Travel bookings increase as industry tries to navigate changing rules
The loosening of COVID-19 travel restrictions is causing an uptick in booking, but also confusion in the industry.
Tecumseh Travel owner Michael Horvath says phone calls are finally coming in once again as the business opened in-person this week for the first time in since March 2020.
“We’ve been getting a lot of calls in regards to ‘Can we travel? How soon can we travel? Can we book for next year? What are the requirements to travel?’” says Horvath.
Horvath says it’s a different world than 16 months ago.
“We’re hoping that this is the beginning of going back to normal,” he says.
The travel rules are changing so much Horvath says they are working hard to keep up and relay the latest information to customers.
“We get travel blogs, and travel industry memos and emails and we research a lot,” says Horvath.
One issue is the patchwork of different quarantine and vaccination rules for each province and country.
“Every country has their own rules and regulations, what is acceptable, what needs to be done prior to getting into the country,” says Horvath.
President of Travel Secure Inc. Martin Firestone says the best advice is know before you go.
“No matter what you do I think you have to call ahead,” says Firestone. “Even interprovincial travel, you have to ask what are the restrictions if any.”
Firestone says your destination should be a factor in deciding if you need extra insurance.
“The need for insurance just crossing the border is huge but going province to province for the most part you are covered,” says Firestone.
Windsor International Airport CEO Mark Galvin says travelers can expect more messaging on changes locally when they reopen to international winter destinations.
“Right now it’s all domestic whether it’s Calgary or Toronto,” says Galvin. “So look out for that prior to Sunwing returning in December.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Person engulfed in flames outside N.Y. courthouse where Trump trial underway, says CNN
A person was covered in flames outside the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, CNN reported on Friday.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.