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
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.