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| March 31, 2017 |
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OMCA
This year's OTE Conference and Trade Show is right around the corner! If you haven't already signed up, it's not too late — click here to register today and don't miss out!
Visit our website at www.ote.ca for more information, including the program agenda, speakers, accommodations and more!
ABA
Following last week's announcement by the Toronto District School Board that they were not allowing student trips to the U.S. because of uncertainty caused by the on-again off-again travel ban for people from certain countries, the American Bus Association (ABA) and Student and Youth Travel Association (SYTA) wrote to President Trump expressing concern about the tourism impact of his policies. (Click 'Read More' to view the full letter [PDF]).
OMCA has been working with ABA and SYTA on this issue and we will continue to press officials on both sides of the border to ensure that travel and tourism between Canada and the U.S. is not unduly impacted by security measures enacted by the new administration.
READ MORE
Travel Industry Today
New figures show that the rate of Americans being turned back at Canadian border land crossings has increased a stunning 31 per cent over the last year. Canadian border guards have discretion over entry permission, and are not required to publicly disclose their reasons. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) did not explain why more Americans are being turned away. They reportedly said only that the number "fluctuates."
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Globe and Mail
Faced with the prospect of having to leave behind four Iranian classmates at the U.S. border due to travel restrictions proposed by President Donald Trump, the graduating students at Montreal's Westmount High School had a decision to make: should they take their chances or sacrifice their planned class trip?
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McCoy Bus Service / Maple Leaf Tours
As of March 1, 2017, Shawn Geary and Kristine Geary, co-owners of McCoy Bus Service and McCoy Tours located in Kingston, ON, successfully completed a division of the McCoy group of companies. The changes result in Shawn Geary owning and operating the bus operations and the related repair and maintenance facility under the existing names McCoy Bus Service and Kingston Fleet & Auto Service. Kristine Geary will be the sole owner of the tour operations under a new name, Maple Leaf Tours Inc.
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The Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa offers an authentic Canadian cultural experience to groups of all sizes. Guided tours are offered in English and French, they feature a behind-the-scenes look at the Mint’s fascinating coin production process. Quote reference #Tour150 when booking by phone (1-800-276-7714).
For more information: www.mint.ca/tours.
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Government of Ontario
Ontario is supporting 45 art and cultural events that celebrate the province's rich culture and heritage, attract visitors and grow local economies.
Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, made the announcement at Ryerson University's Ryerson Image Centre, which will host exhibits for the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival — the world's largest photography event.
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CTV News
Electric buses will soon be serving the Newmarket area.
York Regional council gave the green light to purchase six forty-foot electric buses that will be part of a two-year trial.
READ MORE
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Sarnia & Lambton County will be celebrating Canada’s birthday in true Canadian style.
We invite you to join us on the new Red & White Birthday tour themed in our nation’s patriotic colours.
Tour highlights include; Canadian art, wine, floral gardens, live theatre and even some Moose!
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Explore Four Points by Sheraton hotels across Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick & Nova Scotia for OMCA group blocks. We have what matters most like comfortable beds, delicious breakfast, fast & free WiFi, and great local beer with Best Brews™. Submit an RFP and enjoy exclusive offers for OMCA members.
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Toronto Star
After nearly seven years at the helm of Metrolinx, Bruce McCuaig is stepping down as president and CEO of the regional transit agency.
Metrolinx recently issued a press release announcing that McCuaig is leaving his post and will be taking a job in the federal government as an executive advisor at the new Canada Infrastructure Bank.
READ MORE
Daily Commercial News
The majority of Ontarians support government investment in transportation infrastructure and many see those investments as the solution to road traffic concerns across the province, states a new survey released by a consortium of public and private sector transportation organizations. "The purpose of the survey was just to get impressions of Ontarians on what their thoughts are when it comes to infrastructure spending priorities, traffic congestion and road tolls, where they saw the most important areas for government to be spending and where they should be prioritizing," explained Ashley De Souza, director of government relations for the Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA).
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Blockbuster musicals and award-winning productions from around the world come to four Mirvish theatres in the heart of downtown Toronto. MORE
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Birchtown, the largest free Black settlement in the 1780’s, where people voted with their feet for freedom. Come experience the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre. MORE
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CBC News
Windsor businesses could be in a position to capitalize on the federal government's plan to legalize marijuana by next year, according to a couple of entrepreneurs dreaming up ideas for the region.
CBC News learned the government will announce the proposed pot legislation next month, aiming to make pot legal by July 1, 2018.
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Hotel News Now
The recent efforts by President Donald Trump to restrict travel from a handful of Middle Eastern countries are expected to have a negative impact on the amount of inbound international tourism in the United States even as the countries account for only a tiny fraction of that travel, according to the U.S. Travel Association.
In a recent webinar detailing international travel trends, David Huether, SVP of research for the U.S. Travel Association, said the organization has seen the strong U.S. dollar have a noticeable impact on travel to the U.S., although it could be worse.
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Screening upwards of 125 films to over 34,000 attendees each year, Cinéfest Sudbury is one of Canada’s major film festivals. Recognized as The People’s Festival for the unparalleled access it provides to visitors, Cinéfest offers the best Canadian and international cinema to audiences. Cinéfest runs from September 16-24, 2017.
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Indulge in Sticky Buns, Soft Pretzels and Chocolate
Lancaster, PA
Travel through time by horse-drawn wagon
and experience costumed guides and
traditional craftsmen interpreting village life in
the 1700-1800’s; sample our famous Sticky Buns.
Continue on to Lititz “ voted best small town in America” for your factory pretzel tour, you’ll roll a pretzel and then enjoy one.
Watch candy makers hand dip chocolates right before your
eyes and taste the samples; view the collection of chocolate
molds and memorabilia.
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BNN
Canada's 150 birthday celebrations this year are only one part of increasing interest in Canada as a desirable travel destination, say tourism industry watchers.
Toronto, for instance, is coming off of its seventh consecutive record-breaking year for tourism, according to Tourism Toronto.
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Globe and Mail
A $20 million provincial project to fund a sprawling network of publicly available electric vehicle chargers is facing unplanned delays.
The government pledged to light up all 485 of the new stations that comprise the first phase of its cross-province corridor of fast chargers by the end of March.
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Join us for CANADA'S 150TH! Only one hour from Ottawa!
Explore the 1000 island region like never before!
Click here to start planning your trip.
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Toronto Star
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is promising government money for parks, conservation areas and the completion of the Trans Canada trail.
He says there will be $364 million over two years, starting in 2018-19, to support Parks Canada's management of national parks, national marine conservation areas, and national historic sites.
READ MORE
The Manitoulin Expositor
Festivals and events in Billings Township and the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI) are among those that are being supported financially by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport through the Celebrate Ontario 2017 program.
Ontario is supporting a record number of festivals and events this year, 304, to showcase the province as a vibrant place to live and visit during Ontario's 150th anniversary.
READ MORE
The Manitoulin Expositor
Northeast Town council received a deputation from Mike Wozny of the Waterfront Cycling Route Initiative, encouraging the municipality to support the Highway 6 link that joins Northern Ontario to the provincial cycling trail system.
Mr. Wozny explained that a study was completed for Tourism Northern Ontario to facilitate the development of a tourism and recreational cycling route linking Sault Ste. Marie and the communities along the North Shore to Sudbury, using back-country roads and trails.
READ MORE
Toronto Star
Is she dumping Trump?
Ontario's first chief digital officer, hired to streamline online government services and make them easier to use, has been recruited from a similar U.S. agency started under former president Barack Obama.
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