Royal Caribbean is diversifying its operations by purchasing a 50 per cent stake in Sandals Resorts for US $3 billion. The joint venture expands Royal Caribbean Group into the land based vacation category, and accelerates the global expansion for Sandals and Beaches Resorts.
As record numbers of tourists descend upon Rio de Janeiro – including Canadians taking advantage of new direct flights to the destination – many are looking beyond the city’s iconic landmarks, seeking instead local tours in the city’s favelas to learn more about the often-stigmatized territories that are also beacons of urban culture and art.
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Boston wears it’s history on it’s sleeve, even if it’s most obvious in its iconic landmarks and distinguished architecture. But the city, which is preparing to celebrate its 400th birthday in 2030, is, in fact, so much more: a combination of history and modernity, America’s most European city, and a democratic bastion at a time when it means more than ever.
By CINDY-LOU DALE/ There are few destinations in the Caribbean that have managed to retain an authentic sense of place while simultaneously establishing themselves among the region’s most exclusive escapes. Anguilla is one of them.
With new Air Canada service to Guatemala taking flight this Fall and continuing momentum from last year’s launch in Montreal, the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (INGUAT) has named an official public relations and travel trade representative in Canada.
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ What I remember is the ginger beer made from scratch. It’s a small detail but represents what makes Saint Lucia’s Serenity at Coconut Bay resort so special: nothing about the experience is canned.
A honeymoon can be one of those rare trips where there is nowhere else you need to be and no reason to rush. For couples who want to make the most of that freedom, Serenity at Coconut Bay in Saint Lucia offers the space, privacy and service to make their honeymoon their own.
At Serenity at Coconut Bay in Saint Lucia, butler service is built around a simple idea that couples should be able to spend their vacation the way they want, while someone else takes care of the planning. As a couples-only, Unlimited All-Inclusive resort, Serenity has designed its butler service to be personal and discreet, with each butler getting to know the couple’s preferences and intuitively knowing when to step in and when to step back for those who prefer a lighter touch.
Panama is launching Tourist Insurance, an initiative that the Panama Tourism Authority (PTA) says reinforces the country’s commitment to providing care and support to international visitors from the moment they arrive. The benefit covers medical emergencies, transportation, and international repatriation and comes with no cost and no paperwork for visitors.
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) together with partners from the Belize Hotel Association, Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza and Darah Travel, recently completed a successful Canada Roadshow across Toronto, Montreal and Calgary from Sept. 9 to 11, engaging with hundreds of Canadian travel industry professionals ahead of the busy fall and winter travel season.
Cuba’s tourism declined by 62% from January to July of this year compared to the same period in 2025, according to official figures that highlighted the enormous drop in the island’s strategic sector.
Canadian passport holders will continue to have visa-free entry to Thailand for tourism stays of up to 30 days under an updated entry framework that comes into effect this week, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ About 30,000 Canadians a year visit Wales, or 2% of those who travel into the UK overall – numbers that are sure to rise with the launch of new Toronto-Cardiff flights this summer by WestJet (already renewed for 2027). Nevertheless, most UK travel trade observers in Canada agree that limited output could – and should – grow.
Tourism Ireland celebrated its vibrant film industry – and the profile it affords the Emerald Isle –at the 51st annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) at a star-studded gala that included Liam Neeson.
Germany’s ‘Feel Good Cities’ are made for travellers who enjoy city life without the usual rush. Short walking distances, reliable public transport and compact historic centres allow sightseeing at a relaxed pace.
Germany’s ‘Feel Good Food’ regions are all about tasting a place, not just visiting it. Vineyards, orchards, forests and rivers shape what ends up on the plate – ideal for clients who want to be active and then sit down to something that clearly belongs to the landscape they have just explored.
Germany’s ‘Feel Good Crafts’ regions are made for travellers who like their culture hands-on. Instead of just looking at museums from the outside, visitors step into workshops, historic gardens, spa towns and festival grounds where traditions are still part of daily life.
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Last week, a handful of Canadian travel advisors were whisked off to Wales to get a taste of the small country’s large personality with the aim using their first-hand experience to return with the stories, confidence and product knowledge to inspire their clients to discover a lesser-known side of Britain – and one considered an “undiscovered gem.”
BY MOIRA SMITH/ On pilgrimage, you learn how close the past and present are. Millions of other travellers have trod the same path you’re currently walking on. Passing through forests and over fields that have remained unchanged for millennia, you realize it’s the same soil, the same spiritual pull, that unites you and all those people that have come before you.
Orlando is stretching Halloween into its longest spooky season yet, with 94 consecutive days of ghoulish celebrations having already kicked off in some places and creeping along until Nov. 8.
As tourism to Cuba continues to languish amid the economic chokehold imposed by the Trump administration, the country’s government has officially introduced a sweeping regulatory overhaul designed to expand private management, foreign investment, and business diversification across the tourism sector.
For centuries, The Bahamas have captivated settlers, traders, explorers, and even pirates, each leaving their mark on the islands. From historic forts and museums to rich cultural traditions, Nassau & Paradise Island offer a wealth of stories shaped by a vibrant past. Here, history isn’t tucked away in textbooks. It’s carved into limestone, painted onto gallery walls, and echoed in the rhythms of Junkanoo.
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Tobago is making a concerted push to grow its presence in the Canadian market, supported by new air access, major tourism infrastructure, and increased investment in consumer and travel trade marketing. And the island’s chief secretary promises Canadians are in for a treat.
Despite persistent increases in airfare, hotel rates and other travel expenses, experienced international travellers are continuing to travel abroad with relatively few changes to their plans, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey.
By CINDY-LOU DALE/ The modern traveller is no longer satisfied with simply booking a room. Increasingly, holidays are chosen not only for where they are, but for the stories they create. Whether spending the night in a converted lighthouse, a luxury treehouse or an underwater suite, experiential accommodation has become one of tourism’s fastest-growing sectors.
Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios is known for unpretentious style, flawless service, and timeless Caribbean charm along a private, pristine white-sand beach. Now Canadian travel advisors can earn exclusive a 17% commission incentive alongside premium guest benefits on qualifying direct bookings made by Oct. 1 for travel through Aug. 31, 2027 (min. five-night stay).
Coffee is part of the daily routine of millions of people around the world, but in few places is it as present in culture, history and landscapes as in Brazil, a country that built part of its identity around the bean and has led global production for more than 150 years.
Tourism Australia has released its new 10-year strategic Tourism 2035 plan, aimed at creating future demand and competitiveness for Australia as a destination internationally and supporting the nation’s tourism sector.
Modernization of Inuvik’s Mike Zubko Airport will begin this fall, says Transport Canada.
If you ask a local when Myrtle Beach is at its best, many will point to fall. The days remain pleasantly warm, making it easy to spend the entire day outdoors. But the weather is only the beginning. Distinctive traditions, unexpected celebrations and new experiences give fall a character all its own along the Grand Strand.