Destinations

SERENITY NOW: U.S. mutes noise at national parks, tourist flights affected

Fewer planes and helicopters will be flying tourists over Mount Rushmore and other US national monuments and parks as new regulations take effect that are intended to protect the serenity of some of the most beloved natural areas in the United States. The air tours have pitted tour operators against visitors frustrated with the noise for decades, but it has come to a head as new management plans are rolled out at nearly two dozen national parks and monuments.

LEANING TOWER OF BOLOGNA SPARKS FEARS

City officials in Bologna are committing €4.3 million ($6.3 million) to shore up the leaning Garisenda tower, one of the so-called Two Towers that look out over the northern Italian city that have provided inspiration over the centuries to painters and poets and a lookout spot during conflicts.

TRAVELSAVERS REVEALS WHAT’S TRENDING FOR 2024

Motivated by crossing items off their to-do lists, travellers will roam the world in 2024, prioritizing authentic, customized experiences in off-the-beaten-path locales, according to a new survey from TRAVELSAVERS Canada, which asked its advisors to forecast the top travel destinations and trends for next year, as well as recommended must-have experiences.

BAHAMAS BREAKS ARRIVALS RECORD

The Bahamas has surpassed eight million visitors this year, a record-breaking achievement that the ministry of tourism attributes to the natural charm of the islands, but also effective tourism strategies of stakeholders, including the ongoing enhancement and regeneration of tourism products such as Nassau’s new cruise port.

U.S. TRAVEL REVEALS FUTURE IPW CITIES, DATES

With two of the travel industry’s foremost trade shows – WTM London and ITB Berlin – fixed in place, trade members who attend such events eagerly anticipate the rotating roster of US Travel’s signature show, IPW (formerly International Pow Wow), typically set some years in advance.

ORANGE GLOW: Orlando brings ‘Sunshine Tour’ back to Canada

Visit Orlando, in association with a full delegation of theme park, hotel, transportation and attraction partners, called in Calgary, Toronto and Halifax last week for the tour association’s annual “Orlando Canadian Sunshine Tour,” attracting close to 500 enthusiastic travel advisors across the three events that resulted in record-breaking attendance for the mission.

JAMAICA SHOWS THE LOVE FOR AGENTS

Fifty of Jamaica’s top-selling travel agents, including 15 Canadian members of the Jamaica Travel Specialist (JTS) program, were honoured by the island’s tourist board last week during the annual One Love Affair gala and incentive trip in Montego Bay.

UNESCO DESIGNATION PROMPTS QUEBEC MARINE PARK PLANS

Ottawa and Quebec have announced their intention to protect the waters near a picturesque territory in the Gulf of St. Lawrence that was recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The governments said they’re taking the first steps toward creating a protected marine park off Anticosti Island.

MARKET REPORT: Stuffing your stocking at Germany’s Christkindlmarkts

When the winter gets tough in central Europe the tough get… festive, as age-old Christmas markets spring up across the region to help cast a warm glow over the snow. Among the most famous are markets in Germany, where most of the historic Weihnachtsmarkt/ Christkindlmarkts are now in full swing (most starting in mid to late November and continuing until just before Christmas and in some cases a few days after).

NO BULL: Mexico lifts bullfighting ban

Despite claims of cruelty from opponents, Mexico’s Supreme Court has overturned a ban on bullfighting in Mexico City, opening the way for events to resume. The activity was banned in 2022 when it was ruled that bullfights violated city resident’s rights to a healthy environment free from violence.

CALIFORNIA DREAMING: U.S. to fund L.A. rail links to Vegas, San Francisco

The US federal government says it will give more than $6 billion to a pair of high-speed electric rail routes in California – from Los Angeles to both Las Vegas and San Francisco – injecting new life into long-stalled projects hailed by supporters as the future of public transportation but bemoaned by critics for their high price tags and lengthy construction times.

MOTH MAYHEM PROMPTS STANLEY PARK TREE CULL

The quiet of Stanley Park’s forests has been splintered as chainsaws roar in a multi-year project to remove about one quarter of the trees that make up what’s considered a Vancouver jewel. On the road to Prospect Point a parking lot that in warmer months would be part of a picnic area, is now a work site where heavy machinery brings in large, cut sections of trees and crushes smaller branches.

‘WE NEED HELP!’: Best way to support Hawaii is to return

Hawaii is ready for Canadians, and other visitors, to return – particularly to Maui, which suffered from devastating wildfires earlier this fall and is still on the road to recovery. But while the Hawaii Tourism Authority acknowledges that while many visitors “respectfully” stayed away from Hawaii in the aftermath of the calamity, the islands are now really ready for their return.

SUN, SAND, AND SEA: Getting the most out of Nassau Paradise Island

A picturesque panorama of surf, sand, and sunshine, where Caribbean culture and captivating history come together, Nassau Paradise Island is the perfect place to reinvigorate the spirit and reconnect with family, friends, and loved ones. And the Bahamas island is connected to Canada with convenient, non-stop flights, meaning less time travelling and more time enjoying the white-sand beaches, warm coastal waters, and welcoming resort communities.

RELAX, YOU CAN DO IT IN NASSAU PARADISE ISLAND

Nassau Paradise Island’s stunning white sand beaches, cerulean blue waters, and Bahamian hospitality are the epitome of a calming, paradisiacal escape – ideal for a relaxing getaway. If it’s a laid-back, luxurious vacation you’re after, the Bahamas has all you need and more. From start to finish, here is everything required for a perfectly relaxing Bahamian getaway.

