Destinations
ETC Says Europe Needs Harmonized Approach
The European Travel Commission (ETC) is calling on EU governments to better coordinate their COVID-19 recovery efforts by adopting a harmonized approach to lifting or reinstalling restrictions and safety measures, as tourism confidence plummets to a record low across the continent. Taking into account the latest epidemiological developments across Europe, ETC also insists that any potential new measures should be local and science-based, avoiding imposing blanket country bans or quarantines, and should be communicated to travellers well before their travel dates. It also notes that...
Keeping Your Distance In Turks & Caicos
The president of the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association say his part of the world is ideal for those now seeking a vacation but who are nervous about visiting another country during the coronavirus pandemic. Todd Foss told a Friday Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association webinar that the comparatively small number of travellers his destination is hosting these days means that social distancing won't be a challenge. Foss told the webinar that the Turks & Caicos is home to the "No. 1 beach in the world" and "it's all your's if you come down now." The Turks...
ACV Has Something Special For Agents In Cuba
Air Canada Vacations is offering travel agents independent FAM rates to select properties in Cayo Coco starting at $599 per person from Toronto or $549 per person from Montreal. As for agents’ customers, ACV has non-stop flights from Montreal to Cayo Coco operating on Fridays starting Sept. 4, 2020, and from Toronto to Cayo Coco on Saturdays starting Sept. 26, 2020. Beginning in October, departures from Toronto to Cayo Coco will operate twice per week on Saturdays and Sundays. Also, beginning in October, agents’ client can visit Varadero with non-stop flights from Montreal...
Transat Takes Off South For 2020-2021
With its ‘Here Comes the Sun’ promotion underway, Transat has launched its 2020-2021South brochure. The new brochure features a total of 320 properties grouped under its four collections --Luxury, Distinction, Family and Solo -- in over 30 destinations in Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, St. Maarten/St. Martin and El Salvador. The electronic version of the brochure is now available on Transat Agent Direct. Exclusively designed to support travel agents in their sales, the print...
UPDATED: UK Adds 8, Canada-US Extend Border Closure
UPDATED: While news that the UK had added 8 destinations to its quarantine list was rattling the British and European travel trade, in Canada, the mid-morning announcement by Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Bill Blair that the Canada-US border will remain closed for another 30 days did nothing to raise the industry's spirits here. The extension takes the Canada-US border closure to Sept. 21, with the minister indicating that the government will “continue to do what’s necessary to keep our communities safe.” The Canada-US border has been closed...
Hey, A Little Leadership Here
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is calling on the U.S. government for strong leadership and unprecedented international collaboration, to save the struggling travel and tourism sector and recover the millions of jobs already impacted. More than 100 of the world’s major travel and global business leaders, from major airlines, airports, hotels, tour operators and travel companies, have backed the unprecedented move. The industry leaders signed and sent the letter, which called for urgent coordinated action, to U.S. President Donald Trump and six other Heads of...
More Cooperation Needed
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has reiterated the importance of cooperation between the EU, Canada and the US to restore safe travels and reboot the economy. The association is urging the European Commission, EU governments, Ottawa, and the White House to pursue talks to find a resolution for transatlantic travel, based on reciprocity, proportionality, and the latest scientific advice. Dave Hilfman, executive director of the GBTA, said that: “GBTA has repeatedly called on these governments to adopt a coordinated approach in responding to COVID-19 and the evolving...
JTB Taking Agents Back To School
The Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) is inviting Canadian agents to expand their destination product knowledge by enrolling in Jamaica Training University -- a new weekly training series that kicks of today (Aug. 13), with classes being held every Thursday going forward. Designed for experienced travel professionals and industry newcomers alike, Jamaica Training University will feature a series of free online training seminars hosted on the Microsoft Teams platform. Each Thursday, JTB Canada’s team members will present four two-hour sessions on the same topic, hosted at different...