Destinations
An Optimistic Outlook From CHTA
While COVID-19 continues to impact global tourism, top Caribbean private sector tourism leaders are asserting that tourism is the region’s best hope for recovery and renewal and that the successful revival of the sector relies on its ability to enhance its strengths while simultaneously reshaping itself to adapt to a changing global environment. During recent presentations to travel and tourism stakeholders, Pablo Jose Torres Sojo, the recently appointed president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), and Frank Comito, CEO and Director General of CHTA, expressed the...
Extended Getaways From Air Canada Vacations
Air Canada Vacations is bringing back a selection of all-inclusive, long stay vacation packages. Coupled with Air Canada CleanCare+ and Air Canada Vacations’ health and safety standards, these options are ideal for Canadian travellers looking to enjoy a well-deserved and worry-free break by spending some extra time under the sun this winter. Nino Montagnese, managing director at Air Canada Vacations, said: “Our strategy at Air Canada Vacations is to continuously respond to the changing needs of our customers.” Montagnese continued: “With travellers looking to take a...
Sunwing Takes Off To Cuba
Sunwing resumed service to Cuba this past weekend (Dec. 13), launching weekly flights departing from Toronto and Montreal to Varadero on Sundays. Samantha Taylor, chief marketing officer at Sunwing Travel Group, said of the new service that: “Our customers have been eagerly awaiting our return to Cuba and we’re excited to be bringing them back to this popular island under our wing,” said “Cuba has been a favourite vacation destination of Canadian travellers for over 50 years. We have brought many Canadians to this beautiful destination in the past and we’re happy to help...
Rising Cases Put Holiday Plans On Hold
In its latest tracking study of American travellers, Longwoods International reports that 15% of them have cancelled their holiday travel plans in the last two weeks as the coronavirus surges nationwide. It also found that another 10% shifted their holiday trips from a trip by air fly to a driving trip. Meanwhile, almost half say they did not plan to travel during the holidays and that has not changed since mid-November. Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International, said that: “The dramatic increase in coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths is reducing...
Sandals Resorts Unveils Deal To Add Resort In Curaçao
Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has signed a deal that will see it adding a brand, new destination at the Santa Barbara Resort on the island of Curaçao. Marking the ninth island destination for the brand in the Caribbean region, the new Sandals Curaçao will initially include 350-luxurious rooms and suites stretched along the Spanish Water Bay and the Caribbean Sea, with a further expansion planned in the coming years. Formerly the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort, part of a broader 3,000-acre development, the resort will be completely “Sandalized,” a process set to...
Vaccine Arriving In Anguilla In January
Anguilla’s Ministry of Health and its Health Authority report that they have briefed the Executive Council on plans for the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines in Anguilla, following on the United Kingdom’s commitment to incorporate Anguilla and the other overseas territories into the procurement for mainland UK. The vaccines are expected on island as early as Jan. 19, 2021. Hon. Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie said: “Although Anguilla has had only six COVID-19 cases and no deaths thus far, as we welcome visitors from global destinations including those where the...
Cooking With Heroes Is A Recipe For Inspiration
The pandemic hit Lindsay Schile particularly hard. But after months of tears, the Manager and Groups Coordinator for Vacations For Heroes, a division of Chilliwack-based travel agency CM Travel Ltd., was struck with inspiration to launch a cookbook in support of her clients. “I had a good chat with a friend that works in an agency in Burnaby near the end of October,” Schile tells PressToday. “She was so positive about things going forward and she told me about a travel game she created. I thought, hey, why can't I do that! The next morning I woke up with this idea for the...
ACTA Offers Update On Provincial Lobbying Efforts
ACTA is continuing to advocate for agencies, agents and independent contractors with the three provincial governments that regulate the travel industry – Ontario, Quebec and B.C. As a result of those efforts, the association says there have been several wins lately. In Quebec, the government has announced new adjustments to the assistance measures put in place to support Small and Medium businesses (SMEs) in the province. Travel agencies are among the new SMEs to become eligible – previously, only inbound travel agencies were eligible. As a result, nearly 600 Quebec travel...