New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams to visit Ghana in fulfillment of promise

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Mayor-elect Eric Adams will leave for a long-planned trip to the West African country of Ghana late Monday despite concerns over the new Omicron coronavirus variant in the continent’s southern region, his spokesman told The Post.

“I made a promise to myself that I would visit Ghana following the 400-year anniversary of slavery in America and the election, to show how far we have come and remember how far we still must go,” said Adams, who will be the city’s second black mayor.

The grim anniversary of slaves arriving in America passed in 2019. At the time, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led a delegation to Ghana to mark the historical event and the West African country encouraged the descendants of slaves to travel to their motherland for a “Year of Return.”

“This election to me was, among other things, about resetting a negative narrative so that we can have a more just and united future. I will continue to be in contact with the transition team on our progress toward Jan. 1, and with the mayor on pressing matters including Omicron while I’m in Ghana,” Adams told The Post exclusively.

He will make the weeklong trip to Ghana with family. He’s expected to return Dec. 8.

Advisers had told The Post Sunday he was reconsidering the jaunt because of the Omicron variant that originated in southern Africa and has since spread to other countries around the world.

Mayor-elect Eric Adams said he made a promise to himself to go to Ghana following the 400-year anniversary of slavery in America, which occurred in 2019.

But Adams, who is fully vaccinated and recently received a booster shot, decided to keep to his plans. Ghana and South Africa are approximately 4,000 miles apart, even farther than the distance from New York to California.

“When it comes to COVID, I have said time and time again that I will follow the science and our public health professionals as a leader — and right now travel is banned only to south African countries out of an abundance of caution.

“Should the federal government change their guidance on travel, I will immediately follow it. Meanwhile, New Yorkers must remain vigilant about preventing the spread of COVID, including wearing masks and getting their vaccines and booster shots,” Adams said.

City Health Commissioner David Chokshi said Adams — or any other New Yorker — should feel free to travel abroad if they’re fully vaccinated.

Source: NYPost

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Tour Operators Union Embark On City Tour Ahead of Start of Accra City Tours

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The Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) on Wednesday, 23rd June, 2021 embarked on a promotional Accra city tour as part of sensitization and awareness creation in respect of the Domestic Tourism promotion launched recently by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo dubbed, “EXPERIENCE GHANA, SHARE GHANA”. Other stakeholders like Tourists Clubs and some media joined the tour which lasted for 3 hours.

The Ghana Tourism Authority, as part of promotion of the domestic tourism drive amongst Ghanaians, outdoored two city tour buses, a double decker bus a.k.a “Aunty Deede” and Mummy Truck, a.k.a “Bone Shaker”. The Tour was aimed at ensuring that the Tour Operators would have an experience of the Coaches in order to sell the Tour Packages accordingly. As the private sector agency that promotes tours within and outside the country, it is the expectation of the Authority that it will definitely live up to expectation as interest of Ghanaians is ignited for the domestic tourism campaign.

The Tour began at exactly 1pm from the Accra Tourist Information Centre (ATIC), through the former Flagstaff House now Jubilee House and then to the Ring Road where the tour continued to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). After GBC which is Ghana’s oldest Broadcasting Corporation, the tour made its way through Nima  where we could find the residence of His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, the President of the Republic. Next off, the most famous interchange in Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Interchange , popularly called “Circle”. On through to the Jake Obetsebi Lamptey interchange then to Abossey Okai, one of Ghana’s famous spare parts hub.

 

The Coach popularly called Aunty Deede was the delight of many and obviously the talk of town as the tour continued. The Tour then made its way to the Bukom Boxing Arena which is adjacent to the junction that leads to the Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital. The tour then made its way pass the Jamestown Fishing Market directly opposite the Fire Service Academy. On the High Street, the tour got to the Lighthouse which is opposite the Ngleshie Alata Mantse Palace. The Group made a stopover at the James Fort where the Tour Guide gave the entire group a tour within the Fort explaining the historical events before independence.

The Ussher Fort was the next on the itinerary. Also, drove pass the Bank of Ghana, the Arts Centre and then to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, The Law Court Complex and the Ministries. The group’s next stopover was the Independence Square where the team took photos with various symbols and the Accra Sports Stadium. From the Independence Square, the tour continued through to the Oxford Street which one of Ghana’s domestic tourism hub just as the Arts Centre with various artifacts, local prints, cuisine, music, nightlife, etc. From the Oxford Street, the team passed through the Dankwa Interchange then to the Ghana Prisons Headquarters. The tour ended at 1600HRS.

The Tour on Wednesday was the 5th Promotional Tour held by the GTA since its launch in June, 2021. Various groups that have participated included Staff of the GTA, Stakeholders including the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), Tour Guides, Tourism Press/Media Corps, etc.

Speaking to the media after the tour, Mr. Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi of the Ghana Tourism Authority reiterated government’s commitment to promote the domestic tourism agenda through such initiatives as the Accra City Tours which will gradually extend to the various regions and districts accordingly. The initiative aims at helping the economy recover from the ravages of COVID 19 and targeting increasing arrivals of 600, 000 by 2022 and one million by 2024. He noted that with the success of the “Year of Return” initiative by government, it is imperative to apply innovative ways and means to ensure the realization of the objectives put in place for the “Beyond the Return” project. He indicated that the packages will include educational, business, and religious tourism that will create a sense of national unity and cohesion as well as raise income from the urban area. He stated that the domestic tourism drive dubbed, “Experience Ghana, Share Ghana” aims at ensuring the realization of the vision of the Sector Ministry ie to whip up interest, create an industry wide tourism wholesale package for on-selling by Operators.

