After studying the federal government’s extension for CEBA loan payments by small businesses, including Canadian travel agencies and independent advisors, ACTA says it is “disappointed” in the actual details of the announcement, which later appeared on the Department of Finance’s website.
International tourism has continued to recover from the worst crisis in its history as arrival numbers reached 84% of pre-pandemic levels between January and July 2023, according to the latest data from UNWTO. The Middle East, Europe and Africa lead the global sector’s rebound.
The stars are aligning for Canadian visitations to Britain to hit record numbers and pass the magic million mark – even as soon as next year – but VisitBritain says its trade partners are a critical component of the journey and a key to the destination’s success.
Starting Sept. 25, a newly expanded codeshare agreement with Air France will enable WestJet passengers to access 31 additional cities across 11 European countries via Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Previously, WestJet and Air France’s code share agreement included 22 destinations through CDG, all of which will be maintained as the number of onward destinations in Europe now grows to 53.
Marking a new era for the Raffles Hotels & Resorts brand that was founded in Singapore in 1887, Raffles Boston has officially opened its doors to guests (Sept. 15). The 35-storey Massachusetts property represents the first mixed-use development in North America for the iconic 136-year-old brand.
The United States Federal Aviation Administration has returned Mexico’s aviation safety rating to the highest level two years after downgrading it. The change will allow Mexican airlines to add new routes to the US, and US airlines will once again be able to sell tickets on Mexican airline-operated flights.
Royal Caribbean International has revealed a first look at Hideaway Beach – its private adults-only beachfront escape at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, which is set to open in January. Timed to debut alongside the new ship ‘Icon of the Seas,’ the all-day experience will feature a private beach and pools, new dedicated spots for drinks and bites, exclusive cabanas, live music and more.
With TICO nearing the completion of its funding review and the Ontario government travel industry regulator’s AGM set for Sept 26, the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) says it’s “now or never” for reform of the Compensation Fund – something it’s not convinced is going to successfully happen.
Ireland is a nation that captivates travellers with its romantic visions of a bygone age, but it’s also one of the most comfortable nations to visit in the present. It’s full of historic treasures, lush landscapes, friendly people, and an internationally-appealing culture. At the heart of Ireland is the capital, Dublin, once known as the most beautiful city in Europe and today a cherished centre of history, culture, and good times.
The backlog of air passenger complaints at Canada’s transport regulator has hit a new high topping 57,000, as dissatisfaction over cancellations and compensation persist three and a half years after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The numbers reveal that an average of more than 3,000 complaints per month have piled up at the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) over the past year, with the current tally well over three times the total from September 2022.
It’s easy to lose yourself in the famous sights of Ireland: the medieval treasures of Dublin, windswept coastlines of the Atlantic along the Cliffs of Moher or The Ring of Kerry. But what about the sights that lie between Dublin and the enchanting roads of the west coast? Well, Ireland has plenty of wonders to see, which stretch far beyond these iconic sights. Part of the joy of Ireland’s modest size is that most of its sites are easily accessible to travellers exploring by car, coach, or train.
A United Nations conference voted Sunday to list the ancient West Bank city of Jericho as a World Heritage Site in Palestine, a decision that angered Israel, which controls the territory and does not recognize a Palestinian state. Jericho is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities on earth and is in a part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank that is administered by the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority.
If one colour defines Ireland, it has to be green. It’s the Emerald Isle, after all, a country associated so intimately with the colour green that it’s come to define the nation and its culture worldwide. But the association all comes back to the landscape. Ireland is a beautiful nation, one covered in greenery that sweeps across the rock-strewn island in the North Atlantic. The nature in Ireland, defined by its greenery, casts a spell over all travellers lucky enough to visit.
German climate activists sprayed orange paint onto Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate – one of the city’s top tourist attractions, on Sunday morning to urge the German government to take more urgent action against climate change.
The federal government has extended deadlines for Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan repayments, providing an additional year for term loan repayment, and additional flexibilities for loan holders – including travel and tourism businesses – looking to benefit from partial loan forgiveness of up to 33 percent.
