Destinations


  • CANDID CAMERA: ACTA agents in the Azores
    by Michael Baginski - One hundred and fifty travel advisors from across the Canada took part in ACTA’s first International Destination Conference in Portugal’s Azores islands last week. Travel Industry Today was there, pen – and camera – in hand. Yesterday, we reported on the conference (scroll down in the newsletter if you missed the story); today we offer some flavours and faces from the corresponding FAM.

  • THE THRILL OF THE CHILL: SeaWorld Orlando prepares for Arctic adventure
    by Staff - SeaWorld Orlando has unveiled plans for its latest attraction, set to open in Spring 2025: the world's first-of-its-kind Arctic flying theatre. The new experience will invite guests to soar over icy landscapes, dive beneath frozen waters, and come face-to-face with some of the planet's most magnificent creatures – from beluga whales to orcas and walruses.

  • VANCOUVER PREPARES FOR SWIFT ONSLAUGHT
    by Staff - With Toronto having reverted to normal levels of chaos, Vancouver is preparing for the arrival of the recording breaking Taylor Swift tour with the expectation of nearly $160 million in economic impact for the city over the singer’s three tour dates, Dec. 6-8.

  • BHUTAN MODERNIZES VISITOR PLANNING EXPERIENCE
    by Staff - Bhutan’s Department of Tourism has launched a new Tourism Services Portal, designed to streamline the experience of visitors to the Kingdom. To date, more than 400 Bhutanese tour operators, nearly 1,000 certified guides, 100 hotels, more than a dozen homestays, and several other service providers in Bhutan have joined the site. 

  • PARIS PLANS ‘REBIRTH IN GREEN’
    by Staff - As Notre Dame gears up to reopen its doors in December, Paris is on the verge of a remarkable eco-revival, bringing nature back to the forefront of the City of Light. Beyond restoring the cathedral's iconic spire and medieval charm, the city has announced plans to revamp Notre Dame's surroundings — to the tune of €50 million ($75 million) – into a serene, green oasis.

  • DISCOVERING ETHIOPIA’S HEART (THROUGH ONE’S STOMACH)
    by Cindy-Lou Dale - Addis Ababa has a bold cosmopolitan vibe, the Dubai-like cityscape changing almost daily with the addition of new skyscrapers. The Ethiopian capital also boasts a rich cultural mosaic, together demanding more than just a stopover. And when doing so, what better way to discover the East African country’s exotic culture than through its food?

  • NEW YORK PLANS TO RESTORE 5TH AVENUE TO FORMER GLORY
    by Staff - Manhattan’s famed luxury store row Fifth Avenue is in line for a major makeover. New York City officials have unveiled a plan to transform a central portion of the thoroughfare between Bryant Park and Central Park into a more pedestrian-centered boulevard. The vision is designed to emulate iconic strolling and shopping boulevards such as the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

  • CHANGING THE RULES: What you need to know about the UK’s new ETA
    by Staff - Starting Nov. 27, Canadians can apply in advance for the United Kingdom’s new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) form, which will be required by all Canadians entering the UK effective Jan. 8, 2025. Here is everything you need to know.

  • TOURISTIFICATION: Airbnb users can play gladiator in Rome’s Colosseum
    by Staff - The ancient Roman Colosseum will be the venue of gladiator fights – albeit staged – for the first time in two millennia under a $1.5-million sponsorship deal with Airbnb that aims to promote “a more conscious tourism.” Critics, however, say the plan is a disgrace that simply eats away at the essence of “the Eternal City.”

  • CHTA INVITES AGENTS TO BECOME SPECIALISTS
    by Staff - The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has unveiled a specialist program for the travel trade designed to heighten awareness of the Caribbean while enhancing visitors’ travel experiences.

  • WHAT’S COOKING IN THE KEYS?
    by Michael Baginski - Gastronomy and cooking were on the front burner this week during the annual visit by a representative from the Florida Keys to Montreal and Toronto, the latter including a trade event featuring a cooking demonstration by Key West chef Paul Menta at the Dish Cooking School.

  • NEW ZEALAND CITY WAVES GOODBYE TO CONTROVERSIAL SCULPTURE
    by Staff - Perched on two fingers on the roof of the city art gallery in Wellington, New Zealand, the giant hand with an unsmiling human face has loomed over the city for five years. Some found “Quasi” disturbing, and now, after five years of provoking controversy and myriad emotions – from horror and revulsion to delight – among residents, the sculpture has been removed taken to a new home.

  • HELL NO, THEY WON’T GO: Will residents abandon Florida?
    by Staff - The news rippled through Treasure Island, Fla., almost like a third storm: The mayor planned to move off the barrier island a month after Hurricane Helene flooded tens of thousands of homes along the Gulf Coast and two weeks after Hurricane Milton also ravaged the state.

  • FROM QUOKKAS TO KOALAS: Ranking travellers’ favourite Aussie animals
    by Staff - From koalas to kangaroos, Australia's unusual wildlife has long-captivated North American travellers. To find out which animals people want to encounter most, experts at UK-based tour operator Audley Travel analyzed Google Search data, revealing quokkas as top of the list, with wombats and platypuses rounding out the top three.

  • ROYAL CARIBBEAN BUYS MEXICAN PORT
    by Staff - Royal Caribbean Group has confirmed it is buying the Port of Costa Maya in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The deal is reported to be worth nearly US $300 million and includes adjacent land at Mahahual. The cruise company plans major upgrades at the port and surrounding infrastructure.

  • THE ‘ROB AND RYAN EFFECT’: Stars help Wrexham hit the tourism jackpot
    by Staff - In Wrexham, the ‘Rob and Ryan effect’ goes beyond the soccer club the Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought and revived, as tourism and investments grow in the small Welsh city, which has rapidly become one of Britain’s most unlikely tourist hot spots.

  • SPHERE OF INFLUENCE: Abu Dhabi follows Vegas lead
    by Staff - The world’s second Sphere will be built in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates following the opening of the first in Las Vegas. The attraction will be located in a prime spot in the city and echo the scale of the Sphere in the US and is expected to be a major year-round draw for both residents and visitors from around the world.

  • HEAD WEST: Dude ranches tap cowboy culture, great outdoors
    by Staff - With the popular “Yellowstone” series set to return this fall, America’s majestic wild west will again be in the spotlight, inspiring many to seek not only the great outdoors, but an authentic western experience. And where better to do so than a dude ranch?

  • AUF WIEDERSEHEN: German National Tourist Office has significant closures
    by Staff - The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) in Canada will be closing due to significant budget cuts affecting operations in 2025. This decision involves the closure of six offices worldwide, including Canada.

  • CANADA CREATES FOUR NEW TOURISM CORRIDORS
    by Staff - Building on the success of last year's pilot Tourism Corridor Strategy Program, which aims to accelerate destination development across provincial and territorial boundaries. Destination Canada has announced the launch of four new tourism corridors bringing together tourism organizations to develop new journeys for travellers to explore. The program is a key initiative of Destination Canada's 2030 Tourism Strategy with its goal to propel Canada back into the Top 7 global tourism destinations.