swotc-bwc-leaderboard-728x90-3

Sweden

Italy has emerged as the top foreign destination for U.S. travelers, with Canada in second place. IMG (International Medical Group) has released the results of its 6th annual Travel Outlook Survey, which gathered 1,000+ responses from U.S.-based IMG customers about their 2026 travel plans. International and Domestic Travel Plans   This year’s results show continued demand for travel in 2026, with high interest in both international and domestic trips. • 93% of respondents plan to travel internationally • 38% of international travelers plan to take three or more trips • 88% of respondents plan to travel domestically – a 3% Read more

{ 0 comments }

Congratulations to the True North Strong and Free. A recent report by The Reputation Institute, a corporation with offices in Boston and Copenhagen, ranked the top countries in the world based on how the rest of the world perceives them. They considered such factors as natural beauty, the populace’s outlook and attitude towards their homeland, domestic safety and security, and the competence of the government. Canada came out on top, followed by Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Australia.  The U.S. didn’t make the top 20, which seems to suggest what the rest of the world thinks of Donald Trump and his Read more

{ 0 comments }

As a long-time (50 years this year, wow) journalist, I do occasionally consider the dark side of things. When I see a list of the safest cities in the world to visit, for example, I always wonder who finished at the bottom. That isn’t very nice, I suppose. But I guess it’s human nature. With that in mind, I was delighted to see that a recent study of the most welcoming countries in the world was followed up with a list (from a different source) of the LEAST welcoming nations in Europe. It it may not be very scientific, and Read more

{ 0 comments }

A new study rates Canada as the second-best country on earth for 2023, behind only Switzerland. The study, conducted by global marketing and communications services company WPP and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, looked at 73 country attributes; terms that can be used to describe a country and that are also relevant to the success of a modern nation.  Various attributes and nations were presented in a survey of more than 17,000 people from across the globe from March 17 to June 12. Each country was then scored on each of the 73 country attributes based on Read more

{ 0 comments }

Black Friday and Cyber Monday/Cyber Week travel deals are coming in fast and furious, including deals for Florida, Scotland, Asia and South America. I also have news on Air Canada adding summer service to Stockholm next year. BLACK FRIDAY/CYBER MONDAY DEALS FLORIDA   Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach (Clearwater, FL) The Deal: Book between November 20th and November 27th and stay by 10/31/24, receive 30% off 3 or more nights! Rate does not include $35.00 Daily Resort Fee. Stay must be booked between 11/20/23 and 11/27/23, and completed by 10/31/24. Rates are subject to availability. Offer may not be combined with Read more

{ 0 comments }