Destinations
Conference Board Looks At Summer Travel Intentions
In its Travel Outlook for the summer of 2020, the Conference Board of Canada reports that summer travel intentions have fallen to the lowest level ever amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic The Conference Board notes that as expected, the proportion of surveyed Canadians planning to take a leisure trip this summer has plummeted to its lowest level ever recorded -- a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated physical distancing requirements and travel restrictions currently in place. Overall, just 45% of Canadians are planning to take a leisure trip in the coming...
Zamir Appointed Israel’s New Minister of Tourism
The Israel Ministry of Tourism recently held a Ministerial exchange ceremony between the outgoing Minister, Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin, and incoming Tourism Minister MK Asaf Zamir. Before taking on his new position, Zamir was Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo from 2013 to 2018, the youngest Mayor to ever to hold this position. As Tourism Minister, Zamir is tasked with revitalizing both domestic and international tourism as countries across the world try to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Said Zamir: “We have quite a few tasks ahead of us to help rebuild the tourism industry in...
Celebrate Canadian Tourism This Week
This week, it’s time to celebrate Canadian tourism. Tourism Week 2020 is now underway. It began yesterday (May 24) and continues to May 31 and offers the industry an opportunity to come together and remind people the kind of contribution tourism makes to the lives of each and every one of us. That’s why for Tourism Week 2020, TIAC will be focusing on why #TourismMatters now more than ever. And while there’s a lot of uncertainty in the world, including for the tourism sector, right now, we all know that the industry is eager to come back as soon as possible and stronger than...
Summer Time, And Air Canada Is Taking Off
Air Canada is revving up its engines and is set for take-off, offering close to 100 destinations in Canada, the U.S. and around the world in an abridged summer schedule. And to ensure customers can book with confidence, the airline has implemented the Air Canada CleanCare+ biosecurity program and is introducing new cancellation options retroactive to March 1, 2020, to give customers greater flexibility and choice should their travel plans change for any reason. Lucie Guillemette, executive vice-president and chief commercial officer for Air Canada, said: “Air Canada has put in...
Hong Kong: An Update On The Latest Developments
Baxter Media invites agents to attend an important webinar with the Hong Kong Tourism Board next Friday (May 29) at 2 p.m. (EST). The webinar will be presented by Yuen Kan Wong, Marketing Manager, Canada, for the Hong Kong Tourism Board. In this webinar, you will hear how Hong Kong has handled COVID-19, and for those who are new to the destination or need a refresher, they will be providing basic destination information, updating you on the newest developments, as well as providing a glimpse of what you or your clients can experience in Hong Kong. During the webinar, Yuen will also...
France Has A Plan For Tourism
Earlier in May, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe brought together major players in the country’s tourism industry for an inter-ministerial meeting alongside Christian Mantei, President of the Administration Council and Caroline Leboucher, Director-General of Atout France. The Tourism Plan that he announced outlines the numerous concrete measures for providing support to this sector, which has been severely affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. During the fifth Inter-ministerial Tourism Committee meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that “tourism was probably facing the...
Barbados Moves To Phase 3
Barbados has now entered Phase 3 of the reopening of its economy following its suspension of non-essential services in the fight against COVID-19. Prime Minister of Barbados, the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley said the decision was made based on public health recommendations, and outlined the updated protocols which she stressed will be constantly under review. To date, there have been 88 confirmed cases, 68 total recoveries and seven deaths. The active cases remain in isolation and are receiving care from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The protocols established by the Ministry of...
Too Early For Predictions
Due to COVID-19, the Canadian government closed the Canadian Arctic to cruise travel entirely for 2020, and Adventure Canada was forced to cancel its entire season. “While we were disappointed, we wholeheartedly supported these measures – we visit many small, and due to their remoteness, vulnerable communities, and the health and safety of the places we have the privilege of visiting is our top priority,” Cedar Swan, the CEO of Adventure Canada told Travel Courier. “What we’ve seen in response is that the enthusiasm for polar travel is there. 48% of our Arctic clients have...