ROUND-UP: Sept. 2-6, 2024

ACTA called for help from the federal government to head off the potential Air Canada pilot strike; WestJet ordered three new planes; New Zealand tripled its tourism tax; and Sunwing revealed its annual ‘Best of the Best’ list. All this and more in last week’s round-up.

NEWS

ACTA urged the federal government to intervene and help find a resolution to Air Canada’s labour dispute with its pilots, who have voted overwhelmingly to strike if negotiations with the company fail to result in an agreement, as soon as Sept. 18. ACTA said a strike would be “devastating” to the travel industry as well as consumers.

The United States is the world’s most powerful Travel & Tourism market, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in its just-released 2024 Economic Impact Trends Report. The sector contributed a contributing a record-breaking $2.36 trillion to the nation’s economy last year. Following the us were China, Germany, Japan, the UK, France, Mexico, India, Italy and Spain. China is forecast to be No. 1 within the next decade.

Starting Oct. 1, New Zealand will raise its visitor fees, nearly tripling the levy to NZ$100 from NZ$35 (about $84 Canadian). The move is designed to support public services (including tourism sites and facilities) and conservation, says the government, but critics claim it will discourage visitors. The travel industry, including IATA, is opposed to the move.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has released its most recent Construction and Investment Benchmarking Report, which says the region has a pipeline of 50 new activated hotel projects that will add 19,600 rooms, while nearly 30,000 total rooms are in various stages of planning between 2024 and 2028. Also, nine major infrastructure projects supporting tourism are being developed and St. Lucia, Jamaica, and Barbados will soon welcome new luxury hotel brands.

AIR

BermudAir (photo) is celebrating its first anniversary this month with several promotions throughout September. They include free business class upgrades, buy-one-get-one, and more. Check the website for the latest deals.

Three additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft have been acquired by WestJet from SMBC Aviation Capital. The aircraft are in addition to the six new-to-WestJet MAX 8 aircraft announced earlier this summer. The acquisition of the nine leased aircraft in the last six months allows the airline to bolster its plan for fleet growth, while managing delays for direct-from-factory aircraft.

DEALS

Sunwing Vacations’ ‘Recess for the Rest of Us Sale’ offers savings of up to $1,200 per pair until Oct. 6 with an extended travel window of April 30, 2025.

Through Sept. 26, Transat and Air Transat are offering deals on flights and packages to Europe, the South and Florida. In addition, agents can earn 3X BONBON points on eligible bookings. Travel must be completed by April 30, 2025. For details visit the web site.

In celebration of its 40th Anniversary, Aranui Cruises is introducing a 10% discount on all sailings for Canadian travellers. Aranui is known for its immersive cultural voyages and connection to the heart of the Islands of Tahiti, and the new special offer is being tailored exclusively for Canadian residents.

MARKETING

BranchUp has added personalized Instagram reels and posts to its suite of marketing tools for travel advisors. With over 42,000 Members reaching a consumer audience of more than 10 million travel advisors’ customers, the addition of Instagram is expected to expand its reach considerably. In addition to the free membership, the new BranchUp PRO adds Instagram, AI for generating destination specific posts, an enhanced calendar scheduling module and other features to its core program. The annual cost for PRO membership is $149. The Free Membership, which includes Facebook, LinkedIn, and client e-Mail Newsletters will continue at no cost.

TOUR OPERATORS

On Oct. 28 in Toronto, Goway’s Africa & Middle East Gathering 2024 will connect travel advisors with the tour operator’s destination specialists and over 25 travel partner suppliers from across Africa and the Middle East. The annual event is one of the largest and most comprehensive travel events focused on African and Middle Eastern nations in Canada; and new this year is a virtual option. Taking place at the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto from noon to 7:30 p.m., travel advisors can RSVP on Eventbrite; or via Zoom HERE.

