Destinations
An Anniversary No One Wants To Celebrate
One year. I have been thinking about the passage of time. In those early days, it passed like a dripping tap … drip … drip … drip … we left our offices, closed our businesses, abandoned our daily routines and barricaded ourselves in our homes because we needed to stay away from each other. As we scurried to our safe place, we searched frantically for toilet paper, paper towels, antiseptic wipes, masks, gloves and other supplies that we bought in bulk, believing by doing so we'd be protected from something that couldn’t be seen, but we all knew was out there. At home,...
Digitalization Key To GNTB Recovery Strategy
The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) systematically capitalizes on digital instruments for an increased customer communication with their evidence-based recovery strategy for incoming tourism. Brand awareness and inspiration are the focal points. In different stages of their customer communication digital chances were consistently used by means of conversational interfaces, AI applications (e.g. chat bots), machine learning and predictive analysis, for empathy campaigns during the lockdown phases within international markets to digital events and workshops with the travel industry...
Vision Travel Unveils Enhanced ITA Programs
As part of its campaign to build its team of Independent travel advisors, the senior management of Direct Travel -- whose leisure arm in Canada is Vision Travel -- have launched their new ASCENT Program. Including professional development and mentoring, lead generation and collaboration, the program’s launch coincides with the recent recruitment of two highly respected individuals to the group’s senior management team: Joelle Goldman, formerly with Virtuoso, in the new role of Vice President, Host Services; and Nicole Goodheart, formerly with CWT Vacations, in the new role of...
Atout France Ramps Up Support Of Canadian Market
Travel to France from Canada may have come to a standstill for now, but Atout France is not slowing down its efforts to support the Canadian market. With a growing team, a specialist program in the pipeline and active trade engagement, Mélanie Paul-Hus, director of the tourism development agency of France in Canada, says the team is working hard to ensure the destination will be top of mind when international travel resumes. “We want Atout France to remain the main contact to create a network between our suppliers and our members. We have over 1,300 members from our industry in...
Big Adventure For Allure Of The Seas
Royal Caribbean International is bringing the heat to its 2022-2023 winter deployment with weeklong Caribbean itineraries that will inspire guests to adventure again. The cruise line will set a bold tone for the season, breaking its own Texas-sized record with one of the world’s largest ships homeporting in Galveston for the first time ever, starting in November 2022. The adventure-filled Allure of the Seas will spend the season sailing 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Royal Caribbean’s new state-of-the-art cruise terminal, which will begin construction in April...
Tightened Restrictions Challenge Industry
With the emergence of new variants of COVID-19, many governments have been prompted to reverse their efforts to ease travel restrictions, with one in three destinations worldwide now completely closed to international tourism, according to the latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The total closures to tourists are most prevalent in Asia and the Pacific and Europe. In the newly released UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report provides a comprehensive overview of the regulations in place in 217 destinations worldwide. While previous editions had shown a movement...
Destination Germany Unveiled
Along with 23 partners of the German tourism industry -- including five state marketing organizations -- the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) presents Destination Germany at the ITB Berlin NOW. Focus of the virtual GNTB presentation is the recovery strategy for Germany’s incoming tourism during and after the Covid-19 crisis. Petra Hedorfer, chairwoman of the GNTB Executive Board, said that: “A strong presence at the most important B2B marketplace of the international tourism industry ITB NOW 2021 is especially crucial in times of the pandemic. We are available with all...
DR Earns Praise For Its COVID-19 Efforts
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili has publicly commended the Dominican Republic for the travel and safety protocols the country has put in place to help ensure visitor safety amid the global pandemic. The secretary-general, who was on vacation in Dominican Republic, took time to visit the government house, Minister of Tourism David Collado, and learn about the country's measures that support a safe and responsible tourism recovery strategy. In a series of tweets following the meetings, Pololikashvili remarked that the country is proof that...