Holiday & Travel

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.

Cayman Airways Limited (CAL) has announced that its growing route map of international destinations will include Panama, Central America, this summer when the airline relaunches nonstop flights between Grand Cayman and Tocumen International Airport (PTY), starting June 26, 2023.

The Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL) will be leading a delegation of public and private sector tourism stakeholders to attend the Internationale Tourismus- Börse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany from March 07 to 09, 2023, as they seek to reconnect with the European travel market and stimulate business opportunities for Tobago’s on-island tourism stakeholders.  

Qatar Airways has launched a new brand campaign in collaboration with world-renowned Indian actor, Deepika Padukone. The campaign launch is the culmination of the airline's endeavour to redefine Qatar Airways Premium experience, particularly through showcasing the world-class Qsuite along with the unparalleled surroundings of The Orchard, which are core to Hamad International Airport’s expansion.

The French Saint-Martin Tourist Office showcased the island as a premier culinary destination at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF), the Food Network’s 22^nd annual gastronomic event taking place from February 23^rd - February 26^th, 2023. The four-day festival is a star-studded event showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs, and culinary personalities.

interCaribbean Airways have announced that all new nonstop services from St Kitts to Barbados. These flights will connect with services to Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and Georgetown, Guyana.

Service from the Barbados Grantly Adams International Airport is scheduled to commence on Sunday, 12 March 2023. An Embraer-120 aircraft with a seating capacity of 30 seats will service St. Kitts from Barbados three times weekly on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) have announced the resignation of Liz Ortiguera as its Chief Executive Officer. Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership-based association that catalyzes the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from, and within the Asia Pacific region.

Community support, environmental stewardship and national pride are the pillars of Lyton and Eroline Lamontagne’s decades-long careers. Both born in Soufrière, St. Lucia, the couple met in 1980 and made their foray into hospitality with a restaurant and boutique at the former Jalousie Plantation. 

In 1988, the Lamontagnes took a step further into the food industry with Eroline Foods, a frozen food outlet named after Mrs. Lamontagne.