ROYALTON UNVEILS NEW ALL-INCLUSIVE BRAND
Royalton Luxury Resorts will launch a new adults-oriented brand in Barbados next year.
Destinations
COUNTDOWN BEGINS TO FORT LAUDERDALE’S MOMENT IN THE SUN
With Chicago now in the books, Fort Lauderdale is now on the clock for next year’s IPW, the U.S. Travel Association’s signature inbound travel trade show, to be held at Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center from May 17-21. And as the future host, Visit Lauderdale shared a snapshot at last week’s IPW in the Windy City of what guests can expect from the South Florida destination in 2026.
FORT LAUDERDALE SERVING UP A SIZZLING SUMMER
Known as a vibrant melting pot with residents from more than 170 countries, Greater Fort Lauderdale’s richly diverse community has long shaped its inclusive dining scene. This summer, that global influence takes centre stage as Visit Lauderdale kicks off a season of culinary celebration marked by the return of Dine Out Lauderdale restaurant months, first-time MICHELIN guide recognitions, and notable new restaurant openings.
SELL AND SAVE AS A LAUDERDALE LOYALIST
Visit Lauderdale’s ‘Lauderdale Loyalist’ program is an interactive training and sales experience for travel advisors designed to help sell the South Florida destination, but also to provide deals and discounts that can help agents discover Greater Fort Lauderdale for themselves.
A TRUE TASTE OF MEXICO AT CITY’S TOP RESTAURANT
Quintonil is not your typical Mexican restaurant. Clients book tables months in advance to celebrate special occasions. The World’s 50 Best list ranked it as the most acclaimed venue in the country in 2024 – and No. 7 worldwide. But once in a while something unexpected happens: food brings guests to tears.
72 HOURS IN ETHIOPIA
By Nicole Evatt/ As we darted through Addis Ababa’s morning rush hour, my jet lag couldn’t dull the energy of Ethiopia’s capital. We wove through crowds of office workers headed to high-rises and families leading goats home for Orthodox Christmas feasts while our guide explained how one needs at least three weeks to fully experience his country.
CANADA COMPASS: Jasper Dark Sky Festival
Since starting in 2011, the Jasper Dark Sky Festival has steadily grown in popularity and become a signature event for Jasper National Park. Dark sky tourism, a subset of ecotourism, is focused on experiencing the night sky in areas with minimal light pollution and allowing visitors to appreciate natural phenomena such as auroras and eclipses.
NEW AIRPORT A BOOST FOR CAMBODIA TOURISM
Cambodia expects that its new airport serving the capital will open in July in a major step forward in boosting the country’s lucrative tourism sector, whose growth was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
MULLING THE KINTYRE TRAIL AND OTHER SENSATIONAL SCOTTISH HIKES
With miles of coastline, plus impossibly scenic highlands and valleys, Scotland rates as one of the world’s great hiking destinations. And with the northern European country easier to get to than ever for Canadians thanks to new direct Air Canada flights launching from Montreal to Edinburgh this month (June), plus existing direct flights from YYZ to EDI, it’s an ideal time for those looking to lace up the hiking boots and hit the trails.
WIN A TRIP: Seattle prioritizes Canadian travel trade relationship
Three Canadian travel advisors who were winners in the ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ incentive campaign, recently returned from a prize FAM trip hosted by Visit Seattle, in partnership with Brand USA. And three more can qualify for another trip to the Emerald City in October by completing Visit Seattle’s new online training program by July 1.
CANADA COMPASS: The power of Pow Wows and where to see them this summer
Canada continues to be recognized as a global leader in Indigenous tourism, with several Pow Wows celebrated annually. More recently, Indigenous tourism and experiences have gained greater attention as travellers increasingly seek meaningful and culturally rich experiences.
THIS COULD BE A DOOZY: US IPW trade show kicks off in Chicago
by Michael Baginski/-Chicago is the place to be for the travel trade this week as U.S. Travel hosts its signature IPW trade show, where U.S. suppliers and destinations – and the host city, of course – pull out all the stops to put on a show for the world and position the U.S. as a pre-eminent place to visit. At the same time, the event never fails to capture the zeitgeist of the host country – both in travel and in general – and, as such, this year ought to be a doozy.
