Quebec has a “new” tour operator with deep roots, and the “end of revenge (travel)” was officially declared. In other happenings last week, WestJet announced service to Iceland, Transat released its winter flight schedule, and France declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia.
NEWS
Sunwing Vacations Group launched WestJet Vacations/Vacances WestJet Quebec in La Belle Province as a “new tour operator with new destinations” for Quebec consumers, starting next winter. Packages will include flight departures from three Quebec gateways – Montreal, Quebec, and Saguenay-Bagotville – beginning in November to 20 popular sun destination across Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico (including Tulum), St. Maarten, Costa Rica, and Panama, with new destinations to be added in future based on evolving customer demand.
If 2023 was the year for “revenge travel,” then 2024 is shaping up to be the year for intentional exploration. A recent Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) survey conducted by YouGov reveals that 61% of Canadians are planning to pack their bags within the next year – but this time with a purpose. Canadians are trading impulsive getaways for mindful travel choices, seeking meaningful experiences that align with their values, aspirations – and tighter budgets. The same study reveals that 82% of respondents are opting to adapt their vacations in response to soaring costs rather than abandoning their travel plans altogether.
The US Travel Association applauded Congressional passage a bill to reauthorize the US Federal Aviation Administration. “Measures in the bill will address delays and cancellations and other travel hassles by modernizing air traffic control technology, boosting the air traffic control workforce, and investing in additional improvements to our nation’s airports and air travel system,” said USTA President and CEO Geoff Freeman.
France imposed an emergency last week in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia for at least 12 days, boosting security forces’ powers to quell unrest in the archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence. Armed clashes and other violence that erupted Monday following protests over voting reforms leaving several people dead and injured hundreds more.
AIR
Air Transat has released its flight schedule 2024-25 winter season featuring, at peak, 300 non-stop flights per week from seven Canadian cities. In addition to Toronto, Ottawa, and London, it will also offer flights from Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, and Moncton, to more than two dozen destinations covering the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, and Europe.
From Toronto, the airline is increasing flight frequencies to key markets such as Cancun and Punta Cana, while adding capacity on high-potential routes such as San Jose, Costa Rica.
WestJet celebrated the takeoff of service between Calgary and Reykjavik (Keflavik) Thursday, adding another option from Western Canada and the airline’s hub to Europe. Flights will operate four times weekly through Oct. 13 on 737 MAX aircraft, departing Calgary at 8:25 a.m.
With the inclusion of Iceland to its network, guests travelling from or through Calgary will also gain access to seven transatlantic connections via WestJet’s airline’s interline agreement with Icelandair.
Starting June 27, Porter Airlines will introduce a new route directly connecting Montreal (YUL) and Los Angeles (LAX). Flights will depart Montreal at 7:40 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Air Canada has launched new – and free – motorcoach service connecting southern Ontario’s Hamilton-Wentworth and Kitchener/Waterloo Regions to Toronto Pearson International Airport, at the same time enabling customers to create a single itinerary when booking travel with Air Canada through YYZ. Landline will operate six, non-stop round trips daily each way between Toronto Pearson from each of the Hamilton and Waterloo airports.
BY THE NUMBERS
Emirates had record profits of US$4.7 billion for 2023 as the airline fully took flight after the turbulent years of the coronavirus pandemic disrupted its operations. The airline carried 51.9 million passengers in its 2023 financial year, as compared to 43.6 million the year prior. Owned by Dubai’s government, the airline also announced revenues of $33 billion, compared to $29.3 billion the year before. Profit the year prior had been $2.9 billion.
DEALS
Low-cost Icelandic airline PLAY, which flies from Hamilton International Airport to over 26 European destinations via Iceland has launched a flash sale on select destinations. Between May 20 and 24, Canadian travellers can get 25% off flights to Iceland, Copenhagen, Berlin, Dublin, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Dusseldorf, and Hamburg. for travel dates from June to December. The discount is based on Basic Bundle fares and travellers can also take full advantage of PLAY airlines’ “stayover” program for up to 10 days in the destinations.
Tahiti Tourisme has collaborated with Air Tahiti Nui, the leading carrier to French Polynesia, to launch a new campaign focused on Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver in which participants can enter to win a trip for two to The Islands of Tahiti. This campaign is now live in market and runs up until June 19 with campaign-specific prices as low as $1,600 for return flights from Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver via either LAX or SEA.
TOURS
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours will be joined by Canadian country music star Terri Clark for a journey along the Rhine River in 2025. The eight-day Rhine Highlights cruise will embark from Basel, Switzerland on April 2 and conclude in the Amsterdam on April 9. The sailing offers guests the opportunity to travel with Clark, who will perform onboard, take part in a cocktail reception, and sign autographs at a guest photo session.
Taylor Swift’s ‘London Boy’ (as any Swifty will already know) includes references to a bunch of north London locations, including Highgate, Hampstead, and Camden. And now tour guide company ToursByLocals is capitalizing on that by running tours in the area.