The sector Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Awal Mohammed had indicated the need for massive transformation of the sector through innovation, sectorial collaboration, coordinated strategy to ensure a seamless and affordable tourism experience for Ghanaian tourists in the domestic market and consolidate Ghana’s position as the preferred destination for leisure, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions in the ECOWAS sub-region.

The President of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), Mrs. Alisa Asamoah on her part reiterated the commitment of the Tour Operators to ensure the realization of the goals for the promotion of this domestic tourism drive. She therefore took the opportunity to commend the government especially the Hon. Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal and the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman in seeing to the transformation of the industry through such initiatives. He urged that more initiatives to whip up interest in domestic tourism should be encouraged to ensure the overall success of the campaign. She expressed appreciation to the executives and members of TOUGHA for embarking on the Tour as a wake-up call to action.

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African Diaspora in Ghana to join Beyond the Return to plant trees as Ghana goes green

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The ‘Beyond The Return’ program is partnering with the local diaspora community to plant trees for the “Green Ghana Project,” which is an initiative championed by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission.

On Friday, 11th June 2021, five million trees will be planted across Ghana. Planting trees will help protect watersheds, reduce erosion and moderate the climate, and serve as habitat and provide food for many birds and other wildlife.

Diasporans representing the Diaspora Coalition, African American Association of Ghana, Ghana Caribbean Association, Omega Psi Phi Tau Chi chapter, and Voyajah will plant trees on behalf of the ‘Beyond The Return’ program and the Give Back Ghana” pillar.

About Beyond the Return
‘Beyond the Return’ is a 10-year initiative with the theme, ‘A Decade of African Renaissance’. The vision is to continue fostering relationships with the global diaspora community through tourism, investments and repatriation.
The initiative is a follow up to Ghana’s ‘Year of Return’ campaign and is Cordinated by the Ghana Tourism Authority under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture.

For more information about ‘Beyond The Return’ visit www.beyondthereturngh.com or social media @beyondthereturn

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President To Launch Domestic And Regional Tourism Campaign To Stimulate The Tourism Industry

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PRESS RELEASE

ACCRA: 31ST MAY, 2021 

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Ghana Tourism Authority, the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) and other tourism industry players will launch a Domestic and Regional Tourism Campaign on Tuesday, 1st June, 2021 at the Labadi Beach Hotel.

 

The campaign which is designed to accelerate the pace of tourism recovery through a renewed focus on domestic and regional markets will be launched by H.E. Nana Akufo Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana. It will create awareness, boost domestic tourism expenditure and revive  culture of travel among Ghanaians. Key industry players including the Tourism Trade Associations, Media, Diplomats, Parliamentarians and several other public figures will be in attendance. The event will be streamed LIVE on the Ghana Tourism Authority Facebook page (@ghanatourismauthority).

 

The campaign is themed: #EXPERIENCEGHANA #SHAREGHANA.

 

As part of the campaign, industry stakeholders are offering discounted packages including tours, accommodation, transportation and mouth-watering prizes to enable the public experience all that Ghana has to offer in terms of tourism. Some of the activities earmarked include:

  • Travel Share and Win Campaign where people are expected to travel to anywhere in Ghana and share their photos and videos on social media to get a chance to win prizes. Other activities include:
  • Discover, Write and Win
  • PANAFEST/Emancipation
  • Taste of Ghana (Gastronomy Fair)
  • Meet In Ghana Travel Show
  • See Ghana on STC and VIP coaches
  • December-In-Gh.

The campaign is expected to run for the next 18 months.

 

Ghana Tourism Authority

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Ghana’s Tourism Arrivals To Receive Boost With Arrival of United Airlines

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Accra: May 15, 2021
Ghana welcomes United Airlines as it commences direct flights between Ghana and the United States, providing an additional option for the country’s largest tourism generating market. The airline will operate three flights per week to Accra, offering passengers more traveling options to the US.
It would be recalled that during the Year of Return, South African Airlines handled most of the passenger traffic between Ghana and the US and were overbooked throughout.
 

This follows the re-launch of passenger flight operations from Washington to Accra by United Airlines. Its Dreamline 787 landed at the Kotoka International Airport on Saturday, May 15, 2021.

The U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan said the start of the United Airlines service will also promote trade relations the two countries.

United Airlines, which is the 3rd largest airline in the world as measured by fleet size and number of routes, will compete with Delta on the Accra- New York JFK route.

Aviance, which has also been chosen as the ground handler for United Airlines, says it is very delighted to service the airline.

Mark Kamis, Managing Director of Aviance told AviationGhana that “we were very lucky that we have been handed the ground handling for United. We had the business back in 2015 when United was first here. So for Aviance we are very excited to be handling them again.”

The landing of the Dreamline 787 was welcomed by the US Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan, the Minister of Transport, MD of the Ghana Airport Company, CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority who could not hide his joy as he exhibited his Adowa dance skills at the tarmac.

#VisitGhanaNow #ghana #us #unitedairlines #africa #discoverghana #saturday #saturdaymotivation
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New Book to By Adinkra Group To Make Return Journey to Africa Easier

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Diallo Sumbry is the CEO of The Adinkra Group and his book, ‘A Smart Ghana Repatriation Guide’ will be released this month on May 19, 2021. The book promises to give an in-depth look on what it’s really like to move to Ghana. It’s a candid look at the ups and downs as well as the opportunities for success in the country. He leaves no stone unturned in the book which includes contributions from others who have also repatriated to Ghana.

