Destinations
Going Domestic
With domestic tourism set to return faster than international travel, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released Understanding Domestic Tourism and Seizing its Opportunities, highlighting the fact that UNWTO data shows that in 2018, around 9 billion domestic tourism trips were made worldwide – six times the number of international tourist arrivals (1.4 billion in 2018). The publication identifies ways in which destinations around the world are taking proactive steps to grow domestic tourism, from offering bonus holidays for workers to providing vouchers and other...
BC Saving Beaches And Small Ship Tourism
In mid-August, a fleet of tourism ships began an unprecedented, six-week expedition to the Great Bear Rainforest’s outer coast as part of the Marine Debris Removal Initiative (MDRI), a project funded by the provincial Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy. With the blessing from Indigenous leaders in the region, the expedition expects to remove between 75 and 100 tons of marine waste, including plastics, from up to 1,000 km of coastal beaches along the Great Bear Rainforest. A group of BC small ship tour companies developed this innovative project in response to...
CHHB Urges Government To Extend CEWS
A newly formed coalition representing people with a stake in this country's ailing tourism trade is calling on Ottawa to extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy well into next year, warning that if the federal government goes ahead with its planned phase-out of the subsidy, widespread travel industry bankruptcies could follow. Ottawa plans to begin reducing the subsidy -- which offers businesses struggling with a drop of 50% or more in revenue because of the coronavirus pandemic to have the federal government pay for 75% of their firms' salaries -- as of Sept. 26 and then eliminate...
Hawaii Tourism Authority Names New President, CEO
John De Fries is the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s new president and CEO. The HTA Board of Directors unanimously agreed during the Aug. 27 board meeting to make an offer to De Fries, which he accepted and will start today (Sept. 16). Said De Fries: “Hawaii’s pathway to economic recovery and enhanced community well-being will require unprecedented levels of focus, collaboration, cooperation, coordination, and unified executive leadership throughout all sectors. I am grateful to have been chosen to lead the Hawaii Tourism Authority.” Born and raised in Waikiki, now living in Kona...
G Adds Four To Travel with Confidence Plus Collection
After receiving positive feedback from travellers, along with encouraging booking numbers for departures in 2020 and 2021, G Adventures has introduced four additional itineraries to its new Travel with Confidence Plus Collection, which provides travellers with increased physical distancing measures while on tour. The collection was launched in June 2020 and features smaller group sizes (a maximum of 12), cheaper solo rooming options, ensuite bathrooms and private transportation, as well as increased sanitization and hygiene protocols as part of G Adventures’ Travel with...
Sun Destination Update From WestJet
WestJet released an updated schedule designed to get Canadians to and from key destinations while supporting the economic recovery of Canada through continued domestic flying. Beginning Oct. 4, 2020 WestJet will offer operations to and from 48 destinations including 39 in Canada, three in the U.S. and three in Mexico, two in Jamaica and one in the U.K. Arved von zur Muehlen, WestJet chief commercial officer, said: “This fall we continue to offer guests stringent safety measures and travel that meets their needs during this extraordinary time.” He continued: “As more...
ACV Unveils Its 2020/2021 Sun Collection
Air Canada Vacations has launched its 2020-2021 Sun Collection. The new Sun Collection features new additions, savings, sun-soaked fun, and its New Health and Safety Standards to make your customers’ next vacation the worry-free break they deserve. The new collection features a selection of packages in 42 sunny destinations, over 700 hotels – mostly all-inclusive – 31 of which are new to the tour operator’s line up, 3 resorts that are exclusive to Air Canada Vacations, 30 semi-exclusive resorts, and more than 100 cruises, with the addition of Cunard Line to its product line....
UNWTO Reports International Arrivals Plunged 93% In June
According to the latest issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals plunged 93% in June 2020, compared to June 2019 – driving home the severity of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the travel and tourism industry. For the first half of 2020, the UNWTO’s barometer reports that international tourist arrivals plummeted 65% -- representing an unprecedented decrease, as countries around the world closed their borders and introduced travel restrictions in response to the pandemic. In recent weeks, however, a growing number of destinations have started to...