Destinations

EUROPEAN TRAVEL INDUSTRY OBJECTS TO ETIAS FEE HIKE

Europe’s Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) isn’t in effect yet and already the fee for visitors may potentially go up, prompting a coalition of organizations representing the European travel sector to warn that a price hike will put the continent’s travel competitiveness at risk.

AS THE WHEEL TURNS: European travel trends and hidden gems for cyclists

With overtourism affecting many popular destinations, finding the road less travelled is a priority for many travellers, not least cyclists, whose enjoyment – and safety – can depend on rolling down the right route, far from congestion and crowds. The good news, says British-based Epic Road Rides, is that the world is not short of amazing cycling destinations that can be every bit as good as their more famous counterparts. 

RESORTS WORLD ROLLS DICE ON MASSIVE NYC EXPANSION

Resorts World New York City – the city’s only casino-hotel – has made a US$5.5 billion “once in a generation proposal” that would transform the historic 30-hectare Aqueduct racing site in Queens into the single-largest fully integrated resort and entertainment hub in the state with a possible opening date of July, 2026.

MAUI TO LIMIT VACATION RENTALS

Lawmakers on Maui have passed legislation aimed at eliminating a large percentage of the Hawaiian island’s vacation rentals to address a housing shortage exacerbated by the wildfire that destroyed most of Lahaina two years ago.

THE TRAIN IN SPAIN IS NOW REPPED BY DISCOVER THE WORLD

iryo and Discover the World have announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing awareness of Spanish high-speed train travel among international audiences. The collaboration will focus on promoting iryo’s extensive network and onboard offerings to travel trade partners around the globe.

A NICE TOUCH: Top London museum opens storerooms to public

A museum is like an iceberg. Most of it is out of sight. Most big collections have only a fraction of their items on display, with the rest locked away in storage. But not at the new V&A East Storehouse, where London’s Victoria and Albert Museum has opened up its storerooms for visitors to view – and in many cases touch – the items within.

LACK OF FUNDING THREATENS NEW BRUNSWICK HERITAGE SITES

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says there’s no new money for heritage sites despite the operator of an anchor tourist attraction in the Saint Andrews area saying it would fold at the end of the year without more funding.

HOW TURKISH TV IS DRIVING TOURISM BOOM

Under the sweltering Turkish sun, tourists wander through sets that recreate Ottoman and Byzantine-era castles, take selfies with actors in traditional costumes and watch horseback stunt performances. The global popularity of Turkish TV dramas – or dizi in Turkish – has greatly bolstered the nation’s international image and is drawing millions of viewers and tourists worldwide to its historical and cultural sites which are backdrops to many of the shows.

NEW PARK TRANSFORMS TORONTO WATERFRONT

Toronto’s largest park in a generation has opened on the city’s newest island, Ookwemin Minising. Biidaasige Park is the island’s marquee attraction along the re-naturalized Don River on the city’s east side, offering a natural space within the urban environment that boasts recreational trails and cycling paths, fishing, slips for non-motorized boats, and the Don Greenway wetland for birdwatching.

CANADIAN ADVISORS EARN TRIP TO SEATTLE

Visit Seattle has announced the three Canadian travel advisors who have won a spot an upcoming FAM trip to the Emerald City in October.  By registering and completing the new Seattle specialist program by the July 1 deadline, all “Seattle Certified” agents were entered into a draw to win one of three spots.

KHMER KILLING FIELDS GAIN UNESCO STATUS

Three locations used by Cambodia’s brutal Khmer Rouge regime as torture and execution sites 50 years ago have been added by UNESCO to its World Heritage List. The three locations were inscribed to the list by the United Nations cultural agency Friday during the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris.

TUNNEL VISION: London’s next big tourist attraction?

There is a history-rich part of London that few people have seen, where the city braced for the Blitz, James Bond’s creator got inspiration and secret Cold War messages passed between Washington and Moscow. It’s a network of tunnels 30 metres below the streets that was secret for decades — but could be the city’s next big tourist destination.

AMERICAN TOURISM TO NIAGARA FALLING

U.S. tourism revenue saw a dip for Niagara Parks this spring, but its CEO says that revenue was “more than made up” through other international travellers, particularly coming from the U.K., France, Australia and Poland.

DISCOVERING SWITZERLAND – ONE CURVE AT A TIME

The Grand Tour of Switzerland is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The now iconic 1,600-km. loop is more than just a scenic drive – it’s a celebration of freedom, discovery, and the joy of the open road, and inviting travellers to slow down, take the scenic route, and rediscover the beauty of Switzerland.

GRENADA FINDS ITS GROOVE: Island sees increased opportunity in Canada

By Michael Baginski/   Grenada continues to be a popular destination for Canadians, but with many currently looking for new destinations beyond the U.S., the island’s new CEO of tourism thinks the time is ripe to make an even stronger case for the Spice Island.

