Destinations
Operators Talk Caribbean Trends To Watch
The owner of a British tour operator that normally sends large numbers of clients to the Caribbean is warning that cash-strapped hotels in the region may raise some of their rates as they struggle to return to profitability. Paul Cleary of Caribtours told a Wednesday Caribbean Tourism Organization webinar that those Caribbean hotels that are now open are having to cope with low occupancy and the added costs that have resulted from the coronavirus pandemic, such as those brought on by enhanced cleaning measures. "I think it's a reality" that hotels are going to have to work to...
Still Time to Vote And Win with Agents’ Choice
Can’t wait to travel again? Vote for your favourite destinations, suppliers, brands and services in 40+ categories in Agents’ Choice, and you’ll be entered in a draw to win one of these five fantastic travel prizes: A delightful discovery through the sights, sounds, and tastes of ‘the big easy’ on Collette’s six-day Spotlight to New Orleans tour for two A $250 Visa gift card from Manulife Uncover Roman monuments, Venetian canals, and Florentine artistry on a picture-perfect, seven-day Italian Holiday tour for two from Trafalgar One-week boutique river cruise...
NARAT Featuring Maldives Escapes
NARAT is promoting Maldives Escape packages with reservation incentives that including a five-night free Sri Lanka villa stay extension. Agents can book "ultimate getaways with select resorts for a destination synonymous with luxury and seclusion, receiving with up to 30% early reservation discount on travel between Aug. 1, 2020 and July 30 2021," NARAT says. Maldives packages are inclusive of all meals and complimentary wellness activities. "Traveller worry-free reservation incentives extend with no deposit requirement until Aug. 1, 2020 and penalty-free cancellation up to 90 days...
Just Wear A Mask
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is calling on all travellers to wear protective face masks to show they ‘wear to care’ in the new normal of travelling. As countries transition from lockdowns to reopening their borders, the wearing of face masks helps signal the return of safer travels, while also providing personal protection for users as well as those around them. The advice from WTTC in favour of mandatory mask wearing comes from evidence that countries which are recovering faster and avoid second COVID-19 spikes are those where the use of face masks have been...
Coker Takes Over At SDTA
Julie Coker is the new president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) as the organization begins to enact its recovery plan for the local tourism industry, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis. Coker, a hospitality industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience, comes to San Diego after serving as the president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Originally, Coker was to begin her new role with the SDTA in March but delayed her start date so she could help the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau navigate the ongoing...
Become A Mexican Caribbean Expert
The Mexican Caribbean has unveiled Mexican Caribbean E-Learning, the digital English-language education platform for travel agents looking to become experts in Mexican Caribbean tourism. The platform, which is free of charge, offers training courses consisting of key information from the region’s four main tourist destinations: Part 1 covers Cancun and Riviera Maya Part 2 covers Cozumel and Grand Costa Maya. Each course contains important information on the sights, beaches, nature parks, accommodations and sales tips for these iconic destinations. Dario Flota,...
Understanding Generation Z
In a new study, the European Travel Commission (ETC) reports that Generation Z Travellers believe that tourism benefits local communities, while also being aware of the personal benefits of travel, such as understanding other cultures and building life experiences and self-confidence. As the world’s youngest population grows, becomes more affluent and begins to travel, it is likely to cause major changes in consumer travel demand. Understanding Gen Z travellers and their concerns and motivations is fundamental to evaluating how demand for tourism could evolve in the years to...
Antigua And Barbuda Update Travel Advisory
The government of Antigua and Barbuda advises that it has updated its travel advisory to ensure the continued safety of travelers and residents. The V.C. Bird International Airport is opened for international and regional air traffic. The Antigua Port Authority is opened to Cargo Vessels, Pleasure Craft and Ferry Services which are required to follow all protocols issued by Port Health. The State will be working on a combination of screening, testing, monitoring and other measures to mitigate the risk of importing any new cases of COVID-19 into the country. Additionally, measures...