25 MAR 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
Air Canada reports it will ground 737 Max aircraft until at least July 1 following Transport Canada’s closure of Canadian airspace to Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operations after a recent Ethiopian Airlines crash. The airline says it has adjusted its schedule through to April 30 to cover 98% of its planned flying and is currently updating its May schedule. Meanwhile, WestJet says it will similarly stop flying its Max 8s through the end of April while continuing to “monitor this dynamic situation” and adjusting its schedule as required. The carrier notes that 93% of its fleet remains unaffected.
Sunwing Airlines has established a new partnership agreement with Mount Royal University and plans to hire its first graduates this coming summer. Mount Royal is the latest university that the airline has partnered with, and the first in Alberta, as part of its direct entry cadet program for Aviation graduates. Sunwing already has agreements in place with the University of Waterloo and Seneca College in Ontario and has hired 24 graduates since the program was established in 2016.
Ground has been broken at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for a train that will connect travellers directly to airport terminals and create convenient locations for passenger pick-up and drop-off outside the Central Terminal Area. The Automated People Mover (APM) is designed to reduce traffic congestion at the busy airport and improve the passenger experience inside. It will also connect to light rail lines when open in 2023.
DEALS
Sunwing’s Price Drop Guarantee promotion lets vacationers claim up to $200 cash back per person should the price of their vacation package drop closer to their departure date. Travellers who book by April 17, and travel between June 20 and Oct. 31 also benefit from a reduced deposit of $100 p.p. and a $50 travel voucher to be used towards their next vacation.
Through April 7, Air Canada Vacations European cruise clients (aboard Celebrity, Norwegian, and Princess) will only pay the flight taxes when booking air with the tour operator. They will also receive 1,000 bonus Aeroplan miles per person. The offer is valid for travel May 1 to Oct. 31. Some restrictions apply and maximum savings are $250 p.p. Meanwhile, ACV reminds that it has been named a preferred partner for the month by Karisma Resorts. Clients will receive up to 53% off hotel bookings, and a $250 resort credit.
Icelandic low-cost carrier Wow air is offering travellers departing from Montreal’s YUL airport one-way fares as low as $99.99 to a number of European destinations, including Reykjavik, Brussels, Berlin, Dublin and London, for travel between March and May.
TOURS
Launched last year and catering to millennials, U River Cruises (U by Uniworld) says it is continuing its trailblazing ways with two cruises this summer that “emphasize U’s ethos as a sexy, fun, never-seen-before cruise experience.” Offering enhanced versions of the Germany’s Finest eight-day itinerary that sails from Frankfurt to Regensburg, U in Drag (July 6) features celebrity drag queens for a “celebration of culture, entertainment, glitter and stilettos,” while guests will sail with celebrity tattoo artists, and have an opportunity to be inked by them, on Tattoo on U (Aug. 17).
Canada’s national tourism marketing organization, Destination Canada, has added five new members to its Canadian Signature Experiences collection, comprised of over 200 once-in-a-lifetime bookable travel experiences across the country. The five new members are: West Coast Overlanding Escape by Hastings Overland, BC; Aurora Village ViTeepee Experience, by Aurora Village, Northwest Territories; Newfoundland Circumnavigation by Adventure Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador; Inglewood Edibles – Made by Mavericks, by Alberta Food Tours, Alberta; and Battle Harbour – Forgotten in Time, by Battle Harbour Historic Trust, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Central Oregon is considered a top spot for Sasquatch sightings and believers can search for the mythical creature on a one-of-a-kind helicopter tour with Big Mountain Heli Tours in Bend. Claiming to be the only Bigfoot helicopter tour in the world, the operator promises that even if guests don’t spot Big Foot, they will see spectacular Oregon mountain and forest scenery over the 130-km journey. Meanwhile, those who would like to immerse themselves in Bigfoot lore, but stay closer to earth to do so, can take the seven-hour Bigfoot Explore Cruise from Portland to Cascade on the Columbia River aboard the Portland Spirit.
HOTELS
Paris Las Vegas has flipped the switch on a new $2.28 million (US$1.7 million) light show on its replica Eiffel Tower. In addition to the extravaganza, which takes place every half hour, the resort is celebrating its 20th anniversary by investing $123.53million (US$92million) on renovations to its 2,900 guest rooms and introducing a new $5.04million (US$3.75 million) spa, along with new culinary and entertainment options.
Leading international hospitality group sbe is launching a new luxury global brand, The House of Originals, in partnership with Accor. The luxury collection, which will feature a “bold spirit that challenges and inspires,” will include the Sanderson and St. Martins Lane in London, 10 Karaköy in Istanbul, and the Shore Club in Miami Beach.
Open
San Juan’s Finca Victoria is an altruistic bohemian retreat on Vieques, renovated and restored after the hurricanes. The property’s newest incarnation features a central house with swimming pool, large communal kitchen and dining area, spacious living room, lounge areas and five guest rooms all done in a colourful and detailed eclectic bohemian style. By summer, a total of 10 rooms and cabins will be open. Rates start at $200 ($US149) a night.
