By Michael Baginski/ More than 250 travel advisors turned out last week in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to experience the La Pura Vida lifestyle as a delegation of more than a dozen suppliers from Costa Rica, plus the country’s tourism minister, made the case that there’s no better time for Canadians for visit.
By Michael Baginski/ With the news this week that G Adventures has enlisted The Jacksons to perform at the company’s epic GX tourism event in Jordan in September, the time seems right to recall a group that is one of the top-selling bands of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide since bursting on the scene with four straight No. 1 hits on the Motown label in 1969.
By Michael Baginski/ I recently spent a minute (several, in fact) in New York – a visit that transpired during the nascent times of tariffs and the 51st state. Perhaps not surprisingly, I was asked by some why I went, and what my experience was like. Simply put, it was New York – no more, no less. Frenetic, mesmerizing, limitless, a world unto itself. And utterly unconcerned, even oblivious, of my Canadianness and critical gaze.
By Michael Baginski/ There’s no better time for Canadians to discover, or return to, Berlin – on many levels – says the CEO of Visit Berlin, who noted to Canadian media last week that, “When we read the news about south of here, we immediately thought that we should go and visit our friends in Canada.”
This year’s U.S. travel trade show IPW kicks off in a couple of weeks in Chicago and one of the best perks for attendees will be the city’s vibrant music scene. The city continues to celebrate the 50th anniversary of House music (ok, not my cup of tea, so don’t worry!), but it is equally renowned for its rock, jazz and, especially, blues history.
By Michael Baginski/ Many Caribbean nations are looking further north than usual for visitors as economic turmoil threatens the United States and wary (and aggrieved) Canadians look for alternative destinations to the U.S. for their summer holidays.
Which of us aging dads hasn’t had – or at least hasn’t wanted to – have their own band out in the garage? Well, the Middle-Aged Dad Jam Band (MadJB) has actually fulfilled that fantasy. Formed during the pandemic by members of the comedy troupe The State, the project is no joke. All accomplished musicians, the group exploded on social media, formed their own YouTube channel, and enlisted celebrity friends to join them in performing a repertoire of favourite pop-rock classics, like Kristen Bell in today’s rendition of “Islands in the Stream.”
By Michael Baginski/ Travel remains strong in 2025, according to a new survey of Nexion Travel Group (NTG) members in Canada, who report that factors such as global uncertainty, political tensions between the U.S. and Canada, as well as a weaker loonie and economic distrust, have affected where – but not whether – Canadians are travelling this year.
By Michael Baginski/ With Canadian visitations rebounding and a continued strong interest from the U.S., the Caribbean tourism sector is continuing robust recovery and expansion, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).
I heard this song – this version, at least – walking through an airport somewhere and it stopped me in my tracks. Almost missed my flight. I’m kidding, of course, but The Band’s folksy, Appalachian treatment of the Bruce Springsteen classic “Atlantic City” did give me a “what is this?” moment and sent me searching on the Internet when I got home.
By Michael Baginski/ Collette celebrated Travel Agent Month with a special gathering for Toronto-area travel advisors Tuesday atop the X Hotel at Exhibition Place, offering arguably the most spectacular view of the city, and the island airport.
By Michael Baginski/ Holding to account “the big orange elephant in the room” and the “shameful way the current president has represented us on the national stage as of late,” Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker says matter of factly that he “doesn’t blame anyone from Canada whose appetite for visiting the U.S. might have soured.”
By Michael Baginski/ Three members of Congress from across the U.S. political and geographical spectrum – one an avid supporter of Donald Trump; another a Republican who has been targeted by the POTUS; and an opposition Democrat – having come out in support of Canadian snowbirds, proposing that the reliable long-stay visitors be allowed to stay in U.S. even longer than is currently permitted.
I get plenty of random e-mail (as we all do) and one of the regular ones persists in advising me who I can expect to see perform at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., should I be in the neighbourhood, and so inclined. But I must say, the place does present a stellar line-up and in many cases I would if I could, such as an upcoming gig by the great Steve Miller.
By Michael Baginski/ A “reverse” trade mission hosted by New York City Tourism + Conventions last week took on important new meaning as members of the city’s travel trade strived to reverse the current feeling by some Canadians that they are not appreciated or welcome south of the border – a perception perpetuated by well-documented words and deeds of the U.S. president directed towards Canada since taking power (again).
