News & Articles - travel and tourism

  • YVR

    COVID Travel Changes for Canada and US

      The U.S. has removed the COVID-19 test requirement for inbound air travelers from abroad, effective June 12, 2022. Airlines and others in the travel industry were increasingly pushing the administration to drop the requirement, arguing it was hurting demand for international trips. The travel industry has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. “The Biden administration is to be commended for this action, which will welcome back visitors from around the world and accelerate the recovery of…

    Breaking News

  • convention centre LEED

    Destination Vancouver: Outlook and Goals

      After thriving for decades, Vancouver’s tourism and hospitality industry has been predictably hit hard by the ongoing pandemic. According to the Vancouver Economic Commission, cruise and conference traffic is significant to the city, representing an estimated $2.2 billion in direct and indirect economic impact. Meanwhile, the meetings and conferences sector drives more than $1.6 billion in direct and indirect visitor spending. We ask Royce Chwin, president and CEO of Destination Vancouver, about what is happening and projections for how…

    Event Branding & Marketing, The Business of Meetings

  • travel industry

    Mandatory PCR Test Hurting Travel Industry

      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…

    Event Operations, Meeting Community, The Business of Meetings

  • Toronto expensive

    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…

    Breaking News

  • Alberta Hotel Named ‘Best of the Best’ by Tripadvisor

    A hotel in Canmore, Alta., is Travelers’ Choice ‘Best of the Best’ in the category of worldwide hotels. The Malcolm Hotel by Clique is the only hotel in the province to ever receive the prestigious award. “This is a true testament to our incredible team that consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our guests are provided with legendary service,” says the hotel’s general manager, Andrew Shepherd. “Despite the challenging times we have faced, our team has continued to provide welcoming,…

    Breaking News

  • 1 Hotels puts down Roots in Toronto with Sustainable Sanctuary

    1 Hotel Toronto celebrated its grand opening Aug. 4, with news that 2,021 trees will be planted throughout the city by Tree Canada in commemoration of the occasion. “We are proud to bring a new level of service and luxury hospitality experience to the city, and through the planting of trees, mark our commitment to the local community and environment,” says Mark Scheinberg, founder of Mohari Hospitality. 1 Hotel Toronto is a partnership between Mohari Hospitality and mission-driven, sustainable luxury…

    Breaking News

  • Destination Canada Names Two New Hires

    Destination Canada has announced the addition of two members to its team. Gracen Chungath has been named senior vice-president of destination development. Beginning Aug. 30, she will lead the crown corporation’s pan-Canadian strategy for destination development, focusing on investment, strategic partnerships, stewardship and capacity building. Chungath brings exceptional experience in sustainable partnerships, business planning and operations to the role. As director of operations, planning and program management for the City of Vancouver since 2016, Chungath has led three divisions and…

    Breaking News

  • What Events Industry Experts Think About the 2021 Federal Budget

    The Liberal government delivered its long-awaited budget last month, unveiling $101.4 billion in new spending. Supports were specifically promised to aid the recovery of Canada’s hard-hit tourism industry, which includes meetings and business events. It outlines $1 billion over three years for tourism, starting in 2021/2022; a $500-million Tourism Relief Fund to support investments by local tourism businesses in adapting to the pandemic; a $595-million Recovery Hiring Program to make it easier for businesses to hire back laid-off workers or…

    The Business of Meetings

  • WestJet to Expand Service in Anticipation of Summer Demand for Travel

    WestJet is expanding its service in Western Canada. The Calgary-based airline will add 11 non-stop routes this summer. “As we look to the coming months with cautious optimism, we know our restart agenda will be pivotal to Canada’s economic recovery,” says WestJet president and CEO, Ed Sims. “Stimulating air travel benefits all Canadians and supports those hardest hit; with one in every 10 Canadian jobs tied to travel and tourism, the ripple effect benefits our whole country.” The flights will be offered up to three times a week in…

    Breaking News

  • Nearly Two-Thirds of Businesses Most Impacted by COVID will not Survive

    Sixty per cent of Canada’s hardest hit businesses will not survive to the end of the year if the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) supports are not renewed beyond their June 5 deadline. This is according to a March survey released by the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses, an industry-driven group of more than 100 stakeholders representing a variety of sectors, including tourism, travel, arts and culture, events and festivals, accommodation and hospitality. “Our…

    Breaking News

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