Technology Highlight

According to Statistics Canada, after Canada lifted the pandemic travel restrictions, spending by international travellers soared in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The nation’s number cruncher today unveiled data showing that international visitors to Canada spent about $3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022, up about 87.5 percent from the $1.6 billion that those visitors spent in the same quarter in 2021.

Americans dominated international – visitors spending in Canada in the fourth quarter of 2022, with about $1.7 billion, or 57 percent of the money spent in the three–month period.

For both U.S visitors and non – U.S international visitors, spending was approximately double that seen during the fourth quarter of 2021, and slightly more than three–quarters of the spending seen in the same quarter in 2019, before the COVID–19 pandemic virtually halted travel.

Major expenses for U.S. travellers included accommodation ($611.8 million), food and beverages ($475.5 million), and transportation within Canada ( 4262.9 million). Together, these expenses accounted for 80.4 percent of all U.S. visitor spending.

The post International travellers spending soars after the pandemic in Canada appeared first on Travel And Tour World.

 Year–over–year tourist spending in Canada soared in the fourth quarter of 2022. Residents of Asia and Oceania spent millions according to Statistics Canada.
The post International travellers spending soars after the pandemic in Canada appeared first on Travel And Tour World.  Read More Travel And Tour World AMERICA, TOURISM NEWS, Canada, Travel, U.S 

A wildfire on Canada’s Atlantic coast has damaged about 200 houses and other structures and prompted the evacuation of 16,000 people, many of whom were eager to return Tuesday to see whether homes and pets had survived.

Firefighters worked through the night to extinguish hotspots in the fire that started in the Halifax area on Sunday, Halifax Deputy Fire Chief David Meldrum said.

He said it was too early to give an exact count of homes destroyed, but the municipal government put the toll at about 200 buildings.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston announced the province would be banning all travel and activity in all wooded areas as of 4 p.m. local time.

The ban applies to all forestry, mining, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, off-road vehicle driving and all commercial activity on government lands.

Dan Cavanaugh was among two dozen people waiting Tuesday in a Halifax-area parking lot to learn if their suburban homes had been consumed by the wildfire.

Police officers were writing down the names of residents and calling people to be escorted to see what had become of their properties.

Sarah Lyon of the Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said an eight-member team was preparing to head out into the evacuation zone to retrieve animals left behind.

In all, about 16,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes northwest of Halifax, most of which are within a 30-minute drive of the port city’s downtown.

The area under mandatory evacuation orders covers about 100 square kilometers (38 miles).

Sonya Higgins said she and more than 40 others waited in a nearby supermarket parking lot to be led into the evacuation area, in hopes of retrieving seven cats from two homes.

Higgins runs a cat rescue operation in Halifax, and she says the pet owners contacting her are “frantic” to find their animals and get them to a safe place.

Earlier in the day, fire officials said that with the return of dry, windy conditions on Tuesday, there could be a “reburn” in the evacuated subdivisions.

The extended forecast is calling for hotter weather on Wednesday and no rain until Friday at the earliest.

The post Wildfire on Canada’s Atlantic coast spurs evacuation of 16,000 people appeared first on Travel And Tour World.

 The ban applies to all forestry, mining, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, off-road vehicle driving and all commercial activity on government lands.
The post Wildfire on Canada’s Atlantic coast spurs evacuation of 16,000 people appeared first on Travel And Tour World.  Read More Travel And Tour World American Travel News, News Pick, TTW APP NEWS, Canada tourism, wildfire 

Malaysia Convention & Exhibitors Bureau (MyCEB), also a proactive member of the Asia Convention Alliance (ACA) is calling for business events players to join industry peers at the anticipated ACA ASSOCIATION Forum 2023, or known as #ACAAF1.

Members of the alliance who were present emphasize that the event aims to create a sustainable network between members and convention stakeholders as well as co–create an ACA-owned event as announced during a MyCEB-chaired ACA Press Conference in IMEX Frankfurt 2023.

The post MICE Test News appeared first on Travel And Tour World.

 Malaysia Convention & Exhibitors Bureau (MyCEB), also a proactive member of the Asia Convention Alliance (ACA) is calling for business events players to join industry peers at the anticipated ACA ASSOCIATION Forum 2023, or known as #ACAAF1. Members of the …
The post MICE Test News appeared first on Travel And Tour World.  Read More Travel And Tour World Mice News Pick 

Large-scale events at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) generated total incremental economic output of AED13bn (US$3.54bn) last year with a substantial 57% retained within Dubai’s GDP.

The figures are confirmed in the latest, 2022 Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) Annual Report and show that every dirham invested at DWTC for events and related services within the MICE sector, generated over 7.4 times that value across the city’s wider economy.

Other key statistics from the EIA Annual Report include the fact that 40% of the 2022 DWTC event attendees were Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) , who drove six times more contribution than their domestic counterparts.

The DWTC event calendar also supported over 48,000 jobs, generating AED2.4bn in disposable household income for city residents.

