Hurricane Beryl dominated the news cycle last week, leaving a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, all the way to Mexico; in Canada, WestJet continued to cancel flights as it recovered from a strike by its mechanics. Other Round-Up items include a new air transport agreement between Canada and Argentina, new planes for Air Canada and a name for the newest Seabourn ship; and G Adventures announced one last chance to win Taylor Swift tickets for Toronto (note: deadline is July 10).
NEWS
The Canadian Red Cross has launched the Hurricane Beryl Appeal to help those affected by the hurricane. Money raised will enable the Red Cross to provide immediate relief, support recovery efforts, and resilience and preparedness activities for future events. The activities and areas impacted may evolve based on emerging needs and compounding future events, says the organization. Canadians wishing to make a donation to the Hurricane Beryl Appeal can do so online at redcross.ca or by calling 1-800-418-1111.
WestJet said its operations had returned to normal after a strike by its mechanics and that no further cancellations were expected as of Friday after eight on Thursday and 30 on Wednesday. The airline says the total number of cancellations due to the strike was 1,171 in just over a week after about 680 workers walked off the job June 28.
A new air transport agreement between Canada and Argentina promises to increase air service between the two countries. The new agreement will include no limits on the number of Canadian or Argentinian airlines that can serve the market and the cities that can be served; more flexibility for Canadian and Argentinian airlines to make connections in other countries, if they choose, to pick up and discharge passengers and/or cargo enroute to their final destination in Canada or Argentina; and fully open code-sharing rights.
BY THE NUMBERS
The US Transportation Security Administration predicted that its officers would screen more than 3 million travellers at US airports on Sunday topping the June 23 mark of more than 2.99 million. American Airlines said Sunday was expected to be its busiest day of the entire summer with more than 6,500 flights. Eight of the 10 busiest days in TSA’s history have come this year, as the number of travellers tops pre-pandemic levels.
AIR
Air Canada will launch new weekly flights from both Ottawa and Québec City to Tulum, Mexico’s newest airport in the Yucatan peninsula, beginning Dec. 13. The airline will also resume non-stop services from Québec City for winter 2024-25 to popular sun destinations: Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Punta Cana and Cancun.
Also from Québec City, American Airlines is now offering daily non-stop seasonal flights to Philadelphia through Nov. 4.
The European Commission approved Lufthansa’s takeover of Italian airline ITA with conditions to protect competition in a deal that Italy’s finance minister called “historic.” Lufthansa will invest 325 million euros ($480 million) to acquire a 41% stake in ITA, formerly Alitalia, from the Italian government, gaining full control by 2033 with a total investment of 829 million euros.
DEALS
Collette travellers can save CDN$250 when booking seats for the April 19, 2025, departure of its “Spain & Morocco” tour.
Through Sept. 30, Aurora Expeditions is offering up to 20% savings on itineraries to Antarctica 24/25 and Arctic 2025 plus an air credit of US$2,000 for all Antarctica 2024-25 sailings or US1,500 for all Arctic 2025 voyages.
Oceania Cruises is offering up to 40% off 50 global voyages in its Annual Summer Sale, which runs through Aug. 26. A sample cruise from the extensive selection of voyages, departing between October and August 2025, is the six-day roundtrip Singapore ‘Malay Peninsula Treasures’ voyage aboard Regatta departing April 3, 2025, price from US$1,080 p.p.
TOURS
Contiki has launched a new trip to its homeland, New Zealand. The 15-day trip ‘Real New Zealand’ is designed to show travellers the raw and authentic aspects of the country, including an exclusive Maori experience (photo) and the opportunity to take part in skydiving, kayaking, bungy jumping, ziplining, jet boat riding and more.
Air Canada Vacations has unveiled its winter 2024/25 vacation lineup, featuring over 100 daily departures to 37 sun destinations, including a return to popular sunspots and increased frequency and capacity to Bermuda, Fort-de-France, Cancun, Los Cabos, Tulum, Punta Cana, Saint Martin/ Sint Maarten, Turks and Caicos, and San José, Costa Rica. With over 900 hotels and resorts, partners include Sandals Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Inclusive Collection, Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, Ocean by H10, Melia Hotels International, and Iberostar Hotels & Resorts among many others. Additionally, there are 13 leading cruise partners featuring hundreds of itineraries.
CRUISE
Seabourn named its new ship – Seabourn Pursuit – in a unique and historic expedition naming ceremony at Ngula Jar Island, Australia, on June 29. With guests on Zodiacs alongside the ship and the onboard team lined up along the decks, the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners named Seabourn Pursuit, marking the first time Traditional Owners named a ship.
A new online booking feature from Windstar Cruises allows Canadian travel to search and book in Canadian dollars. All Canadian travel agencies will automatically default to CAD when the booking process begins, and any additional pre-cruise purchases associated with a CAD booking will be in Canadian dollars. Agencies and their clients, however, may request the pricing to be in USD as was previously offered.
