Destinations
A Lifetime Of Achievement
During the recent BC Tourism Industry Conference, a special Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Arlene Keis, CEO of go2HR, by the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC). This special Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual for their long-serving tenure in BC’s tourism industry and their remarkable contributions to the industry’s success. "Each one of us in the industry relies on go2HR, almost on a daily basis," said Walt Judas, CEO of TIABC. "Arlene’s list of accomplishments is lengthy." Under her 17 years of leadership, Keis established go2HR as the...
Gaviota Sees New Opportunities For Cuba
The Gaviota Tourism Group and representatives from a number of fine hotels across Cuba are touring Canada this week. In Toronto on April 9 and Montreal on April 10, the representatives are here to highlight the extensive upgrades and developments taking place across in Cuba in 2019. “Canada is one of Cuba's main markets with more than 1 million visitors per year, “ said Frank Oltuski, Vice President, Gaviota Tourism Group. “This year is exciting as Havana, Cuba's vibrant capital, celebrates its 500th anniversary and we share new opportunities for growth, diversity, and our...
Take A Hike In Switzerland
Although Canadians can enjoy the great outdoors in their own backyard, there are plenty of reasons to consider taking a hike in Switzerland. According to Ursula Beamish-Mader, manager, media relations North America for Switzerland Tourism, breathtaking nature, a dense network of hiking trails, a variety of experiences from flat hiking to a more extreme adventure amongst the Alps, and its well-connected infrastructure easily linking travellers to hiking paths across the country are just a few of the reasons why Switzerland aims to prove it’s the No. 1 hiking destination in the...
Massachusetts Has Mass Appeal
From being home to the first university in America to being the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, Massachusetts is home to a lot of “firsts.” Representatives from across the state were in Toronto last night (April 9) to also showcase the many first experiences travellers can have in the destination such as going on hot air balloon rides or witnessing close encounters with whales. Maria Speridakos, director of international public relations for the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, highlighted how each of the six regions in the state have their own distinct...
Tianguis Talk
Mexico's new president told delegates at the opening of the country's annual tourism show that his administration is supportive of tourism but was cautioned on the importance of tourism promotion during the same Acapulco ceremony. The government of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador drew criticism earlier this year from those involved in tourism when it closed Mexico Tourism Board offices, turning their duties over to diplomatic missions. Lopez Obrador was warmly applauded during the opening of Tianguis, but a fellow speaker drew applause when he warned that “if you don't show, you...
Holiday Optimism In BC
The hard lessons of overtourism experienced by destinations around the world found their way into the agenda of the recent BC Tourism Industry Conference, as stakeholders sought future directions for their businesses, reports western editor, Ted Davis in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. Information about overtourism trends, plus some solutions, were tabled by Stewart Moore, founder of Earth Check, during the conference in Vancouver recently. Overtourism is starting to have more relevance in Canada's comparatively less populated destinations, including BC and...
Bennett New Regional Director of Tourism for Jamaica
Donovan White, Jamaica’s director of tourism, has announced the appointment of Angella Bennett to the position of regional director of tourism for Canada at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). Bennett will be based in Toronto and will take up her new posting this week. Bennett brings more than 20 years of hospitality sales and marketing experience to the position, having worked extensively in several markets, including Canada, the US, Europe, Latin America and her native Jamaica. “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Angella to the Jamaica Tourist Board team,” said White....
Asia Pacific Arrivals Continue To Drive Tourism Growth
Year-end statistics by Collier International indicate that the world travel industry will close out 2018 with more arrivals than the prior year. Tourism arrivals to the Asia Pacific region are expected to have grown by 6% year-on-year in 2018, thanks in part to the wanderlust of a growing population of consumers from China, as well as a bounce-back in corporate demand. This continues a steady period of growth that started in 2010, as the middle-income population continues to soar across the Asia Pacific region. The arrivals momentum is expected to spill over into 2019, rising at a...