Destinations
Ireland 2020 – All You Need To Know
Baxter Media invites agents to attend an exciting webinar with Tourism Ireland next Wednesday (March 11) at 2 p.m. (EST). In the run up to St. Patrick's Day, join Tourism Ireland and partners for your 2020 update on the Emerald Isle. Sign up now to receive an exclusive update on Galway 2020 – European Capital of Culture as well as how to program city breaks and castle stays in this must-see session. This free webinar will begin right at 2 p.m. (EST) on March 11. We hope to see you then! To register, visit...
Israel Invests In The Future
The Israel Government Tourist Office (IGTO) has been visiting participating schools in the Baxter Student Ambassador Program (BSAP) to educate them on the wonders of Israel. IGTO, a BSAP partner, dropped by Seneca College this week, with Gal Hana, head of IGTO in Canada, telling us that: “It is a great privilege to meet the future generation of the tourism industry. The creativity, entrepreneurship, motivation can't be taken for granted. Seneca college has one of the best facilities that I wish I had when I was a student.” For more on BSAP, go to http://baxterambassadors.com/...
Bahamas Statement On COVID-19
The Bahamas Ministry of Health said in a statement that it's working closely with all of the pertinent government agencies throughout the destination to execute The Bahamas National Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19. At this time, there are no reported cases of the coronavirus in The Bahamas. The World Health Organization (WHO) does not currently recommend any restriction of travel or trade, and The Bahamas continues to welcome visitors to the destination. The Bahamas is one of the few countries conducting COVID-19 testing and is actively employing several measures used...
Record Year for Switzerland
Switzerland continues to reach new peaks in popularity in North America. According to tourism data from the last decade, visitor numbers from Canada and the US to Switzerland grew by more than 60%. Figures show an increase in Canadian arrivals in Switzerland in 2019 totalling 131,504, an increase of 4.2%. The number of overnight stays was 275,205, an increase of 1.6% compared to 2018. “We are delighted to announce a continued growth and are staying fully committed to the Canadian market. On March 24 and 25, together with 20 Swiss partners, we will proudly showcase...
Italy: Still Safe to Visit
The Italian National Tourist Board is advising agents and travellers that Italy is still a safe country to visit. Officials note that the Italian National Health System has implemented procedures directed at safeguarding citizens and visitors. Intense controls made it possible for the Italian Government to monitor and contain the spreading of COVID-19 from the earliest diffusion outside the Chinese borders. And, the adoption of extraordinary preventive actions, such as the temporary closure of several sites or the suspension of several events, represents cautionary measures which...
Jamaica Tightens Travel Restrictions
Ministry of Health and Wellness officials in Jamaica have expanded its list of countries with travel restrictions due to the continued spread of the corona virus (COVID-19), a move that could affect some Canadians planning to visit the Caribbean island. Canadians that have recently travelled to any of the restricted countries may have to alter their plans to visit Jamaica. Countries added to Jamaica's list of travel restrictions are Italy, South Korea/Republic of Korea, Singapore and Iran. Jamaican officials are also reviewing the situation in Japan, where 164 cases and one death have...
Disney Cruise Line Returns to Greece in 2021
In summer 2021, Disney Cruise Line will sail a variety of itineraries around the world including a return to Greece and varied European destinations, Alaska ports and tropical locales. Plus, Disney Cruise Line will visit three first-time ports of call in Greece, Sweden and Norway. Bookings open to the public on Feb. 28. In summer 2021, a new collection of itineraries is part of Disney Cruise Line’s grand tour of Europe. From May through July, the Disney Magic will visit locales in the Mediterranean including the Greek Isles, Spain and the French Riviera. From late July through...
Toronto Sets New Visitor Record
Toronto has once again set a new visitor record with 28.1 million visitors in the city in 2019, topping 2018’s 27.5 million visitors. Visitors to Toronto spent $6.7 billion in the destination in 2019, including restaurants, attractions, transportation, retail and accommodations – nearly $200 million more than in 2018. The new visitor numbers showcase the strength of Toronto’s visitor economy that experienced a decade of growth with more than four million more visitors added over 10 years. “Toronto’s visitor economy continues to be an economic engine for the city, and that...