B.V.I. PREMIER AND PORTS DIRECTOR CAUGHT IN DRUG STING
- The premier of the British Virgin Islands appeared in federal court in Miami on Friday after his arrest on cocaine-smuggling charges, while Britain's governor of the Caribbean territory announced that a corruption inquiry found ample reason to suspend the islands' elected government.
RIDING HIGH: Coast to coast coasters coming in 2022
- Thrill-seekers will be riding high this year with the debut of no less than four major new attractions in the US, spanning the country from coast to coast. Busch Gardens will unveil Iron Gwazi in Tampa, while SeaWorld breaks the ice with a new ride in Orlando and California’s fastest, tallest, and longest dive coaster in San Diego. There’s also something for swingers in San Antonio. Here’s a look:
KEY WEST’S FANTASY FEST BEGINS:
- Fantasy Fest has begun in Key West, despite the cancellation nearly two months ago of its iconic Duval Street parade and other large-crowd highlights to protect against the potential spread of COVID-19. (Video)
ANTIGEN TESTS WORK CONCLUDES WESTJET-YVR STUDY
- WestJet and the Vancouver Airport Authority (VAA) say that the results of their high-profile COVID-19 Testing Study at YVR, now concluded, prove that antigen testing is an “effective, acceptable, and cost-efficient method for screening travellers” that can contribute to “safer and healthier air travel.”
UN SEEKS HELP FOR ST. VINCENT: Devastating impact as volcanic eruptions continue to threaten
- The United Nations announced Tuesday that it is seeking US $29.2 million to help St. Vincent recover from ongoing volcanic eruptions that have destroyed homes and crops, contaminated water supplies and displaced up to 20% of people on the eastern Caribbean island.
VIRTUALLY THERE: Getting the goods on groups at TTC
- As travel begins to rebound, group sales are destined to be an important revenue driver for travel counsellors. The Travel Corporation (TTC), whose brands include Trafalgar, Costsaver, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold and Contiki is planning a two-part webinar series, starting later this week, to help agents “prepare for a most successful comeback.”
A BLOW TO RYANAIR: EU court approves state help measures
- A top court has ruled that measures introduced by France and Sweden to help some airlines weather the fallout of coronavirus restrictions are compatible with European Union law, dealing a major blow to low-cost carrier Ryanair which challenged them as unfair.
ROUND-UP:Feb. 8-12, 2021
- Some of last week’s notable news includes federal approval for Air Canada’s Transat takeover; Sunwing and Marriott playing let’s make a deal; and new flights for Flair.
AROUND THE WORLD IN ONE DAY: Oceania 2023 journey sells out in 24 hours
- Oceania Cruises says its 2023 “Around the World in 180 Days” voyage sold out within one day of opening for sale to the general, prompting company execs to state that “travellers are clearly bullish on the future (of cruising).”
A TIMELINE OF COVID 19 IN CANADA: Key developments in Canada since the first presumptive case was reported on Jan. 25, 2020:
- Jan. 25, 2020: A Toronto man in his 50s who returned from the Chinese city of Wuhan - the initial epicentre of the outbreak - becomes the first presumptive case of the novel coronavirus in Canada. The man is placed in isolation in Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital.
LOVE HURTS:Cruise line sells Pacific Princess
- This one hurts. Princess Cruises says it’s selling Pacific Princess – the vessel most closely identified as being the famed “Love Boat.” Of course, like most love stories, it’s a little complicated. The ship that still inspires fond memories of Captain Stubing, Julie, Isaac, Gopher, Doc, plus hundreds of beloved guest stars, in the 1970/80s TV show “The Love Boat” is in fact the second iteration of the Pacific Princess, which took the reigns, er ropes, of the original in 2003.
ROUND-UP:Jan. 18-22, 2021
- The Canada-US border will stay closed for at least another month; Royal Caribbean is selling Azamara; and the 737 Max is finally on the move.
HARD NOT TO SPEAK ILL: Good Samaritan shows symptoms after helping passenger with virus
- An emergency medical technician said he has COVID-19 symptoms after performing CPR on a man infected with the coronavirus who later died after going into cardiac arrest during a United Airlines flight.
B.C. BOOSTS TOURISM SECTOR SUPPORT
- The British Columbia government has added $55 million to a grant relief fund to help tourism businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism Minister Melanie Mark said Thursday the additional cash follows recommendations of a task force report to immediately launch a $105-million fund to help the tourism sector.