RESORTS
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas has launched a new tool for MICE professionals. The Venetian Meetings Virtual Planner gives prospective customers the ability to customize and research venues prior to contacting a representative at the resort. Highlights are a virtual tour of event space and a one-stop-shop for requesting a proposal.
The Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, Fla., will add 1,200 rental accommodations, including a new 400-room hotel, as part of significant enhancements to the property, which is known for its three signature championship golf courses. Also on tap is an expansion of the multi-acre Reunion Resort Water Park. The resort is located on 930 hectares minutes from Walt Disney World and offers resort-style accommodations ranging from luxury multi-room villas to private three- to 13-bedroom vacation homes.
CRUISE
Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen and godmothers of the seven newest Viking river ships.
Viking named seven new river ships during a celebration on the Rhine River in Basel, Switzerland, last week (photo). Of the seven ships, six are Viking long ships – Viking Einar, Viking Sigrun, Viking Sigyn, Viking Tir, Viking Ullur and Viking Vali – which will be deployed on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. The seventh – Viking Helgrim – was built specifically for Portugal’s Douro River.
Carnival Cruise Line has partnered with renowned chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse on his first-ever seagoing restaurant aboard Carnival’s newest ship, the Mardi Gras, setting sail in summer 2020. Emeril’s Bistro 1396 will showcase the chef’s signature dishes that have earned him the reputation as one of New Orleans’ top chefs.
Luxury cruise line Cunard’s second largest ship, the Queen Elizabeth, will return to Australia for 118 days from November 2020 to February 2021. The summer season will also feature visits from flagship Queen Mary 2 and sister ship Queen Victoria during their world voyages, with the royal trio spending a record 49 days in Australian ports between them. Queen Elizabeth’s four-month stay in Australia will include more than 60 itinerary options as she sails from her homeports of Melbourne and Sydney. Voyages will range from two-night sojourns between Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide to longer journeys around Australia and New Zealand.
THEME PARKS
Universal Studios Hollywood has added a second day, May 12, to its Running Universal 5K Minion Run after May 11 sold out.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Sunwing’s is offering 4X STAR agent reward points for summer bookings made by April 17 at some of its most popular resort chains across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. Participating resorts include Jewel, Lopespan Costa Bravo, Memories, Planet Hollywood, Princess, RIU, Royalton and Viva Wyndham.
EVENTS
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations continued in Toronto March 20 with a special dinner at George Brown College sponsored in part by Tourism Ireland. Trade guests enjoyed Irish fare overseen by special guest, Irish Michelin-starred chef J.P. McMahon (shown here with tourist board director Dana Welch). McMahon’s message: that Ireland gastronomy has come a long way in recent years. “There’s not a potato on my menu,” he laughed, noting that the lamb and oysters were brought over from Ireland for the meal. Welch was similarly eager to “spread the news” that Ireland is a great destination for foodies, from Michelin restaurants to pubs and a food trail. “And,” she added, “it’s a great way to meet the people!”
NEWS
H.I.S Co. Ltd. reports that its acquisition of Red Label Vacations (TravelBrands) is complete. Further, that Frank DeMarinis will continue as president and CEO of the company. The executive team continues to include Diane Lattavo, Nathalie Tanious, Elvi Cal, Sam Youssef, John Puntillo, and Tony Saunders. It had been previously announced that Red Label co-owners Enzo and Joe DeMarinis were retiring.
Effective June 17, Canadian (along with American, Australian and Japanese) citizens travelling to Brazil for business or pleasure will longer require a visa. Visa-free stays are valid for up to 90 days, extendable for the same period if it does not exceed 180 days, every 12 months, counted from the date of the first entry in the country.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Air Transat has named Laura Albrow account manager responsible for managing specialty accounts in Ontario and Western Canada. Based in Toronto, the industry veteran, formerly with Etihad Airways, can be reached via email at Laura.Albrow@transat.com.
Also at Air Transat, Benjamin Pron takes the post as sales manager, online agencies. Previously at Flight Centre, Pron is based in Toronto and is responsible for all online agencies in North America, as well as multi-market groups in Europe. He can be contacted at Benjamin.Pron@transat.com.
DESTINATIONS
Japan-bound travellers can now channel their inner assassin at Odawara Castle (photo), which is introducing a Ninja Hall on April 20. Offering interactive and informative displays, the experience focuses on the “Fu-Ma Ninja,” long thought to have secretly supported warlord Hojo during Japan’s civil war era in the 15th to 16th centuries. Odwara is located about 30 minutes from Tokyo via bullet train.
Havana Biennial, Cuba’s largest visual arts event, will return to the island’s capital from April 12 to May 12 with the theme La Construcción de lo Posible (The Construction of the Possible). This year the month-long event also coincides with the 500-year anniversary of Havana. Originally postponed due to damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017, the 13th edition of the biennial will expand beyond Havana for the first time since its inception in 1984, with artist projects located across the country including Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spíritus, and Camagüey.
Zion National Park is the most visited of Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’ national parks and this year celebrates its 100th anniversary. Zion Canyon was first protected as Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909 and officially became a national park in 1919. Sharing its Centennial with Grand Canyon National Park, Zion will celebrate with several events and activities planned throughout the year, including free admission on April 20, Aug. 25, Sept. 28 and Nov. 11.