DUBAI REVIVES $35-BILLION PLAN TO MOVE AIRPORT, BUILD NEW CITY
Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, will move its operations to the city-state’s second, sprawling airfield in its southern desert reaches “within the next 10 years” in a project worth nearly US$35 billion, its ruler said Sunday. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s announcement marks the latest chapter in the rebound of its long-haul carrier Emirates after the coronavirus pandemic grounded international travel. MORE
ACTA OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR ADVISOR, AGENCY AWARDS
Nominations are now open for the ACTA Awards and ACTA is urging the travel industry to get involved to recognize the best of the best. Each year, ACTA presents six awards to travel agency leaders and travel advisor nominees across a variety of categories. Anyone in the industry can nominate an advisor or agency but the nominee must be an ACTA member. MORE
Food service workers were expected to return to work Tuesday after reaching a tentative agreement with airline caterer Gate Gourmet nearly two weeks after walking off the job, meaning travellers through Toronto may soon find a full menu option on flights once again. MORE
THE LOWDOWN ON LOUISVILLE
A day at the races and more in Kentucky’s Derby city
It’s Derby week and the eyes of avid horse racing fans – and even many who aren’t – will be on Louisville, home of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby, this Saturday (May 4) when the race celebrates its historic 150th running. Yet there’s more to Louisville than horses, from bourbon to boxing and bluegrass to baseball and Hot Browns, helping make Kentucky’s biggest city a diverse and largely undiscovered gem – and guaranteeing that visitors will be off to the races no matter when they go. MORE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JANE
G Adventures adds new trips to Goodall Collection
In celebration of Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th birthday, G Adventures has added five ‘Jane Goodall Collection’ trips to its repertoire, including one that follows in the renowned environmentalist’s footsteps, offering participants the opportunity to observe chimpanzees in the wild in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, the place she began her trailblazing research in 1960 at the age of 26. MORE
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR SHIP CAN’T SAIL?
The Alaska cruise season from Vancouver has launched, but one ship was left at the starting gate. Royal Caribbean International cancelled the April 26 sailing of Radiance of the Seas after 1,900 passengers had already boarded. The company announced after a day of trying to fix a propulsion issue that the cruise was no longer going ahead and everyone had to go home. MORE
CHRISTOPHER AUSTIN TO STEER EXPLORA JOURNEYS
Christopher Austin has been named President, North America, of Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group. Based in Miami, Austin will direct Explora’s efforts and teams in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He joined Explora Journeys in November 2020 as the brand’s Chief Sales Officer. MORE
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DON’T SLOW THE FLOW
USTA warns against tempering tech at airports
Preventing passenger screening technology using automated face matching technology is misguided and dangerous and will only serve to undermine security and disgruntle travellers by creating longer customs line-ups and delays, the US Travel Association is warning. MORE
INSIDE INTREPID
What the future holds for adventure operator
On a visit to Toronto last week, Intrepid Travel co-founder Darrell Wade unveiled the adventure company’s plans for the future. Australia-based Wade’s visit was part of a world tour to each of the company’s 27 country offices this year to celebrate its 35th anniversary – and to unveil the 2030 strategy when the brand will turn 40. MORE
VISITORS INVITED TO TAKE A SEAT IN COSTA RICA
Costa Rica provided the Toronto trade some precious moments of serenity last week when tourism officials showcased a photographic exhibit offering captivating images that highlight the diverse landscapes and rich human stories of the Central American nation – uniquely centred on the image of a red chair that inspires the notion that the viewer controls their own destiny and could be sitting in it. MORE
BUONGIORNO!
Carnival christens new Firenze in California
Carnival Cruise Line has added its fifth ship to the fleet in 18 months as it christened its newest ship, Carnival Firenze, at its new home, the Long Beach Cruise Terminal in California. Hollywood actor Jonathan Bennett served as the ship's godfather, and he and Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy celebrated all things Italian with the help of a Broadway star, a Puccini aria, and even a Catholic priest making a running jump onto the stage to deliver a blessing. MORE
WHEN TOURISM GOES WRONG
World Bank backs out of Tanzania project
The World Bank has suspended funding for a tourism project in Tanzania that has caused the suffering of tens of thousands of villagers, according to a US-based rights group that has long urged the global lender to take such action. The World Bank's decision to suspend the US$150- million project, which aims to improve the management of natural resources and tourism assets in a remote part of southern Tanzanian, was “long overdue,” according to the Oakland Institute. MORE
ANDREW WEIR NAMED CEO OF TOURISM TORONTO
After a thorough search across North Amerca, Destination Toronto veteran and current executive vice president Andrew Weir has been named President & CEO of the organization effective May 1. Weir has been an integral member of the leadership team at Destination Toronto for the past 18 years. MORE
Last week, the US government cracked down on airlines over delays and transparency, while other notable news included the start of a new high-speed rail link between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, more Asia links from WestJet, the delay of the launch of a new Princess ship, and batten down the hatches – forecasters are predicting the busiest Atlantic hurricane season ever. MORE