alleged that McKinlay operated under the names of Meridien Holdings Inc./Meridien Cottages without being registered with TICO between June 2020 and April 2021. McKinlay will appear in court at 440 Kent Street West, Lindsay, Ontario on July 27, 2021, at 1:30pm. Go to www.tico.ca for...
Tourism Fiji Picks Brent Hill As New CEO
Tourism Fiji has named Brent Hill as its new Chief Executive Officer. Hill, who most recently was the Executive Director of Marketing for the South Australian Tourism Commission, brings over 16 years of experience in tourism and digital marketing, advertising, branding, communications, campaign, and executive strategy to Fiji’s National Tourism Office. He replaces former CEO Matt Stoeckel, whose tenure ended in December 2020. Commenting on Hill’s appointment, Tourism Fiji Chairman, Andre Viljoen said: “We’re delighted to welcome someone of Brent’s caliber to this...