Destinations
42nd Caribbean Travel Marketplace kicks off in Jamaica
Canadian arrivals into the Caribbean are outpacing the growth from the US market. The 42nd Caribbean Travel Marketplace kicked off in Montego Bay yesterday with the third annual Caribbean Travel Forum, where a state of the industry address provided insights into how the region was performing. Nicola Madden-Greig, president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, shared the latests results showcasing that Canadian arrivals saw a 14 per cent increase in the first half of 2024 compared to 2023, while Toronto paved the way with a 23 per cent increase. Meanwhile, the United States sat...
2024 Arabian Travel Market draws record-breaking attendance
The 31st edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), held this year at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 5-9, witnessed record-breaking attendance, with more than 46,000 industry professionals and 2,600 exhibitors from 160 countries. This represents a 15 per cent attendance increase from the previous year, officials report. This boost underscores the resilience and continued momentum of the global travel and tourism sector. In 2023, Dubai welcomed more than 17 million international visitors, surpassing even pre-pandemic figures. Visitors from the Americas account for seven per...
WestJet inaugurates non-stop service from Calgary-Iceland
On May 16, the WestJet Group celebrated the takeoff of its highly anticipated service between Calgary and Reykjavik (Keflavik), Iceland. The exclusive service, linking the Group's global hub in Calgary to Iceland, not only bolsters the airline's efforts to enhance YYC Calgary International Airport's connectivity but reinforces the city's standing as the best connected mid-sized city in North America. "Iceland offers one of the most geologically diverse and breathtaking landscapes in the world and we are thrilled to provide convenient direct access to Reykjavik as we continue to...
Visit Florida enjoying continued growth in Canadian arrivals
Visit Florida and eight of its partners were in Toronto this week to get together with some of its partners at Sassafraz in the city’s Yorkville neighbourhood. The casual, relaxed event, was full of good news as Lea-Ann Goltz, VoX International’s Canada account manager for Visit Florida, reminded the group that Canada has, historically, been the number one international market for the state of Florida. In 2023, 3.82 million Canadians headed to the Sunshine State, representing a 45.5 per cent increase over 2022 and just seven per cent down from the totals of 2019. On another...
AI can spark bookings, but agents still top of mind, Expedia says
On now until May 15, Expedia Group's 25th annual EXPLORE conference has seen more than 2,000 global suppliers and partners converge at the ARIA Casino & Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. During the trade show, Expedia Group released its 2024 Spring Product Release, in which the company leveraged the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to eliminate confusion and stress for travellers across tasks like planning, booking management, and customer service. “AI is everywhere and yes, at times, it feels like the only thing that any one is talking about but that’s for good reason,”...
JTB hosts virtual weddings expo
Destination Jamaica brought the dreamiest of the island’s wedding and honeymoon ‘boom’ offerings to the Come Back to Romance Virtual Expo on May 9. The country anticipates that 2024 will become the busiest year for hosting weddings and romance related activities. This exclusive wedding expo activation, hosted by the Spoiled Agent Association, featured a local marriage officer who answered questions and helped guide travel agents to make the process smooth for couples. The session also highlighted the over 25 travel partners on accessible on island. The Weddings Units of...
Intrepid expands in the Middle East with new Jordan hub
Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. “Opening a hub in Jordan is a significant milestone for Intrepid. We see this step as a mark of confidence in the country," said Zina Bencheikh, managing director EMEA. "Despite the current crisis, Jordan has so much to offer our global travellers and we consider it a...
Princess’ 2025/2026 South America & Antarctica trips revealed
Princess Cruises recently announced its 2025-2026 South America and Antarctica season, offering guests affordable rates, a wide range of shore excursions, and the comfort of a ship that can safely navigate this journey while offering countless amenities and activities to enjoy. "Our upcoming 2025-26 cruise season to South America and Antarctica promises remarkable journeys with incredible opportunities to glide through glacial waters of Antarctica to enjoy views of Elephant Island, Antarctic Sound and Gerlache Strait – all unforgettable sites to behold," said Terry Thornton,...