07 JAN 2019: In case you missed it, and even if you didn’t, here’s a quick look at some of last week’s need-to-know travel news:

AIR

A consortium of new investors, including WestJet co-founder Tim Morgan, will lead the transformation of Enerjet into an ultra-low-cost-carrier by the end of the year. The Calgary-based airline, launched in 2008, will be rebranded and offer an extensive network of destinations across Canada and into the US.

New twice-daily nonstop year-round service between San Francisco and Toronto will be introduced by United Airlines starting March 31, 2019. The flights are part of a major expansion in service by United from San Francisco. The airline currently offers more than 20 daily flights between Toronto and its hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, New York/Newark and Washington Dulles. In addition to Toronto, United operates daily nonstop service between San Francisco and Calgary and Vancouver. United will operate service with Boeing 737-800.

Visitors bound for Vietnam’s iconic Halong Bay now have a quicker option for getting to the UNESCO world heritage site thanks to the opening of a new airport in Quang Ninh province on Dec. 30. At the same time, a new four-lane, 60 km-long highway will reduce travel time from Van Don International Airport to Halong city to just under 50 minutes. Halong Bay is located 220 km from the capital, Hanoi, the traditional gateway to the Bay.

TOURS

One of the grandest wildlife spectacles on earth is the annual Great Migration, when herds of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles travel a circular route through eastern Africa in search of fresh grazing lands. The procession of over a million animals is the focus of a new Tauck safari, “Great Migration: Tanzania & Kenya.” The new nine-day itinerary provides travellers with a front row seat to the spectacle and includes a three-night stay in a mobile safari camp that is relocated throughout the year to prime wildlife-viewing areas. The small-group safari, which is limited to 18 guests, is priced from $12,890 p.p. plus international and on-tour airfare, and begins in Makumira, Tanzania, with departures June 30 through Nov. 21.

Air Canada Vacations has enhanced its travel protection plans with CareFlex now available on Las Vegas flight and hotel package bookings. Clients can purchase the fully commissionable CareFlex plan for $49 p.p., which allows them to change, transfer to someone else or even cancel their booking with a refund up to seven days prior to the departure date.

Adventure-hospitality company Under Canvas has opened its second location at America’s oldest dude ranch, Tanque Verde Ranch in Tuscon, Arizona, with a winter glamping experience that is available through April. Guests stay in safari-style tents with ensuite bathrooms overlooking breathtaking mountainous desert landscape and have access to all the amenities of the ranch, including La Sonora Spa, outdoor pool, a fitness centre, The Dog House Saloon, on-site restaurant serving Southwestern cuisine and more. Activities include: swimming, tennis, basketball, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, yoga, hiking and jeep tours and a kids program is filled with activities such as arts and crafts, nature programs and basic horse training. This is the second location in Arizona for Under Canvas.

DEALS & DISCOUNTS

Vacationers who book a Sunwing trip by the end of the week (Jan. 11) will realize significant savings courtesy of the tour operator’s Million Dollar Beach Blowout Sale. In addition to discounts at resorts throughout the Caribbean and Mexico, additional perks are being offered at resort brands such as Riu and Royalton.

To celebrate the new year, Collette’s New Year 10% Savings Deal runs through Jan. 14 for travel on a variety of tours and departures in 2019 and ‘20. The offer extends to the tour operator’s Explorations line of tours. To redeem, use offer code NYSALE19.

For the first time, visitors to New York will be able to take advantage of Broadway Week, Restaurant Week and Must-See Week all at the same time. The three signature visitor programs will run simultaneously from Jan. 21 to Feb. 10 during which a selection of Broadway shows, museums, attractions and tours will be available at a two-for-one price, and nearly 400 restaurants will offer prix-fixe menus. Full details can be found at this SITE.

HOTELS

Cannua, a first-of-its-kind, 18-room boutique hotel set within a protected forest in Antioquia, Colombia, is scheduled to open in April 2019. Guided by the principles of sustainability, the 11-hectare mountain-side property with only 10 rooms and eight cabanas (photo) is taking a holistic approach to development and hospitality by offering authentic experiences centred on “curiosity, reconnection, relaxation, and sharing.” Examples include birdwatching, yoga, hiking, flower-arranging classes and visiting a community farm. Located 90 minutes from Medellín, Antioquia is one of the most biologically diverse areas of the world.

