ROUND-UP: Jan. 29-Feb. 02, 2024

Air Transat flight attendants rejected a tentative deal with the company raising fears of a future job action, while the world’s largest cruise ship made its maiden voyage from Miami. In other Round-Up highlights, France was tipped to retain top global tourism status, while Whistler, BC, was named Canada’s “most welcoming destination.”

NEWS

For the second time this year, the union representing 2,100 Air Transat flight attendants has rejected a tentative agreement with some 82% of the votes cast opposed to the would-be deal, which CUPE had reached with the airline in early January. The union says the compensation for hours worked before landing and after takeoff remained a key sticking point. The flight attendants also voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new strike mandate, which will remain in effect until April 1.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has a new name and brand: UN Tourism. With the change, the United Nations specialized agency for tourism says it is reaffirming its status as “the global leader of tourism for development, driving social and economic change to ensure that people and planet are always centre stage.” UN Tourism is meant to present a more approachable stance and capitalizes on its strengths: the “UN” signifying authority, and tourism, a simple and relatable concept for all.

The world’s biggest cruise ship – the size of almost four city blocks – began its maiden voyage Jan. 27 from the Port of Miami. Royal Caribbean International’s 7,600-passenger Icon of the Seas departed for Caribbean waters after fittingly being christened by the world’s biggest soccer star – Lionel Messi.

AIR

Air Canada says it has become the first airline in North America to adopt the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program to better serve customers with non-visible disabilities. The globally recognized program employs the use of a discreet sunflower symbol to identify customers with non-visible disabilities. By choosing to wear the Sunflower lanyard, Air Canada customers can indicate to airline staff that they may require additional assistance, have specific needs, or simply require more time while travelling.

Canadians can add up to 10 days in Iceland at no extra cost when travelling to Europe with PLAY via the low-cost carrier’s hub at Keflavik Airport. PLAY operates daily flights and seasonal services to more than 30 European cities from Hamilton, Ont., including its latest destination, Split, Croatia, which begins May 28.

KM Malta Airlines (KM) and Lufthansa Group (LHG) have signed a bi-lateral codeshare agreement connecting the networks and flights of the participating partner airlines. The Lufthansa Group consists of Lufthansa (LH), Austrian Airlines (OS), Brussels Airlines (SN), and Swiss (LX). This will apply for flights departing from March 31.

BY THE NUMBERS

Over half of residents surveyed in Ontario’s Hamilton-Niagara region (55%) and 35% in the GTA say that Buffalo is on their radar as a travel gateway due to less time spent than at local airports as well as lower costs, according to a new study by the Upstate New York airport. More than a million Canadians (35%) currently fly out of Buffalo Niagara International Airport to destinations including New York City and Orlando.

DEALS

Concluding today (Feb. 5), Transat’s ‘Come Back Changed’ promo offers travellers up to 20% off flights to Europe, up to 20% off South flights, and up to 40% off South packages.

Launching Feb. 8, Intrepid’s “Big Sale” will offer discounts of up to 20% on popular trips including an eight-day Family Holiday in Japan, a Premium tour of France, and a Cycling adventure through Vietnam. Deals on over 1,000 trips in 100-plus countries are available through the end of the month. Repeat Intrepid travellers will get details early on Feb. 5.

Celebrity Cruises is now offering up to 75% off the fare of the second guest on all sailings through April 30, 2026. Those booking on select dates will also receive $200 to spend onboard, which can be used to access a variety of experiences – from pampering spa treatments to the interactive culinary spectacle of Le Petit Chef, alongside exhilarating shore excursions.

TOUR OPERATORS

Air Canada Vacations says it is officially in the development phase of a B2B site for travel advisors with details to be unveiled soon. Meanwhile, ACV is also looking for “passionate industry professionals” to join its Travel Advisory Board with the aim of improving its travel offerings, services, and overall customer experience. For more, click HERE.

Featuring an all-female team of guides, porters and chefs, Alpaca Expeditions will offer a women-only, seven-day Salkantay & Sacred Valley Tour this June. Participants will find themselves in a range of accommodations, including unique options like glass cabañas and charming hobbit houses, while embarking on an off-the-beaten-path trek along the Salkantay Trail, exploring the Sacred Valley, hiking to Humantay Lake and touring Machu Picchu. Participants will also experience immersive culinary workshops, wine tastings, guided coffee tours and an educational excursion to an alpaca farm to learn about the traditional art of weaving.

