Destinations
It’s All About Working Together
As the region’s ‘bread and butter’ tourism sector rebounds from the global pandemic, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is indicating an interest in collaborating on ‘tourism-enhancing initiatives’ with its Caribbean neighbours. Following meetins with public and private sector stakeholders in Jamaica, Joseph Boschulte, U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism, said that discussions with Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett and other private sector officials focused on the potential for regional economic revitalization with the unleashing of pent-up...
Hey Mr. Postman, Why’s It Taking Such A Long, Long Time
Make safely restarting U.S.-Canada travel an immediate priority. That’s the message in a joint letter from ACTA president, Wendy Paradis and ASTA president and CEO, Zane Kerby to Canada’s Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra and Minister of Health, Patty Hajdu and US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas Paradis and Kerby write: “We are writing on behalf of our trade associations – the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) and Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA), respectively – as well as the close...
Uncharted Waters
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is making clear that it fully supports the cruise industry, announcing that it has established a National Cruise Committee (NCC) that will advocate for the sector and make it clear that it should be treated no differently than other sectors of the travel industry in Canada. Committee members – from Canadian organizations that operate in the global cruise industry -- will act in an advisory capacity to identify cruise industry issues and provide regular updates and recommendations to TIAC’s Recovery Committee. They will represent...
Curaçao Is Open For Summer Travel
As it prepares for the summer season -- with demand growing from North America -- Curaçao has released the island’s latest coronavirus statistics, entry requirements and special offerings for travellers. Curaçao is reporting that 86,000 people -- of those eligible -- have been vaccinated, and over the past three weeks, documented a record-low positivity rate of 0.15%. And with the “significantly reduced numbers,” the nightly curfew has been removed for the first time in over a year. As well, on-island restrictions have been lifted with outdoor restaurants, bars and...
Choose Comfort At Hamilton International
John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is launching its Choose Comfort campaign, demonstrating the airport’s commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of all travellers, business partners and employees and highlighting the benefits of travelling from Hamilton International. Continually examining each step of the traveller journey through its facility, the airport has implemented a number of new and enhanced health and safety measures to ensure you have a comfortable and convenient travel experience from the time you park your car to the time you board your...
Transat Reports Q2, Prepares To Resume Operations
Newly secured financing – after a quarter without revenues – has Transat A.T. Inc. preparing to ‘gradually’ resume its operations at the end of July. In reporting its second quarter results (for the period ending April 30, 2021), Transat’s president and CEO, Annick Guérard said that: “Following a quarter without revenues, progress made on vaccinations allows us to plan for a gradual resumption starting July 30.” Guérard continued: “We hope that a safe travel recovery plan can be deployed as soon as possible and will lead to a lifting of restrictions in the near...
Swoop Sets A Course For Winter 2021
Swoop has released its expanded winter schedule, featuring increased non-stop domestic service and the re-introduction of flights to the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. With a sustained pattern of new daily bookings on par with pre-pandemic levels, Swoop also announced it will proceed with planned fleet growth, inducting its tenth Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft into service this winter. During the peak summer period, Swoop will operate all nine of its aircraft domestically. During the winter, the airline will provide travellers with flights across Canada, as well as to sun...
Taking The Initiative
Africa’s responsible tourism initiatives will be highlighted by the WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards 2021, which has introduced regional awards for the first time. The WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards were launched in 2002 and the seek to recognize and reward businesses and destinations which are contributing to more sustainable and responsible tourism industry, based on the simple principle that all types of tourism, from niche to mainstream, can and should be organized in a way that preserves, respects and benefits destinations and local people. Winners will be chosen...