In line with Dubai Economic Agenda D33’s objective of solidifying the emirate’s position as one of the top three global cities for business and travel, business tourism last year accelerated its role in fostering economic growth and the MICE industry remained an economic catalyst for the nation, generating sustainably high returns for adjacent industries connected to the MICE ecosystem.

Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, and the recently launched Dubai Economic Agenda D33, DWTC remains committed to furthering its contribution to the targets of doubling GDP over the next decade, particularly in consolidating its position as a top three global city, said His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri (pictured), in his capacity as director general, DWTC Authority.

The MICE sector has long been an integral pillar of the city’s economy, as the business ecosystem stimulator for the wider region, reflecting the emirate’s commitment to GDP diversification.

The latest 2022 EIA Annual Report from DWTC underscores business tourism as a key driver of economic growth and sustainable development.

Dubai continues to attract businesses and talent from around the world, with DWTC providing an effective connectivity platform to collaborate, accelerate innovation, and showcase next generation products and services to far-reaching markets.

This sustained impact of in-person events is a clear indicator of the MICE industry’s role in supporting economic growth and achieving investment returns for all stakeholders, he added.

Other data from the EIA Annual Report included the number of large-scale events (2,000 or more attendees) growing by 26% Y-o-Y.

Dubai remains committed to further enhancing its attractiveness to the global MICE Industry through continued investment in infrastructure, innovation, and human capital.

With a clear focus on sustainability and accessibility, Dubai is poised to lead the way in shaping the future of business tourism, and driving economic growth for years to come, Almarri added.

The Healthcare, Medical, and Scientific sector, Information Technology (IT) sector, and Food, Hotel, and Catering sector emerged as the top three sectors with a total of 14 events dominating the DWTC calendar, collectively accounting for 57% (AED4.3bn) of the gross value added (GVA) to Dubai’s economy.

Consequently, these sectors attracted 46% (535,000) of total large-scale event attendees.

The post MICE events at Dubai World Trade Centre boost emirate’s economic output appeared first on Travel And Tour World.

 The DWTC event calendar also supported over 48,000 jobs, generating AED2.4bn in disposable household income for city residents.
The post MICE events at Dubai World Trade Centre boost emirate’s economic output appeared first on Travel And Tour World.  Read More Travel And Tour World MICE NEWS, MICE NEWS HOME, business tourism, Dubai Tourism, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), global mice industry news, mice industry 

The industrial action will affect football fans travelling to London for the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United as well as thousands heading to the Epsom Derby.

Rail passengers are set to suffer fresh travel disruption over the next few days due to more strikes in long-running disputes over pay, jobs and conditions.

Train companies are warning that services will be “severely reduced” because of industrial action by drivers and other workers.

Members of the drivers’ union Aslef have walked out today and will do so on 3 June, while the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has called a strike on 2 June.

Passengers are being advised to plan ahead and check the times of first and last trains.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, told a news agency there was “no waning in enthusiasm” from train drivers to continue taking industrial action.

He said that they are determined to get a resolution and remain in this for the long haul.

It is time for the government to step back from interference which is preventing a deal – drivers, in line with other workers, deserve a pay rise after four years without one and inflation running over the last 12 months north of 10%.

The strikes will affect 16 train companies, with services due to start later and finish much earlier than usual typically between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

On the RMT strike day, around half of the network will shut down, with around 50% of normal services running.

On Aslef strike days, around 40% of trains will be running but there will be wide regional variations, with some operators running no services at all.

It is likely that evening services on some lines will be affected on the days before each strike and the mornings following strikes.

Aslef will also start an overtime ban at 16 train operating companies on 1 June that could cause disruption, especially in and out of London.

The industrial action will affect football fans travelling to London for the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United on Saturday at Wembley Stadium.

Fans wishing to travel to the game by train from Manchester have been advised not to attempt to do so on the day.

There will be a limited service on Friday due to the RMT industrial action.

A Rail Delivery Group (RDG) spokesperson said that the upcoming rail strikes called by the Aslef and RMT leadership will not only affect our passengers’ daily commute but will also impact those travelling to and from the FA Cup final and other events across the country, causing disappointment and frustration for tens of thousands of people.

It will also inconvenience families who have been looking forward and have planned their half-term holidays.

It will also further burden our people who have already lost thousands of pounds at a time of financial strain.

The unions say they have not been given a pay offer it can recommend to their members and support for industrial action remains strong among workers as well as the public.

Aslef says train drivers have not had a pay rise for four years.

Both unions claim the government is preventing the train companies making an acceptable offer, which ministers deny.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said that the government has facilitated a fair and reasonable pay offer, now union leaders must do the right thing and put this to their members.

The post Rail strikes to cause disruption with walkouts, affects football fans appeared first on Travel And Tour World.

 A department for transport spokesperson said that the government has facilitated a fair and reasonable pay offer, now union leaders must do the right thing and put this to their members.
The post Rail strikes to cause disruption with walkouts, affects football fans appeared first on Travel And Tour World.  Read More Travel And Tour World European Travel News, News Pick, RAILWAY NEWS, TTW APP NEWS, Manchester City, rail strikes, Travel Disruption