The World Economic Forum has come out with its biannual list of the world’s best countries for tourism and travel. And the news isn’t great for Canada. The highly respected group looks at factors and policies that enable sustainable and resilient development in the travel and tourism space, under broad pillars like air transport structure, price competitiveness and safety and security and then comes up with a Travel and Tourism Development Index. Japan, which is seemingly near the top of everyone’s travel list these days, came out on top, rising from number three last year. The U.S. was second (the Read more
Switzerland
MSN Travel has an excellent story on its website that shows off some of the best small towns and cities of Europe. The story lists a smaller city or village in all 46 member countries, so you’ll find something in all your favourite destinations, including Italy, France, England, Portugal and Croatia. I must admit there are several I’d never heard of but look fabulous, such as Dinant, Belgium, Vianden, Luxembourg and Castle Combe in the delightful Cotswolds area of England, where I spent some time a few years ago. Others I know (Colmar, France, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland and Atrani, Italy, as Read more
There’s lots of news in the hotel world, and today I’ve got updates from both Fairmont and IHG. FAIRMONT HOTEL RENOVATIONS AROUND THE WORLD Driven by a commitment to ‘Make Special Happen’, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced that 20% of the Fairmont portfolio is undergoing transformation. This includes the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia with redevelopment projects at Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda and Fairmont Grand Geneva in Switzerland, both slated for a Fall 2026 reopening. ONGOING RENOVATIONS Fairmont Southampton– Bermuda: Embarking on the largest renovation project in Bermuda’s history. Fairmont Pacific Rim– Vancouver, British Columbia: The Wellness Club at the Read more
Summer means European vacations for many North Americans. As great as it is to explore the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and other areas of the continent, many of us grow up yearning for a trip to Europe to see the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum and Big Ben and other icons. Editor’s note: I took my first trip to Europe after graduating from college in California (UCLA) in 1979. I saw many wondrous things, including Stonehenge, The Royal Mile in Edinburgh, the Mona Lisa in Paris, The Vatican, the canals of Amsterdam and the Swiss Alps. Better still, I Read more
A new list of the world’s most desired destinations, a look at a new Beatles experience heading to London, England, and a $3 billion prgram to boost Toronto Pearson Airport. Today’s blog post covers a lot of ground. WORLD’S MOST DESIRED DESTINATIONS It seems every keen traveller has their own bucket list of places they’re desperate to visit. Maybe it’s Machu Picchu, or maybe it’s a little town in France you visited on your honeymoon. I don’ t know that any list can be definitive, but the folks at JB.com say they’ve up come with a list of the most Read more
