The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is urging governments to accelerate relaxation of travel restrictions as COVID-19 continues to evolve from the pandemic to endemic stage. IATA this week called for removing all travel barriers (including quarantine and testing) for those fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine, enabling quarantine-free travel for non-vaccinated travelers with a negative pre-departure antigen test result, removing travel bans, and accelerating the easing of travel restrictions in recognition that travelers pose no greater risk for COVID-19 spread than already exists in the general population. “With the experience of the Omicron variant, there is mounting scientific evidence Read more
Anguilla
I love the Caribbean. The weather is fabulous almost all the time, the food is terrific, and the people are warm and welcoming. There’s also a huge variety of things to do. Here’s a look at a few of my fave spots.
Winter could still throw a COVID-19 curveball as we move indoors, but there are some positive signs in the tourism and travel industry. Executives at IHG Hotels & Resorts say they’re encouraged by the business environment and the third quarter performance of their hotels, especially in the U.S. The website Hotel News Now quotes Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson, chief financial officer and head of group strategy, as saying occupancy and average daily rate in some markets this summer were back to 2019 levels. According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travellers, the drop in new cases, hospitalizations and deaths Read more
New York City has unveiled a new campaign and recovery plan. I also have news on a Newfoundland hotel that’s been named best in Canada and number three in the world. I also have interesting polls on the thinking of Canadian and American consumers, and a report on Anguilla. My Future of Travel blog for July 8. NYC Recovery Plan The Coalition for NYC Hospitality & Tourism Recovery, an initiative of NYC & Company, the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, today unveiled its roadmap for tourism reimagining and recovery, Read more
This is a re-post of a story I wrote for Postmedia in 2016. Anguilla has a new social media campaign, using the hashtags #AnguillafromAfar and #DreamingofAnguilla. ANGUILLA – Justin Bieber was spotted here over Christmas one year, and there are some very chi-chi resorts. But Anguilla also offers low-key, fantastic activities that are easy on the wallet. Here’s a mix of things to do that can fit a variety of budgets. FOR MUSIC LOVERS I’d only been on the island for an hour when I stumbled onto Elodia’s Beach Bar, on long, sweeping Shoal Bay East. A band called Took Read more
