Canada’s passport was ranked among the best in the world in this week’s round-up; also, Southwest is breaking a 50-year tradition; Carnival Cruise Line ordered three more massive ships (biggest in the world); WestJet announced free onboard internet; dog owners at the US border got a reprieve; and (in case you might have missed it), the Summer Olympic Games kicked off, putting the spotlight of the world on France.
NEWS
Canadian passport holders can enter 187 of the world’s 227 destinations visa-free, placing this country in 7th place on the respected Henley Passport Index, which rates the world’s most powerful passports based on visa-free accessibility. Canada’s ranking edged ahead by one over 2023, when it ranked 8th on the list.
The US Centers for Disease Control will not require onerous forms for dog owners crossing the border from Canada this summer. The agency had announced new rules in May that were aimed at keeping rabies out of the country. The changes, which were set to take effect beginning next month, had been panned by veterinary associations, the tourism industry and the federal government in Canada. Animals do still need to be microchipped.
Pilots at Ireland’s national airline, Aer Lingus, voted to accept a pay increase and end a labour dispute. The pilots staged an eight-hour walkout on June 30 and spent two weeks refusing to work overtime, accept changes in set rosters or take out-of-hours management requests. About 600 flights were cancelled.
BY THE NUMBERS
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reports it intercepted 3,269 firearms at airport security checkpoints south of the border during the first half of 2024 – an average of nearly 20 a day – and that 94% were loaded. The TSA notes, however, that while the number firearms discovered during this period last year was nearly the same at 3,251, it screened nearly 7% more passengers during a period of record travel.
AIR
Turkish Airlines has revealed details of its brand-new state-of-the-art Business Class suite (photo) for transcontinental flights. New seats feature a generous 23-inch seat width boasting increased footwell space with direct aisle access for all guests with every window suite possessing full visibility. The suite also features adjustable ambient and reading lights, universal and Type C power outlets, wireless charger, noise cancelling audio jack, adjustable mirror, closed stowage ergonomic seat cushion and a 22-inch IFE screen. The new seats will be gradually installed on airline’s Airbus A350s on order, as well as planned to be retrofitted on its fleet of Boeing 777 aircraft.
The WestJet Group, which includes both WestJet and Sunwing Airlines, announced its complete 2024/25 winter schedule, providing Canadians more non-stop sun destination routes than any other airline, the company says. Together, the two airlines will offer 320 nonstop routes to 63 popular destinations in the US, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America, this winter with more than 16 million seats available. Featured will be 37 domestic, 21 transborder, 42 sun, and three intercontinental destinations. Moreover, overall capacity will increase by 9% versus 2023 with growth across all regions.
Additionally, WestJet and TELUS have unveiled the first step in a multi-year strategic partnership that will be a “significant leap forward for the airline’s inflight connectivity.” At the heart of the deal is fast, free internet for WestJet Rewards onboard flights, beginning before the end of the year.
Caribbean low-price airline Arajet is now selling routes connecting from Toronto and Montreal to Punta Cana, offering Canadian travellers a second destination and hub in the Dominican beyond the carrier’s Santo Domingo base. Service will begin Oct. 27 and onward connections to other destinations in the Caribbean and South and Central America will also be available. Prices for Punta Cana from Canada start at CDN$165 each way, including taxes.
DEALS
Through Aug. 7, Air Transat is offering deals on its Club Class flights to Europe and South. Travellers can book their Club Class seats for less; round-trip flights start at $1,087 from Toronto and at $1,057 from Montreal. Travel window is Aug. 1 to Oct. 31.
Clients who book their 2024 travels before Aug. 15 will receive savings of up to 40% off the Best Available Rate (BAR) when staying three or more consecutive nights at Wyndham all-inclusive resorts in various destinations across the Caribbean and Latin America. The offer is valid for stays completed by Dec. 31. Details and resorts HERE.
TOURS
Storybook scenery, sarcasm, and satire will converge when best-selling author Christopher Moore hosts his second Storyteller cruise with Avalon Waterways. Expanding its popular Storyteller Series into its fourth year, Avalon Waterways’ new celebrity-hosted 10-day itinerary – Waltz Along the Danube: A Storyteller Cruise with Christopher Moore – will set sail in October, from Vilshofen to Budapest, enabling the author’s fans to celebrate his new book, and some of its settings (including Vienna), with him.
The travel trade can now book the whole range of BritRail Passes from VisitBritain’s Online Shop. In collaboration with Rail Delivery Group (RDG) and ACP Rail International passes are now fully digital, enabling visitors to explore different regions of Britain with a QR code displayed on their phone. Save 2% by using the discount code 2Trade24 at visitbritainsnhop.com
HOTELS
Home to one of the world’s private wine collections, the historic Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant in Nassau, Bahamas, has received six awards in The World’s Best Wine Lists Awards from The World of Fine Wine. They include recognition in the South & Central America and the Caribbean region for Best Hotel Wine List, Best Champagne and Sparkling Wine List, Best Dessert and Fortified Wine List, Best Sake List (outside of Japan), Best Long Wine List, and Best Spirits List. In addition to its 2024 accolades, Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant has received the World of Fine Wine 3-Star Award, its highest honour, annually since 2014.