The Margaritaville Nashville Hotel celebrated its topping off in December, putting the anticipated ‘SoBro’ district hotel on track for opening later this year.

Now Open:

Las Vegas’ newest resort, Park MGM, celebrated its official grand opening at the end of December with the debut of Lady Gaga’s residency, the introduction of Las Vegas’ first Eataly and the launch of On The Record, a new speakeasy and club.

Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi is the Jumeirah Group’s first luxury “eco-conscious” resort, nestled on the pristine shores of Saadiyat Island in the United Arab Emirates.

A five-year facelift has been completed at the Bali Hyatt, which has re-opened as the Hyatt Regency Bali. The hotel was the first international hotel to open on the island in 1973 and was a pioneer of Indonesian-style architecture; it was also once considered the most luxurious and stylish hotel on the island – a standard the renovated hotel aims to regain.

RESORTS

Two new room categories have been introduced at Sandals Halcyon Beach in Saint Lucia (photo) to reflect the recent unveiling of the Caribbean’s longest river pool. Newly renovated Crystal Lagoon Walkout Swim-up Club Level rooms are located on the ground level of the Mon Repus, Vieux Fort, Prasline or Roseau buildings and feature a private walkout patio, king-size bed, smart TV, stocked in-room refrigerator and dedicated concierge. Meanwhile, Crystal Lagoon Poolside Luxury rooms offer similar amenities, but are located on the second level of the buildings with a private balcony. Sandals notes that with the introduction of the new categories, the following categories have been removed: Honeymoon Hideaway Luxury Poolside Room, Honeymoon Hideaway Walkout Poolside Room, Halcyon Hideaway Deluxe Room, and Halcyon Hideaway Deluxe Walkout Room. Guests currently booked in these categories will be automatically upgraded accordingly.

Two new resorts are open in Punta Cana, Grand Memories Splash and Grand Memories Punta Cana, reports Sunwing. The renovated and upgraded Dominican properties replace the Memories Splash. The former is ideal for kids and families, featuring one of the largest water resort parks in the Caribbean, while the latter offers a more refined and sophisticated ambiance for guests. Included is a laidback pool complex with brand-new sun loungers and Bali beds. Guests at either property also enjoy privileges at the neighbouring Royalton Punta Cana.

Vail Resorts, Inc. has announced that the company plans to invest approximately US$175 million in the guest experience in time for the 2019-20 winter ski and snowboard season across its network of 18 resorts. This latest investment is in addition to approximately $150 million invested for this season, bringing the company’s resort investment total to more than $1.2 billion over the last decade. From new mobile technology enhancements that will improve direct-to-lift access to the pursuit of snowmaking upgrades at Vail, Beaver Creek and Keystone, the investments are dedicated to getting skiers and snowboarders on the mountain earlier in the season and faster. Other enhancements include upgrades to lifts, dining, ski school and skier services.

CRUISE

In anticipation of Wave season, Holland America Line is launching a new ‘Why Not Now?’ special offer on cruises from summer 2019 through winter/spring 2020 that includes free stateroom upgrades, shore excursion discounts, up to $1,000 air credit per stateroom and deposits from $99 p.p. when booked by Feb. 28. Guests who book a suite also receive up to $600 in onboard spending money, in addition to the other perks.

It hardly seems like 10 years since Royal Caribbean International launched the mega-ship Oasis of the Seas. This year the vessel will receive a “bow-to-stern transformation” as part of RCI’s Royal Amplified program ahead of deployment in 2020 from Cape Liberty, N.J., making it the largest ship to sail from New York and the northeast US Starting in May, the Oasis will sail seven-night itineraries as well as a select number of short cruises north to New England and Canada.

More than two dozen voluntourism experiences have been unveiled by Crystal Cruises for its 2019 ocean voyages. Offered on most Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity sailings, as well as select Crystal Esprit itineraries in the West Indies, the complimentary excursions invite both guests and crew members to give their time and energy to dozens of worthwhile causes around the world. Sample itineraries in the ‘You Care. We Care.’ program include helping to feed the elderly at Mercy Kitchen in Belize, assisting with cleaning and caring for the animals at the Samui Animal Shelter in Koh Samui, Thailand, planting trees to help shelter penguins of Dunedin, New Zealand, and helping prepare food and create ceramic artwork with the disabled at the Pio Monte della Misericordia in Sorrento, Italy. Participation should be reserved in advance.