WAS IT COVID: CDC looks into death of man on flight from Florida
- United Airlines has given information about other passengers to federal health officials after a man who possibly had coronavirus-like symptoms died shortly after being on a flight Monday from Orlando, Florida, to Los Angeles.
ROUND-UP:Dec. 14-18, 2020
- COVID-19 vaccinations began at last in Canada; Ontario plans a tourism tax credit; and Air Canada has a new COO.
IT PAYS TO VACATION IN ONTARIO: Province plans travel tax credit for tourism
- Ontario is creating a travel tax credit to help reinvigorate the province's tourism industry when COVID-19 restrictions are eased. Tourism Minister Lisa MacLeod said Thursday that the credit will allow for a 20 percent return on every dollar spent, and noted that the government has set aside $150 million for it.
TOP NOTCH:Green light for gondola, and other Swiss news
- A trip to the “Top of the Europe” in Switzerland will be quicker than ever thanks to a new gondola opening this week, with the Eiger Express set to shave about 45 minutes off the journey to popular “Jungfraujoch.”
NOT JUST HANGING LOOSE: Hawaii as a remote workplace with a view
- Software engineer Raymond Berger begins his work day at 5 am., before the sun comes up over Hawaii. Rising early is necessary because the company he works for is in New York City, five hours ahead of Maui, where he is renting a home with a backyard that's near the beach.
ROUND-UP:Nov. 23-27, 2020
- Air Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart have partnered for COVID testing; Air France returns to YVR; Cyber Monday deals, and more:
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SILVER LINING: U.S. travel boycott may mean billions for Canadian tourism
- A new report from the Conference Board of Canada argues that Canada's trade war with the United States might come with a silver lining for the domestic tourism industry with the board estimating that estimates that Canadians boycotting the U.S. for cross-border vacations could net the country's tourism sector up to $8.8 billion in extra business this year as travellers stay closer to home.
CURIOUS BUT CONCIENTIOUS: Survey says Canadians care about their travel
- Overwhelmingly, Canadians want the space to enjoy travel without the negative impacts of overtourism – among them high prices, environmental damage, and noise - says a new survey commissioned by Flight Centre.
FLIGHTS ARE BETTER FOR THE BAHAMAS
- With new and expanded airlift options from multiple gateways across Canada, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism says getting to the Caribbean islands will be easier than ever for Canadians this summer and fall.
TDC SAYS BRAVO TO PERU
- Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) recently hosted 30 franchise and affiliate agency owners from across Canada and their guests on the organization’s Bravo Excellence Club reward trip – this year a seven-night Peruvian adventure that was conducted in collaboration with Transat and G Adventures.
CANADA COMPASS: New look for Nova Scotia’s Fox Harb’r Resort
- As Nova Scotia gains ground as one of Canada’s top golf destinations, Fox Harb’r Resort, Eastern Canada's only four diamond, five- star resort is marking its 25th anniversary with a sweeping transformation designed to elevate the guest experience on and off the course.
JAMAICA’S WATER-FORWARD ADVENTURES
- While Jamaica is famous for its pristine beaches and reggae culture, there’s much more that travellers can experience than meets the eye. Beyond Jamaica’s best all-inclusive resorts are a variety of natural wonders that highlight the island’s incredible beauty and where visitors are virtually guaranteed to get wet!
TICO TO LAUNCH NEW CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
- Later this year, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) will launch a new online education program and exam to become Travel Counsellors and agency Supervisors/Managers, with the changes focussing on having learners apply the program’s regulatory and consumer protection content, enhancing regulatory knowledge and professionalism.
IRISH EYES SMILE ON CANADIAN TRAVEL TRADE
- Tourism Ireland recently hosted its ‘Senses of Ireland’ roadshow in Canada, with over a dozen partners taking part (banner photo) and close to 200 travel advisors in attendance at events in Victoria, Kelowna, Edmonton, and Ottawa.
AN INDUSTRY FIRST: Hawaii taps tourists, cruise ships to fund climate change fight
- Lawmakers in Hawaii have passed a first-of-its-kind legislation that will increase the state’s lodging tax to raise money for environmental protection and strengthening defenses against climate change-fueled natural disasters.