IT’S NOT US, IT’S YOU: Overseas visitors also shunning US
- The U.S. expected 2025 to be a big travel year, but overseas visitors – angered by Trump – are heading elsewhere. The number of international visitors to the United States jumped in 2024, and some forecasts predicted arrivals from abroad this year would reach pre-COVID levels.
THE FINAL FRONTIER: Space tourists complete historic mission
- Looking to really, truly get away from it all in these turbulent times? Four space tourists who orbited the north and south poles did just that earlier this month before returning to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific to end their historic, privately funded polar tour.
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA UPDATE ARRIVALS PROTOCOLS
- Antigua and Barbuda launched a “modern” digital arrival and departure system designed to help visitors get from gate to beach faster when arriving in the Caribbean islands. Accessible through ArriveAntigua.com, the new protocols are in effect at V.C. Bird International Airport and will be expanded to seaports arrivals and private jets in the future.
THAILAND INTRODUCES NEW DIGITAL ENTRY CARD
- Starting May 1, 2025, all non-Thai nationals entering Thailand by air, land, or sea must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within three days before arrival. The new system replaces the traditional paper-based disembarkation form required for all foreign arrivals.
EXODUS CONTEST REVEALS NORTH AMERICANS’ FAVOURITE DESTINATION
- Throughout March, Exodus Adventures channeled its inner sports fan to find North Americans’ favourite destination. Based on college basketball brackets for March Madness, the guided tour company’s ‘Ultimate Travel Showdown’ featured 16 of the world's most popular destinations with voters narrowing the field in head-to-head competitions each week.
ARUBA’S WILDLIFE WONDERS
- While Aruba’s all-inclusive resorts boast some of the most breathtaking hotel grounds, for many, true adventure lies beyond the property lines. With its unique desert-like terrain and a coastline that spans kilometres, Aruba’s incredible landscape offers an ideal paradise where nature’s beauty is always front and centre.
CANADIANS SEE THE LIGHT: Why the time is right for Morocco
- By Michael Baginski/ More than a hundred travel advisors turned out Monday night in Toronto for a gala event hosted by the Moroccan National Tourist Office (MNTO), clearly demonstrating enthusiasm for a destination that is growing in stature for Canadians.
CANADA COMPASS: New Shaw Festival theatre on drawing board
- Ontario will spend $35 million to help the Shaw Festival rebuild the Royal George Theatre.
NOTHING TO SEE HERE: Venice denies Bezos wedding disruption
- Venice has confirmed it will host the wedding of multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos and fiancée Lauren Sanchez but denies reports the Italian city will be invaded by hundreds of celebrities causing disruptions for citizens and tourists. No date has been given for the event, however Italian media have reported it will be between June 24-26, with a few days of celebrations.
TRENDING GREENLAND GEARS UP FOR TOURISM WAVE
- While Greenland is experiencing a surge in global interest – no doubt due to the prominent takeover ambitions of Donald Trump – the real transformation of the northern destination is happening through tourism, claims Intrepid Travel, which says it has seen enquiries about the autonomous territory of Denmark jump 94% in recent weeks.
TULIP TOURISM BLOOMING IN HOLLAND, EUROPE
- Nestled among tulip fields not far from Amsterdam, the world-famous Keukenhof garden has opened for the spring, welcoming camera-wielding visitors to its increasingly selfie-friendly grounds. On a sunny day, the paths, park benches and cafés are crowded with tourists taking photos and selfies with one of the Netherlands’ most iconic products – the tulip.
CANADA COMPASS: Alberta landmark faces extinction
- Tyra the Tyrannosaurus, the lovable landmark that towers over the Drumheller skyline in the heart of the Canadian Badlands, is facing an extinction-level event. The 25-metre-high attraction – billed as the World's Largest Dinosaur, and the backdrop to hundreds of thousands of tourist photos over a quarter of a century – is set to become history by 2029.
THE MANY FLAVOURS OF ARUBA
- When travelling the world, oftentimes the most authentic experiences are found through food. Aruba is a beautiful melting pot of over 100 nationalities whose culinary scene reflects its rich cultural diversity, making it one of the most dynamic in the Caribbean.
DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT: How to unplug in Nassau & Paradise Island
- In a digital age where screens compete for our attention, finding time to truly disconnect and immerse in the present moment is more important than ever. And with white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and slower-paced island life, there is no better place to do so than Nassau & Paradise Island, says the Bahamian destination’s promotion board.
ELBOWS UP, BUT ARMS OPEN: Signs point to strong summer for Ontario tourism
- Tourism operators in Ontario's hot spots have been bracing for the fallout of U.S.-Canada tensions but instead are seeing an uptick in demand that some attribute to Canadian staycationers. Still, experts say a booming summer travel season is not a guarantee across the province amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
MAPLE LEAF MOMENTS: Syrup season a sweet spot for Canadian agritourism
- Every morning, Tom Stehr wakes up and heads straight into his maple shop. As he walks through the Huntsville, Ont., building, he passes displays of syrup memorabilia, Canadian flags and maple leaf decor. “I just fell in love with everything about maple,” Stehr says. “It's totally Canadian. It’s iconic.”
LAS VEGAS SHARES ITS MAGIC ON CANADA MISSION
- The Las Vegas Visitor and Convention Authority (LVCVA) is visiting Canada this week, with its Eastern Canada mission concluding in Winnipeg Thursday, following gala events in Montreal and Toronto earlier in the week,
UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF ARUBA’S BEACHES
- When travellers think of beach getaways, their first thought may be to spend their days relaxing under the sun, and while white-sand lounging certainly has a place on tropical vacations, it’s not the only way to experience the sands of paradise. With dozens of beaches to explore in Aruba, there’s no limit to what vacationers can do, from ocean exploration to enjoying the lively nightlife.
CANADIANS ‘AMONG FRIENDS’ IN GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE
- According to its tourism motto, Fort Lauderdale welcomes “Everyone Under the Sun.” And naturally, Canadians rank high among that “everyone.” In a message addressed directly to Canadian travel advisors, Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, said, “We look forward to welcoming you and your clients to Greater Fort Lauderdale. We deeply appreciate our Canadian visitors, who not only embrace all that our destination has to offer but also show great respect and love for our community. Their presence enriches our local culture and strengthens the deep-rooted connection between Canada and Greater Fort Lauderdale.
WESTJET BARCELONA-BOUND FROM HALIFAX
- WestJet will launch new service between Halifax and Barcelona, Spain, beginning June 27. The seasonal route will operate four times per week as part of WestJet's summer 2025 schedule, offering Atlantic Canadians a direct connection to what the airline says is one of its most sought-after European destinations.
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