Destinations
Quarantine And Destroy
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is warning that the introduction of new hotel quarantines by the UK government would force the complete collapse of Travel & Tourism as we know it. In a statement, the WTTC said that it feared the crippling impact of the new proposals being considered by the UK government would cause irreparable damage to a sector which contributes nearly £200 billion to the UK economy. The concern follows nine months of devastating travel restrictions, which has left scores of businesses crushed, millions of jobs lost or put at risk, and confidence...
Winners of ‘Webinar on Japan’ Prize Draws Announced
Last Wednesday, Baxter Media and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) jointly hosted a webinar for all interested travel professionals. We had travel agents and consultants from all over the world in attendance, but primarily from various cities across Canada. Starting off the webinar was a short introductory presentation by Priscilla Portsmouth, Senior Assistant Manager of JNTO, followed by an inspiring video from Air Canada. Next up was a presentation from Adam Waxman, Journalist & a Member of the Advisory Board, Japan Tourism Agency of MLIT, and finally agents got to...
DWHSA Urges Quick Action On Testing Rules
The Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Association (DWHSA) is making it clear that travel advisors who sell destination weddings, honeymoons, and all types of romantic getaways need immediate information and support from suppliers and tourism offices in light of new U.S. and Canadian Covid-19 testing rules affecting airline passengers. Those new rules include presenting proof of negative results from Covid-19 tests taken within 72 hours of departure for passenger arriving in Canada (which took effect on Jan. 7) and the United States (beginning Jan. 26). Lisa Sheldon, president of...
Dominica Revises COVID-19 Risk Classification
Dominica has revised its COVID-19 Country Risk Classification in keeping with constant analysis of the spread of the pandemic in neighbouring countries. As of Jan. 18, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Turks and Caicos Islands have reclassified to the HIGH-RISK classification. Travellers from St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Turks and Caicos Islands to Dominica must submit the online health screening form https://domcovid19.dominica.gov.dm/, submit a negative PCR test where swabs were taken within 24-72 hours of arrival into Dominica. Upon exiting the port of entry,...
Screening Portal A Must For USVI Arrivals
The U.S. Virgin Islands has processed close to 135,000 travellers since the Travel Screening Portal was launched in late July. Confirming that the prescreening tool has helped to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the Territory, Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte said: “The technology undergirding the portal has been designed to be not only innovative but also responsive to changing travel protocols and the Territory’s health and safety guidelines.” The Tourism Commissioner and public health officials in the USVI are encouraging residents and travellers to be vaccinated...
The Tokyo Brand, Old Meets New
Tokyo Tourism and Baxter Media invite all travel professionals to attend an exciting webinar next Wednesday (Jan. 27) at 2 p.m. (EST). Agents who attend the full duration of the webinar will be given a chance to win one of four prize giveaways. Tokyo is a fascinating destination that reflects a unique combination of Old traditions, customs, architecture and culture, with a new vibrancy that appeals to visitors of all ages. A recent feature article in National Geographic magazine asserted that “Tokyo became a Megacity by re-inventing itself” and this webinar will not only...
US Travel Reacts To Executive Orders On Travel
“We welcome the president’s focus on policies that will encourage safe travel and help restore the millions of U.S. travel jobs that were lost last year,” said U.S. Travel Association president and CEO Roger Dow following the issuing of a number of COVID-related executive orders by the White House this week. Dow observed that: “The CDC’s inbound testing requirement is the key to reopening international travel and it adds another important layer of safety. If the testing requirement is going to work on a global scale, it has to be flexible and reflect where testing resources...
Community Tourism A Priority For Canadians: Survey
What are Canadians looking for from their next vacations? Making a difference, immersing themselves in culture and ensuring their travel benefits local people in the destinations. G Adventures recently surveyed 3,338 travellers, over 1,000 of whom were Canadian, to find out why they want to head out into the world again, what is most important to them when they do, and how they will change their travel behaviours to have a more positive impact on the planet and its people. When asked the main reason why they wanted to travel again, the top answer from travellers was to immerse...