By Michael Baginski/ Clients flying to New York with Porter now have a new option with flights to LaGuardia complementing the carrier’s existing Newark service. And with LGA flights departing from Pearson, travellers can also choose an alternative departure point to the Big Apple than Billy Bishop island airport.
It’s been over 40 years since the heyday of Triumph, but the great Canadian band is still revered, garnering virtually every honorific possible in this country, and now again in the news thanks to the upcoming release (in June) of a tribute album featuring the likes of band devotees Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Ann Wilson (Heart), Larry Gowan, (Styx), and Sebastian Bach (Skid Row).
By Michael Baginski/ Kicking off today (Monday), a whopping 30 U.S. destinations are taking part in Brand USA’s multi-day Brand USA ‘Canada Connect 2025’ mission, with timely events in Toronto and Montreal that the US DMO acknowledges are taking place at “pivotal moment” amid “shifting travel trends on both sides of the border.”
It’s remembered as the epic coming together of two of the world’s greatest rock bands, The Beatles and Queen. But the momentous jam by Paul, Ringo, Brian May and Roger Taylor – notably aided by a who’s who of musical friends, with a full orchestra, for the rendition of “All You Need is Love” – was so much more.
By Michael Baginski/ Despite cross-border travel woes, the sky is far from falling for travel, according to a panel of top agents at Virtuoso’s recent ‘On the Road’ event in Toronto. Indeed, the biggest takeaway from the session was that travellers are mostly going to travel no matter what, though in the current circumstances, that may simply mean changing destinations – and how agents get them there may require some flexibility and finesse.
By Michael Baginski/ Acknowledging that “you-know-who is trying to stir things up back in D.C.,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging Canadians not to let that “ruin” their beach plans and instead come back to a state he maintains is not only 2,000 miles away from the capital, but also “a world away in mindset.”
By Michael Baginski/ With “passion, pride, and a whole heap of island magic,” the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) celebrated in true Jamaican fashion its 70th anniversary at a gala event in Toronto Monday night with 150 partners and “extended family” at a Harbourfront venue.
My first choice for a Tom Petty song would have been “Free Falling,” but that just seemed cruel coming after the stock market crash. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of great songs from Petty from which to choose, not least “Learning to Fly,” which does fit our travel theme, even if that’s not exactly what he meant by it.
By Michael Baginski/ More than a hundred travel advisors turned out Monday night in Toronto for a gala event hosted by the Moroccan National Tourist Office (MNTO), clearly demonstrating enthusiasm for a destination that is growing in stature for Canadians.
By Michael Baginski/ Virgin Atlantic celebrated its arrival in Toronto on Thursday with its founder Sir Richard Branson at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The route marks Virgin Atlantic’s return to Canada after more than a decade, linking Toronto and London. It is also the third attempt by the British carrier to fly the lucrative YYZ-LHR route.
By Michael Baginski/ Billy Joel was supposed to perform in Toronto in March, marking his first tour date in this country in a decade. Alas, an unexpected surgery forced the Piano Man to cancel the show and several more during his recovery period and he won’t get back to T.O. until next March.
Blue Rodeo needs little introduction. I recall watching them performing at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto in the mid-80s – some 40 years and 16 albums ago. Now the beloved Canadian band – whom many would argue is the best ever – has earned every honour there is in this country, from multiple Junos and a Governor General’s Award to being inducted on the Walk of Fame and having a street named after them in downtown T.O.
The Las Vegas Visitor and Convention Authority (LVCVA) is visiting Canada this week, with its Eastern Canada mission concluding in Winnipeg Thursday, following gala events in Montreal and Toronto earlier in the week,
By Michael Baginski/ Tiny Anguilla has a big heart. So says Kimberly King of the Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB), who visited Toronto and Montreal last week to update the trade on the most recent developments on the Caribbean island. “(Anguillans) are very, very friendly and offer warm hospitality,” she said. “(Visiting) us is a very authentic experience.”
The 30th anniversary tour by Riverdance rolled through Toronto this week with fitting timing as those of an Irish persuasion – or just plain Irish at heart – continued to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Monday. And thanks to Tourism Ireland, several members of the trade were invited to enjoy the iconic show, which has become as synonymous with the Emerald Isle as shamrocks, leprechauns and Guinness.