Destinations
Swoop Adds Vegas, Puerto Vallarta Lift From Victoria
Swoop is launching non-stop service from Victoria, B.C. to Las Vegas and Puerto Vallarta. The carrier, as part of its commitment to supporting the economic recovery of the Greater Victoria Region with access to affordable air travel, is already offering point-to-point service to Toronto and Edmonton and will now provide sun-Vancouver Islanders two new destinations to explore this winter. Bert van der Stege, Head of Commercial and Finance, Swoop, said that: “The introduction of Las Vegas and Puerto Vallarta are the perfect additions to our route offerings from Victoria for those...
New Name, New Mandate For Tourism Vancouver
Tourism Vancouver entered its 119th year with a new name and new mandate following its recent annual general meeting. The Vancouver tourism association’s board of directors and senior leadership team announced the changes during the AGM, with President and CEO Royce Chwin unveiling the adoption of a new name, Destination Vancouver, with a mandate founded on core pillars of destination development and destination promotion. Robyn McVicker, Destination Vancouver Board Chair, said that: “An expanded focus, which includes destination development in addition to promotion, will enable...
Fixing Trust Issues Key To Faster Recovery
New research by Travelport should be a bit of a wake-up call for the Canadian travel industry, considering it reveals that the industry isn’t quite as trusted by consumers as it would like to be. On the other hand, by addressing consumer trust gaps in price transparency, COVID-19 health and safety measures, data privacy and information credibility, the travel industry can boost global recovery. “The travel industry needs to sharpen its focus on trust,” observes Travelport’s CEO, Greg Webb, before continuing: “This study has shown, as an industry, we are not as trusted as...
G Adventures Introduces More Flexible Rebooking Policy
G Adventures has introduced more flexible booking conditions for travellers, with rebooking of itineraries now possible up to 14 days before a tour’s departure date. The new Book with Confidence policy will include Inca Trail bookings made from July 1, 2021, for when trips resume on the trail from Aug. 7, 2021. The small group adventure operator is encouraging travellers to book their bucket list trip along Peru’s most iconic trekking route as soon as possible, as the trail will be running at 50% capacity, meaning groups will have no more than eight travellers on each departure....
Switzerland Ready To Welcome Fully Vaccinated Canadians
Switzerland is opening its borders to fully vaccinated travellers from Canada beginning June 26. Switzerland Tourism is already actively present in Toronto to provide information about existing protection measures and rules, as well as travel opportunities in Switzerland for the summer and autumn 2021. Pascal Prinz, Director Canada for Switzerland Tourism, said: “We are very happy to welcome fully vaccinated Canadian guests back in Switzerland. Our campaign with Vancouver-based photographer Callum Snape showcases why Canadians will love reconnecting with friends and family in the...
Industry Group Urges Govt. To Act To Restart Cruising
A group of tourism, business, labour and cruise industry leaders have a message for the Canadian government. Take immediate action to signal the safe restart of Canada’s multi-billion-dollar cruise ship industry. With over 17,000 jobs in British Columbia alone at risk, the coalition of industry partners is asking Ottawa to send a clear signal that Canada is open for safe cruise service and tourism by announcing a scalable restart of the cruise industry and rescinding the order on the suspension of cruise in Canada by the end of the year. Walt Judas, CEO of Tourism Industry...
New ACTA Board Elected At Virtual AGM
ACTA held its annual general meeting earlier this week – the second year in row that it was held virtually – with the session presided over by Mary Jane Hiebert CTC, Chair of the ACTA Board of Directors. Hiebert thanked the current Board of Directors for continuing to serve for an extended term while the travel industry coped with the devastating impact of the COVID-19 health and economic crisis. And she also thanked outgoing directors André Desmarais, Andrew Enns, Eric Holenka and Michael Thompson. ACTA Treasurer Louise Gardiner presented the financial statements and...
WestJet Reconnecting Canada
WestJet is back big time, restoring service and inaugurating new routes across the country. In Ontario, WestJet is further restoring Ontario's domestic and interprovincial connectivity with the restart of nine routes to and from destinations across Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador by June 30, 2021. And in the process, it will inaugurate two new routes from Toronto and Ottawa to Comox and Victoria. In British Columbia, the Calgary-based carrier is restarting eight routes to and from destinations...