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Canadian Resort & Travel Association

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Tourism spending by international visitors increases.

National tourism indicators, first quarter 2024

Source: Statistics Canada

Tourism spending by international visitors in Canada increased 1.8% in the first quarter, following a 4.0% increase in the fourth quarter of the previous year. Spending on accommodation (+2.0%) and food and beverage (+2.0%) services were the main contributors to the first quarter's increase. Overall, non-resident travellers entering Canada increased 1.7%.

Short Sellers Target Air Canada as Costs Rise, Travel Demand Weakens

Source: Bloomberg via MSN

Short sellers are targeting Canada’s biggest publicly traded airline as investors expect rising operational costs and weaker post-pandemic consumer demand to weigh on growth.

Air Canada’s short interest as a percentage of float — a metric that measures how many traders sold shares compared to the total amount of stock available to trade — stood at nearly 19% in early July, according to financial data firm S3 Partners LLC.

WestJet faces ‘damage control’ after strike. What passengers should know

Source: Global News

Even when WestJet is able to run its typical schedule again, it now has the additional task of having to reschedule travel for tens of thousands of disrupted passengers from the weekend. Gradek says that many of WestJet’s existing flights this week are likely already booked up, and the carrier might have to book customers on competitors’ flights to get travellers to their final destinations.

Hurricane Beryl updates and how to help at One Caribbean Canada site

Source: Travelweek

One Caribbean Canada has created a page of approved and registered charities or approved government disaster relief funds to aid those countries most impacted by Hurricane Beryl.

While Beryl caused very minimal damage on islands like Jamaica, other destinations, including Carriacou and Petite Martinique in Grenada, and some islands in St. Vincent and The Grenadines, weren’t so lucky.

Nancy Drolet, founder of One Caribbean Canada, says Global Medic is recognized as a preferred charity where Canadians can either volunteer in person or make financial contributions.

Canada's passive approach to forest maintenance is helping to fuel wildfire scourge

Source: Financial Post

While Canada’s 2024 wildfire season has been less severe than the devastation we witnessed last year, there are still dozens of fires burning across the country. As we enter the peak of Canadian summer, things could quickly deteriorate.

One thing we know for sure is that the frequency and severity of wildfires will only increase. Let’s not kid ourselves; there’s no escaping the fact that Canadians — and our governments — need to rethink how we address and mitigate these risks.

What is Canada Day and how is it celebrated? The answer is more complicated than some might think

Source: CNN

The July 1 holiday to commemorate Canada’s Confederation became official in 1879, and was originally called Dominion Day. It marks the day the British North America Act came into effect in 1867, effectively creating the Dominion of Canada out of three British colonies: the United Province of Canada (now the provinces of Ontario and Quebec), plus New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Does Wrapping Your Luggage Make It More Secure? TSA Weighs In

Source: Travel + Leisure

It’s a common sight at any airport around the world — wrapping stations offering “additional protection” at a cost. The price can vary anywhere from $15 to $30 or more, with the more expensive options typically offering some sort of travel insurance. Most people wrap their luggage because they feel it’s safer, but is this true? I spoke with Saraiah Davis, transportation security manager, and Lorie Dankers, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), to find out.

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