BRITISH BLOCKBUSTER: VisitBritain kicks off film screen tourism campaign in Canada
- VisitBritain hosted a blockbuster film-inspired reception for travel trade in Toronto in support of its new global screen tourism campaign this week. The event followed similar gatherings in Dubai and Australia, with over a dozen more to come to launch the ‘Starring GREAT Britain’ campaign, which features a star-studded film drawing on iconic film and TV moments made in the UK.
EMMA IN GERMANY: Meet the new face of German tourism
- The German National Tourist Board’s (GNTB) inaugural AI influencer project utilizes artificial intelligence to promote Germany as a travel destination on an international scale. With the launch of ‘Emma’ – an AI-generated influencer – the GNTB has created an interactive brand ambassador designed to virtually inspire potential travellers to visit the European country.
‘ALL THEY DO IS BRING CHAOS’: Florida cities brace for Spring Break
- Miami Beach officials have announced they are bringing back enhanced security measures for practically the entire month of March, including parking restrictions and increased fees for non-residents. The new rules were introduced last year after three consecutive years of spring break violence
WATERPARK WILL SPARK MONTREAL TOURISM
- Plans for major recreational tourism project in Mirabel, Que, have been unveiled with expectations that the first phase of the multifunctional complex will open in 2028. The $175-200 million entertainment hub, featuring a world-class indoor water park, will be located about an hour from Montreal, and is expected to become a major economic and tourism driver for the region and Greater Montreal, say city officials.
NASSAU-PARADISE ISLAND: Following in the footsteps of James Bond
- Sixty years after the fourth James Bond movie was filmed in The Bahamas, some evidence of “Thunderball” still remains for fans to discover. Sean Connery was so enamoured with Nassau-Paradise Island (NPI) after the shoot that he bought a villa in an exclusive gated community at the western end of New Providence.
‘OVER THE TOP’ RESORT OPENING IN ORLANDO
- An expansive new resort destination opens today in Orlando. Encompassing 32 hectares on International Drive near Universal Orlando and the convention centre, Villatel Orlando Resort will offer two distinct ways to stay: The Villas and the nation's first Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy Resort. There will also be a full-scale water park.
THE TIME – AND PRICE – IS RIGHT FOR CANADA
- With an increasing number of Canadians considering holidaying at home this summer due to a depleted dollar and negative sentiment towards the US, Adventure Canada says it is giving Canadian residents the option to receive expedition pricing in Canadian dollars, rather than the industry standard USD.
PUPPY LOVE: If you ever doubted the power of social media…
- When Shanghai-based designer Guo Qingshan posted a vacation photo on Valentine’s Day and captioned it “Puppy Mountain,” it became a sensation in China and even created a tourist destination.
WELCOME BACK: Turks and Caicos re-establishes presence in Canada
- Once coveted as a Canadian province (how does that feel now?), Turks and Caicos bears no ill will. Quite the opposite in fact, as Canada rates as the Caribbean islands’ second largest market after this country’s current would-be colonizers, the US.
FIT FOR A KING: Britain’s Royal Collection Trust announces 2025 group visits
- Britian’s Royal Collection Trust has announced its program of group visits and private tours at the official residences of King Charles III – Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and Holyroodhouse (Scotland) – for 2025.
CALIFORNIA DREAMING: ‘It ticks so many boxes’ for Canadians
- As the snow was piling up at home, even in the torrential rain California was a more desirable place to be than Canada. Such was the case earlier this month as Visit California and some 35 destination partners hosted a couple of dozen members of the Canadian trade for a reverse mission in San Diego, followed by post conference FAMs throughout the state.
SIGN OF THE TIMES: Polish fire-breathing dragon checked for energy efficiency
- An iconic metal sculpture of a dragon that spits real fire in the Polish city of Krakow will hold its breath for a month to check why it’s been devouring so much fuel lately. Experts are checking the gas feeds for the six-metre sculpture to find ways of reducing the dragon’s energy bills.
EGYPT GOING GANGBUSTERS (AGAIN), SAYS GOWAY
- A relative pause in Middle Eastern tensions in Israel and the easing of Egyptian visa processing is seeing Canadians flocking back to the Land of the Pharaohs in 2025, according to Goway, which reports that bookings are up 250 percent in the past few months compared to the year before – a year blighted by full-fledged war between neighbouring Israel and Gaza.
GO WHERE THERE’S NO SNOW – SAINT LUCIA’S GUARANTEE
- “Let it snow,” Saint Lucia tourism execs exclaimed while visiting Toronto this week, as the city (and much of the eastern part of the country) continued to dig out from far too much of the white stuff. And to be clear, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority CEO Louis Lewis smiled, there is no snow on his Caribbean island. “Absolutely none!”
JAPAN – WITH A CHERRY ON TOP
- One of Japan's most picturesque seasons is on its way: cherry blossoms - or sakura - are preparing to bloom. Starting in mid-March and continuing through mid-May, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has announced 2025's cherry blossom season forecast, with dates and locations to help travellers experience the hanami (the custom of flower viewing in Japan) season from city to city.
HIGH-SPEED RAIL: Feds unveil largest infrastructure project in Cdn. history
- The federal government is moving ahead with a high-speed, fully electric rail network between Quebec City and Toronto. The new system – to be called Alto – will slash travel times in half and get travellers from Montréal to Toronto in just three hours. Additionally, there will be stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Laval, and Trois-Rivières.
ATOUT FRANCE ‘KEEPING PACE’ WITH CANADIAN TRADE
- 2025 will be a year of continuing momentum for France, according to Atout France, which is rolling out across Canada this week with annual roadshow events in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. The forecast is no surprise after a robust 2024 when the country cracked the “magic” 100-million visitor mark thanks to such landmark events as the Summer Olympics in Paris, 80th anniversary of D-Day, and the re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral.
BRAND USA TAPS FAULHABER AS CDN. PR AGENCY
- Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, has appointed Toronto-based Faulhaber as its new agency of record (AOR) for public relations in Canada. Faulhaber, which also has locations in Montreal and Vancouver, will work closely with the Brand USA team to share stories that highlight the USA as a culturally rich, diverse, and inclusive destination.
LOS CABOS TRIP PLANNING A DIGITAL DELIGHT FOR AGENTS
- The Los Cabos Tourism Board has launched a digital platform designed to enhance trip planning for both travellers and travel advisors. Featuring AI-powered tools, 360-degree virtual tours, interactive maps, and customizable itineraries, the platform simplifies the process of exploring the destination's offerings.
WINTERLUDE WRAP-UP: Ottawa at last revels in a non-wimpy winter
- Wimpy would have been the word to describe the last two winters in Ottawa too, when temperatures never plunged low enough, for long enough, for winter activities to abound. The canal skating rink never opened at all in 2023, a historic first, and in 2024 was open for only a handful of days on a very narrow portion, with poor skating conditions.
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