MINI MOZARTS HELP SALZBURG SHINE – WHIILE THEY LAST
by Staff Writer - Visitors to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's hometown can see the composer – and his dog – in miniature as Salzburg celebrates the 270th anniversary of his birth. But they shouldn't wait too long, as the statues are already being swiped.
TRAVEL LEADERS NETWORK ELEVATES CANADIAN CONTENT
by Staff Writer - Travel Leaders Network will launch a dedicated two-day conference created exclusively for Canadian travel advisors and preferred partners this fall. Set to take place on both sides of the country, ELEVATE Canada will be held at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown on Oct. 20-21 and at the Pearson Convention Centre in Toronto on Oct. 28-29.
CANADA COMPASS: Pursuit has wings – Victoria’s Eagle Wings Tours
by Staff Writer - Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality, Inc. today announced it has acquired Eagle Wing Tours, a Victoria, BC-based whale watching and marine wildlife experience, expanding its portfolio into one of Canada's most visited and resilient tourism destinations and advancing its strategy of investing in iconic experiences in markets with strong long-term demand.
END OF AN ERA: Meliá Hotels pulls plug on Cuba after 36 years
by Staff Writer - Effective Friday (July 24) Meliá Hotels International says it will terminate all operations in Cuba. The Spanish hotel chain’s portfolio consisted of 34 hotels on the island, some of which had already closed (or transferred to Cuban operators) as part of a partial withdrawal announced in June.
GLASGOW COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Visit Britain shines spotlight on Scotland, sports travel
by Staff Writer - With the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games kicking off Thursday (July 23), Scotland’s largest city is set to shine on the global stage again following its standout success in 2014.
EGYPT HOPES NEW FINDS WILL FUEL TOURISM
by Staff Writer - Archaeologists have unearthed a set of ancient artifacts in Egypt including Pharaonic funerary furniture, remains of a Roman basilica and a marble head of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty.
WISH YOU WERE HERE – GRENADA
by Michael Baginski - By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Grenada was recently ranking the No. 2 ‘Best Island in the Caribbean, Bermuda and The Bahamas’ by Travel + Leisure in its ‘World’s Best Awards 2026,’ marking a major rise for the Spice Island in one of the travel industry’s most respected reader-voted rankings. Not only that, but the delightful destination was also named the No. 15 Best Island in the World.
THE GREAT SIGH: Vancouver tourism takes stock after World Cup
by Staff Writer - As the FIFA banners come down across Vancouver and barriers are removed from BC Place, Destination Vancouver's CEO Royce Chwin says the city is working to avoid what he calls "the great sigh." That's the lull in tourism that can follow a major event, with Chwin citing the quiet year that came after Vancouver hosted the Olympics in 2010.
CANADA COMPASS: Canadians invited to celebrate 50 years of World Heritage
by Staff Writer - The National Trust for Canada, the country’s leading charity dedicated to protecting and promoting heritage places, is marking the 50th anniversary of Canada signing the UNESCO World Heritage Convention beginning with a series of events across the country this month.
DON’T LIE IN THE EXHIBIT: Dutch artwork could make 15,000 peanut butter sandwiches
by Staff Writer - You got art in my peanut butter. No, you got peanut butter on my art.
‘LIKE A FAIRYTALE’: Innovative CopenPay tourist rewards program goes global
by Staff Writer - Copenhagen's tourist reward scheme has been made a permanent, year-round platform, allowing visitors to the Danish city to earn rewards for positive actions. And the success of the innovative sustainable tourism program is expanding as destinations across Europe, North America, and Australia adopt the concept.
IN-FOCUS PUNTA CANA WELLNESS: Unwind and realign at Grand Palladium resorts
by Staff Writer - For travellers who believe a truly great vacation leaves them feeling better than when they arrived, Grand Palladium's Punta Cana collection delivers in full.
THE NATURE OF THINGS: Dominica makes it easy with curated itineraries
by Staff Writer - The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) has launched “Summer the Nature Island Way,” a new seasonal travel initiative under its ‘Nature of Love’ destination campaign. The initiative features eight curated itineraries designed to help visitors explore Dominica through adventure, wellness, culture, and nature-based experiences.
WHAT ME WORRY?: Cayman offers peace of mind program in case of hurricane
by Staff Writer - The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism’s “Worry Free Hurricane Guarantee” is designed to ensure that visitors have peace of mind during their “vaCay” by providing a refund of fees or a generous re-booking window at participating hotels, villas and condominiums across all three islands should a severe storm affect plans.
THE SUN STILL RISING: Hemingway masterpiece put Pamplona on the map 100 years ago
by Staff Writer - This year marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of Ernest Hemingway ’s book “The Sun Also Rises,” which launched the future Nobel Laureate to literary fame and put Pamplona on the map for millions of people travellers – both real and armchair – around the world.
DESPERATE MEASURES: Venice mayor wants dynamic pricing to counter overtourism
by Staff Writer - Venice’s new mayor is proposing a dynamic pricing system for the city’s three-year-old day-tripper access fee, seeking government approval to raise the charge to as much as 50 euros ($81) on the busiest days to ease overcrowding in the UNESCO world heritage city.
SKIJOR NO MORE: Banff gives boot to ‘too popular’ winter sport
by Staff Writer - Skijor is no more in Banff. The Alberta town has cancelled the popular snow sport from its winter festival after the community was overwhelmed in January with trash, crowds and rowdy revellers.
IN-FOCUS GRAND PALLADIUM PUNTA CANA: Every traveller finds their match
by Staff Writer - Grand Palladium's Punta Cana collection brings three distinct resorts together under one seamless all-inclusive philosophy, ensuring every type of traveller finds their ideal Caribbean experience.
CALIFORNIA ‘LEADING WITH OPTIMISM’: A golden era for Golden State, Cdn. reps retained
by Staff Writer - By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ California is in the spotlight, and for all the right reasons. As the FIFA World Cup continues (with games being played in Los Angeles and San Francisco), and mega events like the Super Bowl (2027) and Olympics (2028), the Golden State is in the midst of a golden era, national news aside.
AMEN FOR AMAN: Los Cabos welcomes ultra-luxury retreat
by Staff Writer - As Los Cabos enjoys continued growth from the Canadian market, the Mexican resort destination is set to “open a new chapter,” with the debut of Aman's first ultra-luxury retreat in the country, Amanvari, on Aug. 1.