CRUISE

Carnival Firenze (photo) has officially joined the Carnival Cruise Line fleet from sister line Costa Cruises, growing the Carnival fleet to 27 ships. The vessel will begin sailing year-round from Long Beach, Calif., on April 25, on three- and four-day sailings to Mexico and Catalina Island, and five, six- and seven-day cruises to the Mexican Rivera, visiting Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta.

Holland America Line has launched its newest set of ‘Legendary Voyages,’ a new category of longer cruises with destination-rich itineraries carefully crafted to allow guests to linger longer, and with programming that enriches the experience in each destination. And in 2025, the cruise line announced it will run simultaneous voyages of more than 120 days, with the 2025 Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole and the 2025 Grand World Voyage. 2025 Grand World Voyage.

HOTELS

The Sutton Place Hotels has announced plans to build a six-storey hotel beside Kelowna International Airport (YLW). The 245-room Sutton Place Hotel Kelowna and seven-storey 1,000-stall parkade will be located next to the new terminal building expansion at YLW. An opening date has not been released.

IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to break ground for a new Crowne Plaza hotel along Mexico City’s Avenida de los Insurgentes. To open in 2026, the Crowne Plaza Mexico City Insurgentes will serve as a regional halo property for the brand and – upon its return to the Mexican capital – join a roster of seven currently open Mexico properties.

RESORTS

RIU Hotels & Resorts has introduced its new Elite Club service at the Riu Palace Baja California, in Los Cabos. After several months of renovation work, the chain has adapted the hotel spaces to introduce the unique benefits provided by the elevated new service, which includes à la carte breakfast and dinner for those guests, an exclusive area for Elite Club customers at the pool, exclusive Elite bar and a rooftop area with lounge chairs and Balinese beds, private lounge, and more.

Six Senses joined the IHG family in 2019 and now has 23 hotels open around the world, along with a 43-property pipeline that will nearly triple its current global reach. The brand’s recent Americas signings include its first US property – the natural sanctuary of Six Senses Napa, which will bring together the brand’s trademark wellness and sustainability focus when it opens in 2026 – and hotel, villa and branded residences at Six Senses Xala in Mexico and Six Senses Grand Bahama. Slated to open in May, Six Senses La Sagesse in Grenada will mark the brand’s first Caribbean resort. Tucked between two beaches and set around a lagoon, the resort will bring to life the brand’s ethos of harmony with nature featuring the beauty of the Spice Island’s indigenous plants and materials.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

Les bon temps of New Orleans has rolled out at Universal Orlando Resort as annual Mardi Gras celebrations return to the Florida theme park, continuing through April 7. Highlights of ‘Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval’ include a spectacular Mardi Gras parade complete with tons of colourful beads, dazzling floats and energetic street performers, and – on select nights – live concerts by top-name talent to cap off the festivities. The celebrations and activities are included with regular admission to Universal Studios Florida.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

Agents completing the New York City Travel Trade Academy (TTA) by May 31 are eligible for a chance to win two round-trip tickets with Air Canada and two nights at Delta Hotels. Travel dates are July-Aug. (excluding July 27-Aug. 11). Take the course HERE.

EVENTS

Starting Feb. 6, Air Canada and ACV will host a series of breakfast seminars across the country. Info will be shared on the 2024 product line-up along with its new programs for Europe, Australia, and Asia and the new Travel Agent Toolkit. For dates and to register, click HERE.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has announced the appointment of Canadian travel industry veteran Sonia Machado to the role of Western Canada BDM. Based in Calgary, she’ll be responsible for overseeing sales initiatives and industry engagement activities across British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. She can be reached at (403) 404-8701 or smachado@visitjamaica.com.

Transat Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and President of Transat Distribution Canada Joe Adamo has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec. He is the first and only member of the Alliance’s Board of Directors to come from the airline industry.

DESTINATIONS

The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler

Booking.com revealed the 2024 winners of its 12th annual Traveller Review Awards, based on more than 309 million verified customer reviews. Among the winners was Whistler, BC, rated Canada’s “most welcoming destination. Rounding out the top five were Canmore, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Moncton, and Toronto rounding out the top five. Globally, the top five were Italy, France, Spain, Germany, and the UK.

With Canadians leading the way, the latest flight booking data from the World Travel & Tourism Council and its knowledge partner ForwardKeys shows that France is set to keep its pole position as the world’s most popular destination for international arrivals this year.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 2001, Canada 3000 announced it would buy and merge with rival Royal Aviation in an all-stock deal worth $82 million. The merged carrier, to be called Canada 3000 Airlines, was to continue specializing in low-fare domestic and international routes. But financial problems, exasperated by 9-11, caused Canada’s second-largest airline to suspend operations in November.

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