Sumbry first stepped on the continent of Africa in 1988. His first trip was to Senegal and he hasn’t looked back since. His journey to discovering and exploring more of the continent has also taken him to Mali, Morocco, Guinea, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Ghana. He’s been doing this long before the ‘Year of Return’ in 2019 when thousands of people of African descent made the trip to Ghana. Sumbry played a key role in the ‘Year of Return’ campaign that marked the 400-year anniversary of the first documented ship of enslaved Africans to arrive in Virginia, USA.

His company, the Adinkra Group, has been responsible for bringing people of African descent to Ghana through what he calls, the ‘Birthright Journey’. He creates curated cultural experiences that are meant for people who have been yearning to make that trip to the motherland.

He has spent several years in Ghana giving back to communities, working on business projects and getting to know the landscape of the country at the ground level. ‘A Smart Ghana Repatriation Guide’ is an honest blend of personal experiences, lessons, and practical tips that provide a timely contribution to the “Back to Africa” renaissance sparked by the Year of Return and now with its decade-long Beyond the Return campaign.

Sumbry says that his book offers a virtual experience as you read each chapter and use the scannable QR codes that are embedded in the text of the book. He wanted to do this so that the book can come to life in a new and inspiring way.

The book will be released officially on May 19.

Click here to purchase a copy of the book

Visit the website www.theadinkragroup.com to purchase or more info.

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President Akufo Addo To Break Ground For Pan African Heritage World Museum

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Accra. April 30, 2021

The groundbreaking ceremony to commence the construction of the $30million Pan African Heritage
World Museum will be performed at the project site, Pomadze Hills, near Winneba Junction, on
Wednesday May 5, 2021.

 


The project, which was globally launched in September 2020 by the President of the Republic of Ghana
Nana Addo Dankwa, seeks to create the environment in its 10 acre space to communicate the true and
authentic history, arts, culture and ideals of the pan African world from the creation of mankind to the
present day. Apart from the main building housing the six-storey galleries of collections and artifacts,
there will be a two-acre Pan African Heroes Park, a two-acre Palace of African Kingdoms, ancient and
modern, and a three-acre Herbal Plant Village where lectures about Herbal Plants in Africa will be held.
There will also be space for Festivals, Concerts, Film Shows and Exhibitions from the wide pan African
world. The Pan African Library building will bring together young innovators and inventors from across
the world to exchange works on science and technology to solve future problems.

Registered as an International NGO in Ghana, USA, and the United Kingdom, the Pan African Heritage
World is governed by an International Board of Directors, an Academic Council, a Curatorial Board, and
an Executive Council.

 

Brainchild of Kojo Yankah, past president of PANAFEST and founder of the African University College of
Communications, the Pan African Heritage World Museum project is scheduled to be completed for
commissioning in July 2023. Funding will be mainly through donations.

 

 

The Museum complex is envisaged to be the biggest pan African heritage museum in Africa. It will have
chalets and residential accommodation for lodging and conferences.

The May 5 sod-cutting event will be performed by the President of Ghana, assisted by the Minister of
Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Mohamed Awai. Among the special guests invited are Members of the
Diplomatic Corps, Heads of corporate organizations in Africa, Prospective donors and educational
institutions. It will be chaired by Nana Prah Agyensaim, Paramount Chief of Assin Owirenkyi.
Says the founder Kojo Yankah, ‘the time has come for people of African descent to tell their own story
to shape their future’.

The programme will streamed live through PAHW website (www.pahw.org). Youtube, Facebook, as
well as through AAU (www.aau.org) Youtube and Twitter.

Source: PAHW

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The Light of Cocoa & Chocolates

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Have you had your bite of chocolate today? Or have you consumed a glass of pure Ghanaian cocoa drink yet?

If your answer is a big no, what are you waiting for?

Taking you aback a bit, cocoa was introduced in Ghana by our Legendary Tetteh Quarshie in 1895 when he returned from his farm in the Eastern Region with cocoa beans in his pocket from Fernando Po, now an island in Bioko equatorial Guinea.

Now let’s fast forward to where we left off. Do you know chocolates increase your libido if you are sexually inactive?

Oh yes, I am pretty much sure that was very green to you but that’s the truth of the matter. And the earlier the cat is let out of the bag, the better.

Consuming more chocolates and cocoa drink not only activates your sex drive and empowers you but it smoothens your skin and return you to the skin you emanated from the womb with especially the ladies. Another reason you have to consume cocoa is because it provides the most powerful dietary antioxidants .

No need to bleach that beautiful skin of yours. Use cocoa butter and lotion to keep the tone and texture smooth and fresh all the time.

Even if you find your skin in a bleached entanglement because of the use of other creams, its never too late.

Consuming cocoa and chocolates will do the trick of bringing you back into the light. It’s never too late on your side as far as chocolates and cocoa are involved. They are the lifeline to your skin’s death deadline. Eating more chocolates (consuming cocoa) also reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

They delay physical signs of ageing and minimises the pain and discomfort associated with menstrual periods and cramps.

Your stress problems are now a thing of the past because cocoa is here to take care of that.

Consumption of cocoa (chocolates) also fights dental decay, provides energy and vitality.

Cocoa and chocolates improve blood circulation to your brain and white washes depression in your life if you are emotionally broken down.

The men (guys) are not left out, consumption of cocoa keeps you fit, strong and sexually active.

I know you can’t wait to have this wonderful experience.

Come 14th February, 2021, the place to be to experience this change of light to your skin and have that power to the light is The Ghana Tourism Authority.

Come wearing your nose mask, meet pals, connect with your roots and observe all Covid – 19 protocols.

Eat more chocolates, drink more of natural cocoa drink, re – vitalise and boost your human and immune system.

This program is being held under the auspices of The Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture under the theme, “My Chocolate Experience In Disruptive Times”.

