Jun 07 St. Kitts regains Visa Free travel to Canada!
Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, visited Winnipeg today for an announcement regarding visa-free travel.
Passport holders from 13 countries will now be able to travel to Canada by air without requiring a Temporary Residence Visa. However, this applies only to travellers from these countries who have either held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or who currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa.
Eligible travellers include passport holders from:
- Philippines
- Morocco
- Panama
- Antigua and Barbuda
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Argentina
- Costa Rica
- Uruguay
- Seychelles
- Thailand
Fraser says Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been working to make the pretravel screening process easier, faster, and more affordable. He says this decision will divert thousands of applications from Canada’s visa caseload, allowing IRCC to process visa applications more efficiently.
A similar pilot program was introduced in Brazil in 2017. The minister says that the program was successful in increasing visitors from Brazil by 40% and reducing the caseload in IRCC’s Sao Paulo office by 60%, freeing IRCC officers to work on more complex applications. Visa-free travel to Canada
There are more than 50 countries that can enter Canada without a visa, although most require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if they are arriving by air.
United States citizens do not require an eTA or a visa to enter Canada unless they are moving to Canada to work or study.
Nationals of countries that are not exempt from obtaining a visa, must apply for a Temporary Residence Visa (TRV), also known as a visitor visa.
A TRV allows an individual to visit Canada for a period of six months (although this may differ for some foreign nationals).
Arriving in Canada with a TRV does not give the holder permission to work or study in Canada and they may be asked to demonstrate that the purpose of their visit to Canada is only temporary (such as tourism or visiting family) at their port of entry.
IRCC is currently working through a backlog of TRV applications. The latest backlog data from IRCC shows that 50% of TRV applications are not being processed within service standards, which is 14 days.
Minister Fraser has said TRV applications were impacted by the recent strike by the Public Service Alliance of Canada. The 12-day strike lasted from April 19 until May 1 and Fraser told reporters that there were 100,000 applications not processed during that period that otherwise would have been. He also said that he expects IRCC will be able to catch up to pre-pandemic processing standards within the coming weeks, or a few months.
Source: https://www.cicnews.com/2023/06/breaking-canada-introducing-visa-free-travel-to-13-countries-0635331.html#gs.0ix7zk
Jun 13 St. Kitts welcomes Air Canada expanded service
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS - For the first time in the island's history, Air Canada will serve St. Kitts for a full six months for the 2018-2019 peak season. The non-stop Saturday flights from Toronto will operate from November 3, 2018 all the way through April 27, 2019.
"This is an unprecedented air service expansion by Air Canada that marks yet another historic first for St. Kitts," said the Hon. Mr. Lindsay F.P. Grant, Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce. "I could not be more pleased to welcome this additional flying, which expands the options for visitors and Diaspora from our key Canadian source market to get to island."
From November 3 through December 10, Air Canada will operate a 136-seat Airbus A319-100 Rouge aircraft with 124 economy class and 12 business class seats for the non-stop Saturday flights. From December 15, 2018 through April 27, 2019, Air Canada will operate a 200-seat Airbus A321-200 Rouge aircraft with 184 economy class and 16 business class seats for these flights.
"Air Canada's decision to expand service into St. Kitts is a testament to the strength of our growing tourism sector," said Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. "As our airlift from North America expands to accommodate our recently announced new hotel developments and upgrades to existing hotel product which include all-inclusive options, Canadians now have a full range of vacation choices available. This is truly is a complement to our existing North American airlift and gives us significantly increased capacity for this season and beyond."
Air Canada first began serving St. Kitts non-stop on Fridays in peak season from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in 2011 and subsequently shifted to Saturday service. It is the island's only non-stop scheduled service from Canada. In previous years, the flight operated from late December through early April. With the expanded service, St. Kitts will receive an additional 6 weeks of non-stop flying that provides the potential for an increase in Canadian air passenger arrivals.
Source: https://www.traveldailynews.com/post/st-kitts-welcomes-air-canada-expanded-service
Jan 27 Government Pursues New Diplomatic Allies and Visa-Free Access to More Countries
Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 25, 2016 (SKNIS): The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is preparing to tap further into diplomatic channels as it engages the Government of Canada to restore visa-free access for nationals traveling to the North American country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Mark Brantley, said that while no formal discussions were held with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his recent family vacation in Nevis, there is a plan to "engage Canada formally."
"We have unfortunately been delayed in that engagement because of the elections in Canada," Minister Brantley said, referring to the October 2015 Federal Elections which saw a change in government. However, the foreign affairs minister indicated that he has since met on the sidelines with his Canadian counterpart in Malta and had discussions on several matters.
