Airlines, hotels/resorts, cruising, tours, events, FAMS/incentives, deals, destinations and more are covered in our weekly round-up of travel industry news you may have missed.
NEWS
Air Canada pilots voted to ratify a tentative agreement with the airline, easing any fears of a future strike. The Air Line Pilots Association says its 5,200 members voted 67% in favour of the contract, which provides a cumulative wage hike of nearly 42% over four years.
The ferry that runs between Saint John and Digby, N.S., is going out of service until Dec. 3, its operator says. The MV Fundy Rose is going to the Verreault Shipyard at Les Méchins, Québec, for “bi-annual mandatory drydock and refit work” starting Oct. 15, according to a notice from Bay Ferries on Monday. The ferry, which carries around 6,000 commercial vehicles a year across the Bay of Fundy, is scheduled to return Dec. 3.
The Taiwan Tourism Administration (MOTC) has opened the Taiwan Tourism Information Centre in Vancouver reflecting a significant step in promoting Taiwan to the Canadian market and liaising with the travel trade. The office will serve as a hub for providing real-time travel information and fostering partnerships in Western Canada, helping to boost visitor numbers to Taiwan. Located in Richmond, near the Richmond-Brighouse SkyTrain station and CF Richmond Centre Shopping Mall, the office is easily accessible to visitors.
BY THE NUMBERS
Toronto Pearson airport ranks a lowly 19th out of 20 in the newly released 2024 J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study, scoring 559 on a 1,000-point scale, and below the 595-point media. Pearson was listed in the study’s “mega” airport category, defined as facilities with 33 million or more passengers per year. Canada’s other major airports were equally uninspiring (all of them in the “large” airports category with to 32.9 million passengers per year): Vancouver 15th; Calgary 22nd; and Montreal 26th.
AIR
Billy Bishop island airport in Toronto is safe for at least a couple more decades. City council is granting a lease extension that could see the agreement governing the facility expire as late as 2045, up to 12 years later than planned. The tripartite deal between the city, PortsToronto and the federal government had been set to end in 2033.
Marriott Bonvoy and Aeroplan have deepened their loyalty partnership. Now Aeroplan 50K, 75K, and Super Elite Members will receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, while Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members will receive complimentary Aeroplan 25K Status. The joint member must link their Marriott Bonvoy account and Aeroplan account to unlock the status match across programs. In addition, Aeroplan Elite Status Members can now convert their Aeroplan points into Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio, adding greater flexibility to how members can use their Aeroplan points.
North America’s largest seaplane airline, Harbour Air, is expanding its flight offerings to include its first-ever wheeled flight service, launching Nov. 4 between YVR‘s South Terminal and YYJ Victoria International Airport. The airline’s new aircraft on wheels are in addition to its more than 20 existing seaplane flights between Vancouver and Victoria Harbour Airport. The new flights will provide travellers with flexible daily commuting options from early morning to evening, with departures and arrivals at the main airports.
DEALS
Two popular sales promotions, created exclusively for Canadians travelling to Sandals and Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and beyond with Air Canada Vacations, have been extended until Oct. 31: Free Connecting Flights from Four Gateways and Instant Savings of up to CAD$950 at select resorts.
This fall, Discovery Cove in Orlando is offering guests up to 40% off reservations when they book by Oct. 20 for visits through Dec. 31, 2025.
TOURS
The new 2025 worldwide brochure from Collette features more than 170 tours in celebration of the tour company’s 107 years of operation. It includes a slate of 13 new tours to destinations in North America, South America, Europe, and Africa. Advisors or travellers can find an online version of the brochure on Collette’s website: https://www.gocollette.com/en/guided-travel/order-brochures .
Toronto-based Kensington has announced the rebranding of its core businesses. As part of the transformation, Kensington will be the main brand offering several sub-brands featuring a portfolio of luxury experiences: Kensington Tours, Kensington Villas, Kensington Cruise, Kensington Air, and Kensington Private Jet, with plans to explore additional categories in luxury travel.
CRUISE
Viking took delivery last week of the Viking Sobek, the company’s newest ship for the Nile River. The delivery ceremony took place when the new ship was presented at Massara shipyard in Cairo, Egypt. The 82-guest vessel joins the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships for the Nile River and will sail Viking’s popular ‘12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids’ itinerary.
