Destinations
Air Canada & Goway bring Brisbane sun to YVR
All eighty-eight travel advisors who attended the recent “Show & Go To Brisbane” event last week in Vancouver got the benefit of travel product presentations by Goway Travel, Air Canada and Visit Brisbane – not to mention a great selection of food and drink. But only one agent in attendance could win the grand prize of two Economy class return tickets on Air Canada to Brisbane from Vancouver, plus a four-night stay in Brisbane – including hotel accommodations, airport transfers and curated day tours by Goway. That advisor was Gayleen Millard of Travel Best Bets in...
Scotland sees record-breaking number of international tourists
New figures show that Scotland experienced a record-breaking influx of international visitors in 2023, welcoming 3.9 million tourists, marking a 15 per cent increase from 2019. The 2023 International Passenger Survey by the Office of National Statistics showed a significant 23 per cent increase from 2022, which saw 3.2 million visitors, and the previous record was set in 2018 with 3.7 million visitors. Notably, Scotland was the only UK nation to surpass its 2019 international tourism levels. North American visits rise North American and European visits rose by 16 per cent and 19 per...
Canada issues terror warnings for 9 European countries
As the summer travel season in Europe heats up, the Government of Canada has issued a series of travel advisories for select countries in Europe, due to potential acts of terrorism. The threat of terrorism in Europe remains ongoing, and attacks can happen anywhere at any time, though government buildings, including schools, places of worship, airports, and other major tourist attractions like shopping malls, restaurants or public squares can be more likely targets. Canadian travellers to Europe this summer are urged to exercise a high degree of caution in the following...
AmaWaterways’ new Nile ship has just 41 luxurious rooms
As North American travellers continue looking to Egypt as a bucket-list destination, AmaWaterways has launched its latest addition to the fleet, AmaLilia, on the enchanting waters of the Nile River. Specially curated with upscale regionally inspired décor and 41 staterooms, including 13 suites, the luxurious new ship embarked on its inaugural journey in April 2024. The 11-night Secrets of Egypt & the Nile cruise and land experience includes a seven-night round trip river cruise from Luxor and is paired with three nights pre- and one-night post-cruise stays in historic Cairo at...
Playa celebrates top agents at Hyatt Ziva Cancun
Playa Hotels & Resorts recently hosted the 2024 Spotlight Awards at the luxurious beachfront Hyatt Ziva Cancun. The four-day, three-night celebration honoured the outstanding achievements of their most successful travel agent partners with more than 100 attendees treated to culinary adventures, unique entertainment, and whimsical surprises inspired by the magical world of Willy Wonka. “We’re incredibly proud to bring back our annual Spotlight Awards and honour the remarkable commitment and partnership of our travel agents,” said Dean Sullivan, senior vice-president of sales and...
Windstar bringing back popular Alaska & Japan routes for 2026
Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises revealed today it’s planning to send its newest ship, Star Seeker, cruising to Alaska and Japan when it joins the fleet in 2026. Windstar last sailed in Alaska and Japan in 2023 before it redeployed Star Breeze to be the year-round ship in Tahiti. “We are really happy to be able to bring back Alaska and Japan for our guests,” said Windstar’s President Christopher Prelog. “We know these are popular destinations, and we have many people asking us to return there. We can’t keep this secret any longer.” Star Seeker will sail...
Porter inaugurates non-stop route from Ottawa to St. John’s
Porter Airlines inaugurated service between Ottawa International Airport (YOW) and St. John’s International Airport (YYT) on June 6, becoming the only airline to connect the two destinations with non-stop flights. The new route starts with daily service on the brand new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, which carries up to 132 passengers. With a two-by-two configuration and no middle seats, the toughest choice for anyone flying Porter is choosing between a window or an aisle seat. Free and fast WiFi on all E195-E2 flights helps keep passengers connected in the air, while complimentary premium...
Jamaica welcomes a record-breaking 2M visitors for 2024
Jamaica has welcomed a record two million visitors thus far in 2024, more than ever reported during the period of January to May. The country's final tourism data for 2023 also notes a record-breaking 4.1 million visitors and 25.5 per cent year-over-year increase in total visitation compared to 2022. “Our recent tourism data is a testament to our ongoing resilience and support from our cherished partners,” said Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica. “This historic start to 2024, as well as last year’s notable rise in arrivals, is a result of our island’s...