Travel

Tourism-Related Live Streaming – The Manifold Ways it Can Create a Buzz for a Destination

Published

4 years ago

July 14, 2020

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The NIZUC Resort & Spa uses live streaming to show off its views.

You’ve heard of live streaming for gaming, social media, and news, but what about live streaming holidays? That may sound like a strange prospect, but the use of technology in the tourism sector is becoming more prevalent. Since Facebook brought live streaming into the mainstream in 2017, various industries have been working on ways to incorporate it. In the tourism sector, it is now being used as a way to attract holidaymakers to a place and create a buzz for activities at a destination. Here are some of the innovative new applications for live streaming.

Webcams of Local Beaches and Beauty Spots

Technology has opened up new ways to bring tourism to people at home. One of the reasons for this is to help people who can’t travel enjoy a holiday experience. Disabled and elderley people, for instance, may find it hard to get away on a regular basis. To alleviate some of the feelings of isolation and solitude, some tourist destinations began live-streaming their locations as a form of relaxation therapy. This meant that people who were unable to make it to a stunning destination were able to live stream it on their TV into their living room. People could set up deckchairs or sun loungers in their home and at least pretend that they were on holiday.

This couple went on a cruise in their living room.

Not only does this sort of live streaming allow people to dream about their holidays from home, but it can also help to bring attention to a particular location. Holiday resorts can live stream their beaches and beauty spots in an effort to raise awareness about what they have to offer. This can be done simply by installing webcams in the chosen area.

The Aruba Tourism Authority decided to create a 30 Minutes of Happiness video which took viewers around some of the top spots in the Caribbean island. The Bucuti and Tara resort in Aruba have set up cameras which live stream the beautiful Eagle beach, and Paradise Island offers 24/7 live streaming of Nassau’s harbor.

This sort of live streaming is the simplest option for tourism authorities and holiday resorts, but it can have a great effect. Not only can it stir up the desire to get away in people from home, but it can also tempt them to book a holiday somewhere if they like the look of the place. The video footage can generate a far greater number of emotions in the viewer than a still picture can. These options suggest that the tourism sector is moving way beyond brochures when it comes to advertising locations to holidaymakers.

Create a Buzz Around Certain Activities

As well as making people aware of the picturesque locations, holiday resorts can raise awareness and create a buzz around certain activities on offer. One example of this which is becoming increasingly common is to live stream casino offerings at integrated resorts. Table games at online casinos were among the first things to take advantage of the live streaming platform, and they are now ubiquitous in the booming internet gambling industry. Indeed, at sites like 888 Casino, there are numerous blackjack and roulette options to choose from with live links to games operated by real dealers – this is one of the main draws of the site.

Hotels that have casino rooms within can jump on this live streaming craze in the gambling sector by showing holidaymakers playing games and having fun. They could even aim to offer something similar to the online casinos by allowing people to play their games online from wherever they are.

This idea can be used for various other activities that are available at the resort. A lot of seaside spots offer a wide range of watersports to their customers. To give people a feel for what it’s like to go windsurfing or jet skiing, they could attach a camera to equipment and give viewers a POV experience.

A POV video of people windsurfing.

FJB Hotels in the UK have some live streaming options of the shoreline outside their three hotels on the British south coast. These include the Chine Hotel in Bournemouth and the Haven Hotel in Poole. There are assorted water activities taking place regularly in these spots, and holidaymakers can get a feel for what they are like before booking a holiday. This kind of advertising can get people excited and influence whether they choose to stay at a hotel or not.

Live Stream Tours of Most Prestigious Options

For hotels that are aspiring to bring in high net worth clients who are looking for serious levels of luxury, it would help to use live streaming to showcase the most luxurious and prestigious facets of the resort. NIZUC Resort and Spa in Mexico, for instance, has been live-streaming its fabulous features and surroundings for some time. Its incredible infinity pool and sea views are its best features, and these aspects have earned it the title of the “Most Instagrammable Hotel in the World” in 2020.

Another hotel which is likely to appeal to high roller clientele is the Malibu Beach Inn in California. The strip of sand on which this hotel is located is known as Billionaire’s Beach, which should give an idea as to how affluent this hotspot is. The hotel live streams its rare and exclusive views to show wealthy customers what they could get if they are willing to pay the price.

