In last week’s news, we learned that a majority of Canadians are “vacation deprived”; WestJet expanded its partnership with Germany’s Condor Airlines; travellers from Halifax gained greater access to Bermuda; Kimpton Hotels is headed for Hawaii; TICO opened applications for positions on its board; Virginia is celebrating country music; and, much more.
NEWS
When it comes to taking vacations, nearly six in 10 Canadians (58%) claim to be “vacation deprived,” according to a new consumer survey. That’s an increase from 2023, but still less than our neighbours south of the border, where 65% of people say they don’t take enough time off.
Canadians, according to the Vacation Deprivation Report conducted by Expedia, also average seven more vacation days annually than Americans.
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) Board of Directors is now accepting applications from experienced leaders within and beyond the travel industry for two positions on the board:
- One (1) Industry Director (who is involved in the travel industry); and
- One (1) Public Director (who has no direct personal or business interest in the travel industry).
The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12. For more information and application instructions, click HERE.
Most visitors – including Canadians – see Hawaii as a safe and secure destination, according to the islands’ latest Visitor Satisfaction and Activity Survey (VSAT), which surveyed visitors from multiple destinations who visited Hawaii in the fourth quarter of 2023. More than 90% of visitors from all markets rated Hawaii as “excellent” or “above average” when it comes to being a safe and secure destination, including 99.0% from Canada.
AIR
WestJet guests can now gain direct access to Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) from five Canadian airports through the expansion of WestJet’s long-standing partnership with Condor Airlines. Through the agreement, WestJet will sell itineraries on flights operated by Condor Airlines from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto and Halifax to Germany’s busiest airport, with a single ticket and through checked baggage, earning WestJet Dollars throughout.
BermudAir is increasing flights on its recently launched service between Bermuda and Halifax to twice a week. The airline is adding a flight on Wednesdays to its schedule starting on July 10 with the new flight leaving Bermuda at 8.30 a.m., arriving at Halifax Stanfield International Airport at 10.55 a.m. (all times AST). It will return to Bermuda at 11.40 a.m. and arrive on the island at 1.55 p.m. This timing is similar to the existing schedule for flights on Saturday.
A new long-term content distribution deal has been inked by Travelport and WestJet. The renewed partnership will pave the way for WestJet to improve its retailing capabilities, as both companies start to collaborate on the future delivery of New Distribution Capability (NDC) content and servicing.
Fiji Airways, the flag carrier of Fiji and the South Pacific, has had a presence in the oneworld alliance for the past five years as a oneworld connect partner. During this time, the airline has developed cooperative links with all oneworld member airlines, paving its way to a more seamless integration as a full oneworld member. Fiji Airways’ transition to full membership will begin immediately and will be completed within the next 12 months.
DEALS
Air Canada Vacations has extended its “A New Way to Earn” Aeroplan Points program until Dec. 31, 2025. The program, first launched back in October 2023, allows customers to accumulate points on both the flight and vacation portion of their travel package. ACV has also added 14 new destinations to the list of qualifying options including Asia, Australia, India and Dubai. Eligible members can earn up to 12,000 extra points when booking a minimum seven-night stay from a selection of more than 280 vacation packages to Mexico and the Caribbean, as well as earn points on 14 new destinations and 75 packages including Rome, London, Lisbon, Asia, Australia, India and Dubai.
TOURS
Bootlegging, brothels and bookies are just some of the topics covered in a new Prohibition-era inspired walking tour from MTL Detours. Montreal’s ‘Sin City Golden Age Era’ immerses visitors into the city’s debaucherous past during a two-hour journey through the former Red-Light District. Designed for an 18-plus audience, the tour features scandalous stories of raucous nightlife, organized crime and nefarious characters who rose to prominence during this complex and captivating period in the Montreal’s history. A portion of all ticket proceeds from the walking tour will be donated to Stella Montreal, a community organization that aims to improve the quality of life and working conditions for woman-identified sex workers.
HOTELS
The former Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel just south of Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles will be renovated, updated and reopened under InterContinental Hotels Group’s Regent Hotels & Resorts luxury brand in summer 2024. The property’s room count will be reduced to fewer than 200 from 342, while the hotel will also include a spa and a beachfront pool deck.
