A SIX BILLION DOLLAR PAIR: Royal Caribbean and Sandals partnership
by Staff Writer - Royal Caribbean is diversifying its operations by purchasing a 50 per cent stake in Sandals Resorts for US $3 billion. The joint venture expands Royal Caribbean Group into the land based vacation category, and accelerates the global expansion for Sandals and Beaches Resorts.
TOURISTS FLIP FOR FAVELA TOURS IN RIO
by Staff Writer - As record numbers of tourists descend upon Rio de Janeiro – including Canadians taking advantage of new direct flights to the destination – many are looking beyond the city’s iconic landmarks, seeking instead local tours in the city's favelas to learn more about the often-stigmatized territories that are also beacons of urban culture and art.
BOSTON UNCOMMON: A city that has it all, and then some
by Michael Baginski - By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Boston wears it’s history on it’s sleeve, even if it’s most obvious in its iconic landmarks and distinguished architecture. But the city, which is preparing to celebrate its 400th birthday in 2030, is, in fact, so much more: a combination of history and modernity, America’s most European city, and a democratic bastion at a time when it means more than ever.
AUTHENTIC ANGUILLA: Where the Caribbean is measured in experiences, not miles
by Cindy-Lou Dale - By CINDY-LOU DALE/ There are few destinations in the Caribbean that have managed to retain an authentic sense of place while simultaneously establishing themselves among the region's most exclusive escapes. Anguilla is one of them.
GUATEMALA NAMES TRADE REP IN CANADA: New flights boost Canadian access, interest
by Staff Writer - With new Air Canada service to Guatemala taking flight this Fall and continuing momentum from last year’s launch in Montreal, the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (INGUAT) has named an official public relations and travel trade representative in Canada.
SERENITY NOW: An insider’s look at what makes this Saint Lucia resort so special
by Michael Baginski - By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ What I remember is the ginger beer made from scratch. It’s a small detail but represents what makes Saint Lucia’s Serenity at Coconut Bay resort so special: nothing about the experience is canned.
REIMAGINING THE HONEYMOON AT SAINT LUCIA’S SERENITY AT COCONUT BAY
by Staff Writer - A honeymoon can be one of those rare trips where there is nowhere else you need to be and no reason to rush. For couples who want to make the most of that freedom, Serenity at Coconut Bay in Saint Lucia offers the space, privacy and service to make their honeymoon their own.
THE INTUITIVE ART OF BUTLER SERVICE AT SAINT LUCIA’S SERENITY
by Staff Writer - At Serenity at Coconut Bay in Saint Lucia, butler service is built around a simple idea that couples should be able to spend their vacation the way they want, while someone else takes care of the planning. As a couples-only, Unlimited All-Inclusive resort, Serenity has designed its butler service to be personal and discreet, with each butler getting to know the couple’s preferences and intuitively knowing when to step in and when to step back for those who prefer a lighter touch.
PANAMA TO PROVIDE FREE INSURANCE FOR TRAVELLERS
by Staff Writer - Panama is launching Tourist Insurance, an initiative that the Panama Tourism Authority (PTA) says reinforces the country’s commitment to providing care and support to international visitors from the moment they arrive. The benefit covers medical emergencies, transportation, and international repatriation and comes with no cost and no paperwork for visitors.
SEEING IS BELIZE-ING: Tourist board meets trade on Canadian roadshow
by Staff Writer - The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) together with partners from the Belize Hotel Association, Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza and Darah Travel, recently completed a successful Canada Roadshow across Toronto, Montreal and Calgary from Sept. 9 to 11, engaging with hundreds of Canadian travel industry professionals ahead of the busy fall and winter travel season.
HOW LOW CAN IT GO? New stats reveal Cuban tourism decline
by Staff Writer - Cuba’s tourism declined by 62% from January to July of this year compared to the same period in 2025, according to official figures that highlighted the enormous drop in the island’s strategic sector.
THAILAND UPDATES ENTRY RULES: Canadians continue to qualify for 30-day visa-free visits
by Staff Writer - Canadian passport holders will continue to have visa-free entry to Thailand for tourism stays of up to 30 days under an updated entry framework that comes into effect this week, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
WHY WALES?: The considerable charms of the UK’s ‘forgotten cousin’
by Michael Baginski - By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ About 30,000 Canadians a year visit Wales, or 2% of those who travel into the UK overall – numbers that are sure to rise with the launch of new Toronto-Cardiff flights this summer by WestJet (already renewed for 2027). Nevertheless, most UK travel trade observers in Canada agree that limited output could – and should – grow.
IRELAND RAISES CURTAIN ON SCREEN TOURISM AT TIFF EVENT
by Staff Writer - Tourism Ireland celebrated its vibrant film industry – and the profile it affords the Emerald Isle –at the 51st annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) at a star-studded gala that included Liam Neeson.
GERMANY’S ‘FEEL GOOD CITIES’: Urban experiences that stay
by Staff Writer - Germany’s ‘Feel Good Cities’ are made for travellers who enjoy city life without the usual rush. Short walking distances, reliable public transport and compact historic centres allow sightseeing at a relaxed pace.
GERMANY’S ‘FEEL GOOD FOOD’: Where landscapes turn into flavours
by Staff Writer - Germany’s ‘Feel Good Food’ regions are all about tasting a place, not just visiting it. Vineyards, orchards, forests and rivers shape what ends up on the plate – ideal for clients who want to be active and then sit down to something that clearly belongs to the landscape they have just explored.
‘FEEL GOOD CRAFTS’: Germany’s living traditions travellers can join in
by Staff Writer - Germany’s ‘Feel Good Crafts’ regions are made for travellers who like their culture hands-on. Instead of just looking at museums from the outside, visitors step into workshops, historic gardens, spa towns and festival grounds where traditions are still part of daily life.
CANADIAN AGENTS DISCOVER THE ‘WONDER OF WALES’
by Michael Baginski - By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Last week, a handful of Canadian travel advisors were whisked off to Wales to get a taste of the small country’s large personality with the aim using their first-hand experience to return with the stories, confidence and product knowledge to inspire their clients to discover a lesser-known side of Britain – and one considered an “undiscovered gem.”
MY DUAL PILGRIMAGES IN JAPAN AND SPAIN: Journeys both physical and spiritual
by Staff Writer - BY MOIRA SMITH/ On pilgrimage, you learn how close the past and present are. Millions of other travellers have trod the same path you’re currently walking on. Passing through forests and over fields that have remained unchanged for millennia, you realize it’s the same soil, the same spiritual pull, that unites you and all those people that have come before you.
‘SPOOKY SEASON’ IN FULL SWING IN ORLANDO
by Staff Writer - Orlando is stretching Halloween into its longest spooky season yet, with 94 consecutive days of ghoulish celebrations having already kicked off in some places and creeping along until Nov. 8.
