Destinations
Most Magical Celebration Ever
After years of imagining, planning and developing Walt Disney’s dreams, the Walt Disney World Resort officially opened on Oct. 1, 1971. In the five decades since, the vacation destination continued to expand with new stories and characters and adventures to cherish for a lifetime. And now with a major milestone approaching, guests can share in “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” beginning Oct. 1, 2021, in honour of the resort’s 50th anniversary. This 18-month celebratory event will feature new experiences at the resort’s four theme parks and beyond, where shimmering...
Behind The Scenes In Peru
What’s involved in getting a tour back up and running in the wake of a global pandemic? Ahead of bringing travellers back to experience one of the highlights of Peru — the four day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu — G Adventures operated a pilot project to finalize heightened health and safety measures along the route. From Jan. 23 to 26, members of the G Adventures team joined local travel associations and local authorities who manage the trail, to see its health and safety protocols, which were created in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic and in partnership with the Adventure...
TIAC Picks Potter As Its New President & CEO
Beth Potter is the new president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). Her selection follows an intensive search by TIAC to select its new leader. She will take on her new role beginning March 15, 2021. Potter has a long and distinguished career in Canada's tourism sector, including most recently serving as the President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. She is a recognized leader with more than 30 years of experience in the not-for-profit and tourism industries and has worked with a variety of boards and committees, including her recent...
Let’s Get Uncomfortable Ontario
In preparation for a tourism season that the Ontario Government has dubbed “the Year of the Ontario Staycation,” tourism & hospitality professionals hailing from across South Eastern Ontario are coming together for a virtual event exploring Anti-Racism in their destinations, scheduled to take place Feb. 23, 2021 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET. The hour-long event will be hosted by grassroots tourism group Let’s Get Uncomfortable (LGU) and RTO 9, a regional tourism organization funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport representing businesses in Prince Edward...
WestJet Drops Four As Demand Falters
WestJet is temporarily suspending its operations to St. John's, N.L., London, Ont., and Lloydminster and Medicine Hat, Alta., beginning March 19 and continuing until June 24, 2021. The Calgary-based carrier’s president and CEO, Ed Sims of the decision: “We have continued to operate in the face of uncertainty as domestic and international travel restrictions and quarantines have caused demand to plummet.” Sims continued: “Unfortunately, with new and increasingly restrictive policies, we are left once again, with no other option than to suspend service to these...
Celebrate the Year of the Ox with Hong Kong
Baxter Media invites all travel agents to attend an exciting webinar with a professional Feng Shui consultant next Wednesday (February 24) at 2 p.m. (EST). Join the Hong Kong Tourism Board for an update on Hong Kong and discover what the Year of the Ox has in store for you and your home. Safrina Kadri, a classically trained feng shui consultant with over 10 years’ experience, will show you how to navigate the energies for more prosperity and happiness with feng shui. Plus, agents will get to take part in an exciting game of Kahoot for a chance to win prizes. To participate in...
Sentiment Rising
European travel sentiment continues to rise, with 54% of respondents to a recent survey indicating that they’re planning to travel within the next six months -- either domestically or to another European country. The European Travel Commission’s (ETC) latest report -- Monitoring Sentiment for Domestic and Intra-European Travel – Wave 5 – provides up-to-date information on the impact of COVID-19 on Europeans' travel plans and preferences regarding types of destinations and experiences, holiday periods and anxieties related to travel in the coming months. The report features data...
WTTC Plans April Global Summit In Cancun
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) will now hold its 20th Global Summit, in April – a month later than the originally planned date. The Global Summit is being organized in partnership with the government of Quintana Roo in Mexico and will be held in Cancun, Mexico on April 25 to April 27. The WTTC made the decision to move its Global Summit from March into April to coincide with the expected relaxation of travel restrictions and the beginning of the sector’s recovery. While Cancun is ready to host the Global Summit now, the international organization is confident...