Destinations
Virtual People-To-People Experiences Launched By The Bahamas
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation is taking its People-to-People Program to the virtual stage through an online series that will create real-time connections for travellers to experience the hospitality and culture of the Bahamian people. For over 45 years, the People-to-People Program has been connecting visitors with locals through customized experiences throughout The Islands of The Bahamas. With vaccinations on the rise and travel confidence steadily increasing, The Bahamas is looking forward to welcoming back travellers whenever they choose to visit. However,...
Start Spreading The News, New York Is Back
New York City is again rolling out the welcome mat out for visitors. NYC & Company, the city's tourist board, said the city is staging a US$30-million advertising campaign reassuring visitors that they can have a safe and enjoyable New York City visit, reports Press Today's Ian Stalker. The campaign will initially focus on the Americans who live within driving distance of the city and then be broadened. “New York City is still very much alive and thriving...,” NYC & Company president Fred Dixon said during a Wednesday webinar. “We're going to be ready when the...
Some May Not Be Saved
Reacting to British Columbia’s provincial budget, BC’s major tourism and hospitality sectors said that while they welcomed tourism-related investments that were announced, those measures may not be enough to save some businesses until such time travel restrictions are lifted and inter-provincial and international travellers can once again visit British Columbia. The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC), BC Hotel Association (BCHA), Association of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC), and Restaurants Canada (RC) said they acknowledge and appreciate the province’s commitment to...
Sandals Has Big Plans In Jamaica
Go big or go home might well have been the headline for this story as Sandals Resorts International (SRI) signals its continued confidence in Jamaica, announcing that it will add three new hotels to its already extensive collection of resorts on the island. SRI Executive Chairman Adam Stewart indicated that Sandals Resorts will transform two all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica acquired last year -- the former Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios and Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort & Waterpark plus a prime parcel of beachfront land adjacent to the Ocho Rios resort...
Alaska Joins The Fight
Alaska governor, Mike Dunleavy said his state is joining a Florida lawsuit against the Federal Center for Disease Control (CDC). That lawsuit challenges the CDC’s “job-killing shutdown of the cruise industry through its Conditional Sailing Order on the grounds that it goes beyond the scope of the CDC’s legal authority.” It also argues that the “Conditional Sailing Order also fails to recognize the cruise industry’s voluntary safety measures and the safe resumption of cruising in other countries. Over 400,000 passengers have returned to cruising in nearly a dozen other...
JetBlue Landing In Vancouver In 2022
JetBlue is coming to Canada for the first time ever, beginning in the summer of 2022. Scott Laurence, head of revenue and planning, JetBlue, said: “Almost since day one, both our customers and crew members have been asking us to add flights to the middle of the country and into Canada.” Laurence continued: “We can’t wait to shake up the status quo in these markets currently dominated by high-fare carriers, and we look forward to introducing new customers to JetBlue favourites like live seat-back TV, free Wi-Fi, the most legroom in coach and great service from our friendly...
Jamaica Tourist Board Establishes Edith Baxter Memorial Award And Opens Nominations
Today, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is honoured to announce the launch of a new commemorative award program established in memory of Edith Baxter, a long-time Canadian publishing icon who passed away in late 2020. Founded in partnership with the Baxter family, the Edith Baxter Memorial Award will recognize an outstanding community leader who uses their influence to elevate Destination Jamaica and contributes toward the positive advancement of Jamaica’s tourism industry and/or Jamaican culture within Canada. The grand-prize winner of the 2021 Edith Baxter Memorial Award will...
ITAC: “Confused, Troubled, Disappointed’ By Budget
While many industry groups have indicated support for the federal governments 2021 Budget – with the proviso that more support is needed – the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) said that it is “extremely disappointed and confused with the amount dedicated directly to the Indigenous tourism sector given the harsh realities Indigenous tourism businesses are facing at this time.” While ITAC did say that it was “glad to see investments being made to Indigenous tourism, Indigenous people and their communities, and tourism in general,” the group’s president and...