Destinations
Saint Lucia Revises Testing Protocols
Effective Feb. 10, 2021 all arrivals to Saint Lucia (5 years or older) must have a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 5 days before arrival. Consistent with existing protocols, all arrivals to Saint Lucia: Must complete and submit a Travel Registration Form, which is found on the Saint Lucia COVID-19 Travel Advisory page at www.StLucia.org/Covid-19 Must adhere to all safety protocols in place throughout Saint Lucia, including wearing a mask in public places Shall be subject to mandatory screening and temperature checks at ports of entry and...
A Fine Balance
While it has one of the world’s lowest rates of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, hospitalizations and deaths, the Caribbean’s economic survival is in serious jeopardy as tourism-dependent economies struggle with the consequences of the pandemic and travel restrictions being imposed and considered by its most popular countries of origin for travel. The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) indicated that it welcomes the new United States administration’s balanced international travel measures which call for returning travelers and those entering the United...
Brand USA Puts The Focus On Canada
It should come as no surprise that for its first (virtual) international event of the new year, Brand USA decided to Focus On Canada. In welcoming the Canadian travel trade to yesterday’s event, Brand USA’s president & CEO, Chris Thompson made it clear that ‘we’re family’ and the relationship between the two countries was much more than sharing a border, pointing out that the two countries share their cultures, their economies, social bonds and much, much more. Brand USA’s boss continued, noting that this is what’s missed right now and as soon as people are able to...
An Industry In Peril
Why us alone? It's a question that Caribbean tourism destinations and Mexico may well be asking themselves in the wake of Ottawa convincing Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat and Sunwing to suspend service to those parts of the world for three months but allow the carriers continue to operate to other parts of the world, including sun destinations such as Florida, which normally sees huge numbers of Canadians and certainly struggled with the coronavirus pandemic for much of 2020. The suspension of flights to the affected destinations will hit a number of tourism-dependent economies in...
Intrepid Campaign Makes A Difference In Peru
Last month, The Intrepid Foundation, in partnership with the NGO MEDLIFE, delivered meals to over 350 families in Peru’s Sacred Valley. Many of these families are cooks and porters whose livelihood have been impacted by the global pandemic. Intrepid Travel’s not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has donated more than $20,000 AUD worth of food parcels to 356 families in Peru’s Sacred Valley. The meals will help to feed over 1,700 people, many whom are cooks and porters whose livelihoods have been directly impacted by the lack of tourism due to the ongoing, global health...
BC’s Indigenous Tourism Industry Gets Support
Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC), in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, is distributing $5 million to local Indigenous tourism businesses through the BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund. The fund offers grants of up to $45,000 to support businesses navigate the ongoing economic impacts of COVID-19. A year after the first COVID-19 case was detected in BC, the tourism industry continues to experience unprecedented contraction and loss of revenues. To date, ITBC has supported stakeholders through a variety of measures, including the Emergency Relief...
It’s Groundhog Day, Let’s Celebrate
Today’s a good day to shake off all those worldly worries and enjoy something that amuses, entertains and brings each and every one of us a little bit of joy. So here you go ... While Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil is predicting six more weeks of winter for 2021, Canada’s Wiarton Willie and Shubenacadie Sam are both forecasting an early spring. In Pennsylvania, the annual Groundhog Day celebration was virtual for the first time ever with viewers from all over the world tuning in to see Punxsutawney Phil make his annual prediction. For the 135th time, Punxsutawney Phil...
Travel In Style To BVI
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) officially reopened its borders to international travellers on Dec. 1, exclusive to arrivals at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island. And with safety and socially-distanced travel top of mind, the BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITB&FC) has unveiled a partnership with evoJets. While many commercial airlines do not have direct flights to Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, flying private is the easiest and most convenient way to get to the destination. In an effort to make private jet travel more...