Ottawa Watch Travel made easy Whether you're off for a quick long weekend getaway, or flying somewhere further away, Travel Expert Jenn Weatherhead has three ways to make it even easier!
Whether you're off for a quick long weekend getaway, or flying somewhere further away, Travel Expert Jenn Weatherhead has three ways to make it even easier!
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Globe and Mail
26 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
AmEx Gets a Taste of Toast: And a Bigger Bite of Hospitality?
American Express Company AXP has formed a multi-year strategic partnership with Toast, Inc. TOST, a restaurant technology platform, to elevate hospitality experiences. As part of this move, AmEx is integrating guest data from its restaurant reservation platforms, Resy and Tock, into Toast's hardware and software systems. This means servers using Toast Go handhelds or POS terminals will now be able to access real-time guest preferences, enabling more personalized service. In addition, Resy and Tock listings will become visible on Toast's platforms, like Local by Toast and Toast Tables. This partnership is important because it strengthens AmEx's position in the restaurant and hospitality ecosystem. By merging its dining network with Toast's operational tools, AXP creates a more seamless guest experience while expanding its influence over the customer journey, from reservation to payment. It also helps differentiate AXP from competitors by linking card membership to exclusive, data-enhanced hospitality services. Financially, AmEx stands to benefit through increased cardmember engagement and spending. More personalized experiences can drive higher loyalty and usage of AmEx cards at participating venues. Restaurants using Toast may prefer AmEx partnerships due to the enhanced marketing, visibility and data access, potentially improving retention and attracting more restaurants to its platform. Overall, the collaboration positions AXP to deepen customer relationships and expand merchant acceptance, while Toast gains access to new traffic sources and tools to boost hospitality outcomes. Moves like this signal AmEx's growing focus on tech-savvy Millennials and Gen-Z consumers, who tend to spend more than their older counterparts. AmEx's Full-Course Advantage Over Visa & Mastercard AmEx sets itself apart from peers like Visa Inc. V and Mastercard Incorporated MA by integrating deeply into the hospitality journey, not just at payment, but from reservation to service. Through partnerships and acquisitions, AXP offers personalized dining experiences, like servers accessing guest preferences in real time. This end-to-end control allows AmEx to create value beyond transactions, reinforcing its premium image. Visa and Mastercard, as payments-focused networks, lack similar consumer-facing platforms. By owning key touchpoints and enhancing loyalty through exclusive services, AXP positions itself as more than a payment processor; it's a hospitality partner, offering benefits that peers cannot easily replicate. AmEx'sPrice Performance, Valuation and Estimates Shares of AXP have declined 0.5% in the year-to-date period against the industry 's growth of 2.3%. From a valuation standpoint, AmEx trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.87X, down from the industry average of 20.89. AXP carries a Value Score of B. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AmEx's 2025 earnings is pegged at $15.26 per share, implying a 14.3% jump from the year-ago period. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. Little-known AI firms tackling the world's biggest problems may be more lucrative in the coming months and years. See "2nd Wave" AI stocks now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Mastercard Incorporated (MA): Free Stock Analysis Report Visa Inc. (V): Free Stock Analysis Report American Express Company (AXP): Free Stock Analysis Report Toast, Inc. (TOST): Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Battle of the bags: Comparing MEC and The North Face travel duffels
Over the last year or so, I've been travelling more frequently. Whether it's a business trip, vacation with my husband or a quick weekend getaway with friends, I've found myself reaching for my luggage again and again. Article content One travel essential that has stood the test of time is my North Face Base Camp Duffel – a versatile duffel-backpack hybrid that's been with me on trips to multiple continents since 2011 or so. When I learned that Canadian outdoor brand MEC recently released the Outpost Duffle as a rival to The North Face's version, I knew I had to see how it fared against the original. Article content Article content I was able to fit a full week of summer clothes into the medium-sized MEC bag, plus a few extras like a beach towel, rain jacket and waterproof sandals. My husband did the same with the North Face bag, and since his clothes are larger than mine, the extra bag capacity came in handy. Article content Duffel bag quick facts Article content Article content Article content Article content Packable: My favourite feature of the Outpost Duffel is that it's foldable for easy storage and packing. It tucks into itself, becoming the size of a small packing cube once you turn the bag inside-out and fold it into its top pocket. This is great for taking up less space in your cupboards at home. You can even throw it into your suitcase on longer trips when you want more luggage to bring back all of your souvenirs.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
N.S. tourists, operators pivoting amid drought-driven ban on forest activities
Some tourism operators and people visiting Nova Scotia have been left scrambling to change their plans after the provincial government imposed a ban on activities in the woods earlier this week, shutting down trails and parks at one of the busiest times of the year. The province has been experiencing moderate-to-severe drought conditions, prompting a ban on open fires and activities in the woods such as hiking, camping, fishing and driving ATVs. Camping is still allowed at campgrounds. Lee Fraser of Live Life in Tents, an adventure company that offers an array of activities such as camping and hiking tours along the world-famous Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, said they were blindsided by the ban. They were forced to cancel a four-day, three-night guided hike of the picturesque seawall trail that was booked one year ago. "It's the hiking trails that people come here to do," said Fraser. "It's hard to tell people that come here who are excited to go hiking that, yeah, the woods are cancelled." Fraser said they have been in "crisis mode" since the announcement on Tuesday, fielding cancellations and explaining to their customers that camping and activities on the nearby Margaree River are still on. He expects his company's river offerings, like tubing and kayaking, might see a boost while the ban is on. But there are still many unknowns, said Fraser. He said the government should have better communicated its plan with people in the industry. "We like to have a full calendar, but who knows what's going to happen," said Fraser. "Whether or not they have other activities to do, they're going to start cancelling trips and not coming to the island.... People are going to shift based on the limitations of not being able to hike." Cheryl and Todd Allie travelled from Orlando, Fla., to hike the iconic Skyline Trail. But they're still making the best of their trip to Cape Breton. "It's a shame that it's closed, but we certainly understand why," said Todd Allie, adding that they now plan to hit up the beaches and visit a golf course. "The Cabot Trail and the park are just so beautiful just to drive through and do the scenic overviews so I can't complain too much." Lynn Esposito from St. Marys, Ga., said she was "very disappointed." "You get so excited about your trip and you start planning what you want to do and then when you get here, you can't do it," she said, with her husband, Mike Esposito. Meanwhile in Truro, N.S., visitors to the town's 1,200-hectare park said they were surprised by the ban, but also understanding of it. Cristin Murphy is from Jasper, Alta., where a wildfire broke out last July, destroying 358 of the town's 1,113 structures. "If there's any kind of precautions you can take, I fully support that," Murphy said in Victoria Park. "We'll play at the playground and check out the pool and the splash park." The new measures will be in place until Oct. 15, or until conditions allow them to be lifted. The fine for violating the ban is $25,000. Agencies in the province have issued 10 tickets worth that amount so far this year. All fireworks, including consumer and display fireworks and pyrotechnic special effects, are also banned, even if they have the appropriate approvals. The province said people with questions about the woods restrictions can call their local Natural Resources Department office. Previous bans in 2023, 2016 and 2001 This is not the first time wooded areas of the province have been shut down to the public. Travel and activity in the woods was also banned in May 2023 while the province battled two major wildfires that destroyed hundreds of homes. The restrictions were initially put in place for about four weeks or until conditions allowed them to be lifted, which happened after about a week.