St. Kitts and Nevis also has a formal presence in Canada in the person of High Commissioner, Her Excellency Shirley Skerritt. Minister Brantley said last year's opening of the High Commission in Ottawa, Canada's capital city, highlighted the government's commitment to strengthen the existing relationship and springboard discussions on the restoration of visa-free travel.
"I can't make promises but I feel optimistic that we will overcome this particular hurdle," the foreign minister stated. "I think that it is important to restore it because it is important for our reputation; it is important for our people to be able to travel freely to as many countries as possible.”
St. Kitts and Nevis enjoys good standing in many international circles and according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) the twin-island federation is one of the leaders in economic performance and projected growth in the Caribbean and Central America.
Senior Diplomat Brantley said that it is key, to build on St. Kitts and Nevis' positive reputation by seeking out new opportunities to establish diplomatic ties and also increase the federation's visa-free access to more countries.
"We are very close to concluding visa waiver with Russia," he said. "We are pursuing that with Ukraine, with Indonesia. We, just last year, got visa free access to Brazil, [and] we are pursuing it with South Africa."
Authorities are also working with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to have representation in South Africa. Efforts are being pursued to establish diplomatic relations with Senegal. Minister Brantley added that Nigeria is an important "center of power" on the African continent and that continued engagement at the honorary consul level will continue. Establishing honorary consuls in Ghana and Ethiopia are also being considered, he said.
Source: http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/94917
Mar 02 St. Kitts & Nevis is Showcased as a Golf Destination
Basseterre, St. Kitts - (March 2, 2015) - Teams of PGA club professionals and amateur golfers along with their guests all enjoyed the lush natural beauty and warm hospitality of St. Kitts & Nevis during the Fifth Annual St. Kitts-Nevis Admiral's Cup Pro-Am Tournament, held on both islands of the Federation from February 17-21, 2015.
"The Pro-Am tournament is a premier event to help build awareness for our twin-island nation within the lucrative golf travel niche market," said Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. "Considering that we have a new championship course which is on schedule to open this year, Irie Fields at Kittitian Hill, and another championship course at Christophe Harbour slated to open in 2016 on St. Kitts, it is critical that we promote our product now."
The Admiral's Cup Pro-Am is an annual golf event for the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. It is a five-day team tournament in which a PGA Club Professional and three amateurs pair up to compete against other teams from golf clubs across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. The 54-hole annual event was contested over the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club designed by Canadian course architect Thomas McBroom and the signature Robert Trent Jones II course at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, two of the Caribbean's most scenic and challenging courses. Rounds one and three of the tournament were played on the links-style Royal St. Kitts Golf Club, an 18-hole course featuring holes on both the Caribbean and Atlantic which is managed by Marriott Golf. Round two was played at the Four Seasons Resort in Nevis, featuring the par 71, 18-hole championship mountain-side course that overlooks the Caribbean Sea and St. Kitts with a spectacular beach-side finishing 18th green.
All participants, guests, and sponsors of the Admiral's Cup Pro-Am were treated to warm hospitality and great golf. While temperatures dipped into the single digits back in the U.S., attendees enjoyed relaxing in the sun at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort & Royal Beach Casino, host resort of the event for the 5th year in a row. Additional event sponsors included the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, Cobra PUMA Golf, Carib Beer, Kantours and Brinley Gold Rum. All attendees were treated to nightly parties, on-course hospitality stations, and player gift bags filled with prizes valued at more than $400 USD. They also explored the island, going zipliningand dining out at restaurants from Carambola Beach Club to Fisherman's Wharf. After 36-holes of Team Best Ball competition, the CC of Columbus (Georgia) team led by Host PGA Professional Brian Stubbs held a one-stroke lead on the field at 121. Seven teams were within 5 shots of the lead heading into the final round's tough Two Best Ball format (1 gross + 1 net), including the Wilmington Island Club from Savannah, Georgia, the event's 2012 Team Champions. However, it was the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club #2 team, led by Amateur Louis Canise, a 2-handicap golfer who learned the game on the nearby island of St. Lucia and carded a 4-under par 67 on his own ball, pulled away from the field. As a result, Canise and his teammates Adrian Norford (Team Captain), Everton Harvey and Vernon Veira, were presented the winning Admiral's Cup by Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority.
The Royal St. Kitts Golf Club Team #2 was one of three entered into the competition from the Host Club, capturing the Championship with a final score of 246. Their victory marked the first time in the event's history that one of the host teams took top honors in the annual competition. The Wilmington Island Club consisting of Host PGA Professional Patrick Richardson and amateurs Ron Wodkowski, David Schaller and Wilson Tillotson, captured runner-up honors with a team score of 259, marking the third time in four years the team placed in the event. The Royal St. Kitts Golf Club #1 team of Team Captain Anand Harridyal, Harry Harridyal, Andy Orr and David Wright took third place honors, one shot back at 260.
