Destinations
Sandals Invests In The Future
Sandals Resorts International (SRI) affirmed its commitment to Jamaica during a special groundbreaking ceremony yesterday (May 26) attended by dignitaries including the Prime Minister of Jamaica, The Most Hon. Andrew Holness. The event celebrated the first phase of a US$230 million project, that will include Sandals Dunn’s River followed by Phase II of transforming the adjacent oceanfront land into Sandals Royal Dunn’s River, a commitment to the organization’s wider expansion plans in its home country. Executive Chairman Adam Stewart told gathered officials that it was a...
Hong Kong Targeting End Of July For Cruising Re-Start
The chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is welcoming the news of the “safe and orderly” resumption of cruising from Hong Kong by Genting Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean. Hong Kong is targeting the end of July for the restart of cruising, allowing the two cruise companies to operate short sailings. Dr Pang said: “Cruise tourism is an integral part of Hong Kong’s tourism and the resumption of high sea cruises is the first step to the recovery of the cruise sector. Therefore, the HKTB will first promote the experience of ‘Staycation at Sea’ in Hong Kong under...
Take The Pledge, Travel In Canada
Canada’s tourism industry in calling on all Canadians to ‘take the pledge’ and help the industry recover by travelling in Canada. The pledge – created by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) – will serve to help drive more domestic tourism business to Canadian travel firms. TIAC’s president and CEO, Beth Potter says: “We are calling on Canadians to take the 2021 Tourism Pledge to travel in Canada, when restrictions are lifted. This is an invitation to come together as a country and support our local tourism destinations, businesses and employees.” A...
Travel Agent Appreciation – A Not-To-Be Missed Event
Tomorrow (May 27) is the big day as Baxter Media – along with its presenting sponsor, Voyzant – welcomes agents from across the country for the first annual Travel Agent Appreciation Virtual Event. The event features an interactive trade show where agents will have plenty of time to hop from booth to booth to see what’s new, learn about new products and initiatives and network with representatives from over 30 suppliers. Agents will also be able to attend presentations by TIAC president and CEO, Beth Potter and ACTA president and CEO, Wendy Paradis; while truth+dare CEO...
Indigenous Communities Can Drive Tourism’s Recovery
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is partnering with the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance (WINTA), noting that the cultural diversity and knowledge of indigenous peoples can bring innovative experiences and new business opportunities for tourism destinations and local communities, and help them recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In doing this, UNWTO and WINTA are working on a set of guidelines designed to ensure this type of experiences are respectful and led by the indigenous communities themselves. The UNWTO Inclusive Recovery Guide, Issue 4: Indigenous...
AmaWaterways Resuming Europe Sailing On July 3
AmaWaterways is set to resume its sailings in Europe – with select ships -- beginning July 3, 2021 in Portugal. In making the announcement, Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways, said: “We are so excited to see the situation in Europe evolving in a positive direction and are very optimistic about the new tourist entry requirements that will be officially announced in the coming days.” Karst continued: “We are proud to announce a selection of sailings starting the first week of July in Portugal with other restart dates throughout July on...
Tianguis Is Back This Fall
The Yucatan city of Merida will host Mexico's annual tourism show Tianguis this fall. Mexican Tourism Minister Miguel Torruco Marqués, and the governor of the state of Yucatán, Mauricio Vila Dosal, announced that to carry out a bio-healthy and safe Tianguis Turistico the event will be held in Merida from Nov. 21-24. The decision to move the 45th edition of Mexico’s largest tourism event from September to November was made to ensure the destination and the locations that will host Tianguis events are following the latest sanitary measures set by health officials, and allow for...
Spain Set To Reopen June 7
Spain has announced that it will allow all fully vaccinated travellers to visit the country starting June 7, regardless of their country of origin. From June 7, 2021 tourists from all over the world will be able to travel to Spain, provided they are fully vaccinated at least 14 days before entering the country. Those travellers must also have an official vaccination certificate, which must be issued in English or Spanish and be printed on paper. The announcement notes that travellers must be fully vaccinated with any of the vaccines authorized by the European Medicines Agency...