An Expedia Canada study finds Canadians are definitely staying home this summer. I also have a look at a free $50 offer for restaurants, attractions and other places that the Explorers’ Edge tourism area (including Muskoka) is offering to locals and seasonal residents, plus a new celebrity chef for Air Canada and a new, apartment-style hotel in Montreal that sounds perfect for social distancing. My Future of Travel blog for July 20. Canadians Staying Close to Home This Summer This comes as no surprise. But it’s quite telling. An Expedia Canada study released today (July 20) finds that Canadians are Read more

I’m looking around at the Whetung Ojibwa Centre, a small country store on the Curve Lake First Nation reserve outside Peterborough. I admire the colourful artwork, dozens of styles of moccasins and sparkling jewelry, not to mention the walrus skulls and old, black and white photos in the basement. As I’m heading out, I spy a large collection of jams and jellies made with local berries. To me, breakfast isn’t complete without toast and good jam, so I pick up a jar and head to the cash register. The woman handing the register looks at me and smiles. “Would you Read more

An excerpt from my new book about places to visit in Ontario includes Port Dover and Lake Erie, plus some great wineries. I also take a look at the fabulous Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate company, which makes truly incredible treats in Hawaii. My New Ontario Escapes Book: Excerpt Here This is an excerpt from my new book, “Ontario Escapes: 19 Great Places to Visit Right Now.” It’s available for $4.99 from Apple Books at this link. Thanks for taking a look. This chapter includes a visit to the fun and funky town of Port Dover and the north shore of Read more

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

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

It may not be the best time to visit California. But here’s a prior blog posting of mine to keep in mind for when you next visit. SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA – Sip wine on a patio overlooking the Santa Cruz Mountains. Ride a steam train through a forest of towering redwoods. And stroll glorious, empty beaches on a perfect spring day. The Santa Cruz region of California doesn’t get the attention that places like the Napa Valley or Big Sur tend to attract. But it should. If you’re looking for a great getaway that’s an easy (and beautiful) drive from Read more