To learn more about the Admiral's Cup Pro-Am and golf in St. Kitts and Nevis, visit www.StKittsProAm.com. The tournament is managed exclusively by The Golf Connection LLC for the St. Kitts Tourism Authority.
About St. Kitts:
In conjunction with existing courses, the Irie Fields Golf Club at Kittitian Hill, designed by former Masters Champion Ian Woosnam, and the Tom Fazio designed course at Christophe Harbour, will form a spectacular quartet of world class golf courses, each of which is adjacent to luxury resorts and residential developments. In 2014, LINKS Magazine included St. Kitts & Nevis in its newly created ranking of the Top 25 Islandsin the world for golf travel and it is one of just seven Caribbean islands on the list.
In fact, the twin-island Federation has recently appeared in a number of must-visit lists and rankings. St. Kitts is currently ranked, with sister island Nevis, at #3 on a list of the Best Islands in the World, #3 on a list of the Best Caribbean Vacations, and #7 on a list of the Best Beach Honeymoon Destinations in the World, #8 on a list of Best Caribbean Honeymoons, and #8 on a list of the Best Affordable Caribbean Destinations by US News & World Report. It is also currently ranked at #7 among the Hottest Places to Travel this Winter by CNN Money based on bookings received by Virtuoso, #8 on a list of the Top 10 Best Islands for a Holiday by Places To See In Your Lifetime, #14 on a list of the 50 Travel Destinations That Will Be Huge In The Next 10 Years as well as #8 on a list of the 25 Best Caribbean Islands by Business Insider, one of the Top 12 Best Caribbean Vacations on FlipKey.com, the vacation rental company of leading travel website, TripAdvisor. St. Kitts & Nevis has also been named one of the Top 15 Emerging Travel Hotspots for 2015by The Huffington Post and has been ranked by The New York Times at #34 of the 52 Places to Go in 2015. In addition, St. Kitts received the "Innovative Destination of the Year" Award in Caribbean Journal's Caribbean Travel Awards 2014.
Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, it offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination's natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history. The island's stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island's former sugar plantations, visiting the Caribelle Batik factory, and touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean. Among the more traditional vacation pastimes available are watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, dining, gaming at St. Kitts' exclusive casino or simply relaxing on a sandy beach. Accommodations range from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels and resorts.
For more information about St. Kitts, please contact the St. Kitts Tourism Authority toll free from the US at 1-800-582-6208 or from Canada 1-888-395-4887, e-mail info@stkittstourism.kn, visit www.stkittstourism.kn, or connect on Facebook, Twitter and/or YouTube.
Source:
Apr 26 American Airlines maintains leading carrier status into Robert Bradshaw Airport
American Airlines continues to be the leading passenger carrier into St. Kitts' Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.
The St. Christopher and Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA), which reported a total of 12,874 passenger arrivals in March, disclosed that American Airlines brought in 6,243 passengers on 50 flights, while its commuter carrier brought in 705 from 28 flights, a total of 6,945 passengers from 78 flights.
The second leading carrier was LIAT with 2,384 passengers from 185 flights, followed by British Airways with 900 passengers on 9 flights.
SCASPA's Department of Finance and Statistics reported that next in line was Delta Air with 842 passengers from five flights; US Airways, 664 passengers from five flights; Air Canada, 586 passengers from five flights and Miami Air charter, 171 passengers from 2 flights. WINAIR brought in 108 passengers from 50 flights, Trans Anguilla, 44 passengers from 14 flights and Air Anguilla, 12 passengers from 7 flights.
SCAPA reported a 16 percent increase in passengers arrivals in March, an 11 percent increase in flights inward and outward bound flights into the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.
Source: http://www.cuopm.com/newsitem_new.asp?articlenumber=3687&post200803=true
Jan 12 Air Canada resumes scheduled seasonal service to St. Kitts from Toronto
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, January 9th, 2013 (CUOPM) - Air Canada has begun its second scheduled seasonal service into St. Kitts' Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.
The weekly service started in 2012 for the peak winter 2011/2012 travel season which ends in April 2013.
The non-stop flight will operate from Toronto on Fridays and is the twin-island Federation's only non-stop commercial flight from Canada, effectively making St. Kitts and its sister island, Nevis, a more viable winter destination choice for travelers from this key North American market.
Air Canada flight AC1778 arrives at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport at 4:15 p.m. every Friday with the same-day return flight AC1779 leaving for Toronto at 5:15 p.m.
Air Canada uses an Airbus 319 aircraft with 108 Economy Class seats and 12 Business Class seats for this flight.
The Air Canada Vacations is very significant for St. Kitts and Nevis as Canada has always been a valuable source market for visitors and investors as well as home to a large contingent of nationals in that North American country.
Source: http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/68186
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