GET USED TO IT
Annoying or flexible, airlines ‘love’ ancillary fees
Jay Sorensen flies both business class and economy. While the differences between the two have always been stark – priority boarding and free alcohol are decades-old features of first-class travel – lately the gulf seems to have widened, says the consulting firm president. Economy-class trips are defined by shrinking legroom, narrower cushion space, diminishing rewards for frequent fliers and, especially, the myriad fees that can pile up like thunderclouds as airlines increasingly offer top-up options on their tickets. MORE
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL SENTIMENT WANING
Good intentions, complicated follow-through
New research related to sustainable travel suggest that eight in 10 (78%) Canadian travellers confirm that sustainable travel is important to them, though new insights show a sense of weariness could be emerging, fueled by the ongoing challenges experienced to make more sustainable travel choices. MORE
THE SWEET SOUNDS OF ‘UNEXPECTED’ PHILADELPHIA
It was only fitting that last week’s trade mission to Toronto by the Philadelphia Visitors and Convention Bureau culminated in an evening at the Royal Conservatory with the Philadelphia Orchestra, which also performed its first international concert in the city 100 years ago. PHLCVB President and CEO Gregg Caren said the event symbolized the long history of cultural connections between the two cities and noted that Canada is Philadelphia’s top partner in both trade and tourism. MORE
QUEEN ANNE SET TO SAIL AFTER DELIVERY
Cunard’s newest ship, the Queen Anne officially joined the luxury cruise line's iconic fleet during a historic handover ceremony in Italy on April 19 and is now sailing to Southampton ahead of her seven-night maiden voyage to Lisbon on May 3. MORE
RETAIL ROUND-UP
Ensemble, TTAND, Travel Edge and TRAVELSAVERS
Tis the season for travel advisors to be on the road, whether its on a FAM or for organizational sessions and summits – or heading to the bank! Here’s a glimpse of a few recent rendezvous, ranging from The Travel Agent Next Door hopping down to South Africa with G Adventures (banner photo), plus on tour with Travel Edge’s top dog, dining and discovering with TRAVELSAVERS, and cashing cheques from Ensemble. MORE
MORE ASIA WITH WESTJET VIA KOREAN AIR CODESHARE
WestJet guests will gain access to six additional cities across four Asian countries from Incheon International Airport (ICN) through an expansion of WestJet's codeshare agreement with Korean Air, one of the world's only 5-star airlines as awarded by Skytrax. The new service will begin on May 17, corresponding with the previously announced launch of seasonal service between YYC and ICN. MORE
THAI TOURIST TOWN AIMS TO CONTAIN MONKEY MAYHEM
Thai wildlife officials have laid out a plan to bring peace to a central Thai city after at least a decade of human-monkey conflict. The macaques that roam Lopburi are a symbol of local culture, and a major tourist draw. MORE
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IT’S EASY BEING GREEN
Simple travel actions can make a huge difference
Carbon emissions from transportation, the plastic waste left behind by travellers, and the potential impact on nature, make travel an activity with lasting environmental consequences. MORE
PRINCESS POSTPONES DELIVERY OF NEW SHIP
Princess Cruises and ship builder Fincantieri have announced the mutual decision to postpone the delivery of the next Sphere Class ship, Star Princess, by nearly two months. The ship was due to be delivered July, 2025, but will now be handed over on Sept. 26 resulting in the cancellation of the vessel’s nine inaugural sailings. MORE
CANADIANS ‘FEELING GOOD’ ABOUT GERMANY, AND VICE VERSA
With a nearly 33 percent increase in Canadian overnights in 2023 to almost 644,000 visitors, Canadians are clearly embracing the German National Tourist Office’s “Simply Feel Good” tourism campaign, as the busy summer travel season approaches – fuelled by 114 non-stop weekly flights between the countries by Air Canada/Lufthansa and Condor. MORE
ACTA EVENTS FOCUS ON BUSINESS, PERSONAL WELLNESS
In celebration of Travel Advisor Month in May, ACTA is organizing both Business Building workshops and a Wellness Challenge for its travel advisor members. The online events are sponsored by Princess Resorts, the Jamaica Tourist Board and Air Canada, and participants will have the opportunity to win prizes. MORE
MADE IN CANADA
WestJet buys first sustainable fuel
WestJet reports that it has purchased the first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supplied in Canada by Shell Aviation, marking another milestone in the company’s mission to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and signifying another step forward in making Canada's aviation industry more sustainable. MORE
EMIRATES APOLOGIES FOR DUBAI DISRUPTION
In an open letter to customers affected by the historic rain event in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates last week, Emirates Airlines president Sir Tim Clark apologized Saturday for disruptions to its service due to the weather and the carrier’s response, which he admitted was “far from perfect,” but which also gave a glimpse into the airlines’ “all hands on deck” response to providing thousands of passengers with rooms, meals, water and medical attention. MORE
In last week’s new, highlights included accolades for YVR earned accolades in the prestigious Skytrax Awards survey and ACTA announced details, including the dates and host destination of its first international conference in decades. In other news, WestJet Encore avoided a strike, a precious landmark in Copenhagen was destroyed by fire. MORE