Among last week’s highlights, Canada Jetlines received its operating certificate; COVID restrictions at borders and on cruise ships continued to fall; Canadian custom agents were accused of discrimination; and a new survey predicted that honeymoons will be travel’s ‘next big thing.’
NEWS
One-quarter of frontline employees surveyed at Canada’s border agency said they had directly witnessed a colleague discriminate against a traveller in the previous two years. And of these respondents, 71% suggested the discrimination was based, in full or in part, on the travellers’ race, and just over three-quarters cited their national or ethnic origin.
New findings from Expedia suggest that honeymoons are the next big thing poised for a post-pandemic surge. A recent study conducted by the travel giant found that an astounding 86% of honeymoon plans were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly every couple forced to cancel, pare down or postpone their post-nuptial trips over the last two years – plans that are now being revisited.
Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has launched a compensation program for travellers who missed their flights because of lengthy delays that have plagued the busy European hub for months. Schiphol’s announcement night heads off a possible mass claim for compensation by passengers who saw their holiday plans evaporate amid hours-long queues for security screening.
London’s Heathrow Airport is extending its cap on daily passenger numbers until the end of October as part of its efforts to cope with soaring demand for air travel amid staffing shortages. The airport, one of Europe’s busiest, said a maximum of 100,000 travellers can depart each day until Oct. 29. The daily cap was initially expected to be lifted on Sept. 11.
BORDERS
Effective immediately, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has ended all COVID-19-related entry testing and vaccination requirements. The recent announcement indicates that the Federation is now open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers. Additionally, travellers will no longer be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter the islands.
Costa Rica has finalized the regulations for the Digital Nomads Law, which allows foreign remote workers and their families to reside in Costa Rica for a term of one year, extendable to two years total. The law allows foreign workers to offer digital services remotely and settle in the country, during which time they receive benefits such as not paying income tax or import tax on equipment necessary for their labour. Applicants must have a minimum income of US$3,000 per month if they travel alone, or $4,000 if they are travelling with their families.
AIR
Canada Jetlines has received its air operating certificate (AOC) from Transport Canada, granting approval to initiate operations out of its travel hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The airline says it will be releasing new destinations and an updated scheduling shortly.
WestJet announced that service between Winnipeg and Los Angeles will start Oct. 31. The new route, which will operate three-times weekly on a year-round basis
Starting Aug. 31. Air India will increase its frequencies between Delhi and Vancouver, from 3x weekly to daily service. The enhancement in frequency caters to growing traffic between India and Canada and has been enabled by the return to service of the widebody Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft.
BY THE NUMBERS
As the global aviation community re-builds from the impact of the pandemic, YVR reached an important milestone on Aug. 5 as the airport hit the 10 million passenger mark year-to-date. And on Aug. 21, YVR expected to see its busiest single day of operations since the pandemic began, when over 70,130 passengers were forecast to travel through the airport.
DEALS
A new group booking promotion this summer from MSC Cruises allows Canadian-based travel agents and their clients to reap the rewards on cruises sailing worldwide through November 2023. New incentives, based on groups of eight or more cabins booked before Aug. 31 for travel Nov. 1, 2022, through Nov. 30, 2023, include discounted cruise fares, free berths, bonus amenity points, and more.
TOURS
Adventures by Disney has added three departures for its 12-day, 11-night Antarctica and Patagonia Expedition Cruises with PONANT. The added itineraries will depart in December and early 2023. The excursion take travellers to the southernmost tip of Argentine Patagonia, to visit the resort town of Ushuaia before boarding their vessel to travel through the Drake Passage. Daily boat excursions and hikes along the continent’s shorelines, provide the opportunity to catch glimpses of native wildlife like seabirds, penguins, and seals in their natural habitat. With offshore activities defined by nature, every wildlife viewing will be unique to the sailing. Clients can also add on a four-day, three-night guide group extension to Buenos Aires.
Travellers can say ‘oui’ to all things France on a new explorations small group tour by Collette. The 12-day ‘Essence of France’ tour will head to Paris, Provence, and the French Riviera, where guests will experience the local culture on a hunt for truffles with a local chef and his truffle-sniffing dogs. They will also head to a hands-on perfume making workshop and partake in a cheese tasting at a goat farm in the Provencal countryside.
CRUISE
The Viking Saigon has begun its inaugural season in Southeast Asia. Purpose-built for the Mekong River, the 80-guest ship sails between Kampong Cham, Cambodia and Mỹ Tho, Vietnam as part of Viking’s 15-day “Magnificent Mekong” itinerary. Regular sailing dates continue through March 2023, starting again from July.
