Last week, the US government cracked down on airlines over delays and transparency, while other notable news included the start of a new high-speed rail link between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, more Asia links from WestJet, the delay of the launch of a new Princess ship, and batten down the hatches – forecasters are predicting the busiest Atlantic hurricane season ever.
NEWS
The US government issued final rules last week requiring airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for things like delayed flights and to better disclose fees for baggage or cancelling a reservation. The Transportation Department said airlines will be required to provide automatic cash refunds within a few days for cancelled flights and “significant” delays, which it defines as three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international ones. Airlines still will be allowed to offer another flight or a travel credit instead, but consumers can reject the offer.
A US$12-billion passenger bullet train linking Sin City to the City of Angels is now under construction with the Las Vegas-Los Angeles line dubbed the first true high-speed rail service in the US. Brightline, which currently operates trains in Florida, is building it is predicting millions of ticket-buyers will be boarding its Brightline West trains by 2028.
Researchers at Colorado State University are forecasting 11 hurricanes this year – the highest prediction that CSU has ever issued with their April outlook. Moreover, the team predicts 23 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Of those, researchers forecast 11 to become hurricanes and five to reach major hurricane strength (Category 3-4-5) with sustained winds of 179 kph or greater.
BY THE NUMBERS
New research suggests that eight in 10 (78%) Canadian travellers confirm that sustainable travel is important to them, though new insights show a sense of weariness could be emerging, fueled by the ongoing challenges experienced to make more sustainable travel choices. The recent study by Booking.com shows that half (50%) of Canadian respondents feel travelling more sustainably is important, but not a primary consideration when planning or booking a trip. Moreover, 26% even report they are tired of hearing about climate change all the time.
AIR
WestJet guests will gain access to six additional cities across four Asian countries from Incheon International Airport (ICN) through an expansion of WestJet’s codeshare agreement with Korean Air, one of the world’s only 5-star airlines as awarded by Skytrax. The new service will begin on May 17, corresponding with the previously announced launch of seasonal service between YYC and ICN. The new codeshare destinations include Bangkok; Da Nang, Vietnam; Hanoi, Vietnam (HAN); Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Hong Kong; and Singapore.
As part of its winter schedule, Flair is introducing a new Toronto to Guadalajara, Mexico nonstop route, further expanding its international network. Starting Sept. 13, the three-times weekly flight builds on Vancouver-Guadalajara service.
The authority overseeing the Montreal airport (YUL) plans to spend nearly $4 billion in a bid to reduce congestion and ramp up capacity at the country’s second-biggest flight hub. The announcement comes after rising passenger volumes and surging car traffic last summer prompted a wave of frustration among travellers trying to make their planes on time. The blueprint for the airport upgrades includes an expanded roadway running past the main entrance, new parking lots and drop-off areas, a satellite terminal, and a connection to the REM commuter rail line.
DEALS
Participating resorts in Transat’s ‘Family Promo’ are offering free accommodation and meals for children. Sales apply to individual bookings of South packages, for select hotels and travel dates, made by May 7 for travel by Dec. 15 from Montreal, Quebec City or Toronto. Conditions apply.
AAT Kings has extended its sale through April 30 with clients able to save up to 15% on Australia and New Zealand guided vacations.
Travellers can save up to $400 on select Collette’s ‘Netherlands, Belgium & France’ Explorations tour departures on May 11, 18, June 22, and July 26. The small group tour includes touring Amsterdam on a private boat, the World War I Flanders battlefields, and travel along the Route du Champagne, stopping for a visit to a Champagne winery.
TOURS
Aurora Expeditions is TravelBrands’ Encore Cruises newest partner. For over three decades, the small ship cruise line has ventured to the most remote and captivating corners of the globe, allowing travellers to enjoy a variety of activities and more time on shore. Each voyage is accompanied by remote area specialists who provide entertaining and informative onboard lectures. Travel agents can earn 5X Loyalty Rewards points on all bookings made by May 31. Each Aurora Expeditions booking earns 2000 Loyalty Rewards points, increasing the total to 10,000 Loyalty Rewards points per booking with the 5X promotion, equating to a value of $100.
Kensington Tours has announced the launch of its new dedicated Groups Specialist department. The specialized team will focus on curating trips for private groups of 10 people or more, catering perfectly to families planning multi-generational adventures, friends seeking unforgettable group travel experiences, or corporate group trips.
HOTELS
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) is launching AirPlay giving guests the ability to stream content privately and securely from their iPhone or iPad to the TV in their guest rooms. In its first phase, AirPlay is available at more than 60 hotels in North America, including properties like Hotel Indigo NYC Downtown – Wall Street and Holiday Inn & Suites Ottawa Kanata. IHG guests can stream content privately and securely from their iPhone or iPad to the TV in their guest rooms (photo). IHG is the first hospitality company to provide AirPlay functionality as part of its in-room entertainment experience.
Opening in May, The Printing House Nashville Downtown, Tapestry Collection by Hilton builds upon Hilton’s share in the Nashville market. The 11-storey building is set to include elevated guest rooms, on-site food and beverage offerings including a café and bar, a rooftop terrace, and a pool deck.
