Travel South USA arrived in Canada this week to court the travel trade at gala events in Toronto and Montreal, enticing guests with “bacon, bourbon and blues” – the latter courtesy of special guest, American Idol winner (and Alabaman) Taylor Hicks, whose rootsy refrains provided the soundtrack of the evenings.
In 2024, Germany is set to host a multitude of festivities, ranging from anniversaries to arts and sports events, giving travellers a multitude of reasons to visit the European nation in 2024. And who better that than the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) to call out some of the main events and themes that are sure to inspire.
Les bon temps of New Orleans is set to roll out at Universal Orlando Resort this weekend (Feb. 3) as annual Mardi Gras celebrations return to the Florida theme park, carrying on for over two months (until April 7).
A liquor store has opened in Saudi Arabia for the first time in over 70 years, marking a further socially liberalizing step in the once-ultraconservative kingdom. While restricted to non-Muslim diplomats, the store in Riyadh comes as Saudi Arabia’s assertive Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aims to make the kingdom a tourism and business destination as part of ambitious plans to slowly wean its economy away from crude oil.
2024 has started with numerous challenges – and potential opportunities – for Atlantic City, the historic east coast seaside resort primarily known for its famous boardwalk, and gambling opportunities, that has been transition for several years. Foremost among them is likely to be whether New Jersey lawmakers approve a measure to ban smoking in the nine casinos (a vote that is taking place today – Jan. 29).
With Canadians leading the way, the latest flight booking data from the World Travel & Tourism Council and its knowledge partner ForwardKeys shows that France is set to keep its pole position as the world’s most popular destination for international arrivals this year.
Los Cabos is perhaps best known internationally for its luxurious accommodations, sophisticated cuisine, and breathtaking landscape, but for fishing enthusiasts, this dichotomous destination of beaches and deserts is known for a very different reason: With teeming waters off the Baha peninsula in Mexico home to a wide variety of sea life, Los Cabos is specifically reputed as the “Marlin Capital of the World.” And anyone can (try to) catch one.
VisitBritain will welcome more than 120 international travel buyers – including a delegation from Canada – for a series of educational visits across Britain, as part of its flagship ‘Showcase Britain 2024’ trade event. The annual event helps set agendas for tour operator and travel agency product for the coming year.
With the introduction of Air Transat flights from Toronto and Montréal to Lima, Canadians have a direct route to the South American nation known for stunning natural landscapes, historical treasures, exceptional cuisine – and affordability. With this in mind, here’s a look at some of the most recent tourism developments in the country, including digital nomads, ceviche and coffee culture, and new treks, tours, and packages in the pipeline:
Whether your clients crave the tranquility of a beach escape or the exhilaration of pulsating sporting events, one destination stands ready to fulfill their every desire – Greater Fort Lauderdale. As a seasoned travel advisor, you understand the importance of curating unforgettable client experiences, and here in this coastal paradise, the possibilities are boundless.
Greater Fort Lauderdale is a culinary paradise where each restaurant tells a unique story through its cuisine. And from Asia to Africa, Italy, France, and the Mediterranean, there is no shortage of international flavours to make the mouth water.
From popular beach volleyball matches to thrilling soccer matches, Greater Fort Lauderdale is a paradise for Canadians who are sports enthusiasts. The south Florida destination also boasts a bevy of events this winter and spring, particularly when it comes to music.
While visitor spending reached a record $7 billion in 2023, the number of visitors in Toronto remains below pre-pandemic levels, according to the year-end Toronto’s ‘Visitor Economy: 2023 Market Performance Highlights’ report published by Destination Toronto.
Billed as a “new hospitality category that will forever change the landscape of luxury vacation rental homes,” newly opened Evermore Orlando Resort offers guests a unique new option in the Florida theme park capital. The 450-hectare property, which boasts its own lagoon and beach,
“What in God’s name are you wearing?” my neighbour asks. “Me! Look at you! You look a right idiot.” So, there we stand in our respective costumes, surveying our splendour in my hallway mirror. Serena is costumed up as Po, the red Teletubby (UK kids TV show) and I’m Kermit the Frog. “We could become a thing,” I said. “It might catch on.”