In early 2023, the Althoff Collection announced the relaunch of an iconic Frankfurt hotel. Now, the renowned hotel group has announced further developments at the former “Villa Kennedy.” Built in 1901 by the von Speyer banking family, the mansion was designed in gothic and Renaissance style and was expanded into a hotel some decades ago. The luxury Florentin is located in Frankfurt’s leafy Sachsenhausen district and is set to open in summer 2025 as an “urban retreat” with 147 rooms, comprising 95 studios and 52 suites, 13 of which are located in the original historic villa.
RESORTS
RIU Hotels and Resorts has opened its much-anticipated property in the Windy City, the Riu Plaza Chicago. The newly built 28-storey, 390-room four-star establishment is strategically located in the heart of Magnificent Mile shopping district, and from September will also offer guests and visitors panoramic views of the city from the 27th floor of the building in the hotel’s bar, The Rooftop.
Engaged couples seeking a unique way to wed can now book a surprise secret wedding at the luxurious Casa Velas, a premier adults-only boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico The new elopement experience includes a meticulously planned secret ceremony, professional photographer and videographer, social media concierge, over-the-top surprise ceremony reveal and reception disguised as a welcome dinner, and a mystery three-night honeymoon trip to a sister Velas Resort.
CRUISE
With a capacity that would hold the entire current population of Goderich, Ont. – nearly 8,000 people – Carnival Cruise Line’s new ships will be the biggest in the world when they entire service in the summers of 2029, 2031 and 2033, respectively. The ships will be a new class of vessel and feature over 3,000 staterooms each. The order brings to five the number of new ships ordered in 2024 by Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise company.
Seabourn is introducing a selection of new pre-, mid- and post-cruise “Seabourn Journeys” available to guests on its 2024 Grand Africa Voyage. Seabourn Journeys provide in-depth, land-based cruise extensions that go beyond single-day excursions and provide opportunities for guests to stay in unique properties and national parks in Botswana, Namibia and more. They may also explore sites like the Kariega Game Reserve (Settlers Drift); Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, and Onguma The Fort. Those seeking wine experiences can do so at La Residence Wine Estate in Franschhoek during four-day pre- and post-cruise stays. Departing on Nov. 30, Seabourn Sojourn will sail roundtrip from Barcelona on a 90-day voyage that includes visits to 42 destinations and cities in 20 countries, with seven overnight stays.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
AmaWaterways has launched its ‘Cruise for Gold’ travel advisor incentive, offering Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal trip prizes to the three North American travel advisors who book the most river cruises to France with the company during the course of the Summer and Paralympic Games in Paris – July 26 to Sept. 8. Agents are automatically entered for every new fully deposited booking on any 2024 and 2025 French itinerary made during booking window. The more bookings, the more entries. A flyer summarizing the details of the contest can be found at 2024_CruiseforGold_Contest.pdf.
Polar adventures outfitter Quark Expeditions is offering travel advisors the chance to win an Arctic FAM of a lifetime. The ‘Ultimate Summer in The Arctic Sweepstakes’ will reward 10 agents, selected at random, with a spot on its a 13-day “Ultimate Arctic Voyage from Svalbard to Jan Mayen to Iceland,” hosted by one of the company’s Business Development Managers, in July 2025. Agents can register and collect points between July 24 and Sept. 30, 2024, including making an Arctic booking (3 points), attending or watching one of five Arctic educational webinars (1), sharing Arctic content on social media (1), or subscribing to the Q Travel Advisor newsletter (1). The more points collected, the greater the chance of winning. Sign up HERE.
PEOPLE
Marva Williams has been named as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Discover Dominica Authority, effective Aug. 1. In her new role, She will focus on driving digital marketing initiatives to position Dominica as a premier travel destination and forging partnerships with key stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry.
DESTINATIONS
Historic Royal Palaces will present ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower,’ a poignant sound and light show for nine nights over the Remembrance period at the Tower of London (Nov. 8-16). With specially created installations and featuring artwork reflecting on the First and Second World Wars that will transform the architecture of the iconic Tower buildings, the exhibition will inspore visitors to remember those who lost their lives in the conflicts, as well as those who served, and will also look forward, exploring the collective desire for peace. Time slots will be in operation every 15 minutes from 17.00, with last admission being 19.45. Group bookings of 15 pax or more will be accepted for visits between 18.30 and 19.30. Approximately 70 minutes is recommended to view the display in its entirety. Visitors can extend their Tower of London visit by viewing the Crown Jewels which will be open throughout the evening. For ticket information, email groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1837, the first railway station in London – Euston Sation – was opened.
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