Destinations
CBSA Employees Give Union A Strike Mandate
The union representing over 8,500 unionized staff with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has been given an overwhelming strike mandate by its members, throwing into question the federal government’s plans for a smooth reopening of the Canada-U.S. border this summer as a federal election looms. Strike action could begin as soon as Aug. 6, 2021. The members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) have been without a contract for over three years and they’re seeking better protections against a toxic workplace culture at...
A Framework For Stewardship From WTTC
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) released a new report outlining how destinations can grow responsibly, using the Destination Stewardship model. The report was launched in partnership with the Travel Foundation and the European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI) at NHL Stenden University, in the Netherlands. ‘Towards Destination Stewardship: Achieving Destination Stewardship through scenarios & a Governance Diagnostics framework’ lays out how destinations can balance the needs of visitors and residents, with the involvement of both the public and private...
Mixing It Up In Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua & Barbuda’s National COVID-19 Vaccination Technical Working Group has approved the mixing of the AstraZeneca vaccine with either Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, or the mixing of a Moderna and a Pfizer vaccine. As a result, the Ministry of Health & the Environment says that visitors who have had mixed doses of vaccines as noted, will be able to enter the country. Antigua & Barbuda are already welcoming fully vaccinated travellers who have received both doses of a World Health Organization (WHO) approved 2-dose COVID-19 vaccine. Colin James, CEO of the Antigua...
Change Of Plans
Responding to a query from Press Today about separate line-ups for vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers arriving at Toronto Pearson airport, a spokesperson for the airport indicated that that plan was no longer in effect. In its response, the airport said that: “As Government of Canada travel restrictions ease in a health-focused and measured way, Toronto Pearson is committed to testing measures that will prioritize passenger and employee health while also resulting in efficiencies in the airport journey.” The statement continued: “Toronto Pearson, in collaboration with...
Recovery For Canada Is All About Adventure
Noting that the reopening of the Canada-US border marks a pivotal point in the country’s tourism recovery and GlobalData says that one way for Canada to regain lost US expenditure in 2020 is by promoting adventure experiences. The data and analytics company points out that the US is the primary source market for Canada. Pre-pandemic, Canada received 15.1 million US tourists in 2019, which accounted for 68% of its total international arrivals. Last year saw arrivals from the US decline by 86.1% year-on-year (YoY), demonstrating the importance of the border reopening. Johanna...
ACV Unveils Winter Sun From Ontario, The Maritimes
Air Canada Vacations has unveiled its new lineup of winter 2021-2022 flights that includes the addition of new flights and a full flying program in Ontario and the Maritimes, resuming service to almost 100% of its pre-pandemic destinations. The tour operator is also introducing an all-new nonstop route from Toronto to Exuma, Bahamas. This winter, travellers from Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax will be able to access nonstop flights to a range of popular sun destinations and connections to additional destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Nino Montagnese, Vice...
A Not To Be Missed Event And Press Today Was There
Talk about the travel industry leading by example ... Last Thursday evening (July 22), Press Today had a chance to join many prominent Toronto-based travel industry officials at a get-together at Toronto's Mimico Cruising Club. It was a gathering that Pat Probert of Bob Family Travel was quick to point out required those attending to be vaccinated against coronavirus. Vaccinations are seen as critical for a travel industry rebound, with Probert telling those on hand that they had set a great example for others with a stake in tourism. “No vaxs, no tracks,” Probert...
Reversing The Slide
There is guarded optimism in the Caribbean as there is increasing evidence in the marketplace that pent-up demand is roaring back much earlier and at a much quicker pace than forecasters had predicted. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is also encouraged by the data from its member countries, who have worked tirelessly to contain the coronavirus and reopen their economies. On the surface, a 60% decline in the first quarter of 2021 -- compared to the same period last year – might not seem encouraging, but a closer examination suggests that the Caribbean is beginning to...