Cocoa has spread all over Ghana and given birth to several products i.e. chocolates, cocoa butter cream, cocoa butter lotion, cocoa drink, Milo etc. and all these children to cocoa play key roles in the growth, re – vitalisation and development of the human system and nation Ghana as a whole.

Where there is chocolate, there is life.

Where there is chocolate, there is light.

Where there is Chocolate, there is love and Where there is chocolate, there is hope.

Consume a chocolate today and shine a light.

 

Isaac Kofi Arthur

National Service Personnel

Corporate Affairs Department

Ghana Tourism Authority

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World Day For African & Afrodescendant Culture Celebrated To Promote Arts, Culture & Heritage

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The 2021 World Day for African and Afrodescendant culture was held on 24 January, 2021 at the W.E. Dubois Centre, Accra to celebrate the vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world.

This year’s event was  to create an opportunity for Africans and the African Diasporans to promote their cultures to enable them play their role in the development and peace in the continent.

Mr. Addourahamane Diallo, UNESCO Country Manager, said the World Day celebration is UNESCO’s aspirations to honour and highlight such cultures in their diversity and actuality.

“For, if we are to build back better and differently, we will need the inspirational power of culture. Promotion of African and Afro-descendant cultures is very important as the global crisis has exacerbated all the tensions in our societies. The fact is that these cultures offer pride, answers and something to heal even the deepest wounds”. Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO remarked.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman in his address said, “Africa will remain the vehicle of hope on the world map, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

World Day for African and Afro-descendant culture is held every year on 24 January to celebrate the diverse and vibrant culture of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world, and promote them as an effective lever for sustainable development, dialogue and peace. UNESCO adopted this day at the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2019. The dates coincide with the adoption of the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance in 2006 by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

The celebration of World Day for African and Afro-descendant culture is also aimed to promote the widest possible ratification and implementation of this Charter by African States, thereby strengthening the role of culture in promoting peace on the continent.

Other dignitaries including, Ambassador Erieka Bennett, Diaspora African Forum, Mr. Akwasi Awuah Ababio, Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, and Jessica Ayivor, President of the African American Association of Ghana (AAAG) were present at the ceremony.

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CNN Travel Names Ghana As One Top 21 Places To Visit In 2021

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In an article published by CNN Trravel outlining the top 21 places to visit in 2021, Ghana has been featured again in the company of other places such as Paris and Egypt. Ghana is featured based on the success of the Year Of Return and the propoects of its sucessor, Beyond The Return. Read Article below to discover why one should visit Ghana:
— From the gloomy depths of a Northern Hemisphere winter like no other, it can seem futile thinking about vacation plans for the year ahead.
With most of the planet still in the grips of the pandemic and vaccines a long way off for so many of us, traveling for pleasure could be thought of as at best foolish, at worst, downright risky.
One thing we do know, however, is that this situation isn’t forever. For some of us, escape could be a matter of weeks away. For others, it could be coming in the middle, or even the end, of the year.
But it will come eventually, and freedom to explore will be back in the cards.
It’s in this spirit that CNN Travel has compiled its list of 21 places to visit in 2021. We’re fully aware that some of these destinations may remain off limits for some time to come and that embarking on a trip may not be advisable.
But in an era where tourism is part of the global language, we’ll continue to look ahead to the time when we can take our first tentative steps back out into the world and make good on those dreams we’ve been saving up.
With that in mind, we’ve assembled a collection of mostly blockbuster destinations that we think are going to be high on your travel wish lists. The 21 places YOU want to go.
These are not the obscure, or undiscovered gems that often populate places-to-go rundowns (although we did throw in a couple of unexpected spots). These are the solid-gold vacation hits that everyone needs right now.
To help with getting you there, for each destination we’ve also built a separate guide to what you need to know before you go, covering entry restrictions, current Covid guidelines and safeguards, plus what kind of vacation you can expect when you finally make it.
See somewhere you like: bookmark the guide and keep checking back for updates. We’ll keep you posted with all the latest developments as they happen.
The Ghana Case: Ghana in West Africa is continuing to bank on diaspora tourism with a new campaign, Beyond the Return. Its Year of Return initiative in 2019 targeted international visitors of African descent.
Antarctica: Making the planet’s southern reaches even more enticing in 2021 is a December 4 solar eclipse that will darken the seventh continent, creating a major event for Antarctic cruise lines to trumpet. Click through the gallery for 20 more destinations to consider when the pandemic eases up:
Johan Ordonez/AFP/Getty Images
With the cancellation of the 2020-2021 Antarctic cruise season, there is a lot of pent-up desire to make our biggest travel dreams come true.
One of the most remote destinations on the planet, Antarctica is not an easy (or affordable) endeavor under the best circumstances.
Perhaps the difficulty is part of the allure — the seventh continent remains on the top of many travelers’ wish lists. The striking white desert, with its dramatic, snowy peaks and vibrant turquoise waters, as well its exotic wildlife, including Emperor penguins and Weddell seals, is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Making the locale even more enticing in 2021 is a December 4 solar eclipse that will darken the continent, creating a major event for Antarctic cruise lines to trumpet.
Silversea’s Silver Cloud 11-day sailing departs on November 30, with rates starting at $20,520, with a 10% early booking discount and economy flights included.
Ponant’s offering also departs on November 30, but for 15 days aboard the first luxury hybrid electric polar-class vessel, Le Commandant-Charcot, starting from $17,790.
For those who are trepidatious about cruising, there are other options, including one from UK-based Red Savannah that transports passengers across the continent via private jet over nine days, for about $100,000. — Brekke Fletcher

