With water an increasingly precious commodity and three-quarters of the planet’s population “water insecure,” according to the United Nations, the World Travel & Tourism Council has unveiled ground-breaking new data detailing the total water usage of the global Travel & Tourism sector.
Calling the situation “so deeply regrettable,” Regina mayor Sandra Masters says a decision has not been made on whether the city’s tourism agency will keep its name after a controversial rebranding rollout that seemed to make light of the Saskatchewan capital’s name rhyming with vagina.
Few will dispute that Stratford-upon-Avon is all about Shakespeare. But what if you’re not barmy about the bard? Is a visit to the English town dedicated to the birth, life, death – and legacy – of the world’s greatest playwright worth the time? To visit or not visit, that is the question.
With his golf game “calling,” well-known Jamaica Tourist Board executive Donnie Dawson is joining the ranks of the retired effective March 31. The JTB’s Deputy Director of Tourism is leaving with the organization’s “warmest wishes and deepest gratitude” after serving at the tourist board for over 40 years.
Good news for both those needing passport and NEXUS cards was delivered last week; the heat is on Heathrow as it prepares for a strike leading up to Easter, and the world’s top airport was revealed by Skytrax.
Labour strikes upended travel in France on Thursday as French trade unions held their first mass demonstrations since President Emmanuel Macron inflamed public anger by forcing a higher retirement age through parliament without a vote.
Following the lead of French workers, German unions are calling on thousands of workers across the country’s transport system to stage a one-day strike on Monday (March 27) that is expected to bring widespread disruption to planes, trains and local transit.
A deadly fire that swept through a building in Old Montreal last week where several apartments were being used as Airbnb units is raising safety concerns about short-term rental properties. There are several steps guests can take to protect themselves:
Visitors to New York arriving at LaGuardia will have to continue using buses and car services for the foreseeable future after plans for a rail link from the airport to the city’s subway and commuter rail system were abandoned.
The new Crystal has launched an Exceptional Initiative to guests who were financially impacted by the bankruptcy of Crystal Cruises’ former owners. Former Crystal guests who hold a verified claim in the Crystal Cruises LLC case will be able to apply for credits to use toward future Crystal voyages on board either Crystal Serenity or Crystal Symphony.
With many travellers focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle while on holiday, wellness-focused getaways are now more popular than ever. With this in mind, the Jamaica Tourist Board advises that it has a number of high-energy athletic events throughout the year that are a perfect way for visitors to get a burn beyond the hotel gym.
Pancakes, tofu and (oddly, more than one story about) mollusks all prompted wacky tales this week, as alas, human behaviour never ceases to amaze. Oh, and there’s at least one item we’re certain will make you laugh.
It might only be the second biggest event in the UK this May (see King Charles lII, Coronation of), but the Eurovision Song Contest is a big deal in Britain (and elsewhere in Europe). And this year’s event, to be held in Liverpool May 8-13, has increased significance as the northern British city – known for its musical chops – has stepped in as a substitute for Ukraine, the originally scheduled host.
The United Nations rights chief on Wednesday urged Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to block an anti-LGBTQ bill that prescribes harsh penalties for some homosexual offenses, including death and life imprisonment.
Budget airline Lynx Air announced it is launching two new routes for the summer. The Calgary-based airline says it will offer seasonal summer flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Kelowna International Airport starting April 13, and between Hamilton’s John C. Munroe International Airport and Vancouver International Airport starting April 16.
Singapore Changi has reclaimed its spot as the world’s top airport in the prestigious annual “Passengers’ Choice Award” rankings by Skytrax. Vancouver rated a respectable 20th on the top 100 list, moving up eight spots from 2022.
Casino giant Caesars Entertainment is offering what may be the most extravagant guest package for the highly anticipated Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix later this year at a whopping US$5 million.
Visit Britain advises that If you’re “Madferit” in Manchester, as illustrated in the image above, you are “excited” and not, “a crazy weasel.” And when a Geordie in Newcastle says “alreet, pet,” they simply mean “hi,” not that you’re an okay cat.
A new survey from Virtuoso has identified when, where, and why (and how) upscale Canadians will be venturing in 2023. Notably, that includes a propensity for using travel agents, as well as other trends that differ from global norms.
WestJet debuted new technology this week to reduce drag on its aircraft, thereby saving fuel and reducing carbon emissions. The Calgary-based carrier is the first in Canada and second in the world to use the drag reduction kit.
Transitioning from sister line Costa, Carnival Venezia officially joined the Carnival Cruise Line fleet this week in Cadiz, Spain, with Costa Captain Tihomir Muzic handing over the ship to Carnival Captain Claudio Cupisti. “We are so pleased to welcome Carnival Venezia to the fleet, which following a dry dock, will debut as our first ‘Fun Italian Style’ ship this May,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Families Minister Karina Gould says that the federal government has now “completely eliminated” the backlog of passport applications that caused major delays – and major political strife – last year. Gould told reporters yesterday that she can guarantee that people who apply for passports will now get them on time, and though she urged people whose passports expire in 2023 to get them renewed immediately.
Business travel is back in a big way, according to American Express Global Business Travel. Amex GBT told company investors on a recent fourth-quarter 2022 earnings call that they expect total business travel spending to grow by 24% in 2023 to reach over a trillion dollars.
When Canadians think Nevada, it’s understandable that lavish Las Vegas tends to command attention. And while tourism folk from the state would never try to dissuade visitors from this country from rolling the dice on a holiday in the city, they are quick to point out there is much more to the state than Sin City’s well-known gambling and entertainment escapades.
An agency responsible for tourism in Regina has apologized for using slogans that have been criticized for their sexual overtones. Two days after launching a rebrand, Experience Regina has removed phrases online that seemed to make light of the city’s name rhyming with vagina.
The Azores heads the list of the world’s “most underrated destinations” in a poll by top travel industry executives at a recent global trade show. The Atlantic islands, located 1,370 km from the Portuguese mainland, edged Northern Greece, scoring top marks in the survey with 14.5% of the vote.
Norwegian Cruise Line has named David J. Herrera as the brand’s new President effective April 1. The move comes as Harry J. Sommer transitions to be the next President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. the parent company for the NCL, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, effective July 1.
In conjunction with the International Day of Happiness on Monday (March 20), Finland has been named the happiest country in annual United Nations ‘World Happiness Report.’ And with the aim of sharing its secrets of success, Visit Finland is inviting global Grinches to join a free masterclass in happiness taking place in the Nordic country this summer.
For the third year in a row, Miami Beach finds itself struggling with spring break violence, including two fatal shootings and unruly crowds, despite a massive police presence and activities designed to give people alternatives to drinking alcohol and roaming the streets.
The federal government says the NEXUS trusted-traveller program will fully ramp back up within five weeks, allowing frequent border crossers to complete their applications and speed up their trips.