Destinations
There’s No Place Like Home
Although the pandemic continues to take a toll on the travel industry, Canadian tourism officials are optimistic about what the future holds. “For tourism businesses, this year has been a long, very difficult journey. And while we have 14 to 15 months of the pandemic behind us, we do not yet fully know what’s lying ahead,” Marsha Walden, President and CEO of Destination Canada, said addressing attendees during the opening of Rendez-vous Canada 2021. “The question on everybody’s mind, of course, is when is the border going to reopen — and no one knows for sure.” Walden...
WestJet, ITAC Roll Out Much Needed Support
Nine Indigenous tourism businesses across Canada are receiving grants of $10,000 as part of a strategic partnership between WestJet and the Indigenous Toursim Association of Canada (ITAC). For the nine businesses, the grants come at a time when the Indigenous tourism industry has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants were originally earmarked through the WestJet/ITAC strategic national partnership, signed in November 2019, and the 2020/2021 grant recipients include: Feast Café Bistro: Winnipeg, Manitoba Moonstone Creation: Calgary, Alberta Talaysay Tours:...
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...