CANADA STRONG: Promised teen tourism pass to come into effect June 20
The federal government is set to announce details of its promised “Canada Strong Pass” next week and the tourism initiative is expected to take effect expected to be available from June 20 until the end of August.
BE WELL PREPARED AND TRUTHFUL: What U.S. Travel says about entering the States
By Michael Baginski/ With thousands of travel trade professionals from around the world – typically including well over a hundred Canadians – set to descend on Chicago this weekend for the U.S. travel industry’s signature IPW trade show (June 14-18), the U.S. Travel Association has issued a notable and sign-of-the-times guide to entering the country for delegates.
PORTER BOOSTS EAST COAST OPTIONS
East coast connectivity is being boosted by the launch of two new routes from Porter Airlines – Toronto to Deer Lake, Nfld., and YYZ to Charlottetown. The former began yesterday (June 10), the latter takes flight Friday (June 13). The flights open up additional travel possibilities across the country, with connecting options via Toronto linking to Western Canada.
PRETTY IN PINK: Bermuda courts Canadians ahead of new flight
By Michael Baginski/ It was a nice gesture – cruising around the islands of Toronto harbour (on a still chilly night in June, egads) – but the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s (BTA) trade event on Monday night certainly made one thing crystal clear: It would have been better to be in those islands (there are in fact, 181 of them).
TORONTO WELCOMES NOBU HOTEL
The Nobu Hotel Toronto is now officially open. Following the opening of its popular restaurant in 2024 and the debut of its residences, the hotel completes the Nobu’s first integrated property under one roof, located in the city’s entertainment district.
COSTA RICA NOT SLOTHFUL OVER CANADIAN MARKET
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.
HISTORIC PROPHYLACTIC ON DISPLAY AT AMSTERDAM MUSEUM
The Netherlands’ national museum has a new object on display that merges art with Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District: a nearly 200-year-old condom, emblazoned with erotic art.
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.
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.
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!
NYC AND ME: Why I’d go back to the Big Apple in a New York minute
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.
BAGPIPES AND KILTS: A Scottish summer sampling
From epic anniversaries and a reimagined landmark castle to the Knights who say ‘ni,’ here are 10 tidbits of news or note, some even a little bit quirky, emanating from the land of bagpipes and kilts for this summer and beyond.
BERLIN: Germany’s Cool Capital is calling Canadians
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.”
CLIMATE CRISIS PROMPTS ROOM, CRUISES TAXES: Hawaii governor says destination first, but won’t be last
Hawaii’s governor has signed legislation that boosts a tax – to 19 percent – imposed on hotel room and vacation rental stays in order to raise money to address eroding shorelines, wildfires and other consequences of climate change. The signing, which includes a 11 percent levy on cruise ships comes nearly two years after a Maui wildfire killed 102 people and wiped out almost all of Lahaina town, and marks the first such levy in the U.S. to help cope with a warming planet.
CANADA COMPASS: Last roar for The Lion King in Toronto
“The Lion King” will soon utter its final roar in Toronto. Mirvish Productions has announced that the last performance of the critically acclaimed and award-winning musical will take place Aug. 30 at the Princess of Wales Theatre.
THE BEACH IS BACK: Caribbean demand heats up for summer
Leading travel intelligence provider ForwardKeys has published a joint report, “Caribbean Travel Trends 2025” indicating strong demand for the region this summer, not least as consumers seek to go back to beaches.
CANADA, NATURALLY: New tourism brand unveiled
‘Canada, naturally’ is the country’s new tourism brand and tagline. Unveiled at the recent Rendez-vous Canada, the country’s largest international tourism tradeshow, the brand is meant to reflect “what comes naturally to Canada – awe-inspiring landscapes and warm-hearted people – and how even the ordinary moments here can feel extraordinary to guests,” according to Destination Canada.