Canada

Canada has a swoon-worthy landscape for every traveler.
Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
Skiing, surfing, hiking, polar-bear spotting and Northern-lights sighting. Eclectic cuisine, world-class shopping, a diverse and rich culture. This is Canada.
The 13 provinces and territories that make up the world’s second-largest country by total area has something swoon-worthy for every type of traveler.
Nature lovers take solace in mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and Atlantic or Pacific coastlines while sophisticated palates nosh at Michelin-starred restaurants and hole-in-the-wall mainstays alike.
Nightlife seekers will find vibrant club scenes in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, though smaller cities Edmonton and Calgary know how to play too.
The laid-back visitor has a bevy of chill choices: among them Tofino, Canada’s original hippie destination; Kelowna, a picturesque lakeside wine country; and St. John’s, one of the country’s friendliest places.
In New Brunswick, the recently opened Fundy Trail Parkway boasts wild views of the Bay of Fundy coast and the world’s highest tides.
Venture further north and it just gets wilder. Neither Nunavut nor Northwest Territories are easy to get to, but the rewards of visiting the remote regions — from the indigenous Inuit people’s artwork of the former, to the natural wonders (including unparalleled Northern Lights) of the latter — are countless.
Hot hotel openings include the anticipated spring 2021 debut of W Toronto and Halifax’s first five-star hotel, Muir Hotel. The property, set to open in August, will feature cold plunge and hydrotherapy pools with a halotherapy salt room. — Stacey Lastoe

Disney parks

If it were up to most kids, every family holiday would include a visit to a Disney theme park. There’s nothing comparable to the look of joy on a kid’s face the second they step through the gates and lay their eyes on that gorgeous castle and get their first-ever photo with Mickey.
These days, adults can’t be blamed for wanting to make a beeline to their nearest Disney park either, given the new “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” themed lands at both the Disneyland and Disney World resorts in the US — open for less than a year before the pandemic hit. In particularly high demand is the Rise of the Resistance, the most ambitious interactive attraction in Disney park history.
Disney World’s Epcot, meanwhile, has been going through a major transformation of its own, with more of these changes set to open in 2021. Perhaps most exciting is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, a child-friendly ride due to open as part of the expansion of Epcot’s France pavilion in the World Showcase.
And speaking of makeovers, on the other side of the planet Hong Kong Disneyland has been going through a big one. The Asian park recently revealed its dazzling new Castle of Magical Dreams, which has been under construction since 2018 and replaces its Sleeping Beauty Castle. Part of the park’s ongoing multiyear expansion plan, it features a mix of architectural styles inspired by different cultures, while paying tribute to the multiple Disney princess stories. — Karla Cripps

Dubai

Dubai is still open for most visitors.
Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images
While vacation planning for 2021 can seem like a wild roll of the dice, a trip to Dubai is a safer bet than most. The glitziest of the United Arab Emirates is currently welcoming almost all global travelers and, with the emirate embracing thorough safety checks and protocols, you can enjoy relative peace of mind while you’re there too.
UAE flag carrier Emirates Airlines is offering free global coverage for Covid-19 health expenses and quarantine costs, while the legendary ocean-themed luxury resort Atlantis, The Palm will cover your Covid test and give you resort credit if you stay five nights or more. Its billion-dollar sister hotel, The Royal, is also set to open its doors in 2021.
The long-awaited Expo 2020 Dubai has been rescheduled for October 2021 through March 2022 and the lavish mega-event is the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East. Visitors can expect world-class architecture, spectacular displays and a festival of food.
Also expected next year is the opening of the grandly named Museum of the Future, the calligraphy-adorned facade of which is already an impressive new landmark in a city known for its buildings with wow factor. — Maureen O’Hare

Egypt

Egypt’s supply of ancient wonders is seemingly limitless, and 2021 may be just the year to show them all off to a world starved for cultural discovery.
Many of Egypt’s most celebrated artifacts are finally expected to get a gleaming new home this year at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) close to the site of the Pyramids of Giza.
The museum — a monumental concrete and glass space measuring nearly half a million square meters with a price tag of over $1 billion — was conceived in 2003 and has been under construction for eight years.
While the opening date has not been set, the long-delayed museum is sure to be a huge draw. A headliner: King Tutankhamun’s treasures will all be exhibited together for the first time.
A number of sarcophagi from Saqqara — newly discovered in 2020 — will be transferred to the GEM, as will wooden coffins found in Luxor in 2019.
No doubt more new discoveries will be added to the lineup — providing a deep dive into 5,000 years of history that can also be traced by trekking across Egypt to the tombs themselves. — Marnie Hunter

France

Rolling fields of lavender or grape vineyards are among highlights of a trip to France.
Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images
The bistros, boulangeries, patisseries and fromageries are reason enough to hotfoot it to France when the world starts moving in earnest.
And the rest of the things that drew nearly 90 million visitors to France in 2019 will start coming to life again too: world-class art exhibitions, elegant chateaux, towering cathedrals, medieval villages, glamorous stretches of coast and endless tangles of wine-producing vines.
With any luck, corks will be popping in June at the Bordeaux Wine Festival — the largest in Europe, and hopefully the line-up at Jazz à Juan in Antibes Juan-les-Pins in July will provide a fitting soundtrack to a summer showing signs of a return to communal life.
For a regal, live-it-up kind of stay, Le Grand Contrôle — a historic hotel in the heart of the Château de Versailles with an Alain Ducasse restaurant and indoor swimming pool — is set to open to guests in 2021. — Marnie Hunter

