Destinations
Royal Caribbean Puts 2021 On The Itinerary
Tapping into market research and feedback from its guests and travel partners, Royal Caribbean International has adjusted its schedule with the goal of providing guests with greater variety for their 2021 adventures. Highlights of the updated summer cruises for 2021 include new 4- and 5-night Mediterranean getaways from Barcelona, and more island time in the Caribbean with ships sailing from additional, popular U.S. cruise ports next summer including Tampa, Fla. and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The new itineraries combined with Royal Caribbean ships and crew will deliver the signature...
Discovering Beautiful Belize … Virtually
Birds of different feathers flock together at inland Belize's Chaa Creek Resort. Thursday saw the Belize Tourism Board continue a virtual fam trip, showcasing the western part of the country, including Chaa Creek, with resort marketing manager Roberto Harrison telling viewers that those staying at his property can spot a variety of birds, among them colorful toucans and kingfishers. Tropical Belize -- which has set aside a large percentage of the country for parks and nature reserves -- is home to over 500 bird species. Birds aren't the only winged creatures Chaa Creek guests can...
We’re Good To Go
In the first part of a two-part conversation with VisitBritain’s Senior Vice President, The Americas, Paul Gauger talks about what VisitBritain is doing to help with the destination’s tourism recovery; health and safety initiatives; and programs designed to give both domestic travellers and future international visitors the confidence to travel. At the outset, Gauger told Canadian Travel Press that the “most recent forecast for inbound tourism to the UK in 2020, as of August 25, is for a decline of 73% in visits to 11 million and a decline of 79% in spending to £6 billion ($10...
Happiness Isn’t Measured In Kilometres
Although travel might not be the same as it once was, new research by Booking.com reveals that the travel that happiness can bring isn’t measured in kilometres. In the summer of 2020, the distance travelled by Canadians was down 71% year-over-year, with domestic destinations being the “stand-out stars” and accounting for 82% of total distance travelled. Digging into summer travel patterns, Booking.com found that the average distance Canadians travelled (June - August) is down 71% compared with the same time last year - slightly more than the global average decrease of...
Louisiana Mixes It Up For Agents
Norton Christopher used Monday's Louisiana's Libations & Lagniappe Virtual Happy Hour to rum-inate about rum. The New Orleans-based mixologist used the Louisiana Office of Tourism webinar to familiarize people in this country with New Orleans cocktails, among them the Hurricane, made in part with both white and dark rum. The Hurricane became popular after World War 2, when rum was abundant locally. Louisiana actually produces its own rum -- Bayou -- and Megan Ryburn of the Louisiana Office of Tourism noted the state has created the Libations Trail, which showcases local...
HAC, TIAC Delighted ‘Government Has Listened’
The Hotel Association of Canada is applauding Ottawa's decision to extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy through next spring, saying the move will provide desperately needed help for this country's ailing tourism trade, reports Ian Stalker in today’s issue of Press Today. The federal government announced during Wednesday's Speech from the Throne that it has decided to continue to make the subsidy -- which sees Ottawa agree to pay up to 75% of the salaries of businesses that have seen their revenues cut by half or more because of the coronavirus pandemic -- available well into...
London Travel Week Goes Virtual
London Travel Week has confirmed that it will be returning in an online capacity in 2020 to help aid the recovery, rebuilding and innovation of the travel and tourism industry. The move comes following the announcement that WTM London and Travel Forward will be fully virtual this year. The event will give the opportunity to travel professionals, businesses and destinations to enhance their WTM Virtual experience by attending virtual events designed to inspire industry recovery, rebuilding and innovation. WTM Virtual Speed Networking sessions will take up a prominent position...
Winners of Japan Webinar Prize Draw Announced
Last Wednesday, Baxter Media hosted an exciting and engaging webinar with the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and Japan Airlines. We had travel agents from all over North America in attendance, but primarily from across Canada. Kicking off the webinar, which was entitled Questions about Travel to Japan, Athena Ho, the Director of JNTO Toronto, presented the findings from a recent survey entitled ‘To measure the impact of COVID-19 on Japan Travel’. Then, Adam Waxman, journalist and a member of the Advisory Board appointed by the Commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency, MLIT,...