Destinations

SEEING STARS: Britain taps film and TV interest for new campaign

From Paddington Bear to Harry Potter and James Bond to Mr. Bean, Great Britain has a long history of marketing the destination through TV and film. Indeed, Britain is never far from viewers around the world through an endless list of cinematic mainstays that are uniquely British, such as Downton Abbey, Bridgerton, Dr. Who, Mary Poppins, and Sherlock Holmes – not to mention productions that simply borrow Britain as a backdrop, like Jurassic Park and Game of Thrones/House of Dragons.

NAME BLAME: Alaskans oppose, mock Trump’s new Denali designation

Despite Donald Trump’s executive order that the name of North America’s tallest peak – Denali – revert to Mount McKinley, many Alaskans say the US president can change the name but can’t make them call it that. Prominent Alaskan Jeff King, a four-time winner of the 1,000-mile (1,609-km) Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, operates his

GOWAY’S GALAPAGOS – BY LAND OR SEA

Charles Darwin was so inspired by the Galapagos Islands that he came up with his theories of evolution and natural selection there. No visitor to the archipelago arriving after the British naturalist in 1834 has made such a significant mark in the history of human thinking… but most, no doubt, have been equally awed.

DIVERSE CHURCHILL HELPS PUT MANITOBA TOURISM ON THE MAP

A new study shows how important Churchill is to Manitoba’s tourism industry as visitors from around the globe flock to the northern town and spend tens of millions of dollars. According to the study, roughly 25,000 people visited Churchill in 2023, “many of them from international markets such as the US, UK, and Australia.

MALAYSIA WOOS NEWLYWEDS

Honeymoon in Hawaii? Hold on. And maybe reconsider the Caribbean. Tourism Malaysia says the southeastern Asian destination is a picture-perfect destination for newlyweds that offers an enticing mix of white sandy beaches, lively nightlife, exquisite cuisine, and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.

TORONTO TAPS AI FOR TRAVEL PLANNING, INFO

Travellers planning a trip to Toronto or exploring the city can now rely on 6ix, an AI travel genius that can provide instant answers to any and all travel or tourism questions about the city. Destination Toronto recently launched the new feature at DestinationToronto.com as well as on Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook using GuideGeek artificial intelligence technology.

HOW BRAZIL’S STREET DOGS BECAME A NATIONAL ICON

For decades, they have scrounged for food on streets across the country – undesired, abandoned and overlooked. But today, the caramel-coloured mutts of Brazil are having a major moment. The “vira-lata caramelo” (literally: caramel trashcan-tipper) is being exalted in memes, videos, petitions, an upcoming Netflix film, a Carnival parade and draft legislation to honour it as part of Brazilian culture.

SPAIN TACKLES OVERTOURISM:

Spain attracted a record 94 million tourists last year, making the Southern European nation famous for its Mediterranean coastline, sweeping landscapes and historic cities among the most visited countries on earth. The surge in visitors has stoked complaints at times from some Spaniards about “overtourism,” with concerns about overcrowding, water use and particularly the availability and affordability of housing.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME: Southern snow shatters records

Sun-soaked Florida and other southern states appear to have shattered snowfall records in what many are calling a once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness sandy snowscapes on, of all places, beaches.

SURPRISING ECUADOR: South America’s hidden gem is flying high

From the jungles of the Amazon to the ecologically unique islands of the Galapagos in the Pacific, and the Andes mountains in between – not to mention the name-giving Equator running through it – Ecuador packs unprecedented diversity into its small frame. And that, says Goway Travel, makes it a wonderland for travellers, not least those drawn to adventure and the natural world.

STARRING GREAT BRITAIN: VisitBritain raises curtain on screen tourism at annual showcase

VisitBritain is set to host more than 120 international travel trade on educational visits across the UK as part of its flagship ‘Showcase Britain’ event. Starting today (Jan. 23) at Hampton Court Palace outside London, the showcase event will include a delegation of a dozen Canadian retail tourism representatives and VisitBritain staff, along with Travel Industry Today.

TAHITI TIME: Island road show touts alternative to cold Canadian winter

If I didn’t know before, I know it now: I want to live in Tahiti – as do, I’ll warrant, the three dozen or so travel advisors who turned out on the coldest day of the year (can you say polar vortex?) in Mississauga Tuesday to get the latest news on the South Pacific destination courtesy of The Islands of Tahiti, a collection of a dozen suppliers whose job it is to inspire people, if not to live, but at least visit the idyllic islands.