Ghana

Its Year of Return initiative in 2019 targeted international visitors of African descent, and Ghana in West Africa is continuing to bank on diaspora tourism with its new campaign Beyond the Return.
Land and sea borders currently remain closed, but now is a good time to acquaint yourself with the country’s hip cultural offerings, from an arts and fashion renaissance to new restaurant and hotel openings.
Adventurers can catch waves at deserted beaches at Cape Three Points, one of West Africa’s best surfing spots, and may spot some humpback whales too. Mole National Park is Ghana’s largest wildlife refuge and is where you can see Nolan warthogs and spotted hyenas and get close to ambling elephants.
Capital city Accra has little in the way of major attractions, but remains charming and lively. For a fashionable, cosmopolitan vibe head to Osu and the area surrounding the airport, where you’ll find designer shops and art galleries. — Maureen O’Hare

Greece

Sunset over Greece’s rugged Mani region.
Barry Neild/CNN
If we do make it back to normality in 2021, Greece will have more reason than most to celebrate — it’s marking its 200th birthday. The official anniversary of when an 1821 revolution sparked a war of independence against the Ottoman Empire is in February-March, but parties and events to mark the bicentennial are expected — Covid permitting — throughout the year.
The charming port of Nafplio, in the Peloponnese region southwest of Athens, is as good a place as any to join in the celebrations — it was modern Greece’s first capital. As well as beaches and nearby ancient sites like the remarkable Epidaurus amphitheater and the imposing ruins of Mycenae, Nafplio has its own attractions, including the hilltop Palamidi fortress, a secluded beach and, especially apt for these times, a museum of worry beads.
Beyond Nafplio, the Peloponnese are worth exploring. Less touristed than many of Greece’s hotspots, they’re more set up for social distancing, especially on the wild and mountainous Mani Peninsula. That said, most of Greece, which is known to take health matters very seriously, seemed to cope well with creating a Covid-safe visitor experience in the summer of 2020, succumbing to a virus surge far later than most European destinations.
While a slow return to normal might make previously overtouristed places like Santorini worth a look in 2021, there’s no loss in playing it safe with a quieter option, like the island of Milos in the Cyclades — a plane or ferry hop from Athens. This volcanic playground has a beach for every day of the month, with more than a few to spare. — Barry Neild

Grenada

While Grenada’s nickname comes from its famous nutmeg industry, the “Isle of Spice” is packed with flavor in every way possible.
Measuring just 18 kilometers wide and 34 kilometers long, the eastern Caribbean island is made up of sandy beaches, lush rainforests and spectacular waterfalls, but it’s Grenada’s rich character that sets it apart from more well-known tropical destinations.
Although each of its seven parishes has its own very distinct charm and appeal, Grenada’s capital St. George’s, known for its horseshoe-shaped harbor and colorful houses, is undoubtedly the most vibrant and picturesque.
St. George’s is also home to many of Grenada’s top hotels, including The Point at Petite Calivigny, a boutique wellness resort, which opened in late 2020, and Silversands Grenada, where visitors will find the longest infinity pool in the Caribbean.
The island has around 45 beaches, but Grand Anse is its most popular for good reason. Spanning three kilometers, this stunning stretch of white sand frequented by both visitors and locals offers tranquil waters, fantastic views and a wonderfully serene atmosphere. — Tamara Hardingham-Gill

Hawaii

Hawaii is home to truly extraordinary beaches — and a whole lot more.
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Hawaii is underrated. This in spite of its unceasing popularity among travelers.
To be sure, it is a gorgeous place, with breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and every beach seemingly prettier than the next, but its beauty goes much deeper than its preternatural appearance.
Extraordinary beaches — some even boast black and green sand (Papakōlea Beach and Punaluʻu Beach, respectively) — have their expected appeal, but visitors who take time to venture out and away from the coast quickly discover Hawaii’s charms are in every nook and cranny.
On the island of Hawaii, a must-see is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where a spectacular new eruption of Kilauea has recently drawn visitors. As is a visit to Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park on Kauai, which may turn even the most reluctant hikers into avid ones.
On Maui, after a few blissful days lounging at one of Wailea’s top resorts (Hotel Wailea for adults and Four Seasons for the whole family), take the road to Hana, an epic, winding adventure where half the joy is stopping along the way — to get the perfect shot or the most delicious tropical juice.
No matter which island you choose, which beachfront accommodation or which adventure, the key is slowing down and inviting the Aloha vibes to take over. — Stacey Lastoe

Italy

Perennially popular Italy hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in March 2020, when it became the global epicenter of the pandemic — and after controlling infection rates better than most European countries over the summer, its aging population has been hit hard again by the second wave.
But nothing can dim Italy’s attraction, and as restrictions ease, this will be a time to see it at its best. Pre-pandemic, Italy’s art cities were notorious epicenters of overtourism.
But with visitor numbers not expected to return to 2019 levels for several years, for those who can make it safely, 2021 will afford the chance to see the Bel Paese in a way that hasn’t been possible for decades.
What’s more, the best known cities are trying to change tourism for the better. Having seen many of the tatty souvenir shops close in the pandemic, Venice, for instance, is focusing on promoting the city’s traditional artisans, in a bid to readjust the tourism economy before the crowds come back.
Meanwhile, Milan’s Pinacoteca di Brera — one of Italy’s showstopper (and queue-heavy) art galleries — has vowed to keep entrance by pre-booking only, in order to give visitors more space, while Da Vinci masterwork “The Last Supper” is considering more same-day tickets to favor individuals rather than the big groups that usually book up slots months in advance.
Still social distancing? Italy has some of Europe’s loveliest rural towns, and its alberghi diffusi (scattered hotels) are perfect for the Covid era, putting you up in self-contained apartments dotted around villages. They’re sustainable, too, helping to support smaller places in need of tourism. — Julia Buckley

