This is an excerpt from my new book, “Ontario Escapes: 19 Great Places to Visit Right Now.” It’s available from Apple Books (and only for Apple devices) for just $4.99 Canadian. What a deal! Here’s the link for the book: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/ontario-escapes/id1523750857 Chapter 11: Gravenhurst and Muskoka WHAT: There’s a reason some folks call Muskoka Toronto’s playground. Located just two hours (maybe less given COVID-19 traffic, or lack of same) north of the city, you’ll find amazing lakes strewn with rocky islets and towering, deep green trees. It’s as pretty as a postcard, and easy to reach. WHERE: Gravenhurst, the Read more
Canada
Just how bad was the second quarter for the travel and tourism sector in Canada? Air Canada is reporting an operating loss for the quarter of $1.555 billion. The airline suffered a total revenue decline of 89 per cent over the quarter compared to 2019. Passenger volumes were down a remarkable 96 per cent from 2019’s second quarter. That is truly incredible, and a testament to just how devastating the last few months have been for airlines in Canada and around the world. Not to mention hotels, tour companies, restaurants and others in the hospitality/tourism/travel business. And, yet, there’s been Read more
There are reports of cars with out-of-province cars being vandalized in Canada. I’m also taking a look at a new study on the health of the hotel industry, and I have reports on how COVID-19 is rebounding in Australia and whether the Atlantic Canada travel bubble might soon open. My Future of Travel blog for July 30, 2020. Shame on You, Canada – You’ve Got to Do Better Than This A month or so ago, there were stories going around about how some folks with Alberta license plates had crossed over into British Columbia and found “go home” notes attached Read more
Ottawa Tourism has launched a visitor incentive campaign called It’s On Us whereby visitors who book at least a two-night stay in Ottawa receive a $100 Visa Gift Card. Rooms must be booked before September 30, 2020 for stays before December 31, 2020 at more than 30 participating hotels. Visa Gift Cards are distributed upon check-in and are encouraged to be spent to enhance the visitor’s stay… for dinner, tickets to an attraction or tour, or souvenirs before returning home. “With more of our tourism businesses opening up with enhanced safety protocols, we’re seeing more people planning staycations in Ottawa,” Read more
New stats on the benefit of a road trip and being outdoors. New, daytime uses for hotels as work spaces. A chocolate museum for a popular European destination. And a potential Hawai’i hotel bubble for quarantined arrivals. My Future of Travel blog for July 29. Road Trips and the Outdoors: Not Only Fun But Good For You This doesn’t surprise someone who loves the outdoors and cherishes a great road trip. A company called Outdoorsy, which I talked about recently in a story I wrote about RV’s being popular this year, a huge majority of North Americans (94%)) say they’re Read more
