Destinations

NIAGARA PLAN ENVISIONS ‘LAS VEGAS OF THE NORTH’

Ontario’s government wants to transform the Niagara region into a “Las Vegas of the North.” The grand plan, which promises to “put Niagara region on the map,” encompasses more casinos, hotels, an amusement park, cruise ships, and even an international airport.

NEW YORK ATTRACTION RE-OPENS WITH ANTI-SUICIDE MEASURES

Tourists are once again climbing the steps of Manhattan’s beehive-shaped Vessel sculpture after it reopened in mid October for the first time in three years, now with netting aimed at decreasing the risk of suicides like the ones that forced its closure.

VENICE EXTENDS, INCREASES DAY-TRIPPER TAX

Venice will extend its day-tripper tax through next year, increasing the number of days on which tourists have to pay to enter the city and doubling the fee to 10 euros ($10.80) for last-minute visitors, city officials said last week. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro stressed that the tax aims to help the city and its citizens battle overtourism and avoid huge influxes of visitors during crowded holidays and weekends.

ONE CARIBBEAN CANADA TO HOST VIRTUAL TRADE SHOW

The inaugural One Caribbean Canada + USA Virtual Trade Show will take place on Wed., Oct. 30, designed to provided travel advisors with the opportunity to learn about unique destinations, discover hidden gems, and explore special promotions available exclusively to travel advisors.

FALLING FOR MYRTLE BEACH: Extending summer on the charming Carolina coast

Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand are popular among Canadians in the summer, and certainly during Spring Break season in the late winter/early spring when warm weather and sandy beaches beckon families looking to escape the cold and snow at home. But city tourism officials maintain that Fall may be the best time of all to visit the South Carolina destination.

GOLFING IN MYRTLE BEACH: For Canadians, it’s a match made in heaven

There’s no place like Myrtle Beach for golf. From the South Carolina destination’s 90-plus courses to its world-renowned mini golf trail, and now the Tiger Wood PopStroke venture, it’s no wonder the city has been called ‘The Golf Capital of the World.’ Indeed, about three million rounds of golf a year are played there.

JASPER GETS LIFELINE TO REBUILD, BOOST TOURISM

The Alberta and federal governments are putting a combined $5.5 million toward attracting tourists to the Rocky Mountain town of Jasper, Alta., after the July wildfire that destroyed one-third of the town, including multiple hotels and 800 housing units. Year-round tourism is Jasper’s main economic driver as close to 2.5 million people visited the surrounding national park last year alone.

DIGGING OUT: When Florida sand is not a good thing

When a hurricane sets its sights on Florida, storm-weary residents may think of catastrophic wind, hammering rain and dangerous storm surge. Mounds of sand swallowing their homes? Not so much. Yet, that’s the reality for some after Hurricanes Helene and Milton clobbered Florida’s Gulf Coast with back-to-back hits in less than two weeks.

EGYPT TAKES BITE OUT OF VISA BURDEN FOR CANADIANS

Starting Dec. 1, Canadian citizens will again be able to obtain their Egyptian visa upon arrival in the country, or electronically, reversing a controversial pre-entry requirement implemented by the Middle Eastern country last October that forced applicants to obtain their documents via mail from Egyptian consulates in Ottawa or Montreal.

WESTJET WILL WING IT TO GRENADA THIS WINTER

The Grenada Tourism Authority reports that new direct service by WestJet from Toronto to Grenada will start Dec. 15 and operate weekly until April 27, 2025. Flights to ‘the Spice Island’ are now open for booking.

TAKE MY WIFE – PLEASE!

  An annual event involving dirt, beer and cash once again drew dozens of eager competitors to a ski resort in Maine last weekend. More than 30 couples competed in the North American Wife Carrying Championship, a 254-metre race during which contestants splash through water, leap over logs and trudge through mud – all while

HOW TORONTO TOURISM IS LEVERAGING TAYLOR TOUR

To encourage Taylor Swift fans and visitors to explore deeper throughout the city during the entertainer’s upcoming series of concerts in the city in November, Destination Toronto has created a website ‘Taylor Swift in Toronto’ web site designed to help fans make the most of their time in town – and leverage its moment in the singer’s spotlight.

GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM OPENS FOR TRIAL RUN

The Grand Egyptian Museum will partially open its main galleries today (Wednesday) including 12 halls that exhibit aspects of ancient Egypt, as part of a trial run. The museum, a mega-project near the famed Giza Pyramids in Cairo, which has cost well over $1 billion so far, will open the halls for 4,000 visitors as a trial run until the official opening date, which is yet to be announced.

