#TravelWebcastWeek Panel Predicts: Pent-up demand will see Canadians checking in

IAN STALKER The hospitality industry will remain hospitable despite some very noticeable measures hotels are taking to safeguard people against coronavirus, say several prominent figures in the hotel trade. A June 24 Baxter Media TravelWebcast on the hotel industry had participants note that hotels in this country have decided upon numerous measures aimed at keeping staff and guests...

 

See you soon in St. Kitts — but not yet

St. Kitts Tourism Authority’s CEO on why the Caribbean destination isn’t ready to roll out the welcome mat yet

ANN RUPPENSTEIN Unlike its neighbours in the Caribbean, St. Kitts isn’t quite yet ready to welcome back international travellers. Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, said the destination remains closed for air and commercial traffic and no official date has been set for reopening in part because its tourism offer is designed to get travellers to explore beyond the confines...

 

What are we “going back to?”

JASON MERRITHEW As some parts of the world begin to start their return to their next normal, the question gets asked every day just what will that normal be? Not just for travel agencies, but for the broader economy, the answer to this question is vitally important as to the direction they take their businesses. [caption id="attachment_139491" align="alignright" width="300"]...

 

New report reveals leisure travellers ready to go

Upbeat about travel

Newly released research by Flywire indicates that there is “strong consumer demand” for travel “post coronavirus crisis.” Bouncing Back: Consumer Views on Travelling Again is an interactive report based on an independent survey of adult leisure travellers from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Japan. Flywire’s research looks at the impact of the coronavirus crisis...

 

Preparing for a world of differences

A conversation with Philip Mondor, President and CEO, TOURISM HR CANADA

BOB MOWAT This week, Tourism HR Canada’s Philip Mondor talks about the new realities of tourism in the aftermath COVID-19 and the roles that travel agents and tour operators will play in this new world. [caption id="attachment_139479" align="alignright" width="300"] Mondor[/caption]In May, tourism employment increased by 83,900 jobs. This increase is equal to 9.5% of the drop in...

 

Practical applications for success

A conversation with Philip Mondor, President and CEO, Tourism HR Canada

BOB MOWAT This week, CTP offers the first part of a two-part conversation with Tourism HR Canada’s president and CEO, Philip Mondor. In a world dramatically changed by COVID-19, Mondor talks about tourism’s ability to recover from the pandemic being dependent on its ability to attract and retain qualified workers. Maybe you could start by talking to CTP’s readers about what...

 

WTTC says governments must act now to save sector

Avoiding the worst case

New research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals that over 197 million jobs could be lost in the global travel and tourism sector if barriers to global travel – such as blanket anti-travel advisories and quarantine measures – remain in place. The staggering potential job loss numbers are based on WTTC economic modelling, which looks at the impact faced by the travel...

 

TIAC looks for ‘meaningful dialogue’ with government

A wish list for Canadian tourism

IAN STALKER The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has detailed a wish-list of things it wants government to do to help get the country’s beleaguered tourist trade restarted. Late last week, TIAC unveiled what it describes as a “broad, industry-developed recovery campaign that seeks sector-specific government support to ensure Canada has a tourism industry” after the...

 

Recognizing the strategic inflection point

A Conversation with Flight Centre Travel Group's Marc Casto

BOB MOWAT In a wide-ranging conversation with Canadian Travel Press, Flight Centre Travel Group’s (FCTG) president, Leisure Brands, Americas Division, Marc Casto talks about how embracing the unknown and recognizing that the path to a successful resolution is paved frequently by an iterative process of trial and error. Maybe you can start by talking about Flight Centre Travel Group’s...