It wasn’t too hard to predict what travel would be like in 2021. Judging the year ahead seems trickier to me. In mid-November, I was fairly confident that 2022 would be pretty darn good for travel and tourism. Maybe not everywhere, but probably in North America, Europe and the Caribbean. Hotels were re-opening in Toronto and other cities, airlines were announcing new routes, and tourism boards were actually travelling to other destinations to promote their brand. But then Omicron appeared out of nowhere, and a feeling of “here we go again” dread came over many of us in the travel Read more
luxury travel
Expedia released its 2022 Travel Trends Report today, revealing new traveller priorities that are shaking up the status quo in 2022. As more countries begin to welcome travellers back and demand spikes 1 for international destinations such as Maui, Rome and Bali, Expedia’s research reveals around two-thirds 2 of Canadians (61%) are planning to go big on their next trips with a new “no regrets” style of travel, which Expedia has dubbed the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Trips) mindset. Appreciating that each trip is a privilege, travellers are in pursuit of more transformative and fulfilling journeys, without holding back. Read more
How’d you like a nine-month, world cruise? Royal Caribbean has unveiled what it calls the world’s longest cruise, a 274-night marathon that begins Dec. 10, 2023 and ends the following Sept. 10, in 2024. Not only can you celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve at sea, you’ll visit all seven continents and more than 150 destinations in 65 countries around the world. Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas will sail in and out of Miami and also visit 11 “great wonders of the world.” A full 57 of the destinations will be new to Royal Caribbean, including Casablanca, Morocco, Shimizu, Read more
A report on over-tourism. Which is now under-tourism. Which isn’t good, either. Also, a note about the U.S. State Department lifting its four-month advisory against Americans travelling abroad. My Future of Travel blog for Aug. 7. Finding the Right Tourism Balance For years we’ve read headlines about too many tourists cramming the Champs Elysees and jamming the canals of Amsterdam. Locals on some popular Spanish islands got so fed up that they vandalized visitors’ cars. Petitions against over-tourism sprang up in overcrowded cities such as Barcelona and Venice, where they had to put limits on cruise ships. Now, what some Read more
Universal Orlando says it will open doors – with new health guidelines and physical distancing rules – on June 5. In other news, Air Canada says it will no longer put expiry dates on vouchers given out to travelers who had flights cancelled due to COVID-19. They also say vouchers will be fully transferable. Meanwhile, a top travel agent group says cruise bookings are up substantially. A look at what’s new in my regular Future of Travel blog. UNIVERSAL FLORIDA SET TO RE-OPEN JUNE 5 It may seem a bit early to some, but Universal in Florida is re-opening on Read more