ST. MAARTEN INTRODUCES DIGITAL ENTRY: What you need to know

Entry and arrival in St. Maarten is now easier for visitors with the launch of a new a new Digital Embarkation/ Disembarkation (ED) Form and the opening this week of a new arrivals hall at Princess Juliana International Airport.

SNOWBIRDS REEVALUTE FLORIDA MIGRATON

When Julie Riddell and her husband, Gerry, bought their Fort Myers, Fla., vacation property in 2009, it didn’t cross their mind that they might be buying in a hurricane-prone area. “But for at least eight years, we’ve been seeing a lot more action and more frequency (of storms),” the Toronto resident said. 

BARBUDA BULLISH ON TOURISM: Celebrates new international airport

Barbuda has a brand-new international airport, signalling the start of a new chapter for the island’s connectivity, tourism, and economic growth by offering direct connections to global destinations without a stop in neighbouring Antigua first.

PANDA TOURISM: Hong Kong has high hopes for new arrivals

Hong Kong has welcomed a new pair of giant pandas gifted by Beijing – the third pair of giant pandas to be sent to the city from mainland China since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Tourism industry representatives are optimistic about the potential impact of housing six pandas, hoping it will boost visitor numbers in Hong Kong.

EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEYS: The slow ride from Churchill to Winnipeg

The setting sun backlights a pristine panoply of pines of different sizes and species. Far northern Canadian countryside rolls by at a leisurely pace of a train ride, viewed through an upper deck glass-enclosed of a special observation car. Waves of green and brown in slightly varying shades sweep by.

GAME ON: Britain’s West Midlands builds on Commonwealth legacy in Canada

With the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games firmly in the rearview mirror, Britain’s West Midlands region is still building on the legacy of the Games with new tourism product and itineraries, not least when it comes to leisure tourism, which has typically lagged behind business tourism in the region.

MORE EYE-OPENING HOTELS IN NASSAU-PARADISE ISLAND

Nassau-Paradise Island has no shortage of great places for visitors to stay – from small to (very) big, and ancient to all-new. Yesterday we examined four of note – Atlantis, Baha Mar, British Colonial, and Margaritaville. Here we round out our Great 8 accommodation options in the Bahamian capital with four more marvellous mainstays: Four Seasons, Goldwynn, Graycliff, and Sandals.

THE THRILLA OF ANGUILLA: Tourist board returns to Canada

The Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB) returned to the Canadian market last week, meeting with travel trade industry representatives and media. Stacey Liburd, Anguilla’s Director of Tourism, and Kohn Richardson, Co-ordinator of International Markets, visited Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City where shared record-breaking arrival numbers, led by visitors from the island’s top markets, Canada and the US.

NEW TAIWAN TOURISM CENTRE IN VANCOUVER A RESOURCE FOR TRADE

The Taiwan Tourism Administration (MOTC) celebrated the grand opening of the Taiwan Tourism Information Centre in Vancouver last week, reflecting a significant step in promoting Taiwan to the Canadian market and liaising with the travel trade.

EIGHT GREAT HOTELS IN NASSAU-PARADISE ISLAND

From the small boutique properties of Cable Beach to the book-ending behemoths Atlantis and Baha Mar, and with both new options and old favourites, Nassau-Paradise Island (NPI) has dozens of hotels of different stripes sure to appeal to very type of visitor to the popular destination.

LACE UP FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE NASSAU WALKING TOUR

There’s no better way to explore Nassau than on foot. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy the area’s historical landmarks, local shops, and dining spots at your own pace. It’s laid back, relaxed, and the best way to explore the Bahamian capital. So, lace up the walking shoes and check out our list of must-see sights and attractions.

WHERE TO EAT IN NASSAU & PARADISE ISLAND

Food often serves as the best gateway to learning about a new destination, offering an opportunity to indulge during your getaway. Fortunately, Nassau & Paradise Island have an array of dining options, from upscale and casual spots to on-the-go snacks, bars, and more. With so many choices, we’re here to make your dining decisions as simple as possible.

LONDON SHEEP DRIVE CELEBRATES ECCENTRIC HISTORIC TRADITION

More than 1,000 freemen, many wearing black hats and red cloaks, and including actor Damian Lewis, drove a flock of sheep across the River Thames this week in the annual London Sheep Drive – an homage to a centuries-old tradition.

ORLANDO GETS ITS SPOOK ON

Channeling its reputation as ‘theme park capital of the world,’ Orlando is now in full swing for spooky season, declaring itself “Halloween Vacation Capital” and inviting visitors to discover a full slate of frightful family events in October – from haunting theme park events and kid-friendly trick-or-treat trails to terrorizing adults-only performances and Halloween-themed activities.  

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