SOUTHAMPTON, ONTARIO = Sometimes it takes a while to appreciate the nuances of a hotel or resort. But other times you take one look and say, “Holy cow.” My wife and I were recently invited to check out the South Beach Motel in Southampton, Ontario. We visited the town maybe 30 years ago, renting a home near the beach that was decorated in a design you might call “old person casual” and festooned with photos of such Toronto Blue Jays as Ernie Whitt and Buck Martinez. I figured things in Southampton had changed a bit over three decades, but I wasn’t Read more

A coordinated statewide effort to support Maui’s tourism recovery is now underway, with the launch of a $6 million Maui Emergency Marketing Campaign funded by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA). With Maui’s visitor arrivals still 21% below pre-pandemic levels, the initiative addresses critical recovery needs that impact the entire state’s visitor industry ecosystem. By focusing efforts where they are needed most, the campaign will stimulate travel demand as early as this summer and through the end of 2025—supporting local businesses, preserving jobs, and restoring visitor confidence in the state’s most important economic driver. (Some people worry about the cost of Read more

Destination Canada has unveiled a new campaign, “Canada, naturally.” It’s a nice play on words that emphasizes this country’s truly spectacular natural landscapes. The first look of this long-term campaign came with the launch of the U.S. multi-channel marketing campaign that went live in market May 12. “Rooted in Destination Canada’s 2030 Strategy: A World of Opportunity, Canada, naturally. is a bold step toward strengthening Canada’s global position and generating $160B in annual tourism revenue by 2030,” Destination Canada officials said. “To achieve this goal and build long-lasting demand, Canada needs to be a destination that resonates deeply with target Read more

Dr. Beach, a Florida-based researcher who compiles a list of the best beaches in the USA every year, has come out with his list of top beaches for 2025. I’ll give him credit for not just including sun destinations, but I still take issue with some of his choices. Here’s his top ten for 2025: Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York (Long Island) Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida Main Beach, East Hampton, New York (Long Island) Beachwater Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, Florida Kaunaoa Beach, Hawaii Read more

Many Canadians are avoiding trips to the U.S. right now. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t tons of new things to see do and places to explore. The U.S. is always unveiling new experiences and destinations, and Brand USA invites visitors to explore them all. Looking ahead to 2025 and into early 2026, travellers can expect a wave of new additions, major milestones, and exciting developments across the country.  “There are so many reasons to visit the USA and even more reasons to return,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Brand USA. “The joy of travelling to the U.S. Read more

Oakland, California food, summer Pow Wows across Canada, and top small towns in Hawaii. A bit of a mixed bag for today’s blog post. POW WOWS ACROSS CANADA THIS SUMMER Pow Wows are powerful Indigenous gatherings where Indigenous Peoples from different nations come together to honour their traditions and ancestors through music, dance and community. These events often include an impressive line-up of events from coast to coast to coast and is open to all. To see the full list of Pow Wows visit www.canadianpowwows.ca. West Coast BRITISH COLUMBIA Kamloopa Pow Wow – June 27-29, 2025 Join the celebration of Read more