News nuggets, 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
What a weather week! Two major snowstorms in the east dumped up to two feet of snow, causing massive travel disruptions in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and elsewhere, while winter weather, including tornados and flooding also pummeled the US south from Florida and Kentucky to California.
Air Canada reported a fourth-quarter loss of $644 million, compared with a profit $184 million in the same quarter last year, as its operating revenue increased. Chief executive Michael Rousseau says the airline will “continue to navigate uncertainty and external pressures with prudence and decisiveness,” noting Air Canada is prepared to “adapt promptly to any changes or challenges that may arise.” In its outlook, the airline says it expects its capacity measured by available seat miles for 2025 to be up three to five per cent from 2024.
Hyatt Hotels Corp. has entered into an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Playa Hotels & Resorts for approximately US$2.6 billion, including approximately $900 million of debt, net of cash. Playa is a leading owner and operator of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Islands of the Bahamas welcomed a record-breaking 11.22 million international visitors in 2024, making it the best year ever, according to The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, and exceeding the 9.65 million arrivals in 2023.December 2024 was the best month ever in terms of arrivals with 1.15 million visitors, posting 14% ahead of 2023 and 62% ahead of 2019.
AIR
Air Transat said it will no longer allow carry-on bags for its low-fare customers on most flights.
Starting Tuesday, passengers on the airline’s Eco Budget and Eco Promo fare class had to check their luggage for a fee of between $35 and $50 on flights within North and South America. Air Transat is also ending its policy of one free checked suitcase for its next-lowest fare class, called Eco Standard. Trips to Europe, Peru and North Africa, as well as all-inclusive packages, remain unaffected by the changes.
BermudAir will launch new nonstop service between Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Bermuda (BDA), beginning June 12. The two-hour flight will provide the only direct service between Montréal and Bermuda. The service expands BermudAir’s growing Canadian presence, which already includes Toronto and Halifax.
Through a first-of-its-kind partnership for the intercity rail system facilitated by VISIT FLORIDA, guests booking on Porter Airlines can now receive 50% off adult SMART fares on select Brightline trains between South Florida and Orlando – an arrangement that notably connects the former’s cruise gateways (Miami, Fort Lauderdale) with the theme parks of Central Florida (Disney, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld). Four Florida destinations now served by Porter feature Brightline stations: Orlando (MCO), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), West Palm Beach (PBI) and Miami (MIA).
TOUR OPERATORS
Air Canada Vacations is celebrating 50 years with savings on over 50,000 package holidays when booked by Feb. 23, for travel through Dec. 18. More initiatives will continue throughout the year, include a trivia game for travel advisors, which will take place later this month (details to come).
AmaWaterways and Smithsonian Journeys – the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution specializing in enriching small-group travel – have announced an alliance, starting in 2026. From April, select European river cruises will feature exclusive Smithsonian-crafted experiences, drawing on the Smithsonian’s 175-plus-year history as the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. The new river cruise journeys, which range from eight to 15 days in duration, are now available to book. For more info, visit www.amawaterways.com/smithsonian-journeys.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Sandals announced it will be launching a new social media advocacy platform, WAVE, for travel advisors selling Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The bespoke app and desktop program is powered by Ambassify software. The invitation-only platform will equip travel advisors with foundational social and content guidance through its dedicated software solution aimed at facilitating and incentivizing social media advocacy. Equipped with features like content management, performance tracking, and AI customization and incentivization, WAVE opens the doors to new opportunities in social media marketing – maximizing an advisor’s business impact in this space. WAVE debuts in 2025 to select advisors as a pilot program, with a wider rollout plan to follow.
Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana is accepting guests for April 1. Formerly the popular Jewel Punta Cana, the all-inclusive resort is located on the shores of Uvero Alto Beach in the Dominican Republic and will feature 620 suites, including options with private swim-out pools, furnished balconies, and spacious family-sized suites. Amenities include a spa, fitness centre and over 20 food and beverage venues, plus daily performances, themed evenings, and a new water park.
