Destinations
Uncertainty In Uncharted Waters
How do destination marketing organizations and tourist boards promote their respective countries when travel comes to a standstill? They adjust and find new ways to drive engagement. In the aftermath of travel restrictions, Sigríður Dögg Guðmundsdóttir, Head of Visit Iceland, says they shifted strategies to focus on giving would-be travellers something to dream about with the My Iceland Dream List campaign on social media. “The First lady of Iceland, Eliza Reid and Ragga Ragnars (the actress who played Gunnhild in Vikings) and more people shared their favourite locations in...
Sharing The Key To Keeping Travellers Safe
Heli Mende, Head of Visit Finland North America/Commercial Counsellor One of the biggest obstacles on the road to recovery for Heli Mende, Head of Visit Finland North America, will be overcoming the uncertainty amongst travellers around if and when it is safe to travel internationally. “Communication is always important, but in times like these, sharing information is crucial. So is being transparent, honest and working together,” Mende tells Travel Courier. “As tourist boards, we need to know what the operators and agencies are doing and they need to know what is happening in...
Tel Aviv Unveils Domestic Tourism Campaign
The Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality and the Tel Aviv Hotel Association are launching a domestic tourism campaign to encourage hotel accommodation in the city with special benefits for the Israeli public. As part of the campaign, local tourists will enjoy a selection of free tours, 1 + 1 entry to Tel Aviv museums and attractions, and the use of beach facilities and city bikes (Tel-O-Fun) free of charge. The campaign will be launched simultaneously with a national campaign by the Ministry of Tourism to encourage domestic tourism. The global "Two Cities-One Break" campaign carried out by...
SVG Unveils New Entry Requirements for Travellers
The 32 islands and cays, unspoiled natural attractions and luxurious hideaways of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are ready to impress and embrace visitors once again. St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) never officially shut its borders to tourists and remains open for business, poised to welcome visitors once they are permitted to travel from their respective countries. In March, SVG took strict measures to contain the spread of the virus and with few visitors able to reach the destination due to restrictions in travelling from other countries, the destination has seen a relatively...
We’re Good To Go
The ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard and supporting mark means businesses can demonstrate that they are adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance, have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and checked that they have the required processes in place. The scheme is free to join and open to all businesses across the industry. Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston said: "I want to encourage the public to experience a great British holiday this summer and be confident that they can do so safely.” He continued: “This new industry standard will...
TIAC Looking To Find The Balance
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is eager to have a "dialogue" with the federal government about the possible reopening of this country's border to international travellers, a development that would be a huge boost to a tourism industry that's been struggling in an unprecedented manner because of the coronavirus pandemic. TIAC president and CEO, Charlotte Bell told a Thursday Baxter Media TravelWebcast session that the date of the border being reopened is the "$64,000 question" for her industry, which has seen inbound tourism placed "on pause." The border was closed...
Puerto Rico Gears Up To Reopen
Puerto Rico tourism authorities are preparing to welcome tourists back to their island, confident that their past experience dealing with crises will help their destination's tourism trade recover from coronavirus. Brad Dean, head of Discover Puerto Rico, told a Wednesday, June 24 webinar that Puerto Rico will begin welcoming off-island vacationers back on July 15 after imposing tough restrictions in March aimed at preventing the arrival of visitors. "We are eager and ready to welcome visitors back to Puerto Rico," he said. Webinar participants noted Puerto Rican tourism has had...
Searching For Open Spaces
Pascal Prinz, Director Canada & Trade Manager Central USA, Switzerland Tourism Although there is no date yet for when Canadian travellers can visit, Pascal Prinz, Director Canada & Trade Manager Central USA for Switzerland Tourism, says it's a positive sign that the destination reopened for tourism from Europe and the UK on June 15. As a new normal emerges, he foresees sustainable travel paving the way forward. “We have to respect nature more and live in a responsible co-existence to also allow future generations to experience the wonders of our beautiful planet,”...