Though it is universally agreed that business is booming, the Canadian travel industry certainly still has its share of woes at the moment – though for one shining day in Milton, Ont., the rain clouds parted and the sun beamed down for close to 200 enthusiastic participants in ACTA’s 34th annual summer golf tournament.
As tourists in central Athens huddled under mist machines, disgruntled visitors bemoaned the temporary closing of the Acropolis in Athens on the weekend as Greek authorities proactively shut the world monument’s gates between midday and early evening amid a heat wave that continues to grip southern Europe.
As if last week’s rail strike wasn’t enough, hundreds of flights across Italy were cancelled on the weekend, forcing travellers at the peak of tourist season – and in the middle of a heat wave – to make alternate plans, after air transport unions went ahead with a planned work stoppage.
Condolences from the travel world and beyond are pouring in for Jill Stewart, the wife of Sandals Resorts executive chairman Adam Stewart, who died after a year-long battle with cancer. The Stewarts were married for 14 years and shared three children.
In a sign of continued strength for cruise travel, Holland America Line says its bookings on July 11 were higher than on any day in the brand’s 150-year history. Booking revenues also broke the line’s single-day record.
There’s no better way to sell a destination than to know a destination. With this in mind, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is offering Canadian travel advisors a chance to take part in its annual series of familiarization trips for 2023, taking place this fall.
In last week’s news, ACTA rallied support for federal government financial relief, the Canada-US border was declared to be in “disarray,” the world’s biggest cruise ship completed sea trials, Lynx announced a new destination, and The Bahamas celebrated a major milestone.
Mexico’s armed forces are taking control of the capital’s main airport, and the government plans to give the military control of nearly a dozen more across the country as the president takes aim at corruption and mismanagement.
Members of Unifor Local 114 working at the ‘Victoria Clipper’ are warning that the pace of bargaining for their next contract suggests that the Victoria-Seattle fast ferry service could be disrupted before the end of the summer.
For young Canadians hoping to take a trip on a budget, there’s a new challenge on the horizon beyond finding a way to fit all of one’s necessities into a backpack: the lingering effects of high inflation. According to StudentUniverse, a student and youth-focused travel agency, the top concern for young people who wish to travel is the financial cost. However, with the right approach and mindset, spending a few months in Europe may not be as far out of reach as it seems.
Is there really a new way to look at The Beatles, one of the most filmed and photographed bands in history? Yes, says Britain’s National Portrait Gallery, which is providing a fresh perspective with an exhibition of band’s-eye-view images that Paul McCartney captured as the group shot to global fame.
It is rooftop bar season in Philadelphia and there’s nothing quite like taking in the stunning views atop the City of Brotherly Love’s best drinking and dining establishments with a bite to eat and a drink in hand.
It’s been a year in the making, now Crystal Cruises is being relaunched with an upgraded look to appeal to long-time fans of the line back and attract a new following of luxury cruisers. From redesigned public spaces and modern guest rooms and suites to refined in-room amenities and exclusive linens designed for royalty, the new Crystal experience will feature contemporary designs from a collection of European partners.
In honour of Canada Day earlier this month, Rolling Stone magazine rolled out its occasional accounting of “best” Canadian artists, encompassing familiar names like Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Rush, Shania, Celine, Drake, and Justin (Bieber, that is). Plus, some absolute head-scratchers: Snow, (disco-punk revivalists) Death From Above 1979, and Japandroids.
Record global ocean heating has invaded Florida with a vengeance. Water temperatures in the mid-90s (mid-30s Celsius) are threatening delicate coral reefs, depriving swimmers of cooling dips, and exacerbating the Sunshine State’s already oppressive summer weather. Forecasters are warning of temperatures that with humidity will feel like 110 degrees (43 C) by week’s end.
Tourists received no health and safety warnings before they landed on New Zealand’s most active volcano ahead of a 2019 eruption that killed 22 people, a prosecutor stated as prosecutors opened their case in New Zealand this week on health and safety charges against six tourism industry operators that took them, and others, there – most from a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Montreal travellers, and tourism operators, are lamenting the suspension of the only daily train between their city and New York City. Amtrak announced late last month it would halt service on the Canadian National Railway Co. line due to speed restrictions prompted by summer heat, which can cause kinks in the steel tracks.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says it intercepted 3,251 firearms – 92 percent of them loaded – at airport security checkpoints during the first half of 2023. The total represents an average 18 firearms per day at TSA checkpoints.
Love Lionel? Then Hard Rock International has the sandwich for you. The pop-culture inspired hotel brand has teamed up with arguably the world’s greatest-ever soccer player, Lionel Messi, to launch a namesake menu item – the Messi Chicken Sandwich, “Made For You by Leo Messi.”
Royal Caribbean International reports that its newest cruise ship – and the world’s biggest – Icon of the Seas, is ship-shape after setting sail for the first time in its initial round of sea trials in the open ocean.
VISIT DENVER has named Pulse Travel Marketing as the city’s Canadian representative with the mandate to ensure that the Mile High City is prominently positioned with the travel trade, consumer, and key distribution media channels in Canada.
Members of US Congress are growing concerned about what they say is a shortage of agents on the southern side of the Canada-US border that is causing “disarray” at entry points to the country.
Thousands of Israeli protesters – some threatening “civil war” – took to the streets on Tuesday, blocking major highways and thronging the country’s main international airport, in countrywide demonstrations against the government’s contentious plan to overhaul the country’s judicial system.
The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has launched consultations on proposed amendments to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) and you can help shape the outcome.
Travel Edge Network top advisors set sail in Europe while Trevello and Maritime welcomed new team members in this week’s round-up from the world of retail travel; and check out Swan Hellenic’s FAM incentive to Antarctica.
With erupting volcanos increasingly serving as beacons to locals and tourists alike, Icelandic authorities are warning people to stay away from a erupting hotspot in southwestern Iceland, which began erupting Monday, 11 months after its last eruption officially ended.
Qatar Airways reported $1.2 billion in profits over the past year, buoyed by its role in ferrying fans to the soccer World Cup. The long-haul airline said it transported 1.4 million passengers to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. It also expanded its network to more than 160 destinations.
Recently, we covered the basics of Google Analytics to understand website traffic. Here we’ll take a look at how you can improve your website’s ranking with Google, ultimately making it easier for people to find you on search.
ACTA wants to know: Can you pay the piper? The agent association is launching a survey today to assess the retail industry’s capacity to pay back government loans issued during the pandemic, which currently come due Dec. 31.
While Canadians are finally breathing easier with the return to normal of passport services, Americans continue to endure a “nightmare zone” of unprecedented and excruciating delays in order to update their travel documents, suggesting that it truly is greener for Canadians on this side of the fence.