Destinations
Tourism Needs More Young People
As the Caribbean gets ready for what is expected to be a bumper tourism season this winter, stakeholders are advised to strengthen efforts to incorporate more young people in the bread-and-butter sector. Thanks to the efforts of regional tourism organizations such as the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association; government ministries and departments; and private sector players across the region, more young people are looking at tourism for first choice career opportunities rather than a final course...
UNWTO Names ‘Best Tourism Villages’ Of 2022
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has named the ‘Best Tourism Villages’ for 2022 in 32 destinations from Austria to Vietnam. The accolade recognizes rural destinations that are embracing tourism as a driver of development and new opportunities for jobs and income, while preserving and promoting community-based values and products. The initiative also recognizes villages for their commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental – and a focus on developing tourism in line with the Sustainable Development Goals...
GNTB Takes Aim At Climate-Friendly Travel
The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) will be making a concerted effort to promote climate-friendly travel and a responsible use of all resources are essential as it builds on its already strong position within the international market. Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the GNTB, observed that: “Recent surveys confirm that international demand for climate-friendly travel is growing. According to the GNTB Industry Expert Panel, the proportion of key accounts that regard Germany as a sustainable destination increased from 67% to 80% within a period of one year. 60% of key...
Time To Make An Impact
Uncovering resources, building skills and showcasing solutions-based thought leadership will be the focus of the sixth IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference when it takes place in Victoria, B.C. from Jan. 22 to 25, 2023. With a top line-up of industry experts, the 2023 IMPACT conference is already exceeding its delegate goals. Avoiding drawn out presentations, IMPACT instead encourages informed dialogue and the sharing of opinions and resources among all who attend. In addition to the 2.5-day conference, IMPACT offers a Day of IMPACT on Sun., Jan. 22, 2023, with...
Finding New Opportunities In 2023 And Beyond
“I do not view recovery and sustainability as conflicting imperatives, instead they are highly complementary,” observes Lucie Guillemette, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Air Canada, continuing: “And I say this because as we look back at the pandemic, one thing most of us agree on is that it was a wake-up call for how we must change our behaviour and live together in a more sustainable way if we are to regain a semblance of normalcy in our lives.” When asked whether 2023 will be the year the Canadian travel industry recovers, Air Canada’s Guillemette...
Germany Looks Ahead To Recovery In 2023
Germany’s tourism industry is looking forward to a significant recovery in 2023. That’s the message from the German National Tourist Board’s (GNTB) most recent Travel Industry Expert Panel. The panel’s assessment of the current business situation rose from minus 40 to plus 25 (on a scale from minus 100 to plus 100) from the 1st to the 4th quarter. Business expectations for the next six months, which fell from plus 74 to plus 55 in the first half of the year after the start of the Ukraine war, have stabilized, but are still below the estimate at the beginning of the year due...
Ready For The Rebound
In its sixth annual Winter Vacation Confidence Index Survey, Allianz Global Assistance Canada reports that winter vacation confidence among Canadians is on the rise, with travellers planning to spend more on travel than ever before. The survey – which was conducted by Ipsos for Allianz Global Assistance -- reveals that 43% of Canadians intend on taking a vacation this winter, up from just 32% in 2021. Dan Keon, Vice President, Marketing & Insights at Allianz Global Assistance Canada, observed that: “With travel volumes nipping at the heels of pre-pandemic levels, an...
Reflections On Hard Work & Resilience
In an open letter to the Canadian travel trade, ACTA president Wendy Paradis writes: “As we approach the end of the year, I wish to take the opportunity to reflect on the incredible work and resilience of all of our travel agency and independent members, as well as the ACTA team, throughout the past two and a half years.” She continues: “There’s no question that our industry was one of the hardest-hit. Yet, travel agents worked non-stop in support of their clients, despite the anxiety, exhaustion and financial hardship.” And Paradis notes that: “The ACTA team was...