A top union official is warning that there could be “significant delays” at Canada border points if travel picks up dramatically in the wake of travel restrictions being eased.
Mark Weber, national president of the Customs and Immigration Union, said border agents are already slammed, and that a signiicant increase in travel will make things worse.
The Canadian government announced on Monday that travel restrictions will be lifted on Saturday, October 1. That means an end to mandatory vaccinations for coming into Canada, no quarantine for sick visitors and no random testing. The controversial ArriveCAN app also will become optional on October 1, and masks will no longer be required on Canadian planes and trains.
Marriott Canada on Thursday said it applauds the Trudeau government’s announced changes.
“Marriott Canada applauds the Government of Canada’s decision to lift COVID-19 travel restrictions,” said Don Cleary, President at Marriott Hotels of Canada. “The safety and security of our associates and guests continues to be a top priority, and this decision is an important step in removing barriers, rebuilding our industry, and restoring traveller confidence. We are dedicated to working with our industry partners to welcome international visitors — especially our business travellers who have the greatest impact on Canada’s urban centres,” he said.
TRAVEL TRENDS FOR THIS YEAR AND NEXT
Canada’s ToursByLocals, one of the world’s leading providers of private tours, is shining a light on the latest travel trends for fall. The Vancouver-based company has served more than 1.7 million travellers since its inception, and is an authority on travel patterns in Canada and around the world.
The company recently conducted a widespread survey sent to more than 90,000 active travellers in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. The findings, paired with proprietary data, reveal travel motivations, barriers, and top destinations for fall and beyond.
The Eternal City of Rome. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Fall 2022’s top destinations
The following represents the top countries where ToursByLocals tours have been booked by Canadians this fall 2022:
Italy
Portugal
Spain
US
Greece
France
UK
Turkey
Croatia
Canada
The top 10 destinations for 2023 (so far…)
The following represents the top countries where ToursByLocals tours have been booked so far for 2023:
United Kingdom
Argentina
Japan
Italy
France
United States
Chile
Brazil
Mexico
Peru
Portugal
“It’s refreshing to see the diversity of destinations Canadians are seeking as we look ahead to 2023,” says Paul Melhus, president and co-founder of ToursByLocals. “One year ago, international travel was still fairly limited but this summer things really took off. European tours dominated our bookings this summer, but we’re seeing an interest in shoulder and off-season travel, and a desire to push boundaries and venture further abroad. It’s great to see Japan coming back after such heavy travel restrictions, as well as countries like Argentina and Brazil.”
The Viking Polaris. VIKING PHOTO
HURRICANE IAN IMPACTS FLORIDA CRUISING
The Points Guy reports that cruise lines on Tuesday began canceling and delaying close-in departures of ships out of Central Florida ports as a strengthening Hurricane Ian bore down on the region.
Norwegian Cruise Line was the first major line to announce the cancellation of an entire voyage, saying late in the day that it had called off Thursday’s departure of the 3,963-passenger Norwegian Getaway out of Port Canaveral.
AIR CANADA SALE ENDS TOMORROW
Until tomorrow only, save 15% on all Economy Class Air Canada base fares on flights within Canada and to the U.S. for travel until December 15, 2022. No blackout dates.
Use the promo code to save when you book by September 29, 2022. Hurry, this offer ends tomorrow (Thursday).
Cafe Boulud at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. PHOTO COURTESY FOUR SEASONS HOTELS
FOUR SEASONS TORONTO CELEBRATES TEN YEARS
A decade of award-winning service, unparalleled accommodations, authentic French cuisine and wellness marks the tenth anniversary of Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. Since opening the doors to its Yorkville location in 2012, the global flagship property remains an innovative leader and trendsetter in the luxury hospitality space. To celebrate the milestone, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto will honour its history by unveiling month-long programming consisting of exclusive offers, dining experiences, a commemorative black-tie affair and its largest sweepstakes yet.
The 2012 opening introduced the city of Toronto to renowned Chef Daniel Boulud’s modern French brasserie Café Boulud and the lively street-level bar and lounge d|bar by Chef Daniel Boulud. Toasting to ten years of gastronomy, on Tuesday, October 11, Café Boulud will host a one-night-only collaboration dinner helmed by Chef Daniel and three global culinary masters. Accompanying Chef Daniel is Yoric Tièche, Executive Chef of Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant Le Cap inside of Four Seasons Hotel Cap-Ferrat, Massimo Mantarro, award-winning Executive Chef of Sicilian fine-dining restaurant Principe Cerami at San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel, as well as Yudith Bustos, the talented Executive Pastry Chef of LAW at Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas.
These renowned talents will come together to present a feast for the senses with flavours and aromas dreamt up for this coveted collaboration. Downstairs in d|bar, Sous Chef Maru Cacho has created a limited-edition menu, A Decade of d|bar, highlighting ten beloved menu items. From Tuesday, October 11, to Saturday, October 15, guests can indulge in signature dishes from past and present while savouring every sip of Head of Mixology Mike Birdsey’s anniversary cocktails.
Come Wednesday, October 12, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto will host THE FOUR SEASONS, an invitation-only black-tie celebration. Cleverly playing on the city’s four seasons, the extravagant event will nod to spring, summer, autumn and winter through breathtaking decor, floral installations, entertainment and seasonally-inspired culinary masterpieces. Chef Daniel and the visiting masters will each create a show-stopping station where they will present guests with an immersive and engaging feature dish. The city’s most notable business leaders, public figures, media moguls and creators will embark on an experiential journey in true Four Seasons fashion.
VIKING TAKES DELIVERY OF POLARIS EXPEDITION SHIP
26% of all tours booked so far in 2023 are customized itineraries, reflecting a continued trend towards personalized travel.
Viking says it has taken delivery of the Viking Polaris, the company’s second purpose-built expedition ship. The delivery ceremony took place this morning at Fincantieri’s VARD shipyard in Søviknes, Norway, where Viking’s first expedition ship, the Viking Octantis, was delivered in December 2021.
The Viking Polaris immediately set sail toward Amsterdam, where she will be named on September 30 by her ceremonial godmother, Ann Bancroft, one of the world’s preeminent polar explorers. Currently sailing in the Great Lakes, the Viking Octantis will also be named on September 30 by her ceremonial godmother, Liv Arnesen, the world-renowned Norwegian explorer, lecturer, author and educator.
From Amsterdam, the Viking Polaris will make her way to South America, and both ships will spend the Austral summer in Antarctica, before traveling north to the Great Lakes for a series of voyages during spring and summer.
