Holiday & Travel

As the world continues to embrace the allure of travel, Grenada is poised to experience a continued boost to its tourism sector, fueled by an increase in airlift capacity and a growing interest in the island’s rich culture and festivities.

With the upcoming Spicemas carnival drawing visitors from the Caribbean diaspora, and families flocking to the region for a much-needed summer vacation, the importance of additional airlift cannot be overstated.

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has revised procedures of the Trekking Information Management System (TIMS).

This new provision is designed to ensure the safety and security of visitors trekking in protected areas in the mountains of Nepal. With the new provision, all trekkers are required to obtain services of a licensed trekking guide and to obtain a TIMS Card through authorized trekking agencies registered with the Government of Nepal. The new provision shall come into effect on March 31, 2023.

LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP) today announced that LaGuardia Airport Terminal B is the world's best new terminal based on Global Passenger Survey conducted by Skytrax, an international transport rating organization. The Port Authority of NY and NJ partnered with LGP to deliver a world-class Terminal B. 

LGP is the project company that includes Meridiam, Skanska, Vantage Airport Group and JLC Infrastructure, responsible for development and management of the terminal. LaGuardia's Terminal B is the first terminal in North America and among just 22 airports and terminals worldwide to achieve the highest possible 5-Star Airport Terminal Rating2.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) has confirmed Tracy Berkeley as Chief Executive Officer, creating history as the organisation’s first female leader. Berkeley has been serving as the BTA’s Interim CEO since June 2022.  

Tracy Berkeley joined the Bermuda Tourism Authority in January 2020 and took on the role of interim CEO in June 2022. Within the last nine months, Berkeley has worked tirelessly to stabilize the organization for increased team productivity, raised the awareness and relevance of the destination by meeting with stakeholders in the travel trade, and media industries, and worked alongside partners to deliver the BTA’s award-winning Lost Yet Found campaign.

Travellers seeking to experience “a vibe like no other” on St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, now have increased options for getting there from the mainland United States, and better yet, improved connection options.

“We welcome the operation of twice daily American St. Croix service, including flights which arrive in both the afternoon and evening, and depart St. Croix early morning and in the afternoon,” said Vicki Locke, Director of Sales and Marketing of The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort.

UNWTO centred tourism as a key pillar of sustainable development at the 5th United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries. The conference, held in Doha around the theme of ‘From Potential to Prosperity’ came at the pivotal half-way point in the timeline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and fully implement the 2030 agenda.

Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL) officials sought to further capitalize on their presence in Germany for ITB Berlin by reconnecting with key travel partners across Germany in a 3-day mission from March 01 - 03, to reignite interest in destination Tobago and lay the foundation for increased visitor arrivals from the GAS (German, Austrian and Swiss) market. 

ITB Berlin, one of the two highlights in the industry’s calendar next to the WTM in London, always happens in early March – if it happens.

In the last 30 years, visitors to the ITB Berlin have experienced temperatures during the day up to 18 degrees and minimum temperatures down to -6 degrees Celsius. In 2008 public transport went on strike and international exhibitors were seen walking helplessly among snow and ice in the city centre, hoping in vain to catch a taxi to bring them to the fairground.

The chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Kenneth Bryan said the focus of International Women’s Day (IWD) this year reminded him of how much women have contributed to the success of the region’s most dynamic economic driver, tourism.

Bryan, who is the Minister of Tourism and Transport of the Cayman Islands, said the IWD theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” aligns with the intergovernmental organization’s aim “to put more women in positions of influence so they can not only enhance the efficiency of our region’s major economic earner, but also be an exemplar for women everywhere.”

Barbados has copped the Green Destinations Story Award for Environment and Climate at one of the world’s largest travel trade shows, ITB Berlin. The nomination came from Barbados’ ambition to be the first island in the Caribbean to achieve a 100% renewable energy goal by 2030 and a 70% carbon neutrality goals by 2050. The strides taken thus far have landed Barbados its first milestone in this prestigious category, namely having the largest fleet of electric buses in the Caribbean.

Women were out and strong at ITB Berlin this year. The largest travel industry trade show regained strength after three years of COVID-19 interruption and went co-inside with the international day of women.

The discussion of gender equality flamed up recently, specifically with heated talks in Europe and North America – but tourism may be different. At ITB, this hot topic was discussed at panels around the travel and tourism world.

Travel & Tourism has been waiting for the return of ITB, the largest travel industry trade show in the world. ITB just concluded in Berlin.

5500 exhibitors from 169 countries showcased its destinations and stakeholders at Messe Berlin this week, the largest fairground in the German Capital City Berlin. For more than 50 years the name ITB has stood worldwide for industry knowledge, networking and trendsetting events.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has appointed Marketplace Excellence Corporation (MPE) as its communications consultant for a six-month period. MPE, a U.S.-based public relations, marketing and media agency with strong Caribbean roots and extensive tourism and hospitality experience, will provide strategic communications services to support the CTO’s work.

With its 370 miles of coastline, Normandy is the ideal setting for nautical events. 2023 will be the year to celebrate the region's nautical heritage in style, with three international events: the Arrival of the 50th Rolex Fastnet Race in Cherbourg, the 30th Anniversary of the Transat Jacques Vabre in Le Havre, and the Armada in Rouen.

The annual week dedicated to celebrating England’s tourism industry is fast approaching with VisitEngland putting out a call for people and businesses to get involved.

English Tourism Week, underway this year from the 17 to 26 March, sees the industry come together to highlight tourism’s economic importance and to promote the innovation, quality and range of products and services on offer to boost domestic breaks.

Despite global pressures such as high inflation, the war in Ukraine, the ensuing energy crisis, and an impending economic recession, the outlook for Caribbean travel and tourism is favourable, according to the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

Delivering the region’s 2022 “Tourism Performance and Outlook Report” in Bridgetown today, Neil Walters, Acting Secretary General of the CTO, confirmed that the Caribbean had one of the quickest recovery rates globally in 2022, with 28.3 million registered tourist visits in 2022.