Destinations
Pandemic Takes A Toll On Toronto Tourism Industry
Not surprisingly, economic activity from visitor spending in Toronto took an $8.35 billion hit as a result of the global pandemic and the associated travel restrictions and lockdowns over the past 12 months. When the Greater Toronto region is included, the economic losses grow to more than $14 billion. A new analysis by Destination Toronto demonstrates the devastating impact the pandemic has had on the city’s tourism and hospitality sector and the broader economy that benefits from visitor spending. The analysis stems from Destination Toronto’s Visitor Economy Study released...
Globus, Cosmos Turns Spotlight On Canadian Tours
Globus and Cosmos are shining the spotlight on opportunities for Canadians to discover far from ordinary experiences, close to home. Stéphanie Bishop, managing director for the Globus family of brands, notes that: “This summer, Canadians interested in a ‘staycation,’ can dive into European culture, close to home. Globus and Cosmos are inviting travellers to globetrot their way through Canada with a set of extraordinary vacations for Canadians.” The Globus family of brands is featuring six (6) unique Canadian itineraries that offer international flair with departures...
VisitScotland Counts Down To The Reconnect
Tour operators, wholesalers, destination management companies and travel agents around the globe will have the chance to connect and do business with Scottish tourism businesses when VisitScotland’s Scotland Reconnect 2021 digital trade workshop event opens for registrations on March 8. Scotland’s National Tourism Organization is expecting about 7,500 business meetings over the three days, from April 27 to April 29. As a result of the ongoing travel constraints, VisitScotland will deliver the Scotland Reconnect 2021 digital event in place of the VisitScotland Expo live...
Scenic Eclipse Adds To Its Antarctica Experience
Scenic is reporting that its Antarctica bookings saw and 80% month-over-month increase in January 2021. And to that end, Scenic is offering a complimentary roundtrip business class flights on selected 2022 Antarctica itineraries available on new bookings made between now (Feb. 25) and March 31, 2021. The new offer is in addition to Super Earlybird savings of up to 20% on those same selected Scenic Eclipse truly all-inclusive voyages when the booking is fully paid 12 months before departure or at the time of booking if it is already within the 12-month timeframe. All...
Working At Home In Curacao
Curaçao is introducing @HOME in Curaçao, a comprehensive program geared towards remote workers, extended stay visitors and investors, allowing them easier access to Curaçao and all that it has to offer. Minister of Economic Development of Curaçao, Dr. I. S. (Steve) Martina said that: “Curaçao has proven that it has been able to effectively keep the COVID-19 infections under control. Clearly life on the island has some very attractive features, especially now that people all over the world are limited in their freedom to move around.” The Minister continues: “Aside...
Tracking The Trends
The Conference Board of Canada has released its Outbound Canada update on Canadian outbound travel activity, revealing that Canadians made almost 9 million outbound overnight trips in 2020 compared to 33 million in 2019. The update reported that total overnight trips fell 73% during the year with overseas activity down by two-thirds (-67%) and transborder trips declining by more than three-quarters (-77%). Eighty-eight per cent of activity took place in the first quarter, before the pandemic was declared and restrictions and health measures were implemented. United...
Rocky Mountaineer Extends Its Offer
Rocky Mountaineer is extending its Canadian Resident Offer and travel agent incentive program through March 26 to entice travellers to book Canadian trips this year. Canadian travel agents who make three new Rocky Mountaineer bookings for Canadian residents to travel in 2021 will receive a complimentary vacation package for their own travel. The complimentary Classic Rail package is a four- to five-day package, which includes two- to three-days onboard the train and overnight accommodations, valued at up to $4,479. For more, go to Rocky Mountaineer’s agent portal. In...
Love Is In The Air At From The Bahamas With Love
Describing the travel trade and destination wedding specialists as the “custodians of this niche market,” Dionisio D'Aguilar, Minister of Tourism & Aviation welcomed attendees to the From The Bahamas With Love virtual romance and wedding expo yesterday (March 2). With day one of a two day event dedicated exclusively to trade professionals, The Bahamas highlighted how important travel agents are to the destination. The informative day was filled with panel discussions on topics ranging from how hotels and resorts are adapting in response to the global pandemic to the changing...