ACTA kicked off the first of three cross-county travel industry summits this month in Toronto last week with over 500 attendees, a name change, and a presumed win on federal government debt relief that arrived during the event at the Toronto Congress Centre.
Pent-up demand post COVID, traveller trends towards FIT travel, and industry sustainability have come together to create a “perfect storm” for the growth of train travel, says the CEO and co-owner of Railbookers, a rail tour operator that packages train tickets with all the land elements of a holiday, including hotels and sightseeing.
The Bahamas recorded more than 5.89 million arrivals from January through the end of July, putting the country well on the way to closing out the year at 8 million-plus visitors, reports the country’s ministry of tourism. Canada ranked as the destination’s second largest market after the US, and ahead of the UK/Europe.
Who better to highlight and symbolize G Adventures’ first community tourism summit than The Village People? The group will give a private performance for delegates at the event, which is being conducted by the Canadian-based tour company in Peru on World Tourism Day, Sept. 27.
China’s Great Wall has been pierced by Genghis Khan, the Manchus, and now, allegedly, a couple of construction workers named Zheng and Wang who wanted a shortcut. Authorities in China arrested two people for smashing a path through a section of the ancient wall, a cultural icon and United Nations protected heritage site.
In last week’s news, Transat posted a record third quarter, Air Canada paid back some government debt, Britain looked ahead to record visitation numbers from Canada, Sunwing unveiled its annual ‘Best of the Best List,’ and ACTA revealed a long-discussed name change.
Canadians are still eager to travel to sun resorts and European getaways, in spite of higher inflation and interest rates, says Transat AT Inc. chief executive Annick Guerard. On Thursday Transat reported its highest net income ever for a third quarter and turned a profit for the first time since 2019, prompting a brighter financial forecast for the year.
My husband and I are self-proclaimed adventurers, a spirited Canadian couple with an insatiable desire to live life to the fullest. As such, we embarked on an epic yearlong travel quest around the world with our newborn son and ten-year-old daughter. I thought we were prepared for whatever might come our way. We were not.
With a recent survey suggesting that that almost 85% of travellers are worried about being hacked while travelling, cybersecurity experts say that those risks increase drastically for those who share too much information about their vacation online.
Sunwing Vacations’ popular ‘Best of the Best List’ is back. Based on a combination of travel expert recommendations, star ratings and customer feedback, the list is meant to serve as an “MVP of vacation inspiration” for customers and agents, and returns for its third year.
A picture is worth a thousand words but expecting that from all your social media creative would be unfair. Sometimes a smart caption is just what’s needed to amplify the creative or showcase useful links, insights, or additional information. Here are some tips for writing standout captions.
It’s life, but not as we know it. Sea angels, sea butterflies and jolly jelly fish glimmer in vivid colors all around us, even though we can see right through them. The ultimate experience on a momentous expedition across Canada’s famed Northwest Passage aboard Seabourn Venture is the unique opportunity to dive into unexplored icy water in a custom built mini-submarine.
I’m not sure how far the gospel of Iron & Wine has spread, but Sam Beam (aka I&W) is surely something special and if you haven’t had the pleasure, please accept this introduction. The American singer-songwriter, who hails from the Carolinas, has drawn comparisons to Simon and Garfunkel and Neil Young (at least his softer side), but strikes me more in the Jack Johnson/Ben Harper mold.
The CEO of WestJet says the company is non-partisan and will revisit its policy after the airline faced backlash for allowing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to speak on the PA system on a recent flight. The union representing WestJet cabin crew demanded an apology from the airline over the incident. However, speaking in Vancouver Thursday, Poilievre says he was asked multiple times by the cabin crew to speak and the Union should be the one apologizing.
A fishing vessel owned by Greenland’s government was hoping to use a high tide to pull free the Ocean Explorer cruise ship, which ran aground in the world’s northernmost national park Monday. The ship is carrying 206 people, who were all reported fine and having a “lifetime experience,” according to Capt. Flemming Madsen of the Danish Joint Arctic Command.