Hotels that want to show off the most luxurious suites in the world could make use of live streaming to give guests an inside glimpse into what is waiting for them if they book. The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas is said to be the world’s most expensive at approximately $100,000 per night. The hotel has previously shown video footage of it, but live streaming would take the advertising to a higher level.

This is only the beginning of live streaming in the tourism industry, and there are sure to be yet more innovations over the next few years. The main point to it is that it can give people that holiday feeling, and influence them to book. Hotels that want to drum up more trade would be wise to use live streaming as an advertising tool.

Travel

Antigua & Barbuda Welcomes More Canadians as Air Canada Adds New Flights

Published

2 years ago

October 10, 2022

TOCaribNews

St. John’s, Antigua – The dual-island destination of Antigua & Barbuda is seeing an uptick in Canadian traffic just in time for the winter travel season. Beginning today, October 8th, a new offering of flights from Air Canada is expected to help realize a recovery to pre-pandemic airlift levels in the Canadian market.

The Air Canada flight arrived this afternoon carrying 106 passengers from Toronto and the aircraft was given a welcome back water cannon salute. Passengers were also greeted by cultural dancers and music and small token welcome gifts.

“We are extremely pleased with Air Canada’s decision to both resume and increase service to our shores and look forward to extending our famous Antigua and Barbuda hospitality to our Canadian visitors,” said Colin James, Chief Executive Officer of The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. “We know many Canadians are more than ready for a vacation and we are equally ready to provide the relaxation and escape that Canadians have been craving.”

As noted, the rollout of the new service begins today with a single direct flight weekly from Toronto (YYZ) to St. John’s (ANU). Service will continue to ramp up to meet the traditional demand of the holiday season, with Air Canada forecasting the eventual operation of five weekly flights at peak traffic.

Travellers from Montreal looking to fly south for the winter can look forward to once-a-week direct flights (YUL to ANU) beginning December 23rd.

The return of Air Canada flights to Antigua & Barbuda comes in the wake of the destination’s latest travel advisory, which has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions for passengers arriving by air, yacht, and ferry. While a successful strategy of mass vaccinations and proactive public awareness campaigns has kept COVID-19 infection levels low, visitors are still encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing in public spaces where crowds are likely to gather. You can read the latest travel advisory here.

“Over the course of the pandemic, Antigua and Barbuda has seen a monumental, joint effort involving both the government and industry stakeholders to make the destination as safe as it can be,” said Mr. James. “With that goal now realized and our Canadian friends set to return, we are extremely excited that our guests will once again be able to experience everything our home has to offer.”

Travel

Gambling Regulations In Canada And The Caribbean: What You Need To Know

Published

2 years ago

August 27, 2022

TOCaribNews

There are several trusted licensing authorities that oversee land-based and online gambling in the Caribbean, and in Canada, it’s all overseen in each province by the local provincial government. You also have the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which is situated on an Indian land reserve in Quebec.

This trusted licensing authority is independent of Canada, and it’s part of the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory government. At one time, it was the licensing authority in the whole of North America, prior to US states regulating online casino gambling. Here is a look at gambling regulations in Canadian and the Caribbean and what you need to know as a player.

Are online casinos in Canada licensed by the Canadian government?

In Canada, gambling at online casinos is legal, and the gambling operator that’s based in that province must be licensed by the local provincial government’s licensing agency. For example, in Ontario, gambling is monitored and regulated by iGaming Ontario, which is a subsidiary of AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario).

In other words, to legally operate an online casino in Ontario, an operator must have first obtained a license from iGaming Ontario. However, there’s still nothing stopping a foreign operator that’s based outside of Canadian borders from aiming their business toward Ontario citizens because they fall outside of Canadian jurisdiction. One of the other major licensing authorities that has issued licenses to hundreds of online casinos is the previously mentioned Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

Because the regulation and licensing of online casinos and other similar real money gambling sites is still relatively new in Canada, it’s why you will see that many of today’s best Ontario casino sites are licensed outside of Canada, by one or more other reputable licensing authorities, such as the UK Gambling Commission, the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, or the Malta Gaming Authority.

How is online gambling regulated in the Caribbean?

