Destinations
A Landmark Day For Sandals
Sandals Resorts International’s (SRI) executive chairman, Adam Stewart has declared May 14 a ‘landmark day’ for SRI as it reopened its two Barbados hotels -- Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados – and marking the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that all Caribbean destinations flying the Sandals Resorts and/or Beaches Resorts flags are accepting guests. Said Stewart: “Today is a landmark day for Sandals Resorts International, marking the first time since the start of the pandemic, that we are operational in every Caribbean destination we...
Madrid Region Is FITUR 2021’s Partner Destination
The Madrid Region is FITUR 2021’s Tourist Destination Partner at this special 41st edition of the annual event. Tourism Is Back is the theme of FITUR 2021 providing the Madrid Region with the opportunity to once again position itself as a world leader and preferred tourist destination for international travellers. Being FITUR’s Partner destination opens up a wide field for major joint advertising and promotion initiatives at this major tourism industry event. From May 19 to May 23, IFEMA MADRID will again bring the international tourism industry together with the goal of...
UK Savers Could Boost Post-COVID-19 Long-Haul Travel
For those who were able to save during the COVID-19 pandemic, GlobalData says that they may now be considering a ‘bucket list’ trip, as cancelled trips and a reduced ability to travel has left bigger budgets for more once-in-a-lifetime trips. And that, the data and analytics company says could provide a much-needed boost to destinations that require long-haul flights. GlobalData travel and tourism analyst, Rheanna Norris observes that: “The vaccinated over-65s are likely candidates. While the situation remains fluid, it is expected that being fully vaccinated will offer a greater...
Off The Buses
Greyhound Canada has discontinued all operations on its remaining routes in Ontario and Quebec and permanently close all services in Canada as of yesterday (May 13, 2021). The announcement has no impact on Greyhound Lines’ operations within the United States as Greyhound Lines, Inc. (USA) is a separate entity from Greyhound Canada. Greyhound Lines, Inc. (USA) will continue to operate cross-border express services on the following routes when the border reopens: Toronto to New York Toronto to Buffalo Montreal to New York Montreal to Boston Vancouver to...
Ontario Grant Supports Tourism Industry
Good news for travel agents. The Ontario government is providing one time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to support eligible small tourism and travel businesses struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through the new $100-million Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant. Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, made the announcement stating: “Prior to the pandemic, Ontario’s tourism generated more than $36 billion in economic activity and supported more than 400,000 jobs across the province.” Minister...
‘Not All In This Together’
Restaurants Canada is continuing to call for a sector-specific support package to ensure foodservice businesses can bring more than 400,000 Canadians back to work. Todd Barclay, president and CEO of Restaurants Canada, said: “Unfortunately, we’re not all in this together. One out of every five jobs lost during the first six weeks of lockdown last year was from the foodservice sector. More than a year into this pandemic, one out of every three jobs lost is now from our sector.” According to the April Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada, more than two thirds (70.9%) of...
Planterra Launches The Around The World Challenge
Planeterra has launched the Around the World Challenge to encourage travel lovers to join the non-profit’s movement to support community tourism enterprises as travel re-emerges post-COVID, while at the same time celebrating the diversity and power of community tourism. Participants will be taking on the challenge to collectively travel the globe by walking, running, or biking 40,087km (24,909mi) -- the distance around the equator -- while aiming to raise US$40,087. The challenge will take place over the course of ten days, between May 17 and May 26, with emails and social media...
Do You Want To Go To Hawaii?
Air Canada is taking off to Hawaii this winter, launching its first Montreal-Honolulu and Toronto-Maui services; to complement its flights from Calgary and Vancouver. The new flights will also enable connections across Canada as well as from Europe. Mark Galardo, senior vice president, network planning and revenue management, Air Canada, said that: “We are seeing strong demand in the sun markets this winter with people in Canada and around the world looking ahead to holiday travel. As we finalize our schedule to position Air Canada's leadership in leisure travel this...