Destinations

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. 

NEW YORK LIGHTS UP IN RED AND WHITE TO HONOUR CANADA

In a not-at-all subtle message to its neighbours to the north, New York City illuminated its skyline in red and white on July 1 to mark Canada Day and “celebrate the enduring friendship between Canada and New York City.”

AT LEAST THE BEACH IS NOT CROWDED: Keeping tabs on North Korean tourism

Would you go? Well, you can’t, even if you wanted to. Nevertheless, North Korea took a “proud first step” toward realizing the government’s policy of developing tourism, according to leader Kim Jong Un at the opening of a mammoth beach resort in the Asian pariah nation this week.

CANADIAN ADVISORS CAN HIT JACKPOT WITH VEGAS INSIDERS CLUB

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is set to launch the “ultimate recognition experience” this summer for Canada’s top-performing travel trade professionals. The initiative will spotlight “the best in the business – those who go above and beyond to sell and promote Las Vegas” with special perks, exclusive invitations, and iconic Vegas experiences.

THE GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF WALES: A Celtic swing from Ryder Cup to awesome ancient links

By Anita Draycott/  When the International Association of Golf Tour Operators awarded Wales the “undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year in 2003,” that kudo, plus the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in 2010, put the country on the global golf map. Wales hosted The Senior open in 2014, 2017 and 2023. This year the AIG Woman’s Open comes to Royal Porthcawl (July 30 to Aug. 3).

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE

Barcelona recorded its hottest June in over a century, the summit of the Eiffel Tower in Paris was closed to visitors and hundreds of French schools shut on Tuesday as Europe sizzled in its first major heat wave of the summer.

TURNING IT UP TO 11: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino opens in Ottawa

Hard Rock International has turned up the volume in Canada with the opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa today (July 3). The venue is the first fully integrated Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in the country, also featuring a 2,200-seat auditorium.

STOP AND SMELL THE COFFEE

Schools out for summer, and Canadians are ready to hit the road for vacation – perhaps this year content to stay in their own back yard (relatively speaking). With this in mind, Mazda Canada, in partnership with the Coffee Association of Canada, has unveiled the official Mazda Coffee Tour, inviting Canadians to explore their country through the lens of coffee, culture, and road trip adventures.

CANADA PASS IDEAL FOR CANADA DAY

The Canada Strong Pass is now in effect, offering free admission to national parks, national historic sites and marine conservation areas maintained by Parks Canada. The program, which runs until Sept. 2 also includes a 25% discount on camping fees at national parks.

FIRST LOOK AT TORONTO’S MAJOR NEW CONCERT VENUE

Having kicked off operations at Downsview Park on Sunday with a performance by K-pop group Stray Kids, Toronto’s new 50,000-capacity Rogers Stadium (not to be confused with the Rogers Centre), is set to stage 14 concerts this summer featuring some of the world’s biggest acts, including Oasis and Coldplay, and attracting tens of thousands of fans.

LILLIES FOR LILIBET?: UK planning London landmark for Queen Elizabeth II

What could be a better memorial to Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, than a pod of faintly psychedelic giant lily pads? Perhaps a big bronze tree or a recording of the late monarch’s voice. All those ideas feature among the five finalists for a permanent London monument to Elizabeth, who died in September 2022 at the age of 96 after 70 years on the throne.

THE BAHAMAS BOUNCE: And the islands’ love affair with Canada

By Michael Baginski/- Not unlike its ubiquitous flying fish, Bahamas tourism is calmly skimming along above the surface of the world’s choppy waters and having a definitive moment in the sun, both generally and with its integral Canadian market.

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