There are several different gambling regulators/licensing authorities in the Caribbean, but these are often referred to as ‘rubber stamp’ licensing authorities. For example, you have the Directorate of Offshore Gaming in Antigua and Barbuda, the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority in the Anjouan and Comoros Islands, and the Curaçao Ministry of Justice in Curaçao (the former Netherlands Antilles).

While not all online casinos that have obtained a license from one of these authorities can be classed as ‘rogue casinos’, the best thing to do would be to stick to playing at the sites that are licensed either by a provincial Canadian government licensing authority or by one of the others mentioned above (e.g., by the UK Gambling Commission – one of the most trusted online gambling regulators in the world).

Why sign up to a casino that’s licensed by a provincial Canadian government or the Malta Gaming Authority?

These reputable authorities don’t just hand out a license to any old operator that has the cash to buy one. They heavily vet their licensees and carry out the necessary due diligence prior to issuing a license. They have the best legal framework in place, and they only license the most trusted operators. Should an issue arise at a casino that’s licensed in one of these jurisdictions (which is highly unlikely), you would have the proper legal backing that you, as a player, deserve. In other words, your complaint or issue will not go unanswered and will be resolved within a relatively short period of time.

Travel

11 Fun Vacation Ideas That Will Keep You Entertained

Published

2 years ago

August 11, 2022

TOCaribNews

When it comes to taking a vacation, many people think they need to go somewhere exotic to have a good time. This is not always the case! Plenty of fun vacation ideas will keep you entertained without breaking the bank. This blog post will discuss 11 different vacations you can take without spending a lot of money. So whether you are looking for an adventure or want to relax on the beach, we have you covered!

Hiking and camping

If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, hiking and camping are great options. There are many trails all over the world that you can explore. And if you camp in an RV or tent, it will be even cheaper! This is a great way to get in touch with nature and see fantastic sights.

Try your hand at gambling

Gambling doesn’t always mean going to a casino—there are many different ways to gamble, and not all require money. You can play card games or bet on sports games with friends. You may wager on sports, horse races, and other events from anywhere with just a computer or mobile device and an internet connection. You should give it a chance now that single-game betting in Ontario is legal in different provinces. Numerous online betting firms provide bonuses and incentives, and the whole idea of gambling is to have fun.

Visit a national park

Another excellent option for those who love the outdoors is to visit a national park. There are parks throughout the United States and in many other countries. This is a great way to see some of the most beautiful places on earth without spending a lot of money. Many parks offer free or discounted admission days, so check out before going.

Take a road trip

A road trip is another great vacation idea that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. You can explore different parts of your country or even take an international trip! Just be sure to plan your route and budget accordingly. And don’t forget to pack snacks and games for the car ride.

Have a staycation

If you are short on time or money, a staycation is always an option. This is where you spend your vacation at home or in a nearby city. There are many things to do on a staycation, such as visiting local attractions, going out to eat, and seeing movies. You can also use this time to relax at home and catch up on some much-needed rest.

Take an art class

One fun activity you can do on vacation is taking an art class. This is a great way to try something new and connect with your creative side. You can find classes for all different types of art, such as painting, pottery, and photography. And you may even be able to find free or discounted classes!

Visit a museum

Museums are another great option for those who want to learn on vacation. There are museums for different topics, such as history, art, and science. Many museums also offer discounts or free days, so be sure to check that out before you go.

See a live show

Seeing a live show is an excellent option if you are looking for some entertainment on vacation. Depending on your interests, you can see a play, musical, or concert. This is a great way to experience some cultures and see something new.

Visit a theme park

Theme parks are always a popular vacation destination. And there are many different ones to choose from all over the world. But you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun at a theme park. There are often discounts and promotions available if you plan ahead.

Take a cooking class

One last fun vacation idea is taking a cooking class. This is a great way to learn about new cuisines and get some hands-on experience in the kitchen. You can find cooking classes for all different types of food, such as Italian, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. And you may even be able to find free or discounted classes!

Visit a winery

If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation, visiting a winery is a great option. You can spend your days touring different vineyards, sampling wines, and learning about the wine-making process. And many wineries offer discounts or complimentary tastings if you visit during certain times of the year.

These are just a few of the many fun vacation ideas that you can try. So get out there and start exploring! And don’t forget to have fun!