NEWS
Provincial vaccine passports could get certification for int’l travel TORONTO — Hosted this year in Basel MISSISSAUGA — Justin Trudeau says the Liberal party is open to working with the provinces to certify provincial vaccine passports for use for international travel. Trudeau made the pledge from the campaign trail. The federal election is Sept. 20. The potential for the feds to piggyback on the province’s vaccine passports may expedite travel’s recovery, but not every province has committed to vaccine passports yet. And what about that fall 2021 timeline for the cross-Canada system of proof of vaccination to help restart international travel? Provincial vaccine passports, facilitating entry to everything from restaurants and bars to movies, gyms, and concerts - depending on the province - are now up and running in Quebec (Sept. 1) and Manitoba (Sept. 3), and coming soon to B.C. (Sept. 13) and Ontario (Sept. 22). Meanwhile several provinces are looking at proof of vaccination for some activities, even if it’s not called a vaccine passport, while a few others have so far rejected the concept outright. While provincial vaccine passports for day-to-day activities and venues have been the focus in recent weeks, back in June 2021 Trudeau said Canadians could expect to see a cross-Canada system of proof of vaccination to help restart international travel by potentially fall 2021. The first track of Canada’s 2-track proof of vaccination system for international travel, allowing travellers to use Canada’s ArriveCAN app to upload vaccination certification, is already up and running. On the campaign trail, Trudeau was asked when Canadians can expect to see that cross-Canada system of proof of vaccination for international travel. In his response Trudeau noted that the provincial governments have people’s health data, not the federal government. Trudeau added that for those provinces with vaccine passports, the Liberals could “add a federal element of certification so you can show it at inter-
Justin Trudeau on the campaign trail, leading up to the Sept. 20 election
national airports around the world and use it for international travel. It is an interim measure that will be very good for the next year or so, easily.” Late last month Trudeau promised $1 billion to the provinces to help with the costs of bringing in provincial vaccine passports. With all the focus on the provinces, many in the travel industry - and anyone looking to travel this winter - may be wondering what happened to the fall 2021 timeline for the cross-Canada vaccine passport for travel? Trudeau also said “we will be bringing in that more formalized version in the coming months or a year perhaps”, while acknowledging that “the priority is giving people a solid document that will allow them to do both things, both engage provincially in local businesses, knowing that they’re safe from the people at the next table, and travel internationally with something robust enough and approved by the government of Canada, that will be accepted at airports around the world.”
Direct Travel acquires McCord Travel in first buy since 2019 TORONTO — Direct Travel has acquired McCord Travel Management. Says Brian Robertson, President of Direct Travel, Canada West region: “We have admired Scott and his team's ability to maintain an enviable reputation of providing tailored travel services to Canada's top executives, celebrities and government representatives. The
existing level of service will remain in place and be further enhanced by Direct Travel's technology and global reach.” The deal “is a powerful statement of the strength and diversity of Direct Travel in the travel marketplace,” he said. “We are enthusiastic about adding McCord Travel to our organization and continuing to provide a more personalized approach to the business of travel,” he added. McCord Travel, based in Ottawa, has been in business for more than 20 years. The company will now operate as McCord Travel, A Direct Travel Company. McCord Travel founder Scott McCord is joining Direct Travel senior management team as Director of Customer Experience. He will continue to oversee the operations of McCord Travel. “For years, both Direct Travel and McCord Travel have consistently gone above and beyond for business and leisure clients alike,” said McCord. “Our team at McCord Travel is excited to combine our focus on highly personalized service with the expanded range of global services that Direct Travel will provide our clients.” Travelweek checked in with Robertson to ask if the McCord deal signals a steadily building momentum in the travel sector. The acquisition is Direct Travel’s first in Canada since 2019. “We are back to 40% across Canada and 50% across the U.S." for transactions, measured against pre-pandemic 2019 volumes, Robertson told Travelweek. “Forward leisure bookings are going through the roof and current corporate / meetings activity is coming back despite continued travel restrictions globally,” he added. September 9, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 11
