Businesses in Vancouver’s travel and tourism industry are bracing – yet again – for booking cancellations and delayed recovery this winter season. Vancouver welcomed more than 11 million overnight visitors in 2019, contributing $14 billion in total revenues to the Metro Vancouver economy and supporting over 104,000 full-time jobs. By comparison, revenues fell by 70 per cent in 2020. As the largest Canadian city located on the West Coast, Vancouver is Canada’s gateway to the Pacific and the Far East – a critical…
Meeting Community
Club Med Quebec Opens in December
Club Med Québec Charlevoix, the brand’s first all-inclusive Canadian resort, is opening on December 3, 2021. The 302-room resort is spread across more than 300 acres of preserved natural landscape with views of the St. Lawrence River. Located just 90 minutes from Québec City, the one-of-a-kind mountain experience will become the new go-to destination for international travellers all-year round. “We are thrilled to open bookings for Club Med Québec Charlevoix,” says Amélie Brouhard, vice-president, Club Med Canada and Mexico. “Canadians…
EIC Launches CMP Fellows Designation
The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition, and standards, has launched its new CMP Fellows Programme, one of a number of new initiatives designed to enhance the association’s highly regarded CMP programme both in terms of the depth of its offer, as well as its global reach. The CMP Fellows programme will recognize and reward CMPs and/or Emeritus who continue to make a significant investment towards the betterment of the events…
Fairmont Banff Springs Getting a $35M Renovation
The iconic Fairmont Banff Springs in Alberta is embarking on a $35 million renovation starting in January 2022. The extensive renovation of the Royal Suite, Fairmont Gold rooms, select one and two bedroom suites, and terrace suites are anticipated to be completed in summer 2022. The refurbishment of all main building and conference centre guestrooms began in spring 2021 and are anticipated to be completed in spring 2023. The sophisticated newly renovated suites and guestrooms will provide guests with a…
2021 IMEX America Welcomes Industry Back
After close to two years of industry shutdown, IMEX America 2021 returned, with more than 2,200 exhibitors gathering in Las Vegas November 9-11th at Mandalay Bay. The IMEX convention brought together once again the global community of conventions and event organizers back to the convention capital of the world. “Over 3,300 buyers were here this week, the vast majority of them hosted buyers. We also had over 2,200 exhibiting companies representing 200-plus countries. Appointments were around 50,000 and feedback…
Vancouver Convention Centre Makes Best List
The Vancouver Convention Centre has been selected as a 2022 Center of Excellence by EXHIBITOR Magazine, recognizing North America’s best convention centres for trade shows and events. This is the third consecutive year that the facility, owned and operated by B.C. Pavilion Corporation, has made the Centers of Excellence list. The Convention Centre was awarded based on evaluation in five categories of criteria: Facility & Functionality, Location & Accommodations, Service & Execution, Expansions & Upgrades, and Honors & Awards. The evaluation process also…
Destinations International Selects Toronto For Convention
Destinations International has announced Toronto, Ontario as the 2022 Annual Convention destination. This marks the first time Destinations International will host the convention in Toronto. The convention win comes at a time when the travel and tourism industry looks to recover from restrictions due to the global pandemic, and provides a much-needed boost to the city’s meetings, conferences and events industry and the visitor economy. “As North America’s fourth largest city, and the world’s most diverse city, it’s fitting…
IHG partners with CVS Health, PCMA
IHG Hotels & Resorts has strengthened its Meet with Confidence program by partnering with CVS Health for onsite COVID-19 rapid testing and PCMA for a new course. The onsite testing offered through CVS Health further complements the IHG Way of Clean program, which was enhanced in 2020 with additional cleanliness and well-being measures implemented at all hotels, and IHG’s Meet with Confidence Commitment, to make every event just right. IHG also has signed a new Education Sponsorship agreement with PCMA…
Air Canada offers program to reduce carbon
Air Canada has launched its ‘Leave Less’ travel program, offering corporate customers options to offset or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to business travel and to reduce their carbon footprint. Corporate customers can now purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), carbon offsets or a combination of both. The program is part of Air Canada’s Climate Action Plan, which includes a commitment to invest $50 Million in SAF, carbon reductions and removals with the aim of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by…
Waterloo Airport to double in size
The Region of Waterloo International Airport has broken ground on an expansion project that will see the airport double in size in the next six months. This will accommodate growth that will see passenger traffic increase from 70,000 in 2019 to over one million in 2022. Regional Council recently approved the $11 million dollar project to complete terminal expansion work at YKF. The project includes the construction of two buildings that will feature baggage carousels, holding areas, food services,…