Las Vegas is truly a city that never stands still. Indeed, standing or stopping is now banned on pedestrian bridges on the Strip where visitors often pause to take photos amid the glittery casino lights or to watch street performers. Violators of the ordinance, which took effect Tuesday, could face up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.
On a day when most of Canada, coast to coast, was gripped in polar temperatures and snow, Grenada tourism officials brought their sunny ways to a Toronto airport hotel, leaving a couple of dozen travel advisors more actively dreaming of an escape to the Caribbean Spice Island than usual, both personally and for clients.
Lynx Air has announced the addition of Regina to its network starting in June. The new gateway marks the discount carrier’s first foray into the Saskatchewan market and brings to 23 its total number of North American destinations.
Whether travellers are looking for new places to stay, take a trip to one of the many theme parks, or experience a part of the state they may not have known, Florida has a host of new things to explore in 2024. Read on for just a small sampling of what’s new and coming in the Sunshine state this year:
Having been dubbed the city’s “front porch,” the Mississippi River will be the main tenant in an extensive redevelopment of New Orleans’ Riverfront District, including one of the largest contiguous riverfront parks in the US.
Russian tourists reportedly going on a ski trip to North Korea in February will be the first international travellers to visit the country since its borders closed in 2020 amid the global pandemic lockdown.
Three years into the unlikely ownership of Wrexham AFC soccer/football club by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the appeal of their accompanying (and explanatory) documentary series “Welcome to Wrexham” continues to skyrocket. The series, and overall exposure, generated by the celebrity owners and the fairytale story that has ensued, has gifted the city with an unexpected moment in the global spotlight and, subsequently, a not-surprising surge of visitors to sleepy North Wales.
It’s not the oldest of London’s top-tier luxury hotels but The Savoy is arguably the most famous. Many would also argue it’s also the best, living up to every inch of it’s outsized reputation. Founded in 1889, the iconic property has hosted a bevy of rich and famous patrons (Monet painted from it’s windows) over its nearly 135 years, and even some who weren’t famous yet – like Guccio Gucci, who once worked there as a luggage and lift-boy early.
For the first time, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Ca., has released its lineup of special events and limited-time festivities for the coming year, with 2024 highlighted by the resort-wide Pixar Fest celebration beginning in the spring.
The Bahamas is continuing a “meteoric” rise in tourism as air and sea arrivals reach unprecedented heights, marking sustained growth that has surpassed previous years’ benchmarks. As of the end of November 2023, the cumulative count of foreign air and sea arrivals soared to over 8.65 million, representing 41.8 percent surge compared to the corresponding period in 2022.
The Jamaica Tourist Board is inviting Canadian travel advisors to kick off 2024 with a virtual destination refresher and orientation event on Friday, Jan. 19 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. ET.
The countdown to Mardi Gras began Saturday in New Orleans as Carnival season kicked off with dozens of costumed revellers and a brass band crowding onto a streetcar for a nighttime ride down historic St. Charles Avenue. Meanwhile, a walking club in the French Quarter marched in its annual procession honoring Joan of Arc.
Extremely cold temperatures compounded by gale-force winds and snow wreaked havoc across the Nordic region Thursday, leaving thousands without power while others braved the cold for hours stuck in their cars along clogged highways. Heavy rains in Germany, France and the Netherlands again caused floods in regions that have seen persistent flooding in the last two weeks.
There’s a frequently used word in Papiamentu – “dushi”– which, while hard to precisely translate from the local lingo on the Caribbean island of Curaçao, essentially means positive vibes, beautiful, and the good things in life, all mashed up into one.
Fancy seeing the ancient Acropolis uncluttered by thousands of selfie-snappers? A solution is in the works, but it will set you back up to 5,000 euros ($7,300). Starting April 1, 2024, Greece plans to offer exclusive guided tours of its most powerful tourist magnet to handfuls of well-heeled visitors outside normal opening hours.