RESORTS
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts in Riviera Maya, Mexico, are celebrating the 25th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants this month, including hosting the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024 on July 13. Other activations include a limited-time 25th-anniversary sandcastle display created by local artists, watch party events featuring SpongeBob episodes. Guests are encouraged to dress up in their favourite SpongeBob attire and enjoy the experience with popcorn, sodas, ice cream, and cotton candy. Guests can also save up to 45% when booking their stay at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts now through Aug. 31 for travel by Sept. 3.
Iberostar has unveiled plans for its first hotel in Aruba – JOIA Aruba by Iberostar. Set on Eagle Beach, the property is located 15 minutes from the Queen Beatrix International Airport, 10 minutes from downtown Oranjestad, and five minutes from the shopping area of Palm Beach. Due to open in late 2024, the unique U-shaped 240-room resort, was strategically designed to showcase Eagle Beach.
HOTELS
Toronto’s first TOOR hotel (rendering above) is set to open later this year. An urban-style boutique hotel located on Jarvis Street in the downtown core, the property will have 232 guest rooms and suites, a modern French-inspired bistro and bar set over two floors, valet parking, fitness centre and yoga studio, a 280-sq.-m. terrace, plus meeting and event space. The 33-storey development will offer guests unobstructed views of Toronto and Lake Ontario and will be the first of five TOOR hotels to open in the city in the next few years, ranging from lifestyle to five-star.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
SeaWorld Orlando has unveiled Penguin Trek, a new roller coaster located within the all-new Antarctica Realm. With two powerful launches and speeds reaching up to 70 kph, the 900-m. track winds through both indoor and outdoor environments, presenting a series of twists, turns, and breathtaking moments. Upon disembarking the ride, guests will find themselves immersed in the chilly confines of the extraordinary and unique penguin habitat.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
July 10 is the deadline for Canadian travel advisors to qualify for five extra tickets, or ‘karma cards,’ to Taylor Swift’s upcoming concert in Toronto in G Adventures’ ‘You Belong With G Experience.’ Entrants (who have made a minimum of four bookings between Jan. 1 and June 30) must submit a 30-second video expressing their enthusiasm for both Taylor Swift and G Adventures. In total, 75 top sellers will attend concerts in three cities around the world. Enter the video HERE. (https://gadventures.hirevue.com/signup/GVMRGcz8Bcweq5jNH2ZvvP/), and get more information HERE. (https://vimeo.com/973000814/3d59d5f966?share=copy).
EVENTS
Registration is open for the 68th annual Skal Toronto and Skal North Toronto Golf Tournament, which will take place Aug. 28 at the Royal Ontario Golf Club. The tournament is open to Skal members, including tourism, hospitality and travel Industry participants. Registration for the shotgun-format tourney includes lunch – or industry members can attend the lunch only – and costs $250 for Toronto Skal members, $275 for other Skal members, guests, and other golfers. (Lunch only is $100). Register at https://SkalGolf2024.eventbrite.ca
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Allianz Global Assistance (Allianz) has appointed Leon Mulder as its new Business Development Director with a focus on fostering new partnerships and enhancing existing relationships within the Travel and eComm sales channels. Mulder joins Allianz with over 22 years of experience in business development, having most recently concluded an 11-year tenure at Booking Holdings, where he held various roles across multiple brands within the company. For the past two years, he served as the Senior Country Manager for KAYAK Canada and before this, he managed global hotel partnerships on behalf of Agoda with Wyndham and Choice Hotels.
The Utah Office of Tourism (UOT) has re-appointed destination representation firm Canuckiwi in Canada for the next five years, encompassing consumer marketing, travel trade relations, public relations, and social media engagement.
DESTINATIONS
Known worldwide, the piña colada is a blend of coconut cream, pineapple juice, white rum, and ice, which was first made in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 2024 marks the 70th anniversary of the drink’s creation, culminating in National Piña Colada Day on the July 10. The tropical, refreshing and colourful drink is the embodiment of the Island, and while the precise origin of the drink is contested, many stories link the cocktail’s invention to the Caribe Hilton Hotel in 1954, which remains to this day one of the best places to sample the iconic cocktail in the world.
The largest reggae festival in the Caribbean, Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest finds it’s groove in Montego Bay July 14-20. The island’s most anticipated event, which attracts visitors from around the world, will pay tribute to the musical genres that originated in Jamaica with performances from top Reggae talent including YG Marley, Capleton, and international superstar Babyface, plus themed parties like Street Dance, a showcase of top DJs and dancehall culture, and Sumfest All White, an immersive celebration featuring throwback musical hits.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 2007, the Rideau Canal, which stretches from Ottawa to Kingston, was confirmed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, joining more than 800 sites on the list of international cultural treasures.
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