Collette has launched a revamped “Passport Club” loyalty program – an upgrade to Collette’s previous loyalty program, where travellers received a flat rate credit for within 1-2 years of their initial tour. Travellers are automatically enrolled into the program as Level 1: Adventurer and after two tours with Collette receive on a 5% Loyalty Credit on their next tour when it’s completed within 24 months of their most recent departure date or 3% if completed within 25-36 months of their original trip. After a third tour, they move into Level 2: Explorer, which also includes a $100 credit towards purchasing optional tour components or upgrades when travel is completed within 36 months of the most recent trip departure date.

HOTELS

Rod Stewart has announced that he will return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 2025 with “The Encore Shows.” Presented in partnership by Caesars Entertainment and Live Nation Las Vegas, “The Encore Shows” will feature the rocker’s biggest hits, plus surprises from the songbook, swing, as well as deep cuts, and new production elements. Show dates include March 12, 14-15, 19, 21-22; May 29, 31; and June 1, 5, 7-8, 2025.

RESORTS

Sunwing Vacations’ 2024-25 ‘Best of the Best List’ is an expansive, curated collection of more than 250 top-rated resorts across 50-plus categories combining travel expert recommendations, star ratings, and customer feedback, that travel advisors and their clients can lean on to make their vacation dreams a reality this winter. Every week until late October, the tour company will be releasing a new set of lists and content categories, including 17 brand-new lists for this year.
The full list can be viewed at www.sunwing.ca/en/best-vacations and will be updated weekly through late October.

The popular Nick Jr. Friends is returning to Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts, offering young guests the chance to engage with their favourite characters from PAW Patrol, Blue’s Clues & You!, Dora the Explorer, and more. This year, the program is packed with interactive activities, including cooking classes, crafting, dance parties, themed menus, and scavenger hunts. With 29 characters across the two resorts – the event runs through Nov. 2.

CRUISE

To better support travel advisors, Riviera River Cruises says it will now pay commission to agents on all bookings that are cancelled within 15 days of departure. Clients who cancel a cruise within 15 days of departure will still lose 100% of their booking cost, but advisors will receive full commission for the Riviera portion of the itinerary.

Oceania Cruises will be the first ultra-premium cruise line to sail from Port of Tampa as the cruise line adds a range of new Caribbean and Panama Canal winter sailings in early March 2026 departing from Florida’s west coast on the line’s 670-guest Insignia vessel.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

Full-service luxury villa company Rental Escapes is offering travel advisors the opportunity to earn an Amazon gift card of up to $2,500, as well as double rewards points. The promotion is applicable for all bookings made through September for travel scheduled through Dec. 31, 2025.

EVENTS

Ahead of its annual general meeting on Sept. 24, TICO will host a live webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 11 from 3 to 4 p.m. to provide registrants and stakeholders with an opportunity to learn more and ask any questions about the proposed by-law changes or Articles of Amendment. To register for the webinar, please click here.

Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet, and Elizabeth Becker, author of ‘Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism’ have been announced as keynote speakers for the second GX World Community Tourism Summit in Jaipur, India, on Sept. 27. The gala event, hosted by G Adventures and its non-profit partner, Planeterra, will also feature ‘90s dance act C+C Music Factory.  More than 400 members of G Adventures’ community of travel agents, media, suppliers, travellers, and staff are expected to attend the event, which coincides with World Tourism Day. For more information visit: https://gx.gadventures.com/.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

The WestJet Group has announced that Angela Avery has decided to retire from her role as Group Executive Vice-President and Chief People, Corporate & Sustainability Officer. A comprehensive executive search for her replacement is underway. To ensure a seamless transition, Avery will continue in her current role until a replacement is named and will stay on in an advisory capacity until early next year.

DESTINATIONS

The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism is reporting a record-breaking 58.7% increase in Canadian stay-over visitors in July 2024 compared to July 2023, marking the best July on record for Canadian arrivals to the Cayman Islands (photo). Both Air Canada and WestJet offered up to four flights per week from Toronto. Through July YTD arrivals numbered nearly 19,000.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1298, the Genoese captured Marco Polo in a sea battle. While imprisoned, the explorer and trader met writer Rustichello of Pisa and together they began a book on Marco’s travels.

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