For years now, I’ve posted travel blogs that point out what other websites suggest for places to visit the following year. This time, I’m happy to mention a few of the major travel publications, but I’m also providing my OWN list of places I think travellers should explore. Without further ado, here are my Jim Byers Travel suggestions for cool places to check out in 2023. I’ve listed ten, with a bonus pick at no extra charge. WESTERN AUSTRALIA I visited in May of this year, and it was one of the best trips of my life. Perth was a Read more
Asia
Canada’s largest two airlines have their eyes on Asia. A celebration was held at Vancouver International Airport Thursday night to mark Air Canada’s inaugural flight between YVR and Bangkok. Meanwhile, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has granted a license to WestJet for flights to Japan. WestJet hasn’t made an announcement, but the CTA website says WestJet “has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for a licence to operate a scheduled international service, large aircraft, in accordance with the Air Transport Agreement between Canada and Japan, signed on January 12, 1955 (Agreement). “The Agency is satisfied that the applicant meets Read more
This story was originally posted on my site in 2015. HONG KONG – I’m standing atop a tall, craggy peak with a strong wind rolling off the China Sea. Small, willow-like plants bend to the power of the breeze as I gaze at steep headlands dotted with acacia trees and sweet-smelling pine. Far below my feet I can see sand traps laid out on a deep green golf course and gnarly inlets and bays of Hong Kong Island. Uninhabited islands in shades of green and sun-kissed gold dot the surrounding ocean waters. Off to my right, I see a group Read more
Canadians have another day or so to enter a contest for a free trip to Taiwan. To celebrate Taiwan lifting all COVID entry and quarantine requirements in mid-October, Taiwan Tourism Bureau erected a life-sized replica of a traditional Taiwanese house in Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto. By stepping inside the Taiwanese house, consumers had the opportunity to experience Taiwan’s diverse and rich offerings through a fully-immersive audiovisual experience! Prior to entering, consumers were directed to ItsTimeForTaiwan.com, where they filled out a quick quiz to determine what their ideal Taiwanese vacation is, out of three options: ACTIVE vacation, CULTURAL vacation and LOCAL Read more
At the World Travel Market in London this week ForwardKeys has announced the performance of the top global destinations of 2022 by publishing an annual Most Visited Destinations report that is available in hard copy at the event and to download at the bottom of this page. The top country list is headed by the Dominican Republic, and the top city list by Antalya in Turkey. Between 1st January and 18th October (the latest available air ticketing data), the Dominican Republic welcomed 5% more visitors than it did in 2019. It is followed by Turkey and Costa Rica and Mexico, Read more
