Destinations
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Moves To Phase 10
Responding to the continued increase of COVID-19 cases in Canada, the U.S. and other countries in the high risk category, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has announced its latest phase (#10) of entry protocols, which now include a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival, along with a negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR COVID-19 test result. St. Vincent and the Grenadines never officially shut its borders to tourists and remains open for business, poised to welcome visitors once they are permitted to travel from their respective countries. The destination has taken strict measures to slow the...
Brand USA Maps Out Its Path To The Future
Chris Thompson, President & CEO of Brand USA sits down with Canadian Travel Press this week and maps out the path the organization is following as it looks forward to welcoming Canadian travellers back to the U.S. once it is safe to do so. At one point in the conversation, Thompson observed that: “While there are still many challenges ahead of us, distribution of vaccines is helping us see a brighter light at the end of the tunnel. And, when the time is right, our industry will help lead economic recovery for both our nations.” For the full story, check out the latest issue...
Anguilla Picks Liburd As Director
Anguilla’s Minister of Tourism, Hayden Hughes, has appointed Stacey Liburd to the position of Director of Tourism. Liburd’s appointment took effect on Jan. 4, 2021, with Minister Hughes saying: “We have put together a very strong Board at the ATB. The Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB) will be strengthened by this appointment that was made by me after careful consideration in consultation with my Tourism partners and in keeping with the ATB Act. Mrs. Liburd possesses the skills to help navigate the day-to-day operations during these unprecedented times and she has our confidence and...
Take It Back
Take it back. The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has made its case to the Canadian government, asking it to reconsider new pandemic testing rules that will strain already stressed Caribbean public health systems and cause further damage to the region’s economy. Those rules came into effect Jan. 7, 2021 and require all residents and travellers entering from the Caribbean provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test before their planned departure to Canada. Right now, however, Canadians in Jamaica have an exemption until Jan. 18, 2021 due to limited testing...
Cuba Makes It Easier For Canadians To Get Tested
Cuba now offers PCR tests right at the hotels in its main tourist destinations of Varadero, Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria and Holguin. “At the time when the travel industry is overwhelmed by the new COVID-19 entry requirements to Canada, Cuba makes it easy for Canadians to get tested right at their hotels in the main destinations: Varadero, Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria and Holguin. The test cost is $US30, payable only by credit card or Debit /Visa (no cash),” the Cuba Tourist Board says. “Clients staying at hotels in these destinations can have peace of mind that the test is...
Brand USA Postponing Focus On Canada
In a brief statement issued this morning, Brand USA advised that it was postponing its virtual Focus on Canada event set for Jan. 13 and Jan. 14. Brand USA says: “We remain focused exclusively on keeping the U.S. travel industry connected with the global travel community and ensuring our country is top of mind among travellers.” And it notes: “We will be in touch shortly to provide new dates once they are set. We look forward to connecting with you when the time is right, as we look ahead to building the future of travel to the...
The Industry Remembers Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart
There has been an outpouring of sympathy and kind words by the Caribbean travel and tourism industry following the passing of Sandals Resorts International’s founder, the Honourable Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) said in a statement that: “It is with great sadness that the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has learned of the death of Jamaican and Caribbean hospitality icon, Gordon “Butch” Stewart. The CTO member countries, allied members and staff join the government and people of Jamaica, the Stewart family, the Sandals family, and...
Tourism Is The Key To Recovery
The Caribbean will see a return of tourism to the region “faster than many parts of the world,” thanks to the protocols and partnerships implemented throughout the region to help lessen the effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. That was the message that Pablo Torres, president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has for the industry. Making it clear that 2021 would be a year of recovery, Torres said that: “Tourism is our key to recovery, to restoring the livelihood of thousands of employees in our industry, to reopening our doors, and...