THEME PARKS

A new series of fun runs at Universal Studios Hollywood kicks off with an energetic Minion-themed 5K on May 11. The inaugural Minion Run, featuring the mischievous characters from the popular “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” films, invites participants ages five and older (of all experience levels) to wind their way around USH and through parts of Universal Studios’ historic backlot giving participants an insider’s view of the theme park and film studio. Along the course, participants will also be entertained by favourite USH characters. Registration is now open, but space is limited. Details HERE.

Starting Jan. 18, guests will be able to purchase a four-day, 4-Park Magic Value Ticket for $85 per day (plus tax) for a total price of $340 (plus tax) at Walt Disney World in Orlando. The 4-Park Magic Tickets include one day of admission to Magic Kingdom Park, one day of admission to Epcot, one day of admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and one day of admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, for a total of four admissions over four separate days. Other seasonal offers are also available through Sept. 30.

PEOPLE

The Jamaica Tourist Board’s regional director for Canada for the past seven years, Philip Rose, has moved on for a new posting in the organization. Dan Hamilton is the acting director until a replacement is named.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

Toronto-based NARAT is accepting applications for its Ultimate Egypt Deluxe FAM, May 17-28. The 12-day trip will introduce agents to one of the world’s great ancient civilizations and a current top seller, with highlights including a five-day Nile cruise and visits to the Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Valley of the Kings, as well as stops in Aswan, Karnak, Luxor, Abu Simbel, and the Sahara Desert. Participants may also extend their stay with a visit to the Red Sea region. The FAM is priced from US$1,950 (plus US$760 tax) and includes international airfare from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, domestic flights in Egypt, Canadian tour guide, entrance fees and most meals, and combines deluxe hotel and cruise accommodations. One companion is permitted and single supplements are subject to availability. For more details, e-mail fams@narat.org.

Sunwing is starting the year off right by offering double STAR points that convert into cash on all new bookings to Cuba made by Jan. 31 for travel between Feb. 1 and Oct. 31. Plus, each time an agent makes a booking to a participating resort, they’ll be entered into a weekly contest to win an all-inclusive vacation for two to Cuba.

Goway is offering agents $25 on their Goway Rewards Card when they book one of five Goway adventures to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Eligible trips include Secrets of KwaZulu, Natal KwaZulu Self Drive, World in One Country, Kruger and Kingdoms, and South African Sampler. This incentive applies to new bookings made by March 31.

EVENTS

Goway is hosting a webinar on Jan. 15 to update agents on its newly released Idyllic Islands brochure and product line. For details and to register, click HERE to register.

BY THE NUMBERS

The global airline industry’s net profit is forecast to be $35.5 billion in 2019, says IATA, slightly ahead of the $32.3 billion expected net profit in 2018 (revised down from $33.8 billion forecast in June). Overall industry revenues are expected to reach $885 billion (+7.7% on $821 billion in 2018) while passenger numbers are expected to reach 4.59 billion (up from 4.34 billion in 2018). North American carriers are expected to deliver the strongest financial performance in 2019 with a $16.6 billion net profit (up from $14.7 billion in 2018).

DESTINATIONS

San Francisco is set to defend its bona fides as one of the world’s great dining cities during its annual restaurant week, Jan. 23-31. About 130 establishments will take part offering special prix-fixe menus and prices starting at only $15.

Ottawa’s 41st Winterlude will heat up the capital region on weekends from Feb. 1 to 18 with a refreshed vibe includes activities that will now extend to ByWard Market and Sparks Street and weekend spotlights on indigenous culture and LGBTQ2 culture, history and pride. Popular attractions and pasttimes like Snowflake Kingdom, the Rideau Canal Skateway, snow and ice sculptures, the Ice Hog family, and traditional BeaverTails pastries all return.

Montreal en Lumiere (Feb. 21 to March 3) is one of the largest winter festivals in the world. It includes an all-encompassing line-up with gastronomy, music, theatre and art in downtown’s Quartier des Spectacles. Food is always a focus of the festival with elite chefs from around the world converging in the city for a gourmet program. A free outdoor site offers activities for all ages, including a Ferris wheel, zipline, curling, free shows and food kiosks for gourmet pit stops. Montreal en Lumiere also includes Nuit Blanche on March 2, which attracts more than 300,000 people.

Send your news to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com