‘SHE LEFT THEM CLAPPING’: Industry icon Dina Bertolo calls it a career (again)
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Fifteen years ago when I wrote about Dina Bertolo’s (first) retirement from Thomas Cook North America, I dubbed her “Queen Dina” – a name that not surprisingly stuck. But just when she thought she was out, the travel industry, as it does, pulled her back in, and another dozen eventful years at Air Canada Vacations ensued.
CUBA, JET FUEL TAKE TOLL ON TRANSAT
Soaring fuel prices and a halt of all of its flights to Cuba pushed Transat A.T. Inc. earnings deep into loss territory last quarter, as global strife continues to damage airlines’ bottom lines.
BUT NO CUDDLING ALLOWED: Air New Zealand introducing lie-flat bunk beds
Sleep on a long-haul flight in economy class has always been a fantasy for many travellers. Air New Zealand will soon offer a solution that involves climbing into a triple-tier bunk bed wearing special socks.
NO BULL – BUFFALO LOOKS LIKE TRUMP: Helps animal avoid slaughter
With his shock of golden hair and trim 700-kilogram build, “Donald Trump” has been drawing crowds from across Bangladesh since he arrived at the national zoo in early June. The rare albino buffalo became a sensation when a farmer noticed that his blond tuft of hair resembled the distinctive locks of the U.S. president.
DISCOVERING CELEBRITY’S HIDDEN FOODIE PARADISES
By WALLACE IMMEN/ I’ve got a dinner date in Eden and an evening of grand dining in a four-star rated restaurant. And they’re both on a cruise ship. Le Voyage on Celebrity Ascent rates four stars among restaurants around the world in the latest Forbes Travel Guide’s global dining list.
LISTENING IN: A ‘Canadian’ Cult classic
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Readers (and pretty much anyone who has ever met me) will have heard me reflect on many unique and sometimes unusual two or three degrees of separation from Rush, including most notably having gone to the same high school as Geddy and Alex (though not at the same time). That particularly includes my wife, who has her own connection to a great (sort of) Canadian band – The Cult.
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WILL PUCK FINALLY DROP FOR GORDIE HOWE BRIDGE? Trump remains obstacle ahead of Friday opening
Prime Minister Mark Carney insisted says there is “no big drama” surrounding the status of the Gordie Howe International Bridge – but it may take longer to open than anticipated. The Prime Minister had said Tuesday that the second bridge between Windsor and Detroit would “be open at the end of the week.”
AIRLINE PROFITS ‘COULDN’T BUY A HOT DOG’ AT FIFA GAMES
IATA’s latest financial outlook for the global airline industry shows a halving of profitability as a result of war-related Middle East disruptions and high fuel prices – so much so that carrier per passenger profits wouldn’t even cover the cost of a hot dog at a FIFA World Cup game, says the association’s boss.
VANCOUVER TOP WORLD CUP CITY, SAYS SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
As the FIFA World Cup kicks off today (June 11) Sports Illustrated magazine says Vancouver is the best of 16 cities hosting World Cup matches, citing transportation, walkability and mild weather for topping its ranking list released this month. In fact, both Canadian host cities fared well on the list, with Toronto ranking No. 3, just after Seattle.
SUNWING WINTER LAUNCHED WITH EARLY SALE, AGENT BONUS
No Cuba, no problem. Sunwing Vacations has unveiled its Winter 2026-27 schedule, offering Canadians plenty of sun choices next winter, including favourites like Cancun, Punta Cana and Montego Bay, as well as new winter vacations from Toronto to Acapulco, Winnipeg to Puerto Plata and Montreal to Cozumel.
THE BUCK STOPS IN YYC: WestJet, Calgary Tourism launch stopover program
Every year, more than seven million international travellers connect through Calgary without ever leaving the airport. Tourism Calgary and WestJet hope to change that. On Wednesday, the two organizations launched the Calgary Stopover Program, giving travellers on eligible WestJet routes the opportunity to add a Calgary visit.
AC FLIGHT ATTENDANT SHARES MOHAWK CULTURE WITH RIHANNA
An Air Canada flight attendant got a thrill last week when she gifted pop superstar Rihanna a beaded lanyard from her Mohawk community south of Montreal.