Japan

Japan is hoping to host the rescheduled Summer Olympics in 2021.
Stanislav Kogiku/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
Though every tourism-dependent nation is certainly deserving of sympathy going into 2021, one can’t help but feel particularly moved by the plight of Japan.
This is a country that hustled hard to ready itself for the 2020 Olympic Summer Games, only to have to cancel the event just as it was ready to showcase those efforts to the world.
Those postponed Olympic Games will kick off in Tokyo on July 23, 2021, giving travelers a chance to see some of the huge changes that have taken place, along with all the reasons we fell in love with the country in the first place. The food, the people, the culture … Japan has a way of embedding itself into your soul and we can’t wait to get back.
Major Tokyo additions include the Takanawa Gateway — the first new station built on the city’s key JR Yamanote train line since 1971. The area around busy Shibuya Station has also been revamped as part of a huge multi-layer makeover to cement it as the city’s entertainment, transport and business hub for decades to come. Other changes of note include wider free Wi-Fi coverage not just in Tokyo but in the entire country — including 108 Shinkansen “bullet train” stations.
Several new hotels opened this year as well, including the luxurious Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo and the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi.
But there’s plenty to see elsewhere, too — particularly for theme park fans. Our top pick? The new Super Nintendo World, which is due to open at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka in February 2021. –– Karla Cripps

Maldives

White sand beaches? Check. World-class dining? Yep. Incredible swimming, sailing and scuba diving? Got those too. Throughout the pandemic, Maldives has also managed to keep its borders open more than most thanks to the built-in social distancing offered by its luxurious resorts.
If anybody needed additional incentive to cross Maldives off of their bucket list in 2021, a spate of hotel openings is keeping things interesting. On deck for 2021 openings are new resorts from Ritz-Carlton, Patina, Le Meridien, Capella and Radisson Blu.
Next year will also mark a world’s-first country-wide loyalty program: the Maldives Border Miles program will allow visitors to earn points based on how often they visit and how long they stay. After all, the only thing better than visiting is visiting twice. — Lilit Marcus

Mexico

Travel between the United States and Mexico never really stopped during the pandemic.
Donald Miralle/Getty Images
This US neighbor to the south was a respite for many in 2020, in spite of the closure of land borders between the US and Mexico and multiple surges in coronavirus cases.
Air travel into and out of Mexico never really stopped, owing to the country’s limited Covid-related travel requirements, plus its natural beauty, breathtaking coastlines and a wide swath of relatively under-touristed locations beyond hotspots like Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and Cabo San Lucas.
While balancing physical and economic health has been an uneven juggling act the world over, the fact is Mexico and many other destinations are in dire need of tourism revenue.
Looking into fall 2021, which hopefully will be a much less complicated time to visit, Mexico City will be celebrating its quincentennial, commemorating its founding 500 years ago, with most festivities planned in September to coincide with Mexican Independence Day.
Later in the fall, Formula 1 racing fans can attend the 2021 Mexico City Grand Prix on October 29-31 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. — Brekke Fletcher

New Zealand

“Otherworldly” — a term often applied to New Zealand’s eye-popping, Hobbit-friendly landscapes — has taken on new meaning when it comes to this South Pacific jewel.
Unlike vast swaths of the rest of the world, many of life’s normal activities have resumed in New Zealand, thanks to one of the globe’s most successful pandemic responses
The island country of five million has all but stamped out coronavirus, logging just over two dozen Covid-19 deaths. While its borders are closed to most travelers at present, we expect a lot of pent-up demand from people in all corners of the world salivating over images of its boundless terrain and return to relative normalcy.
Who doesn’t need a bit of forest therapy in Waiheke right now? Or some star-gazing on Stewart Island? The world is still wide and wonderful and this country serves nature up on a heaping platter with rich ties to local Māori culture and history. — Marnie Hunter

New York City

It’s a good time to explore New York’s fascinating neighborhoods on foot.
C. Taylor Crothers/Getty Images
Start spreading the news, reports of New York City’s “demise” have been grossly exaggerated. While the city has no doubt been adversely affected (what place hasn’t?) over the last year, the city that never sleeps has high hopes for a better 2021.
A lot of New York’s best offerings remain accessible, despite the ongoing pandemic (two major closures still in effect as the new year dawns are Broadway and indoor dining). And while New York City is rarely referred to as an “outdoor wonderland,” the truth is the best way to experience the city is walking through its distinct neighborhoods, maybe even with a slice of pizza in hand.
One of the best views of lower Manhattan can be seen while strolling across the Brooklyn Bridge, and New York City’s waterfront and parks are always there for you to explore.
Some seminal cultural institutions, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, can be experienced with timed-ticketing — and without the usual crowds.
To add to the excitement, there are two highly anticipated luxury hotel openings.
Luxury brand Aman will make its New York debut in the Crown Building on Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, with 83 rooms, a 65-foot swimming pool, Japanese and Italian restaurants, cigar bar and rooftop terrace with views of Central Park, which is just a short stroll away.
All the way on the West Side, along the Hudson River near the High Line, the new Six Senses New York is slated to open inside The Xi — two new twisting towers designed by architect Bjarke Ingels. The brand’s first North American hotel boasts 136 rooms and suites and a spa spanning 45,000 square fee with a vibroacoustic meditation dome. — Brekke Fletcher

