Destinations
Tourism: It’s What Makes Canada Glow
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and Destination Canada are asking Canadians to vacation in our home and native land. Senior officials from both tourism bodies joined representatives from provincial and territorial tourism boards Friday – the eve of May 23-30 Tourism Week – to ask people to spend their tourist dollars in this country when they're again ready to travel, saying that will help give this country's tourist trade a badly needed shot in the arm. “This pandemic has hit us hard,” TIAC president Beth Potter said during a virtual update. In normal...
Holland America Ready To Restart Alaska Sailings
Holland America Line is planning to restart its cruises to Alaska in July, with roundtrip sailings from Seattle, Washington aboard Nieuw Amsterdam. The announcement of the restart comes following the passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, work with Alaska government officials and recent guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Bookings are open for the 10 Saturday departures that will operate from July 24 through Oct. 2. The seven-day “Alaskan Explorer” itinerary calls at Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Ketchikan. Scenic cruising...
The Reopenings Continue For RIU
RIU Hotels & Resorts is continuing to reactivate its properties in the Caribbean. The hotel chain reopened two hotels in Jamaica (the Riu Palace Tropical Bay, in Negril, and the Riu Reggae, in Montego Bay) and its hotel in the Bahamas, the Riu Palace Paradise Island, on May 1. In the Caribbean, the company now has 24 of its 27 hotels open for business in the destinations where it operates. The openings are due to the improvement in recent months in occupation. To continue with the growth, RIU Hotels has announced that all RIU customers from countries that require a...
Call For Speakers At 2021 ACTA Summit
ACTA is seeking input from the industry on speaker proposals and suggested educational sessions for its 2021 Travel Industry Virtual Summit. Wendy Paradis, ACTA president, said: “This is an opportunity to share your expertise and inspire travel industry professionals as we reconnect, reset and rebuild.” Paradis noted that: “ACTA is seeking both travel industry and special interest professionals to contribute new topics and innovative ideas as we work to rebuild our industry following unprecedented challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.” ACTA says that content should...
We Need A Plan Now: NACC
Following the European Union Council’s announcement that it will recommend that restrictions on travel be adjusted, including enabling fully vaccinated travellers to enter the EU, Canada’s major air carriers are repeating their call for the federal government to move forward with the development of a clear re-start plan for aviation and the treatment of vaccinated passengers. Mike McNaney, president and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, said that the “announcement in Europe demonstrates that the EU continues to take a science-based approach to the development of its...
A Little Adventure From Tourism Whistler
Although COVID-19 continues to have a significant impact on travel plans around the world, Tourism Whistler has launched its Adventure Deeper contest to keep travellers dreaming of the ultimate summer vacation in the mountains. The Adventure Deeper contest prize package, which can be redeemed by the winner anytime between May 24 to September 30, 2022 (excluding blackout dates), includes round-trip airfare for two to YVR Vancouver International Airport, and a six-night stay for two at Canada's only AAA Five-Diamond property, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler. The prize...
Sunwing Offering More Options From Hamilton
For those living in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Sunwing has announced that it is returning to John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport for the 2021-2022 winter season. Flights begin at the start of December 2021 and will operate until mid-April 2022, serving Cancun, Punta Cana, Montego Bay, Varadero, Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria. Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations for Sunwing, said: “We are excited to be resuming operations from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport. The airport offers residents of Hamilton and the surrounding GTHA with...
Mexico Outbound Travel Takes A Big Hit
Mexican outbound travel certainly felt the impact of the global pandemic, with the number of trips dropping by 73% -- that’s the second highest drop in the Americas, after Peru at 76%. And even though commercial flights operated throughout the year at a limited capacity, many countries were reluctant to open their borders amid Mexico’s high COVID-19 infection and death rate. As a result, GlobalData states that this has led to a devastating drop in outbound travel which will not recover until 2024. Craig Bradley, associate travel and tourism analyst at GlobalData, said:...