NASSAU PARADISE ISLAND, WHERE THE NIGHT’S ALWAYS YOUNG

Life is sweet while the sun is hanging high in the sky over the Bahamas, but when the moon starts to peak out over the horizon and the clear blue sky turns inky indigo, it’s time to bust out the dancing shoes and dinner attire and party late into the night. Visitors to Nassau Paradise Island can easily turn a relaxing day on the beach into a heart-pumping evening in Paradise. From nightclubs to casino floors, a night out in The Bahamas is not one to skip out on.

WORKSHOP REVEALS EUROPE’S ‘LAST FRONTIER’

Aimed at promoting the Southeast European and Balkans – dubbed ‘the last exotic part of Europe” – and increasing tourism from North America, the New Deal Europe Virtual Marketplace will take place Dec. 12 and 13. Co-funded by the European Union, the event is the largest travel trade event focussed solely on the region.

KINDLING THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN QUEBEC

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Québec is truly an enchanting destination bursting with colourful and illuminated events and markets to ring in the most wonderful time of the year. Here are just a few suggestions to help make the most of the city for a December retreat that is sure kindle the Christmas spirit.

CHINA SYNDROME: Country poised to dominate global tourism

There’s always an asterisk when tourism recovery numbers are assessed: it doesn’t include China and its massive middle class, which hasn’t yet fully returned to pre-pandemic travel levels. But that’s about to change, not just in the present, but over the next decade, during which the country is poised to become world’s most dominant tourism market.

LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES: Cape Town commits to breaking down barriers

Cape Town Tourism has launched “Limitless Cape Town,” a first-of-its-kind universal access movement designed to make the city more inclusive to all individuals, giving them equal opportunity and access to the region’s tourism environment, regardless of their social class, ethnicity, or physical disabilities.

CANADIAN TOURISM AWARD WINNERS 2023

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has announced its Canadian Tourism Awards winners for 2023. The honours recognize outstanding achievements in the tourism sector and aim to showcase the dedication, innovation, and excellence of individuals and organizations that contribute significantly to the growth and success of the Canadian tourism industry. Sponsors included WestJet, Air Canada, Air Transat, VIA, and Hilton.

CANADIANS FLOCKING TO FLORIDA AGAIN

Florida has set a visitations record in the third quarter of 2023, with an estimated total of 35.1 million people arriving in the Sunshine State between July and September 2023. Visitations were comprised of 32.2 million domestic visitors, 2.2 million overseas travellers and 666,000 Canadians. Additionally, Florida continues to beat overall annual visitation records with 105.2 million visitors so far in 2023, 724,000 more than the first nine months of 2022.

MSC INCREASES INVESTMENT IN BAHAMAS MARINE RESERVE

A new marine centre will be built by MSC Cruises on its Ocean Cay marine reserve in the Bahamas, along additional new environmental infrastructure, plus amenities for passengers, as the company continues its transformation of the site.

WHAT’S NEW IN ANTIGUA: Accommodation Report

Antigua is known for its 365 beaches – one for each day of the year, they say. As such there is no shortage of hotels and resorts on the island, and neighbouring Barbuda, where visitors can spread out their beach towels or find a shady spot under a sun umbrella. Here is some of the latest news from the islands’ accommodation sector heading into a new winter season.

PYRAMID POWER: Egypt plays down war, pursues lofty tourism goals

Despite concerns over the war in neighbouring Israel-Gaza, Egypt’s tourism and antiquities minister believes the middle eastern country is just scratching the surface of its tourism potential. Ahmed Issa that his country is poised to reach 15 million visitors this year, having already posted record numbers in the first half of the year.

OVERTOURISM EXPERIMENT: When and how Venice day-tripper fees will work

Venice authorities on Thursday unveiled a pilot program to charge day-trippers 5 euros ($7.45) apiece to enter the fragile lagoon city on peak weekends next year in an effort to reduce crowds, encourage longer visits and improve the quality of life for residents.

STAMP OF APPROVAL: Unique Aruba promo offers free tattoo

A T-shirt or trinket just isn’t enough to encapsulate a visit to Aruba, believes the island’s board authority. With this in mind, the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) is introducing the “Tattoovenir,” a free souvenir designed to be a permanent reminder of one’s holiday on the southern Caribbean island.

LET THE SUNSHINE IN: St. Martin brings sunny ways to Canada

The way Valerie Damaseau sees it, the reason for her recent visit to Canada was simple: “To bring some sunshine into your lives!” And while she may have been speaking hypothetically, as president of the tourist office of sunny St. Martin, it didn’t seem out of the realm of possibility.

FEDS LAUNCH NEW TOURISM GROWTH PROGRAM

With tourism to this country projected to grow significantly in the coming years, the federal government has launched an investment program that will provide $108 million over the next three years to support tourism projects across the country to help meet the goal of attracting 40% more visitors by the end of the decade.

LYNX STAKES CLAIM TO FLORIDA MARKET

With its latest launches to Florida over the weekend, low-cast Lynx says it is well on its way to its goal of offering nearly 10,000 seats in and out of the Sunshine State per week by December. On Saturday, the carrier took flight from Vancouver to Orlando, while on Friday Tampa service began from Montreal.

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