Destinations
Brisbane Bucks travel agent incentive extended
Visit Brisbane has extended its incentive for Canadian travel agents to earn a $50 Visa gift card when they book a client on a Vancouver to Brisbane ticket on Air Canada. In addition, every booking will earn agents a chance to win a spot on an exclusive Brisbane FAM trip. To claim the $50 Visa gift card and enter the draw for the FAM trip, travel agents should submit their name and Air Canada ticket number by clicking here. The FAM trip includes roundtrip Air Canada economy tickets from Vancouver to Brisbane, four nights accommodation and touring in the Brisbane region. This...
Arizona and Tucson bring a message of friendship to their Canadian trade partners
The Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) and Visit Tucson hosted a relaxed, conversational evening at El Catrin Destileria in Toronto’s Distillery District this week. When she was asked what the AOT’s and Visit Tucson’s late February visit was all about, the AOT’s Marjorie Magnusson responded by making a heart with her hands before telling Travel Press Today (TPT) that it was to deliver a simple message: “We cherish the friendships we have in Canada.” It was a heartfelt demonstration of friendship that comes as relations between Canada and the U.S. are strained as the new U.S....
Turks & Caicos is back in Canada and ready to tell its story
Experience Turks & Caicos is ramping up its activities in Canada as it looks to take advantage of the growth it has seen from this market in 2024. In Toronto, to participate in the Outdoor Adventure Show this week, Experience Turks & Caicos’ Chief Marketing Officer, Trina Adams and her team also hosted about 50 travel trade types to lunch at Miss Likklemore’s to update them on some of the things that are happening in the destination that will appeal to Canadian visitors. Off the top, 2024 was a good year for Turks & Caicos out of Canada -- which is the...
Saint Lucia celebrates 46th independence with cocktail reception in Toronto
The newly appointed CEO of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority hopes more Canadians will set their sights on the Caribbean nation as an alternative to crossing the border this year. “We’ve got Mr. T down south who has made the cost of living in Canada a little more difficult. Some people have decided they’re not going to visit the U.S. this year and they may be looking for options and we are presenting Saint Lucia as a destination to consider,” Louis Lewis told PressToday. “It is warmer, I can assure you, we can maintain the temperature for you.” In town to celebrate Saint...
HEY CANADA: LET’S ALL WAVE THE FLAG TODAY
It’s time for Canadians to show the world who we are and what we stand for. And there is no better day than today – Sat., Feb.15, 2025 -- to celebrate our nation on National Flag of Canada Day 2025. Today, 60 years ago (Feb. 15, 1965), Canada’s flag – the iconic red and white maple leaf -- was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill. Over the years, our flag has become a symbol of national pride, reflecting the common values that Canadians share. When former Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien declared National Flag of Canada Day on Feb. 15, 1996, he wrote that:...
Destination Canada taps into tourism’s far-reaching impacts
Describing it as “a first-of-its-kind” measurement tool that looks beyond traditional metrics like visitor spending and arrivals to assess the comprehensive benefits tourism brings to Canadians, Destination Canada has launched the Wealth & Wellbeing Index. The Index highlights tourism’s role in empowering communities, preserving culture, protecting Canada’s natural assets, and driving economic growth -- demonstrating tourism’s potential to empower local economies while enhancing Canada’s global competitiveness. Long-term growth in tourism depends on balancing...
Miami’s annual LGBTQ+ program, Rainbow Spring, returns March 1
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) announces the return of Rainbow Spring. The annual LGBTQ+ program, now in its third year, runs March 1 through June 30. Diversity and inclusivity remain at the core of Miami and Miami Beach, and the Rainbow Spring initiative continues to grow and provide LGBTQ+ visitors with a dynamic array of unique programming and promotional offers, enhancing their experience throughout the spring season. This year, the GMCVB is once again joining forces with long-time partner, Expedia, and expanding the program’s international...
Belize sets new record for overnight arrivals in 2024
Belize’s tourism industry accomplished a landmark achievement in 2024. Preliminary figures indicated that overnight tourism surpassed pre-pandemic levels recorded in the benchmark year, 2019. This milestone reflects the collective efforts of the entire tourism industry. In 2024, Belize welcomed 562,405 overnight visitors, representing a 21 per cent increase over 2023 and an 11.8 per cent increase compared to 2019. Impressively, 11 out of 12 months were record-breaking in comparison to 2019, with March emerging as the peak month, attracting 69,202 visitors. As Belize builds on...