2010 Canadian Travel  Intentions Survey

09 FEB 2010:  The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) has released data from its 2010 Canadian Travel Intentions survey that indicates expected business travel is up 3% from last year but leisure travel is down 4%.  A potentially new and disturbing trend has emerged with almost 20% of Canadian travellers stating they went by car to a US airport in 2009 to take a trip using less expensive airline tickets purchased for US or foreign travel.

Toronto Skål names new board

Stuart Morcombe, Jackie Lutz, Kim Clarke, John Scott, Susan Webb, Mike Hannah, Wolf Paunic

09 FEB 2010: Toronto Skål International recently announced the appointment of the new 2010 Board at its Annual General Meeting at the Old Mill. Toronto Skål International has over 110 active, associate and life members.

Body found in wheel well Delta airplane

09 FEB 2010:  Japanese authorities are trying to identify the body of an apparent stowaway found inside one of the landing gear compartments on a Delta Airlines plane flight that arrived in Tokyo from New York. The body, identified only as that of a male with dark skin, was clad in a long-sleeved, plaid shirt and jeans.

Elmwood Spa caters to large scale or boutique

Chris Ryall

09 FEB 2010: Spa goers have their preferences.  Some want all the bells and whistles – expansive relaxation lounges, juice bars, swimming pool, water therapy rooms and large change room facilities.   Others prefer a more intimate atmosphere where you can cocoon yourself and receive very personalized attention.  Elmwood Spa and its offspring, elmspa, both located in downtown Toronto, offer an urban oasis that will cater to both preferences.    

Turns out they were “overly ambitious and incredibly complex”

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt and Transportation Department Inspector General Calvin Scovel clash on airline reforms.

08 FEB 2010:  The response to the crash was a slew of promises, but a year after pilot error caused a regional airliner to slam into a house near Buffalo, killing 50 people, the US Federal Aviation Administration has failed to implement eight of the 10 safety reforms it promised.

Some donations better than others

08 FEB 2010:  As Canadians continue to donate tens of millions of dollars to relief efforts in Haiti, aid organizations are scrambling to ensure as much money as possible finds its way into the devastated country.  With the federal government's window to match donations set to close Friday, charities and nongovernmental organizations (NGO) are hoping the incentive will give one final push to their fundraising campaigns. Give generously, but take a moment to check before you do.  Not all donations will find their way with equal effectiveness.

Hotels should find another cash cow

08 FEB 2010:  If you travel a fair amount and need internet access wherever you are – you know hotel Wi-Fi can be a pricey prospect.  In fact oddly, the less expensive the accommodation the more likely you are to get complimentary internet access.  In Best Westerns, Courtyard Marriotts and La Quintas along the highways, internet is often free with your $45 to $85 room, but somehow the more upscale/expensive your hotel, the higher your  internet charges, and anywhere from $10 to $20 a day on top of your $300 to $700 room night adds up.

Toronto man threatens passengers on tour bus

08 FEB 2010:  It appears that passenger stupidity is not confined to the air.  Provincial police say they were called after reports of an assault on a tour bus travelling from Toronto to Niagara Falls last Wednesday evening.  The altercation began when man lit a cigarette on the bus and when told to put it out threatened to shoot and kill two passengers.