Perfect Day Mexico will make a splash in 2027 as the latest in Royal Caribbean’s growing lineup of destination experiences, which began with Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas in 2019, and includes upcoming ventures in Paradise Island, Bahamas; Cozumel in 2026; and Labadee, Haiti. Located on the Caribbean coast in Mahahual, Perfect Day Mexico will offer an extensive lineup of experiences including a waterpark, pools and beaches, restaurants, bars, music, and more.
RESORTS
Blue Diamond Resorts’ new Private Island Diamond Experience at Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters in Jamaica offer enables guests staying in select Diamond Club suite categories to book one of four luxurious beach cabanas on a pristine 10-sq.-m private island, poised over the turquoise waters of Montego Bay and complete with private butler to cater to all needs. Additionally, there is live entertainment, and guests can receive spa treatments, gourmet meals and drinks, and more.
HOTELS
Marriott International, Inc. has announced the expansion of the City Express by Marriott brand into the US and Canada, marking the company’s entry into the affordable midscale transient segment in the region. The company says the first openings are possible over the next few months.
This fall, guests at The Kensington in London who book ‘The V&A Experience’ get tickets to either the hugely popular NAOMI In Fashion exhibition or the Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection.
EVENTS
The 34th edition of the Montreal International Tourism and Travel Show (SITV) returns Nov. 1-3 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal and industry professionals are being offered free accreditation granting full access to three days of activities, exhibitors, and networking opportunities when presenting a business card. And a dedicated professional zone has been available on Friday, where travel agents can participate in dedicated training seminars. For details, click HERE.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
More than 100 travel advisors attended a Disney breakfast at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto last week – a stylish event that only Disney could do. Featuring entertainers (above) and ghoulish characters in honour of Halloween, attendees got the latest news from the theme park giant, as well as key insights on how Disney markets in Canada, and tips agents can use for selling.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Through Oct. 20, travel advisors can take advantage of a variety of perks and bonuses being offered by TravelBrands. Agents can benefit from 10x Loyalty Rewards points on all Sunquest Vacations bookings; have an opportunity to win one of five $1,000 Future Travel Vouchers; receive 5x Loyalty Rewards points on all cruise bookings; earn up to $100 gas card on car rental bookings, with a $50 gas card awarded for three bookings and a $100 gas card for five booking; and earn an extra 3% bonus commission on select FIT bookings, plus 5x Loyalty Rewards points. For more, check www.travelbrandsaccess.com.
As part of its ‘G Appreciate You’ initiative,’ G Adventures is offering a 2% bonus commission on all bookings made in October. Travel must be completed by July 31, 2025.
TTC Tour Brands is offering savings of 10% off on select 2025 tours from Trafalgar, Brendan Vacations, Costsaver, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold through Oct. 31. As part of TTC Tour Brands’ Travel Advisor Discount Program (TADP), the new offer – exclusively offered to guests booking with travel advisor partners – incentivizes guests to book now, ultimately supporting advisors’ annual sales goals. For the full list of eligible itineraries, advisors can check the TTC Tour Brands Travel Advisor Portal (TAP): https://agents.ttc.com/login .
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
The WestJet Group has named Jacqui McGillivray as its Executive Vice-President and Chief People Officer. She replaces Angela Avery, who announced her retirement earlier this year. Avery will stay on in an advisory capacity to assist with a smooth transition. A Calgary resident, McGillivray’s most recent role was as Executive VP, Chief People and Social Impact Officer at Element Fleet Management.
DESTINATIONS
As the Birthplace of Rum and home to Mount Gay Rum Distillery, the oldest operating rum distillery in the world dating back to 1703, it’s safe to say that rum is intrinsic to any visitors trip to Barbados. As such, a number of rum-focused experiences are available, not least the Barbados Food & Rum Festival, which takes place Oct. 24-27 this year and showcases the island’s mixology prowess, featuring demonstrations and tastings from top mixologists and distilleries, emphasizing Bajan creativity and passion for rum.
As long as were talking libations, this year’s Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival has been extended from four to five days, taking place at the Central Harbourfront Event Space from Oct. 23 to 27 and featuring over 300 wine and food booths with new elements to revitalize and excite festivalgoers.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1971, Britain’s historic London Bridge, transported across the Atlantic, opened as a tourist attraction in Arizona.
In 2010, Virgin Galactic‘s space tourism rocket SpaceShipTwo achieved its first solo glide flight, marking another step in the company’s eventual plans to fly paying passengers. It flew freely for 11 minutes in the Mojave Desert before landing at an airport runway.
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