Destinations
Costa Rica brings its Energía Pura Vida Canadian Roadshow to Toronto, Montreal
Travel advisors were welcomed to an immersive “Energia Pura Vida” trade event at Arcadia Earth in Toronto’s The Well this week by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), its Costa Rican tourism partners and the Canadian team at VoX International. Designed to move beyond traditional presentation-style trade events, the Toronto reception invited attendees to experience Costa Rica through experiential activations, immersive storytelling and meaningful face-to-face conversations inspired by the destination’s world-renowned “Pura Vida” lifestyle. Hosted within the multi-sensory...
Beverly Cheng named new Director, Canada of the Hong Kong Tourism Board
Beverly Cheng has been named the new Director, Canada for the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Cheng, a Toronto native, will be based in Toronto and brings a global perspective shaped by more than a decade living and working in Hong Kong. With a career spanning arts and travel journalism, international hospitality communications, and cultural institution leadership, she brings deep expertise in storytelling, strategic marketing, and destination branding to the role. She began her career in Hong Kong as an arts journalist, immersing herself in the city’s dynamic creative scene and...
FITCuba 2026: A symbol of resilience and confidence in the future
Cuban officials say they're hopeful that Cuban tourism will soon rebound from the effects of a punishing oil blockade of Cuba imposed by the American government that has dramatically curtailed the island's tourism trade. Tourism officials opened the 44th edition of Cuban annual tourism show FITCuba on May 7, for the first time using a virtual format that provided an update on the current situation to those who aren't now able to reach the island as many airlines have suspended service to it because of a shortage of aviation fuel. That in turn has led most Canadian tour operators...
New Transat flights further strengthen Barbados’ Canadian growth
Air Transat’s new nonstop service from Montréal has the Barbados Tourism Marketing Incorporated (BTMI) in a buoyant mood these days as it further strengthens the destination’s position as “a leading Caribbean hotspot” for Canadian travellers. The seasonal service will take off on Dec. 13, 2026, operating twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays aboard a 199-seat Airbus A321LR aircraft. And the announcement marks another major milestone in Barbados’ Canadian growth strategy, coming just weeks after the introduction of new nonstop service from Halifax. The added lift...
SLAM returns offering advisors immersive Saint Lucia experiences
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) is making it clear that it is committed to strengthening partnerships with the travel trade through its annual travel advisor incentive program -- Saint Lucia Advisors Months (SLAM). The program runs from June through November and features attractive booking incentives alongside exclusive accommodation rates for qualified travel advisors. Designed to immerse travel professionals in the authentic Saint Lucian experience, SLAM offers participating advisors the opportunity to discover the island’s rich culture and natural beauty...
VoX International Inc. reappointed to represent Germany in Canada
VoX International Inc. has been reappointed as the agency of record for the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) in Canada -- marking the official return of in-market representation following a temporary pause. Petra Hedorfer, CEO of the German National Tourist Board in Frankfurt, Germany, said that: “Canada is a highly valued and resilient source market for Germany, and we are very pleased to re-establish our local presence.” Hedorfer continued: “With strong growth, high visitor engagement, and a deep cultural affinity between our two countries, this is the right moment to...
Brand USA takes the measure of international trends, sees positives in 2026 mega events
With Canadian visitor numbers to the U.S.A. continuing a downward slide, there was not a lot of discussion about Canada during the recent Board of Directors meeting by Brand USA. For example, Canadian visitations to the USA in January this year were down 22% as compared to January 2025, driven by both an unfavourable dollar exchange rate and a stormy political climate. But reports to the Board by researchers were generally bullish on the outlook for U.S. tourism, with an optimistic focus on a trio of signature tourism events in 2026 – the 250th anniversary of America’s...
Canada Strong Pass Returns as Minister Valdez kicks off National Tourism Week
It's National Tourism Week and what better news could be delivered than that the federal government is bringing back the Canada Strong Pass for the summer of 2026. In a statement issued yesterday to mark the start of National Tourism Week 2026, the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) Rechie Valdez said that: “Tourism is one of the great strengths of the Canadian economy, and it is central to our mission of building Canada strong.” The Minister pointed out that: “Canada has what the world wants: dynamic cities, breathtaking...