Destinations
UNWTO Confident in Egypt’s Tourism Recovery
UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, (pictured, left), has expressed the organizations’ full confidence in the recovery of tourism in Egypt following a recent visit to the country. Rifai met with Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and the Egyptian Minister of Tourism, Hisham Zaazou. The president reiterated his full support to the tourism sector and its utmost determination in ensuring that Egypt is a safe, attractive and leading tourism destination saying “if tourism recovers, Egypt will recover.” “Egypt has undertaken strong initiatives in terms of communications...
Spotlight on Italy
All things Italy were at hand on Thursday night at an event hosted by ExpertsItalia -- an association of Canadian tour operators that sell the “boot of Italy” -- along with the Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT). Dubbing the country one of “the world's most sought-after destinations,” Robert Zuzek, of Kompasxpress Travel in Toronto, noted that Canada benefits from extensive flight service to Italy, which certainly helps get clients there. ExpertsItalia members gave individual presentations to about 60 travel agents at the Spoke Club on King Street, accompanied by regional...
Canada’s Unsuspecting Travel Hot Spots
Weak loonie or not, Canadians love to travel. And so the question becomes where will they head this year? Domestic travel is certain to be popular, prompting the travel experts at Cheapflights.ca to take a look at Canada's travel hot spots. By comparing flight searches to Canadian destinations on Cheapflights.ca in the first six weeks of 2016 versus the same window in 2015, the team compiled the report “Rising Stars,” five domestic destinations trending with Canadians. While they are yet to top the charts as the most popular spots overall, these intriguing and largely...
Ireland at The Oscars
All Irish eyes will be firmly fixed on the Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center on Sunday (Feb. 28) with an incredible nine nominations for Ireland at the 88th Academy Awards, including two films nominated for Best Picture. The nominees for Ireland include: Saoirse Ronan: Best Actress in a Leading Role for Brooklyn; Michael Fassbender: Best Actor in a Leading Role for Steve Jobs; Brie Larson: Best Actress for Room, an Irish co-production and written by Irish author Emma Donoghue; Lenny Abrahamson: Best Director for Room; Brooklyn: Best Picture; Brooklyn: Best Adapted...
Texas, A Whole Other Country
Texas Tourism has launched a new ad campaign – currently rolling out across television, print and digital media – utilizing the popular state tagline, “Texas. It's Like A Whole Other Country.” The campaign initiative is to transition the traveller from the big picture to a more in-depth, focus on the unique individual experiences waiting to be discovered in the Lone Star State. Ads focus on family fun, cuisine and travelling like a local. Imagination – by bringing a kid's and kid's-at-heart imagination to life, travelling families capture a glimpse of the adventures that...
‘When Paris Glitters, All Of France Illuminates’
While November's tragic events in Paris remain on everyone's minds, French tourism officials are forging ahead and are optimistic that tourism to the City of Lights and the rest of France will return to the record numbers the European nation sees year after year. Speaking at the annual agent workshop – Destination France 2016 – held in conjunction with Air France in Toronto last night, Armelle Tardy-Joubert (pictured), director for Canada, Atout France, thanked agent partners for their continued support. “This year we would like to tell you how much we appreciated your...
JTB Appointment
Paul Pennicook, director of tourism for the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), has announced the appointment of Marcia McLaughlin, a hospitality and tourism veteran, as deputy director of tourism, Marketing. McLaughlin is responsible for developing and co-ordinating the JTB’s global marketing initiatives, overseeing its public relations and advertising agencies, as well as directing its destination marketing, communications, digital marketing and research teams. An accomplished marketing and public relations professional, McLaughlin’s career spans the hospitality, travel and automotive...
Planet France Honoured
Patricia Fargeon (c) of Planet France has been awarded France's Silver Medal of Tourism. A previous bronze medal recipient, the long-time Canadian tour operator was recognized for her “great support” of the Atout France tourism board and creativity in promoting and selling France (and its territories, like Tahiti). “We can always count on you,” Atout France Canadian manager Armelle Tardy-Joubert (l) said at the ceremony, which was held yesterday (Feb. 24) at the Consul General of France in Toronto. Also in attendance were French consul general Marc Trouyet (r) and members...