Destinations


  • HOW TRAVEL AGENTS ARE HELPING CHANGE THE WORLD
    by Michael Baginski - Travel advisors have been called therapists, curators, creators, and “architects of dreams.” Add another honorific: peacemakers. That’s according to Jamaica’s minister of tourism Edmund Bartlett, who spares no hyperbole in describing the important role travel agents play in the world.

  • HIGH HOPES: German town to lose tallest church status, eyes Einstein for tourism efforts
    by Staff Writer - The Ulmer Münster in southern Germany is the world's tallest church. For now, anyway. The Gothic-style Lutheran church's reign – begun on May 31, 1890 – could end in 2025, when La Sagrada Familia Basilica's “Tower of Jesus Christ” in Spain is set to be completed.

  • THE JOY OF JUNKANOO – ‘THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH’
    by Staff Writer - Every Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, celebrations of Bahamian culture and history take place throughout the destination. Junkanoo, the national cultural festival and parade represents the rich heritage of the African diaspora and is a colourful tradition that speaks to the strength and resilience of the Bahamian people.

  • IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE REAL-LIFE ST. NICK
    by Staff Writer - Antalya, Turkey, is known for its golden beaches and turquoise waters, but at this time of year, the destination takes on a different persona: the birthplace of Saint Nicholas, the real-life inspiration behind Santa Claus.

  • HOT HAPPENINGS IN COLD QUEBEC
    by Staff Writer - Cold temperatures and long nights have arrived in Quebec, but La Belle Province always manages to heat up with a plethora of dazzling festivals and unique opportunities to entice travellers seeking quintessential Canadian experiences during the winter.

  • PANTOS: A quintessentially British bloody good time
    by Staff Writer - Here’s a recipe as essential to Christmas in Britain as turkey, tinsel and mince pies. Mix a fairy-tale plot with topical references, slapstick, song, dance and double entendres. Drench in sequins and spangles, mix vigorously, add some noisy audience participation, and you have a panto.

  • NEW WARSAW MUSEUM ‘STIRS UP EMOTIONS’
    by Staff Writer - A new modern art museum designed by American architect Thomas Phifer is now open in Warsaw. The minimalist light-filled structure in the Polish capital is meant to be a symbol of openness and tolerance as the city tries to free itself from its communist legacy.

  • TRANSAT BERLIN-BOUND IN 2025
    by Staff Writer - Air Transat will fly to Berlin in 2025 with the non-stop route taking flight from Toronto on June 10 and operating Thursdays and Sundays on a seasonal basis through Oct. 24. The service will be the airline’s 36th non-stop routes between Canada and Europe or North Africa next year.

  • PRINCESS HOTELS HAS FAIRYTALE OPENING IN JAMAICA
    by Michael Baginski - Princess Hotels & Hotels celebrated its official opening last weekend in Jamaica, marking the Spanish company’s first property in the country and the biggest hotel on the island in the past 15 years. Not by coincidence, the Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) annual One Love Affair top travel advisor weekend – which included 15 Canadians (and Travel Industry Today) – aligned with the long-anticipated opening, which culminated with a spectacular fireworks display.

  • AGENCY INCENTIVE AIMS TO ‘SUPERCHARGE’ CDN. GROUP BUSINESS
    by Staff Writer - The Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) in has launched new tourism program designed help Canadian travel agencies working with Taiwanese tourism companies expand their group business to the Asian nation. The Accelerated and Expanded Inbound Tourism Promotion Program offers attractive subsidies to support group travel packages to Taiwan for non-Taiwanese tourists.

  • WHERE, WHAT AND WHY – A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO PORTUGAL’S NORTH
    by Greg Coates - Following yesterday’s overview of Porto and the Douro Valley, Travel Industry Today continues its journey through Portugal’s north, which will be serviced by new Air Canada flights to Porto out of Montreal beginning next June. Here’s a quick guide on where to go, what to do, and where to stay in the captivating region.

  • ‘CROWN JEWEL’: Universal Orlando reveals hotel of Epic proportions
    by Staff Writer - Universal Orlando Resort has provided a preview of its new 500-room resort, the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, to be located at the Universal Epic Universe theme park, which will open on May 22, 2025. Managed by Loews, the property will have its own dedicated entrance to the park and brings UOR’s portfolio to a total of 11 hotels and 11,000 guest rooms.

  • JAMAICA BESTOWS LOVE OF ‘BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS’ ON TOP TA’S
    by Michael Baginski - “Architect of dreams, therapist, curator and creator…” – all of them rolled into one: travel advisor. And 50 of Jamaica’s best global agents were honoured by the island’s tourist board for being just so over the weekend at the brand-new Princess Grand resort during the Jamaica Tourist Board’s annual One Love Affair celebration and gala.

  • DRINK IT IN: Portugal’s Douro Valley and picture-perfect Porto
    by Greg Coates - While many Canadians are familiar with Portugal’s Lisbon and Algarve regions, an amazing abundance of lesser-known tourism opportunities are about to open up in the country thanks to new upcoming Air Canada service from Montreal to Porto, starting in June and running through September.

  • THE GAINS ON TRAINS SPUR BUSINESS TRAVELLERS
    by Staff Writer - Despite occasional media focus on disruptions and strikes, 19% of business travellers in North America and 58% in major European markets now opt for trains for domestic travel, according to a new survey. The trend is spurred by new routes, increased productivity and an increasing focus on reducing environmental impact.

  • WHERE IN THE WORLD IS SWEDEN? Cheeky campaign aims to avoid mix-ups
    by Staff Writer - Beyond the country itself, there are seven other places named Sweden: one in Indonesia and six across the United States alone. And although countries themselves cannot trademark their names, recognized travel destinations can. As such, Visit Sweden is now making an unprecedented, cheeky move by applying for the trademark “Sweden” through the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

  • WHAT’S NEW IN ANCIENT EGYPT
    by Michael Baginski - Curious travellers have been visiting Egypt over 5,000 years ago, inspired by a list of treasures that keeps growing, even today. Recently an extraordinary new statue of Ramses II has been unearthed, ancient tombs discovered, gold-tongued mummies brought to light, and an incredible 2,500-year-old funerary tunnel revealed.  

  • PRAGUE PUTS PLUG IN ‘ALCO-TOURISM’
    by Staff Writer - Prague has banned organized nighttime pub crawls, which have caused misery for residents and authorities alike. The popular outings of tourist groups moving from bar to bar in the Czech capital’s historic district have been one of the outcomes of overtourism felt across Europe.

  • GREECE EMBARKS ON ‘NEW ERA OF TOURISM: Aims to be year-round ‘beacon’ of sustainability
    by Michael Baginski - With over-tourism particularly acute in Greece in the summer, the country’s tourism sector is looking to pivot to a model that encourages and supports year-round options, coupled with a strong focus on sustainability.

  • CITY OF ART: Milan’s ‘Little Louvre’ gets historic boost
    by Staff Writer - Milan’s Pinacoteca di Brera museum, conceived under Napoleon as a “little Louvre,” is finally getting a modern art addition first envisioned more than 50 years ago with the opening of Palazzo Citterio, home to one of the world’s most important collections of 20th century Italian art.