RESORTS
Royalton CHIC Antigua has officially opened its doors, marking a new all-inclusive addition to the Blue Diamond Resorts’ portfolio. Featuring 225 rooms, the brand’s first property on the island designed exclusively for adults. Blending modern comfort and elegance with lively touches synonymous with the ‘Party Your Way’ lifestyle, creating a vibrant atmosphere, the brand-new resort offers guests variety of accommodations, including rooms with ocean views, swim-out access, and walkout oceanfront suites, each featuring a balcony or terrace.
All-inclusive pioneer Club Med is planning its first property in the Middle East: Club Med Musandam, a luxurious beach resort set to open in 2028 in Oman. The 300-room, Exclusive Collection resort will incorporate the culture of Oman in its design, entertainment, food & beverage, and provide guests with access to a private beach with incredible scenery. Situated on the Arabian Peninsula overlooking the Persian Gulf and panoramic Hajar Mountains, Musandam has earned the nickname, “The Norway of Arabia,” for having the world’s only desert fjords.
HOTELS
Lifestyle hotel brand Moxy is opening its second South Florida location with the Moxy Miami Wynwood now taking reservations for stays beginning June 23. Located in the Wynwood Arts District, the hotel features 120 playfully designed rooms, a 24/7 fitness centre, and a second-floor lobby featuring a full-service bar that doubles as the hotel’s check-in area and is the buzzing hub of the stylish property.
Opening June 1, Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman will be first Hotel Indigo in the Caribbean and the newest property along the island’s celebrated Seven Mile Beach strip. Enhanced by local elements and bohemian design, the property will feature 282 guest rooms and suites, a multi-concept epicurean hub for dining, outdoor deck with an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, as well as the island’s first rooftop lounge, which will feature innovative cocktails and Latin-inspired fare.
CRUISE
Luxury expedition line PONANT is teaming up with The Explorers Club on three Greenland explorations this spring and summer. The first will cruise along the country’s northeast coast, the second voyaging from Greenland to Svalbard, and the third venturing along Greenland’s west coast to Baffin Bay. The trio of sailings will all feature dramatic ice-capped scenery, rare wildlife sightings (polar bears, orcas, Arctic foxes), heart-pumping adventures from ice fishing to polar diving, and the onboard insight of renowned scientists and explorers.
AmaWaterways has announced an expansion of its partnership with Celiac Cruise to deliver European itineraries with dedicated 100% gluten-free ships and experiences for guests sailing the Danube and Seine rivers on dedicated sailings in 2025. Travel advisors are invited to contact info@celiaccruise.com for details.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Disney has received another key approval to make the first major changes to its iconic Disneyland in decades. The proposal doesn’t expand the parks’ physical footprint but will help Disney create new, immersive experiences for visitors by building a land such as the snow-covered hamlet of Arendelle from “Frozen” or the critter-filled metropolis of “Zootopia.” It’s the first time Disney has sought a major change to its California theme parks since the 1990s, when the company obtained approvals to turn Disneyland, built in 1955, into a resort hub.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Transat is improving the terms and conditions of its Option Flex for travel advisors. For Option Flex Standard and Option Flex Extra, the commission on new bookings has been increased to 20%, and the waiting period for a new booking after a cancellation has been reduced to 10 days.
In addition, the compensation for Option Flex Extra cancellations has been increased to $75 per passenger (adult or child).
Collette’s Travel Advisor Appreciation Month giveaway will see one Canadian travel advisor win a $5,000 voucher that can be used towards a Collette tour of their choice. The winners, who will be announced in early June, can combine their $5,000 credit with Collette’s Advisor Travel Program, which offers them a 50% discount, as well as 25% for companions when booking a tour. One entry to win is issued per booking in May.
The Globus family of brands is providing travel advisors with the opportunity to earn up to a $100 booking incentive on new bookings made in May. For details, click HERE.
EVENTS
Travel advisors can now register for Sandals Masterclass 2024 – an extensive series of webinars taking place for regions across the country that kick off May 22 in Ontario and continue into September. The two-hour sessions are created by Unique Vacations Canada exclusively for Canadian travel advisors to help them drive growth and increase sales to Sandals and Beaches resorts in the Caribbean.
To register for an English Masterclasses, visit:
https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/1475503258985292125?source=Press
To register for the French Masterclass on June 6, visit:
https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/6792954796165990486?source=Press
DESTINATIONS
Visit Florida hosted a trade networking event in Toronto with eight state tourism representatives, including VF’s global marketing and trade account executive Kelly Godwin (photo, centre holding palm) on hand. The message was that “while Florida never went dark during the pandemic, we’re certainly back” as evidenced by nearly 4 million Canadians visiting the state in 2023, an increase of 45% over 2022. Also, increasing air travel to a state that has primarily been known as a drive market. Travel agents were invited to download a dedicated info guide that can be found HERE.
The annual New Orleans Restaurant Week will celebrate food in the city June 5-9. And in August, many world-renowned restaurants will also take part in the 20th anniversary of COOLinary – an annual tradition featuring specially priced prix-fixe lunch, dinner, and brunch menus. For more, visit HERE.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1918, the first US airmail stamps – featuring a picture of an airplane – were introduced. On some of the stamps, the airplane was printed upside-down, making them collector’s items.
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