The flagship of the La Réserve collection, La Réserve Paris is housed in a 19th-century building that was once owned by the family of the Duc of Morny, the stepbrother of Emperor Napoleon III. The hotel’s most prized accommodation is the lavish Grand Palais Suite, decorated in Napolean-era antiques and featuring the building’s original fireplaces, Carrara marble bathrooms, salons and dressing rooms, a wine cellar stocked with Grand Cru vintages. The piece de resistance is the suite’s 200-sq.-m. terrace, with sweeping views of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Grand Palais.
RESORTS
Newly opened Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a private island retreat (photo) located on Ummahat Island, nestled within the Blue Hole cluster of islands in the Red Sea. One of Saudi Arabia’s luxury regenerative tourism destinations on the west coast of the country, the island is surrounded by the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef system with an archipelago of more than 90 untouched islands. Accessed by chartered boat or seaplane, Nujuma features 63 overwater and beach villas, offering one-to-three-bedroom accommodation, spacious living areas and private pools overlooking the sea. Ritz-Carlton Reserve is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 hotel brands.
Kimpton Hotels is headed for Hawaii with the IHG brand’s first property in the islands. Following a historically sensitive restoration of the landmark Coco Palms resort in Kauai – known as a premier destination during the golden era of Hollywood, with such guests such as Elvis Presley, Rita Hayworth and Gene Autry – the Coco Palms, A Kimpton Resort is anticipated to open in 2026.
CRUISE
Oceania Insider Connect is a new a trade solution from Oceania Cruises designed to boost the sales and marketing efforts of travel advisors. The program offers two marketing solutions: instantly co-brandable marketing pages – to showcase Oceania Cruises’ itineraries, onboard experiences, destinations, ships and latest promotions; and a co-branded website with real-time pricing and availability, driving actionable leads directly to advisors. In addition to pre-designed content experiences and offers using dynamic images and marketing, Oceania Insider Connect supports advisors with their marketing outreach, harnessing the power of AI to suggest unique, engaging social posts and client emails as well as creating dynamic QR codes linked back to an advisor’s own website. Go to inspires.to/oceania (no login required).
Amawaterways has launched its latest addition to the fleet, AmaLilia, on the Nile River, featuring upscale regionally inspired décor and 41 staterooms, including 13 suites. The 11-night ‘Secrets of Egypt & the Nile’ cruise and land experience includes a seven-night round trip river cruise from Luxor and is paired with three nights pre- and one-night post-cruise stays in historic Cairo at the prestigious St. Regis Cairo, overlooking the Nile River.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
This year the famed Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles is celebrating its 60th milestone anniversary with a dedicated experiential program running through Aug. 11. A highlight includes the “Earthquake – The Big One” attraction, which debuted on the Studio Tour in 1989 and has been shaking things up ever since with its eerily realistic 8.3 magnitude quake. To coincide with this diamond anniversary, this simulated natural disaster attraction has undergone a top to bottom renovation and will debut anew with contemporary technology and aesthetics.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Intrepid Travel has unveiled a new-look North American leadership team and that includes current Chief Customer Officer Leigh Barnes moving into the role of President of the Americas and Canadian travel industry stalwart Christian Wolters being appointed to a newly created position of President of Canada. Wolters was a founding team member of Intrepid in Canada from 2008 to 2015 culminating as General Manager and VP of Sales. The move marks a new opportunity for General Manager North America Tom Smith who will be taking over the role of GM, Central America & Mexico.
DESTINATIONS
This year, Virginia is celebrating the “Year of Country Music,” highlighted by the 20th anniversary of the Crooked Road Music Heritage Trail, a 500-km. trail dedicated to the rich musical history of Southwest Virginia. The Crooked Road connects 19 counties and four cities with venues regularly featuring bluegrass and old-time music. Several key anniversaries coincide with the celebration:
- The Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, marks its 50th anniversary, honoring the “First Family of Country Music” with special concerts, including a significant event on August 3.
- The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Virginia, celebrates its 10th anniversary, showcasing the 1927 Bristol Sessions’ impact on country music history. It will also host the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion music festival in September.
- The Floyd Country Store in Floyd, Virginia, commemorates the 40th anniversary of its Friday Night Jamboree, a weekly celebration of old-time and bluegrass music.
- The Ralph Stanley Museum in Clintwood, Virginia, and the “Song of the Mountains” concert series in Marion, Virginia, both celebrate their 20th anniversaries, highlighting the legacy of traditional Appalachian music and its contemporary significance.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1943, Trans-Canada Airlines (now Air Canada) inaugurated transatlantic service.
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