While the April 19 federal budget indicated that there were federal investments allocated for rebuilding and recovering the tourism industry as well as for Indigenous communities, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) says that “it remains unclear how the Indigenous tourism sector is specifically being supported, during a critical time for its survival.”
ITAC president and CEO, Keith Henry says that: “There’s a discrepancy with the government saying that they are investing into Indigenous tourism versus funding solutions that we and the industry actually have...
The Travel Agent Next Door is entering the Quebec market, offering its host agency services to Quebec travel agents and agencies.
TTAND founder, Flemming Friisdahl said in announcing the move: “We are extremely excited to offer our services and support to Quebec agents. We have had many requests from Quebec agents and we feel the time is right now for us to enter Quebec.”
TTAND is a member of Ensemble and through Ensemble will offer a French magazine, a range of French language marketing services and tools – as well as a French website for agents.
Said Friisdahl: “The...
The TL Network is preparing to see members gather in this country and south of the border this fall, a sign of the growing confidence it has that the vaccination process to safeguard people against coronavirus is helping lead to a travel industry recovery.
Christine James, the TL Network's vice-president for Canada, told a Tuesday webinar that the group plans to hold its Fall Regionals events in Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto, with the number of attendees governed in part by whatever safety protocols are in place at the time.
The regionals are seeing a “really great response,”...
Lyn Pilcher has a suggestion for those interested in the likes of American history, nature, music and culture – don't miss the Mississippi during American vacations.
And don't overlook the regions that flank that mighty waterway either, says Pilcher, managing director of Mississippi River Country, which showcases all that's found alongside America's longest river, which winds its way through 10 states.
“Mississippi River Country is the heart of America, a place where visitors can travel through the history, culture and and natural beauty that defines us,” she said during an...
For residents of Atlantic Canada planning to head to the tropics, Sunwing has released details of its winter schedule, featuring weekly flights from regional gateways across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Residents of Halifax, Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, St. John’s, Deer Lake and Gander.
Flights will operate beginning in January 2022 and continuing weekly until May 2022 to destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico.
Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations for Sunwing Travel Group, said: “We’re thrilled to be returning to Atlantic Canada for another winter...
In the wake of the federal government’s first budget in two years, ACTA says that while it is hopeful that the government’s view that vaccine rollouts will continue at a rapid pace through the end of June, it is concerned that the timeline may be premature.
The association says that in a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland last week, ACTA learned that the budget assumes that vaccine rollout will continue at a rapid pace through the end of June, with Minister Freeland stating: “I believe Canadians are going to have a great...
For over a year now, the travel industry has dealt with setbacks, agency closures and a zero-recovery rate because of government imposed travel restrictions.
The Association of Canadian Independent Travel Advisors (ACITA) is tired of waiting and it’s calling on travel advisors, agency owners and travel industry personnel to join with them in gathering signatures for an onslaught of paper petitions to be read by MP's in the House of Commons.
A paper petition only requires 25 signatures in order to be presented in the House of Commons by a sponsoring MP.
In order to be valid,...
Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas will set sail from Shanghai and Hong Kong, China in 2022 on 4-night to 9-night adventures through the Far East to Japan and more.
Currently under construction in Saint-Nazaire, France, Wonder will be the world’s largest cruise ship and the first of its kind to call China home when it arrives in March 2022.
The ship’s inaugural season cruises are now open for bookings.
Between March and November, the Wonder of the Seas will sail roundtrip from Shanghai to Japan, before transitioning to warmer climates and homeport in Hong...
Well, here’s a first.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is gathering in Cancun this week for its annual global summit.
Yes, physically. In person. At a venue.
In her opening remarks, WTTC’s president and CEO, praised the industry’s private sector for “its steadfast and united approach during the COVID-19 pandemic” and told the hundreds of CEOs, business leaders and tourism ministers gathered for the event that “together they would lead the way for the sector’s recovery.”
Guevara also focused on the terrible human impact of the pandemic and travel...
Rocky Mountaineer and Fairmont Hotels are partnering to launch a special offer that let’s Canadian residents book now for travel this summer and fall, and save up to $2,900 per couple on a vacation in the Canadian Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
Jonathan Hope, Managing Director, North America Sales for Rocky Mountaineer, said: “We are delighted to partner with a trusted brand like Fairmont to offer Canadian residents the chance to experience the Rockies in luxury, at the best ever price. We know international travel is uncertain this year and we...