Effective, Sept. 6, Windstar Cruises has revised its COVID-19 protocols and procedures and will no longer require a pre-cruise COVID-19 test for embarking guests (unless required by one of the countries on a scheduled itineraries, which currently includes Canada, Greece, Australia, and New Zealand). Windstar will still require all guests to be fully vaccinated and show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
HOTELS
The charming beach chic Leta Hotel in Santa Barbara, Ca. is now a Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel. This renovated historic 158-room hotel, rooted in the California vibe and beach culture of Santa Barbara, is known for its cool, hip, and carefree Californian personality and artful, quirky, unexpected, open and soulful chemistry.
Hotel AKA Back Bay is the luxury brand’s new debut in Boston. Previously the Loews Boston Hotel, the 225-room property will remain open while undergoing a design refresh. The property, located at 154 Berkeley Street, in Boston’s affluent shopping and dining district, is close to attractions like Boston Commons and Copley Square. Young professionals and families with ties to Boston’s more than 40 colleges and universities will also pose as a key guest segment for the hotel.
RESORTS
The inaugural “Oktoberfest in Paradise” will take place Sept. 15-Oct. 29 at Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, featuring a host of events and activations based on the famed German beer festival. At the same time, guests can save up to 40% off their room rate during the festival.
Blue Flag, an international non-profit program with wide expertise in environmental management and sustainable actions in the field of tourism, has designated Paradisus Los Cabos with its respective blue flag for the July 2022 – June 2023 season. This is the first time that Paradisus Los Cabos has received this distinction, making it the only hotel in the destination to obtain this award on its own merit.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Holiday celebrations will begin Nov. 12 at Universal Orlando Resort and continue until Jan. 1. Highlights will include “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, Grinchmas, and Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, plus much more.
EDUCATION
ACTA has launched its annual sale on CTC Certification (Certified Travel Counsellor) including the online exam prep course providing a great opportunity for travel agents to upgrade their credentials. ACTA members get 40% off on new enrollments, while non-members see a 20% savings. ACTA members pay $195, reduced from $325 and non members pay $340, reduced from $425.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Travel advisors with a group of 10 or more clients travelling together can book a new group safari by Dec. 15, with luxury outfitter African Travel Inc. that will earn an extra $500 along with their commission. All trips are customized and include multi-generation trips to South and East Africa (photo), heritage and cultural explorations in South Africa, and best friends’ getaways. The operator notes that clients should book by Sept. 30 to beat 2023 rate hikes.
TRAVELSAVERS and NEST, brands of the American Marketing Group (AMG) recently returned from hosting their top producing agencies at their Elite Retreat on the Regal Princess, which sailed Aug. 6-13 in the Greek Isles and Italy. More than 100 guests took part in the seven-day cruise. “Sailing these amazing countries was a wonderful opportunity for our US and Canadian agency owners, suppliers and staff to explore more of this area of Europe and experience the rich culture, history and cuisine of the region,” said Kathryn Mazza-Burney, Chief Sales Officer, who added. “Princess provided an amazing venue to allow us to reward our affiliates and also effectively network with our partners.”
GOOD DEEDS
H.I.S.- Red Label Vacations Inc. (RLV) has been supporting the SickKids Foundation since 2016 with various corporate philanthropy initiatives. This year, the company is making a charitable donation of 1% of all sales from both its wholesale (such as Sunquest) and retail divisions on Aug. 17 to SickKids Foundation and an annual charity golf tournament and SickKids walk still ahead in 2022. To date, RLV has raised over $1.5 million for the SickKids Foundation
EVENTS
The next EDGE webinar from Toronto Tourism will be held on Sept. 8, at 9 a.m. with brand leads from Google and Wavemaker discussing ‘Digital Readiness: How to use video to build your brand and engage audiences.’ The session will address best practices to grow your business and maximize your ROI? Check out ‘education and events’ on the TT website for info and registration.
DESTINATIONS
The 22nd World Creole Music Festival will take place Oct. 28-30, in Dominica. The event features various musical genres, including reggae, zouk, kompa, cadence, bouyon, salsa, dancehall/hip hop, meringue, soukous, zydeco. To be held at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium in Roseau, the event is dubbed ‘Three Nights of Pulsating Rhythms’ for its wide repertoire of musical genres on showcase each night. Visit dominicafestivals.com for details.
Set to take place Dec. 2 and 3, the 2022 Grenada Rugby World 7s (GRW7s) will welcome more than 30 men’s and women’s teams from around the world, including Canada, the US, England, Wales, Scotland, France, and Fiji. The tournament, to be held at the Caribbean island’s National Stadium will be the longest running Club Rugby 7s tournament in the region and will feature a week of official activities designed to help position Grenada as a viable sport tourism destination. For details, visit HERE.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1914, the first ship passed through the Panama Canal paving the way for a future foundation of the cruise industry.
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