International tourism continued its recovery in January 2022, with a much better performance compared to the weak start to 2021, says the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization. Europe and the Americas region, which includes the Caribbean, have recovered the fastest. However, the UNWTO warns that the Russian invasion of Ukraine adds pressure to existing economic uncertainties, coupled with many Covid-related travel restrictions still in place. Overall confidence could be affected and hamper the recovery of tourism. Based on the latest available data, global international tourist arrivals more than doubled (+130%) in January 2022 compared to 2021 – the 18 million more Read more
Europe
WestJet today celebrated the completion of its inaugural flight from Calgary International Airport to London’s Heathrow Airport with the arrival of flight WS18 in England. This new service complements WestJet’s already existing flights to London-Gatwick, with up to nine flights a week between Calgary and London this summer. “We are pleased to provide our guests travelling to London for business and leisure with greater choice and convenience as we celebrate our inaugural flight to Heathrow Airport,” said Chris Hedlin, WestJet Vice-President, Network & Alliances. “This new route not only strengthens Alberta’s travel and tourism pipeline but creates new opportunities for Read more
Canadians are booking trips to Europe and the U.S.. Cruise companies are expanding rapidly. And new hotels are being built in Canada around the world. The latest RBC consumer tracking figures for Canada finds that travel spending recently touched pre-COVID levels for the first time as pandemic restrictions eased. “The domestic tourism recovery continues to outpace international travel but Canadian spending on restaurants and hotels abroad has also been rising,” RBC said. Meanwhile, the American Automobile Association this week said cruise bookings during the past four weeks are twice as high as this time last year. Just 612 Canadians visited Read more
Air Canada today said it will be donating $10 for every booking made on aircanada.com to support Ukraine relief aid, with a total donation of up to $250,000. This $250,000 donation will complement the $170,000 contribution recently made by Air Canada’s employees and the Air Canada Foundation to the Canadian Red Cross and other charities, as well as the ongoing humanitarian aid destined to Poland and Ukraine transported through Air Canada Cargo. Additionally, Aeroplan Members may donate Aeroplan points at Ukrainian Relief Fund, with 100% of points to be redistributed to various charitable organizations supporting relief efforts for Ukrainian refugees Read more
From the 70th anniversary for Queen Elizabeth on the throne to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, there’s plenty to celebrate in Great Britain this year. On top of all that, they’ve eliminated all travel restrictions, so there’s no form to fill out, no test to take and no quarantine to fret over. “It’s like the gold old days,” I said in a chat this morning with Dame Judith Macgregor, chair of the British Tourism Authority. “Yes,” she replied with a laugh. “We just value it more, don’t we?” Amen to that. Macgregor, an engaging interview, said travel trends are very Read more
