Destinations
Agents Reconnect With Jamaica On Fam
A select group of Canadian travel agents had an exclusive opportunity to experience Jamaica and see the country’s health and safety protocols in action during a recent FAM trip hosted by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). Ten agents from Ontario and Quebec enjoyed a sunny week on the island accompanied by tour guide Jerron Britton, JTB Senior Business Development Manager. The trip, which took place from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5, was the first JTB-organized FAM trip for Canadian agents in 2020. Angella Bennett, regional director, Canada, Jamaica Tourist Board, said: “This trip gave...
Baxter Media Gives Back
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation for your support throughout this very challenging year. In March, we talked about staying strong, working together, keeping hope alive and staying resilient. Throughout, we have stayed true to our mission as our team has continued to serve our industry with daily reporting on news, insights and important information to help you, our readers, make meaningful business decisions. The Baxter Media staff continues to work tirelessly with an undying passion for our industry and hopeful enthusiasm for the future to keep you informed so...
Who Won Visit Utah’s Walker Tracker Challenge?
Over the past 65 days, members of the Canadian travel industry from coast to coast were busy racking up steps to take part in Visit Utah’s Walker Tracker challenge. The journey began in Salt Lake City and finished in St. George, Utah with 25 state milestones passed along the way using the Walker Tracker app. In total, 823 participants from two of Utah’s key international markets — Canada and Australia/New Zealand — took part in the challenge, taking more than 320 million steps between Oct. 15 and Dec. 18. This was a completion challenge and not a race to walk 390,000 steps across...
Ontario Ready To Go It Alone On Testing
Ontario Premier Doug Ford raised concerns about the testing of international travellers arriving at Pearson International Airport when he announced the details of a province-wide shut down that will come into effect on Sat., Dec. 26 at 12:01 am. In his remarks, Premier Ford said that he is “extremely alarmed” by reports of a new strain of COVID-19 that is much more contagious than “what we’ve been facing so far.” He continued: “This is an extremely serious threat. One we must take seriously and we need to ensure that our border is secure. We need to be certain that...
US Travel Industry Welcomes Relief Deal
In a statement released following the announcement of a bipartisan agreement on a COVID-19 relief package, U.S. Travel Association president and CEO, Roger Dow said: “Washington is delivering a huge holiday gift to U.S. businesses and workers after an incredibly challenging year.” Dow observed that: “It’s been a difficult road to get another round of much-needed legislative relief moving in Washington. We applaud the bipartisan group of senators that drove progress forward, and the congressional leadership for striking a bipartisan agreement to produce this desperately needed...
Lindblad, Island Conservation Helping The Galapagos
Lindblad Expeditions and Island Conservation have launched the Galápagos Island Relief Fund to provide immediate financial relief for the people of the Galápagos Islands, who have been devastated by the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism accounts for more than 80% of the Galápagos economy, so in March, when travel restrictions suddenly halted the tourism industry, it caused profound hardship for families, businesses, and the community at large. In the first two months of the pandemic alone, the islands’ economy lost $50 million, almost a quarter of the...
72 Hour Ban On Flights From The UK
In a statement, the Government of Canada indicated that it is closely monitoring the genetic variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 identified in the United Kingdom and is working with international partners, including the World Health Organization, to better understand this variant and its impacts. Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau convened a meeting of the Incident Response Group to discuss the new variant of COVID-19 identified in the United Kingdom. Minister of Health Patty Hajdu, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair, Minister of Transport Marc Garneau,...
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Enters New Phase
Responding to the continued increase of COVID-19 cases in the United States and Canada, among others, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is continuing to enforce entry protocols for travellers, with the latest phase (#8) now in place. 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 spread of COVID-19 and currently has 17 active cases. During Phase #8 – in effect as of Dec....