THE GAINS IN SPAIN CAME MAINLY FROM THE PLANES

The world’s second-most visited country got even more popular in 2024, with Spain’s tourism minister announcing that a record 94 million international travellers visited last year, making it the best year for tourism in the country since records started.

SELL YOUR WAY TO THE USA: Earn a spot on Brand USA FAMs

Canadian travel advisors are being urged to unleash their selling potential with an exclusive opportunity to “Sell Your Way to the USA.” The incentive program will see 12 top-selling agents invited on one of a series of FAM trips in 2025 sponsored by Brand USA, in collaboration with Travel Nevada, Travel North Tahoe, Visit Reno, Utah Office of Tourism, Visit Salt Lake, Visit Seattle, and Travel Oregon.

FLORENCE’S SECRET PASSAGE AN OVERTOURISM ‘OPPORTUNITY’

For centuries, Florence’s 16th-century Vasari Corridor was a secret passage that was only accessible to dukes and lords. Now, the raised passageway that connects the Italian city’s Uffizi Galleries to the former residence of the powerful Medici family has reopened to the public after an eight-year restoration project.

BEST. YEAR. EVER.: Brazil basking in tourism boom

2024 was the best year in history for international tourism in Brazil, according to Embratur. The country reached the record mark of 6,657,377 foreign tourists in the year, an increase of 12.6% compared to 2023. In December alone, the country received more than 690,236 international visitors, a number 11.1% higher than that recorded in the last month of 2023.

NASSAU CRUISE PORT SETS NEW MILESTONE

Nassau Cruise Port (NCP) has broken its annual passenger record, welcoming 5.6 million cruise passengers in 2024. This marks the second consecutive year of record- breaking growth for the port, reflecting global interest in travel to Nassau-Paradise Island and the Bahamas.

GLOBUS REVEALS ‘IT’ DESTINATION FOR 2025

With Italy celebrating a Jubilee year in 2025, Globus says it is setting a new benchmark for travel to the country with its most in-depth portfolio of tours in the country ever. With 33 unique itineraries covering 13 regions, 99 cities, and a multitude of travel styles, Globus declares it is “truly IT when it comes to Italy.”

A TOSS OF THE DICE: Thailand touts casinos to boost tourism

Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a draft bill legalizing casinos with the aim of boosting tourism. Some forms of gambling, such as betting on boxing and horse racing, are allowed but casinos remain illegal in the Southeast Asian country.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AT PEAK POPULARITY

The US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism reports that the destination, which includes of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, achieved record-breaking passenger arrival numbers in 2024, closing out the year on a high on Dec. 28, on which 4,606 passengers arrived, surpassing the single-day arrival record set earlier in March, 2024.

LOS CABOS TEES UP NEW EXPERIENCES

With an increase in flights this fall/winter season, including a direct Air Canada flight from Montreal that started in December, Los Cabos is anticipating an increase in Canadian visitors to the already popular sun destination on Mexico’s Pacific coast.

NEW YORK IMPLEMENTS CONGESTION FEE

New York’s much-debated plan to charge drivers to enter the centre of Manhattan is now in effect, following years of bureaucratic and legal roadblocks. The goals of what is known as “congestion pricing” are designed to reduce gridlock and pollution and raise revenue for public transit.

PORTUGAL’S AMAZING AZORES, FROM A TO Z

An undiscovered gem in the mid-Atlantic that boasts European culture and style, lush landscape with plentiful outdoor activity options, great food and wine, year-round moderate climate, and direct air service from Canada (with free stopovers!) – what’s not to love about Portugal’s amazing Azores islands?

ALL IS WELL IN ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has become the first Wellness Destination officially recognized by the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA), satisfying all nine of the WTA’s stringent criteria.

HOW TRAVEL AGENTS ARE HELPING CHANGE THE WORLD

Travel advisors have been called therapists, curators, creators, and “architects of dreams.” Add another honorific: peacemakers. That’s according to Jamaica’s minister of tourism Edmund Bartlett, who spares no hyperbole in describing the important role travel agents play in the world.

THE JOY OF JUNKANOO – ‘THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH’

Every Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, celebrations of Bahamian culture and history take place throughout the destination. Junkanoo, the national cultural festival and parade represents the rich heritage of the African diaspora and is a colourful tradition that speaks to the strength and resilience of the Bahamian people.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE REAL-LIFE ST. NICK

Antalya, Turkey, is known for its golden beaches and turquoise waters, but at this time of year, the destination takes on a different persona: the birthplace of Saint Nicholas, the real-life inspiration behind Santa Claus.

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