Destinations
The Cayman Islands Unveils Its Reopening Plan
The Cayman Islands will be taking an “intentional phased reopening approach” to welcome international tourists back to Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman safely. Minister for Tourism and Transport, Hon. Kenneth Bryan, explained that: “Since March 2020, the Cayman Islands has been deliberate in all efforts to protect our people and visitors; from rapid and widespread testing, investing in the Caymanian workforce and implementing a phased strategy to safely reopen our shores to luxury-seeking visitors, the health and safety of our community was paramount in all...
TIAC ‘Heartened’ By Launch Of Tourism Relief Fund
There was good news for the Canadian tourism industry yesterday (July 12) as Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, launched $500-million in funding for the new Tourism Relief Fund. Eligible organizations can now submit applications to support the tourism sector prepare to welcome back domestic travellers and reposition Canada as a world-class destination. In making the announcement, Minister Joly said that: “Our government has been there for the tourism sector since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis and today’s announcement is about adding...
St. Kitts & Nevis Reduces Restrictions
St. Kitts & Nevis has reduced the “Vacation in Place” period for fully vaccinated international air travellers from nine days to three days, with testing on day four and the ability to fully integrate into the Federation upon receipt of a negative test result. The announcement of the change was made by the country’s Prime Minister, the Hon. Timothy Harris and became effective on July 12, 2021. International borders remain open for travel by commercial air and sea vessels. As summer family travel is at its peak in July, the travel requirements for non-vaccinated children under...
Porter Set For Massive Fleet Expansion
Porter Airlines is extending its service to destinations throughout North America with the introduction of up to 80 state-of-the-art, fuel-efficient Embraer E195-E2 aircraft into its fleet. The aircraft have transcontinental range and will enter into service with Porter starting in the second half of 2022. Porter is Embraer’s North American launch customer for the E2. The total aircraft order is valued at up to US$5.82 billion at current list prices, with 30 firm commitments and 50 purchase right options. The aircraft are being acquired by Porter Aircraft Leasing Corp., a...
TICO Closure Advisory
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) advises that Jet Airways, an airline operating out of Mumbai, India suspended operations effective April 17, 2019. Jet Airways became officially insolvent when the company was sold (asset purchase only) on June 22, 2021. The new company will operate as Jet Airways 2.0. TICO indicates that consumers who have purchased Jet Airways travel services from an Ontario registered travel agency or website and did not receive their travel services due to the cessation of the airline may file a claim from the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation...
Europe Invites The Curious
The European Travel Commission (ETC) has launched a major campaign with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations to inspire Canadians to rediscover Europe this summer and fall. The new campaign rolls out following the European Union’s recent decision to add Canada to its green list and recommendation to all EU states to lift restrictions on Canadian non-essential travellers. Miguel Gallego, ETC's Head of Marketing said: “As Europe is set to welcome Canadian travellers back, we are thrilled to join forces with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations to encourage transatlantic travel...
Always Put Your Best Foot Forward
Running a travel-centric sales office in the middle of a global pandemic is not an easy feat. Over the past year and counting, Maureen Barnes-Smith says Unique Vacations Inc. shifted strategies to keep Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts at the forefront. “For us it was just a matter of pivoting to where our customers were — they were at home — so we were meeting them at their home. We were doing events that captured them where they were,” says Barnes-Smith, who earned a promotion to Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Canada for Unique Vacations Inc., during this time....
Anguilla Entry Rules For Fully Vaccinated Travellers
Anguilla is offering an update on entry protocols, noting that since July 1, only fully vaccinated adult travellers are allowed entry to Anguilla; children under the age of 18 years and women who are pregnant are exempt from this requirement. The update notes that a fully vaccinated traveller is described as one who has received the last dose of vaccine in a two dose or one dose vaccine protocol, at least three weeks or twenty-one (21) days prior to arrival on island. The four vaccines approved for entry by Anguilla’s Health Authorities are Pfizer/BioNTech, Oxford/AstraZeneca,...