Singapore

Most travelers don’t want to spend any more time in an airport than they have to. But Singapore’s Changi is no ordinary airport.
While the rest of the world was hunkering down at home, Singaporean locals were paying to hang out at Changi, whether it was co-working in one of the lounges or glamping alongside the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at the Changi Jewel, which opened in 2019.
The coming year is a chance to fall back in love with travel, and a visit to the Lion City should rekindle that romance.
Beyond its spectacular airport, the city-state is home to a UNESCO-listed botanical garden, one-of-a-kind Peranakan culture, and some of the world’s most spectacular luxury hotels.
Its food scene is a major highlight — whether visitors opt for $5 Hainan chicken rice from a hawker stall or $500-per-plate Michelin-starred fine dining, nobody ever goes home hungry. — Lilit Marcus

Spain

Barcelona has taken time out to reevaluate its tourism offering.
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Spain, with its miles of picturesque sandy coastline and vibrant historic cities, has always been an unmissable travel destination.
Barcelona’s Las Ramblas may have been emptier than usual this year, while the party ground to a halt in the beach bars of the Balearic Islands, but Spain’s tourism hotspots are preparing to wow visitors once again.
Barcelona, like other European cities plagued in recent years by overtourism, has taken the time out to reevaluate how visitors can continue to enjoy the city without making it uninhabitable for locals.
The Balearics, meanwhile, are repositioning themselves with far more than iconic nightlife: secluded bays, a plethora of wildlife and sumptuous Mediterranean meals enjoyed al fresco will be the top attractions for visitors when they return.
Plus, by next summer, Spain’s fiestas — outdoor parties featuring fireworks, parades and celebration — might be back, and what better way to mark new beginnings than toasting 2021 under the Spanish sun? — Francesca Street

Thailand

For more than a century, Thailand has woven its spell on the masses with its glittering temples, fiery food, stunning beaches and mountainous landscapes.
All of that’s still there — plus a little more. The country has been heavily promoting domestic tourism in recent months, meaning there’s been no shortage of new hotel and restaurant openings — particularly in the capital, Bangkok.
The city’s historic riverside Charoenkrung area recently welcomed two new luxury hotels — Capella and the Four Seasons Bangkok — while nearby Yaowarat — aka Chinatown — continues to evolve with the addition of wonderfully eclectic bars and boutique hotels. One of our favorites is gallery/bar/restaurant Baan Rim Naam, which sits in a 200 year-old riverside warehouse in the Talad Noi neighborhood.
For those with their eye on Thailand’s south, the government is reportedly considering reopening Maya Bay, which has been closed since 2018 as part of a program aimed at reviving the area’s decimated corals.
Though not yet confirmed, the stunning cove made famous by “The Beach,” the 2000 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, may welcome visitors in mid-2021, but with strict visitor caps. — Karla Cripps

United Kingdom

The UK has plenty of beautiful scenery, including the Lake District.
OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
“Plague Island” isn’t likely to be top of anyone’s travel hot list, but let’s try to see past the unfortunate sobriquet applied to Great Britain by The New York Times after a new strain of virus led to many countries severing travel connections with the UK.
The first place in the world to approve the coronavirus vaccine will hopefully, by the coming summer, have shaken off its notoriety. What should emerge is one of the world’s top tourism offerings, but very different.
The UK’s recent Brexit from the EU will see the country’s tourism sector happier than ever to see foreign visitors, particularly given that those arriving from Europe may face more bureaucracy than before to travel here.
Brexit, plus the financial impact of the pandemic, may mean many Brits choosing to staycation this year, although some may splurge on an overseas escape after months of enforced lockdown. But the good news for foreign visitors is that a widely expected slump in the pound should make the UK great value for money.
While the country may seem like a small collection of islands, it still offers wide open spaces for those still wary of crowds. There are the hills and waters of the picture-perfect Lake District, the dramatic coastline paths of Cornwall and Wales, the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and even the pretty scenery at the end of London’s Underground lines. — Barry Neild

Uruguay

As neighbors Brazil and Argentina have struggled to contain the pandemic, laid-back little Uruguay has kept infection rates down — and as South America starts reopening for travel, that will serve it well.
Not that this is some kind of consolation prize; Uruguay has always had a huge amount to offer visitors, but as the continent’s second smallest country, it has often been dwarfed in the tourism stakes by its behemoth neighbors.
The current summer season (December-March) has effectively been canceled, with the government vowing to keep borders closed to stop infection rates rising. But once they reopen, there’s a huge amount to discover.
New to Uruguay this year? You’ll be blown away by its Atlantic coastline, with some of the most pristine beaches you’ll ever have seen — and a superb variety of accommodation, from beachside glamping to lagoon-floating cabinschi-chi country retreats and architecturally cutting edge bungalows, plonked in the middle of a vineyard.
Punta del Este is one of the Americas’ buzziest beach resorts, while Jose Ignacio, an hour up the coast, is a boho (but exclusive) resort. Carmelo, near the Argentinian border on the River Plate, is a laid-back weekend destination for Argentinians. It’s known for its wine — and the once-quiet Uruguayan wine scene is going from strength to strength.
Much of the buzz is around Jose Ignacio and Garzón, just inland, which is seeing a crop of vineyards opening up, like Bodega Garzón — owned by billionaire Alejandro Bulgheroni — Bodega Oceánica José Ignacio, plus Viña Edén and Sacromonte, both in nearby Pueblo Edén (tour the vineyards or try their wares at Solera, Jose Ignacio’s superb wine bar).
New for 2021 will be Costa Garzón, linked to the Bodega — a new coastal development with a restaurant by celeb chef Francis Mallmann, beach club, hotel and private lots — and pretty hotel Posada Ayana, which, in November, will unveil a Skyspace by James Turrell — the renowned artist’s first freestanding work in South America. — Julia Buckley
Keep an eye on our individual destination guides for updated information on openings, travel rules and more.
An earlier version of this story misidentified the capital of the UAE.
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