Business owners in Banff are urging the Canadian government to get rid of costly and cumbersome testing requirements that are scaring away vital customers. Pete Woods President and CEO of SkiBig3, which represents Mt. Norquay, Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise Ski Resort, said the government’s requirement that visitors provide a negative PCR-style COVID-19 teset result before coming into the country is scaring away international customers that Banff tourism operators rely on. Speaking on the edge of snow-packed slopes at Mt. Norquay, which opened for skiing last weekend, Woods said Ottawa needs to “remove unnecessary and redundant measures that still hang Read more
Banff
With tourism lagging badly, Europe wants more visitors. I’ve also got news about a VRBO list on where Americans are heading for the Fourth of July weekend, new funding for tourism in Alberta and cruise news from Carnival and MSC Cruises. Trudeau: Border Loosening Not Likely Soon Canadian travel and tourism leaders have been lobbying hard for a loosening of Canada’s borders to allow more international visitors. They also want fewer restrictions on intra-provincial travel. But it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen soon. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today said the federal government has to “look very carefully” at Read more
Jamaica will officially open for tourists tomorrow, June 15. The government of Canada has agreed to study the idea of a passenger train that would run from Calgary’s airport to Banff via downtown Calgary. I also look at re-openings for both the Dominican Republic, New York City and Walt DIsney World hotels in today’s Future of Travel blog. JAMAICA RE-OPENS TOMORROW Jamaica has announced it will reopen its borders for international travellers tomorrow, June 15. Officials say an extensive set of safety protocols have been announced, including health screening before entry and upon entry, which will be implemented to manage Read more
Great news out of Western Canada, Europe and the Caribbean today. The iconic Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Fairmont Chateau Whistler all re-open today after being closed since April 10 due to COVID-19. Greece re-opened its borders today, as well. And Jamaica will do so June 15. FAIRMONT RESORTS RE-OPEN OUT WEST One hundred and thirty two years ago today, the iconic Banff Springs Hotel opened its doors to guests for the very first time. So it is fitting that Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in Canada’s Western Mountain Region – Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Read more
Great news for Disney fans, as Disney says it wants to begin a phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort theme parks on July 11. Meanwhile, Chicago unveils a new tourism and hospitality program as it moves into the post-coronavirus stage. ANd the U.S. Virgin Islands and Hawai’i are both looking at re-opening for tourism in the next month or so. Meanwhile, a survey finds Canadians are intrigued by the idea of using an RV and Silversea is offering great cruise deals. All in my Future of Travel blog for today. WALT DISNEY WORLD LOOKING AT JULY 11 FOR RE-OPENING The Read more
