Leave it to a Montrealer to propose a municipal “menage a trois” to promote tourism. Speaking at an Air Canada program at the Montreal airport Marriott Hotel on Thursday, Tourisme Montreal President and CEO Yves Lalumiere noted that a tourism roundtable group hasn’t been able to convince the federal government to loosen intra-provincial regulations and encourage more tourism across Canada. Lalumiere said he’s working with Tourism Ottawa and Destination Toronto on a “cheat on your city” campaign that would encourage a kind of unofficial bubble of tourism between the three cities. Ottawa folks could cheat on their town by visiting Read more
Canada
Air Canada is trying to build consumer confidence as it also seeks a new approach to Canada’s borders. I also have news on United States tourism, Quebec tourism and Canadian travel (or lack thereof) to Europe this summer. My Future of Travel blog for July 17. Air Canada Health and Safety: Plus Renewed Calls For Border Reforms Air Canada hopes a program they staged for media and tourism/travel industry folks on Thursday will help build confidence in the concept of air travel. Airline officials also reiterated their call for more open borders to help Canada’s economy, albeit in a careful, Read more
One doesn’t want to appear smug, but considering the situation we have in Canada in terms of the coronavirus, this news lands at a pretty interesting time. A report by US News has ranked Canada as the best country in the world for Quality of Life and as the number two country on the planet overall, trailing only Switzerland. We were third last year, so we moved up a spot on the podium for 2020. Here’s what their report had to say, in part: “Canada’s expansive wilderness to the north plays a large role in Canadian identity, as does the Read more
One of the most recognized landmarks in Canada re-opens to the public today, along with a wonderful shrine to hockey and a snappy museum for shoes. Starting around 10 a.m., folks will once again be able to ride an elevator into the sky high above Toronto and enjoy a visit to the renowned CN Tower. I was lucky enough to have a tour on Tuesday to see how they’re prepared to welcome visitors in this new world of ours. And I came away impressed with the health and safety measures they’ve prepared. “We’ve done everything possible to make sure the Read more
There are reports today that the Canadian-U.S. border will remain closed for another month. Meanwhile, Hawaii has extended its quarantine requirement for incoming visitors from Aug. 1 to Sept. 1. Also, Canadians appear to be having trouble getting good travel insurance. My Future of Travel blog for July 14. U.S. Border Not Opening Soon Canadians have made it pretty clear they don’t want any part of an open border with a virus-ravaged United States. The Prime Minister appears to agree. The Globe and Mail today reports that sources indicate the border will remain closed to all but essential travel until Read more