CANADA COMPASS: Historic Nova Scotia ship relaunched in Pictou

A restored replica of the square-rigged sailing ship that sparked a wave of Scottish immigration to Nova Scotia more than 250 years ago was relaunched Saturday with a mighty splash into Pictou harbour. After a restoration and public fundraising effort that began in 2019, the rebuilt hull of the Hector was eased into the water sideways during a colourful ceremony on the town’s scenic waterfront

FIRST FLIGHTS OPEN OVERSHADOWED NAYARIT TO CANADIANS

The “overshadowed” culturally rich state of Nayarit in Mexico will welcome its first-ever direct flights from Canada this December, with WestJet launching a new weekly route between Calgary and the Tepic/Riviera Nayarit International Airport and Air Canada set to do the same from Vancouver.

THE CANADIAN TOURIST TOWN ON STEROIDS: Why Tofino is so expensive

For a midweek standard room in July at Long Beach Lodge Resort overlooking Cox Bay: $659, plus tax. Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort: $649, plus tax and there’s a nightly minimum, depending on the day. Wickaninnish Inn on North Chesterman Beach: $980, with a four-night minimum. Oceanside suite at Pacific Sands: $699, with a three-night minimum. For a king bed at Hotel Zed: $714, plus tax and the two-night minimum.

BUTT OUT: Behind France’s new sweeping cigarette ban

After glamourizing tobacco for decades, France has begun its most sweeping smoking ban yet. The new restrictions, which began this month, outlaw smoking in virtually all outdoor public areas where children may gather, including beaches, parks, gardens, playgrounds, sports venues, school entrances and bus stops.

VATICAN UNVEILS LAST OF RESTORED RAPHAEL ROOMS

The Vatican Museums has unveiled the last and most important of the restored Raphael Rooms, the spectacularly frescoed reception rooms of the Apostolic Palace that in some ways rival the Sistine Chapel as the peak of high Renaissance artistry.

CANADIANS ARE STILL PART OF THE COMMUNITY IN MYRTLE BEACH

By Michael Baginski/   Bob Harris says there’s so much more to Myrtle beach than golf. After all, Canadians who told him so. The executive VP of group sales for Visit Myrtle Beach said his own misconception that Canadians mainly admire the South Carolina destination for its world class golf (mini and masters) was quickly corrected by in-the-know visitors from north of the border.

TECH TOOL HELPS PLAN PERFECT MYRTLE BEACH ESCAPE

A new AI-powered travel assistant from MyrtleBeach.com is transforming how visitors discover and design their perfect Myrtle Beach getaway. With just a few simple inputs – such as travel dates, group size, and vacation preferences – Sandy delivers fully customized itineraries in seconds, providing tailored recommendations on everything from oceanfront hotels and seafood spots to top attractions and family-friendly adventures.

CANADA COMPASS: Inside British Columbia’s unique grizzly bear sanctuary

Hidden deep in northwest B.C.’s coast lies the lush inlet of the Khutzeymateen, bustling with grizzly bears and other rich fauna. Created in 1994 as the first specially protected area for grizzly bears and their habitat in Canada, it is widely regarded as the densest natural grizzly bear habitat in North America and is accessible only by boat or plane.

SUMMER AT THE BEACH: Making waves in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is flying this summer 2025 with a full calendar of events to complement the laid-back coastal charm that keeps people coming back year after year. This season’s lineup includes live music, cultural festivals and family-friendly celebrations stretching across 100 km. of shoreline.

HARD TO SWALLOW: Brand USA budget bludgeoned

By Michael Baginski/  Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” is now law, which is bad news for Brand USA. At nearly 900 pages, the budget reconciliation legislation – signed by the president with the backdrop of fireworks on July 4 – is a sprawling collection of tax breaks, spending cuts and other Republican priorities, including new money for national defense and deportations. But buried in the document is the slashing of funding for the marketing organization responsible for promoting U.S. tourism abroad by 80% to a mere $20 million.

ONTARIO – A PLACE TO GO

European travellers are showing strong interest in Ontario as a destination of choice. According to a new Europe Pulse Study conducted by Context Research Group (CRG) on behalf of Destination Ontario and Destination Toronto, more than half of leisure travellers from the United Kingdom, Germany and France are considering a trip to Ontario in the next two years, with Canada seen as culturally and experientially distinct from the United States.

CANADA COMPASS: Quebec restaurants seeing stars

Nine restaurants have received prestigious Michelin stars in the tastemaker’s first foray into Quebec, cementing the province’s reputation as a hot spot for culinary creativity. All nine of the starred restaurants announced recently are categorized as serving contemporary or creative fare.

SWIMMING IN PARIS NO LONGER IN-SEINE

For the first time in over a century, Parisians and tourists can take a refreshing dip in the River Seine. The long-polluted waterway has finally opened up as a summertime swim spot following a 1.4 billion euro ($1.5 billion) cleanup project that made it suitable for Olympic competitions last year.

CALGARY RIDING HIGH AS STAMPEDE STARTS

The party tents are up, straw bales are scattered around sidewalks, and the most crucial 10 days of the year are in full swing. The Calgary Stampede is a yearly celebration of western culture that kicked off Friday with a parade and includes rodeo events, concerts, carnival games, midway rides, neighbourhood pancake breakfasts, corporate shindigs, and a whole lot of cowboy cosplay. 

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