RESORTS
Sandals and Beaches Resorts have launched “Jamaica Calling” and “Jamaica Jamming” sales respectively during which guests booking of five nights or longer (in any room category at any Sandals or Beaches in Jamaica) through June 9 for travel through Jan. 31, 2025, will receive a complimentary Catamaran Cruise during their stay. (For Beaches guests, the cruise is valid for up to five people.) For all new bookings of seven nights or longer guests will also receive an additional US$250 resort credit to apply towards their vacation. Special rates are also offered on bookings of seven nights or more at select resorts in select room categories, starting from US$199 p.p. per night. To redeem the promotional offers, travel advisors (on behalf of their clients) must register the booking with 72 hours of making it HERE or HERE.
The Iberostar Grand Aruba will celebrate its grand opening and welcome guests for the first time this summer. Featuring 240 premium suites and located across from the award-winning Eagle Beach, the adults-only resort will be the first Iberostar property in the Dutch Caribbean. Outside of the suites, guests will enjoy access to the Tierra del Sol golf course, three restaurants, five bars, two pools, and a spa.
CRUISE
Princess Cruises and ship builder Fincantieri have announced the mutual decision to postpone the delivery of the next Sphere Class ship, Star Princess, by nearly two months. The ship was due to be delivered in July, 2025, but will now be handed over on Sept. 26 resulting in the cancellation of the vessel’s nine inaugural sailings. The new inaugural sailings of Star Princess will sail roundtrip from Barcelona and include an 11-day Mediterranean voyage on Oct. 4, 2025, and a seven-day Mediterranean voyage on October 15, 2025, that precede a 14-day transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 22, 2025, for the ship’s first Caribbean season.
Cunard’s newest ship, the Queen Anne officially joined the luxury cruise line’s fleet during a historic handover ceremony in Italy on April 19 and is now sailing to Southampton ahead of her seven-night maiden voyage to Lisbon on May 3.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Orlando’s Discovery Cove has opened its new Flamingo Point habitat, which gives guests an immersive and educational experience while promoting conservation efforts for the birds. Entry to the new habitat is included with admission. For those looking for an up-close experience, flamingos, the limited entry Flamingo Mingle program (US$59) is an option with 5% of proceeds donated to Audubon Florida.
INCENTIVES
Time is running out on the Exotik Journeys’ ‘Choose a TRAVEL PERK’ promotion. Until April 30 travel agents have the opportunity to elevate their clients’ travel experiences through a carefully curated selection of complimentary travel perks, reserved exclusively for consumers booking specific Exotik Journeys’ products through their preferred agency. Once a perk is selected, Exotik Journeys will seamlessly integrate it into the reservation with no additional cost to the agent or traveller. For a list of the perks, check HERE.
EVENTS
In celebration of Travel Advisor Month in May, ACTA is organizing Business Building workshops for its travel advisor members. The online events are sponsored by Princess Resorts, the Jamaica Tourist Board and Air Canada, and participants will have the opportunity to win prizes. To register and find out more information about the workshops, click HERE.
The Canadian sales team for TTC Tour Brands will embark on a 14-city roadshow across Canada throughout May. They’ll be hosting top travel advisors (personally selected by sales managers in the respective regions) and their clients at the exclusive, invitation-only events. Co-sponsored by Tourism Spain, the interactive events will also include refreshments and a brief presentation and every client in attendance will be entered to win a $500 discount towards their next trip with TTC Tour Brands (one per event) plus the travel advisor of the winning client will also receive a $500 gift card (one per event).
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
TravelBrands has announced the appointment of Nicole Davey as its new Business Development Manager for British Columbia. With over 10 years of experience in the travel industry, both as a selling agent and an office manager, Davey brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role. Based in Victoria, she can be reached at nicole.davey@travelbrands.com.
Valery Brown-Alce, a veteran in the Bahamas tourism sector, has been appointed as the newest Deputy Director General (DDG) of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. Her appointment is effective immediately and responsibilities include oversight of the Bahamas Tourist Offices in the US, Canada, and Europe.
DESTINATIONS
Besides tulips, the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa will celebrate a century of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) over 11 days and nights May 10-20 (Victoria Day) this year. The festival is free and ungated and offers a new self-guided Tulip Legacy Tour using seven stops with QR Codes. While telling Ottawa’s history, it allows visitors to travel back in time over eight millennia. Many activities will take place, including the popular Blacklight Boardwalk at Dow’s Lake with more than 2000 tulips and daffodils lit in UV light, to experience how pollinator’s see them.
Starting in May, visitors will be invited to discover transformative age of Henry VIII’s early reign, set within the newly reopened Wolsey Rooms at Hampton Court Palace, outside London. Revealed through original artworks and historic objects – including famous ‘History paintings’ like The Field of Cloth of Gold – visitors will discover the people of the Tudor court: soldiers in Henry’s army, the crafts men who made his palaces, and the influence of the wider world. Alongside four surviving history paintings, visitors will see portraits of European Kings and Queens, sailors and soldiers, musicians, and jousters, and displays of rare surviving artefacts from the Tudor era. The Wolsey Rooms and the Tudor display will be included in admission to Hampton Court Palace.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 2009, Jamaican troops stormed a hijacked Canadian charter flight at Montego Bay airport, took the lone gunman into custody and safely released six Canadian crew members. All 159 passengers and two other crew members were able to escape less than an hour into the hijacking of CanJet Flight 918, with help of a quick-thinking flight attendant.
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