TIK-TALK: This summer’s top trending cities

New data from TikTok’s has revealed this summer’s most hyped cities. And with over a billion hashtag views on the ubiquitous social media app, the most popular travel destination is: Seoul, Korea.

WHEN THE MOON HITS YOUR EYE: Where to see rare total eclipse

Dust off your eclipse glasses: It’s a little over half a year until a total solar eclipse sweeps across North America. On April 8, 2024, the moon will cast its shadow across a stretch of the US, Mexico, and Canada, plunging millions of people into midday darkness.

DIANNE JACKSON STEPS DOWN: Cassandra Jackson new president of Reps4Rent

Dianne Jackson, Founder & Doer of Reps4Rent, has announced her departure from the company she launched in September 2022. In a surprising decision, Jackson expressed immense gratitude for the successful past year, which surpassed her sales targets and ensured a bright future for the company.

PUBS, PATIOS & BARS: 13 lucky places to have a Red Stripe in Jamaica

Red Stripe, Jamaica’s famed beer, is synonymous the island. Its smooth yet zesty taste, served chilled in iconic stubby bottles, reminds drinkers of the genuinely vibrant yet calming spirit of the island and its inhabitants. Moreover, the logo adorns all manner of souvenirs that are carried by tourists to destinations around the world.

AN INSIDE VIEW OF ANCIENT EPHESUS

I’ve toured the fascinating ruins of ancient Ephesus many times on visits that have spanned more than two decades, and each time I’ve been amazed by how many discoveries are still being made regularly. In fact, less than half of the city that eventually became buried after being abandoned nearly 2,000 years ago has actually been uncovered and cataloged. But the work is continuing.

LISTENING IN: A little Coldplay Fix

Earlier this year, Coldplay earned raves for a film release of its sold out 10-night run at run at Buenos Aires’ River Plate stadium at the end of last year. The screening alone sold more than 6 million tickets and attracted rave reviews from fans and critics alike: with The Guardian calling it “genuinely stunning” the New York Post describing it as “a night for the history books,” and the Glasgow Evening Times heralding it as “the greatest show on Earth.”

FRANKLIN DUMPS ON DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, HAITI

Tropical Storm Franklin made landfall Wednesday on the island of Hispaniola shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti, dumping heavy rains that triggered landslides and flooding in both countries.

‘GROWING PAINS’: But Flair a ‘decent airline’, says CEO

Flair Airlines CEO Stephen Jones says his budget carrier is at last running a smooth operation propelled by high passenger numbers, despite “growing pains” at the debt-laden company that’s still striving to gain consumer confidence.

INTREPID LAUNCHES HAWAII WILDFIRE APPEAL

Intrepid Travel has launched an emergency appeal and committed US$50,000 through their not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, to support immediate relief efforts in Hawaii following the devastating wildfires that devastated Maui earlier this month.

AA SUES TRAVEL WEBSITE OVER ‘SKIPLAGGING’

American Airlines is suing a travel website that sells tickets that let people save money by exploiting a quirk in airline pricing. American sued Skiplagged Inc. in US federal court in Fort Worth, Texas, accusing the website of deception. It threatened to cancel every ticket that Skiplagged has sold.

WHERE TO STAY TO ENJOY THE BEST BEACHES IN CUBA

If there’s one thing Cuba has got down, it’s delivering breathtaking beaches! With over 400 kilometres of pristine shores lining the island, it’s no wonder Canadians love to visit year after year. But, just as important as picking the right beach is finding the right resort to truly get the most out of a vacation.

SYSTEM ‘BROKEN,’ REQUESTS ‘IGNORED’: CATO campaign comes to a head

A “broken system” and “ignored” requests to the province to fix it are behind the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) campaign for a “more effective and fairer traveller protection system for Ontario’s travel industry,” which is set to come to a head at TICO’s upcoming annual general meeting in September.

‘AS LONG AS IT TAKES’: Biden vows to rebuild Maui

US President Joe Biden told survivors of Hawaii’s wildfires that the nation “grieves with you” and promised that the federal government will help “for as long as it takes” Maui to recover from damage caused by the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century.

ROAD TO PEGGY’S COVE REOPENS

The road to the iconic Nova Scotia tourist destination Peggy’s Cove has reopened after devastating floods last month. It’s welcome news for both visitors and a community hit hard by environmental disasters.

DESANTIS CONTINUES CRUSADE AGAINST DISNEY BACKERS

Already involved in two lawsuits with Disney, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees to a board that oversees Disney World’s governing district launched a battle this week against the company on a new front – free passes and discounts for district employees.

SCOTTISH HOTEL SOARS TO INAUGURAL WORLD HOTEL AWARD

Historic Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland has been named the winner of the Art of Hospitality Award, the first category announced in advance of the inaugural The World’s 50 Best Hotels awards 2023.

CLUB MED APPOINTMENTS IN ONTARIO

Club Med has announced the appointments of Tyler Mattioli and Debbie Miller as Business Development Managers for Ontario.

TRAVEL BAN ANOTHER HIT FOR BC TOURISM

The central Okanagan is facing weeks without tourism during its peak season after British Columbia’s premier imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones. The ban, which was introduced Saturday under the provincial state of emergency, will be in place until Sept. 4 for hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, hostels, RV parks and campgrounds in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Vernon.

HELLO HONG KONG: New attractions, timeless treasures welcome returning Canadians

It already seems like ages ago (March) that Hong Kong lifted its COVID mask mandate and Canada removed temporary pre-departure test requirements for air travellers from China, Hong Kong, and Macao. The double move eliminated two major obstacles for the return of travel to the favourite destination for Canadians and prompted the always industrious Hong Kong Tourism Board to ramp up operations to accommodate visitors ready (and able) to return after the long pandemic.

AIRLINES BULLISH ON RECOVERY

Building on strong bookings this summer, US airlines are already adding new routes later this year and next, underscoring the airline industry’s confidence that its strong recovery from the pandemic will continue and that planes will remain packed.

HONG KONG’S NEWEST MUST-SEES

While the world – and tourism – paused during the pandemic, Hong Kong used the unavoidable downtime to nevertheless continue developing its infrastructure and attractions for the day when tourism resumed. And that day has come.

CLIMATE CRISIS: Destruction on a planetary scale

This summer has proven how destructive climate change can be. We have been plagued by harrowing images of Maui, Hawaii in ashes, news about wildfires spreading smoke across Canada and the United States and record-breaking heat waves worldwide.

SPLASH AND DASH: Summer fun for the family in Hong Kong

From thrilling theme parks and vibrant art and cultural attractions to family-friendly hospitality options with easy access to the city’s must-see attractions, Hong Kong is an ideal destination for families.

HERE COMES THE SUN PRINCESS, LARGEST SHIP IN FLEET

Princess Cruises’ largest ship ever – Sun Princess – will make her US debut in October 2024. The ship is the first in the line’s new Sphere class, and will homeport at Port Everglades, Fla. for the winter, following a season of Mediterranean and Europe cruises when she launches in February.

STORM SLAMS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Earthquake and flooding follows

Having made landfall on Mexico’s Baja California peninsula early Sunday, Tropical Storm Hilary drenched Southern California from the coast to inland mountains and deserts Sunday evening, prompting rescues from swollen rivers and forcing some of the nation’s largest school districts to cancel Monday classes. Millions braced for more flooding and mudslides, even as the storm began to weaken.

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