CRUISE
Princess Cruises – aka “The Love Boat” – will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year with a special 14-day anniversary cruise to Mexico, departing from Los Angeles on Dec. 6. On sale now, the 60th Anniversary Mexican Riviera Voyage aboard the Royal Princess will include some of the same ports on the cruise line’s first-ever voyage, which set sail on Dec. 3, 1965, on Princess Patricia. As part of the recent announcement of the milestone cruise, Princess revealed that The Temptations, the legendary Motown group behind the classic hit “My Girl” – released 60 years ago – will perform on the voyage.
Reservations for Azamara Cruises‘ 2027 World Cruise are now open, with the journey set to be the small-ship, destination-immersive cruise line’s longest yet. Setting sail on Jan. 5, the 188-night journey aboard the Azamara Quest will encompass 37 countries, 103 destinations, and five continents. Highlights include visits to Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, Amsterdam, and Stockholm.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Travel advisors who secure their clients a Blue Diamond Resorts vacation package in Cuba with Sunwing by Feb. 28, for travel by Oct. 31, will earn up to 3X STAR Points on every eligible booking, and get an automatic entry for their chance to win one of five stays to Starfish Cayo Largo, Starfish Guardalavaca, Starfish Cayo Guillermo, Resonance Musique Santa Maria or Resonance Musique Varadero. As well, advisors who secure group bookings during this period for travel between May 1 and Oct, 31, 2025 will earn 4X STAR Points.
Agents are invited to enter the Jamaica Tourist Board’s ‘One Love’ contest celebrating Bob Marley’s 80th birthday. By correct identifying the lyrics to 10 iconic Bob Marley songs and you will be entered into a draw to win the grand prize of a three-night trip to Kingston, Jamaica, including a air with Flair. There are also 80 consolation prizes. To enter, go to www.visitjamaica.com/canada/contest. Deadline is Feb. 28.
To celebrate a record-breaking sales period, surpassing its January targets, G Adventures is offering advisors an extra-special ‘G Normous’ incentive where agents can earn up to 3% additional commission during February. The offer comes on top of the ongoing G Normous promotion, which continues until the end of April.
EVENTS
Mark the calendar: ACTA’s Travel Industry Golf Event, Advocacy Fund Raiser will be held on July 10 at the Royal Ontario Golf Club, in Milton, Ont. Regional summit dates will be Sept. 11 in Toronto; Sept. 18 in Richmond, BC; and Sept. 30 in Montreal.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Jackie Friedman, President of Nexion Travel Group, has now absorbed Mike Foster’s role as President of Nexion Canada. Esther Roemmele, a long-time member of the Nexion team, will step into the role of Director of Canadian Operations, managing daily operations. She previously served as Director of Member Services. Jenny Lloret will become Supervisor for Member Services.
TravelBrands has announced the return of Jeff Carpenter as Strategic Account Manager, a newly created position designed to enhance TravelBrands’ positioning with retail partners across Canada. One of the key focuses of this role is to provide enhanced support to home-based consortium accounts. Carpenter is no stranger to the TravelBrands team, having previously served as Business Development Manager for Western Canada.
Collette has announced the appointment of Denise Sablone as Executive Vice President of Tour Development and Delivery where she will be responsible for continuing to oversee the entire tour development process, from initial research and design through execution and post-experience evaluation. She will lead the global teams responsible for tour design, contracting, operations, and delivery. Additionally, Denise will continue to manage traveler relations, ensuring that our travelers’ feedback is incorporated into our tour design and delivery processes.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 2003, The World Health Organization’s Beijing office received an email describing a “strange contagious disease” in Guangdong province that killed dozens within one week. The disease was later identified as SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome.
In 2013, American Airlines and US Airways agreed to merge in an US$11 billion deal that would create the world’s biggest airline. It was approved in December and the combined carrier is named American Airlines Group Inc.
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