12 NOV 2018: In case you missed it, and even if you didn’t, here’s a quick look at some of last week’s need-to-know travel news:
AIR
Multiple connections in Europe and Africa from London Gatwick airport are now available to Air Transat clients thanks to the carrier’s new partnership with easyJet, whose Worldwide by easyJet unique connections web service now distributes Air Transat flights. Find the full story HERE.
In a surprise move, legacy airline Icelandair has announced that it is buying Icelandic rival Wow Air, an ultra discount carrier founded in 2011. Both companies have struggled financially as tourism to Iceland dips, oil prices rise and competition across the Atlantic increases. The carriers are expected to continue to operate separately. Wow, which flies to Toronto and Montreal, recently announced that it would also serve Vancouver starting in 2019 with six flights a week to Reykjavik. Icelandair has five Canadian gateways: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Halifax and Edmonton.
United Airlines became the first North American airline to take delivery of a 787-10 Dreamliner on Nov. 6, also making it the first airline in the world to have the entire family of Boeing 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliners in its fleet. The widebody aircraft offers 20% better fuel efficiency than older planes and also carries more passengers than previous 787 aircraft. It is the first of 14 planes that United expects to operate.
TOURS
With Air Canada Vacations’ new Canada Collection for 2019, clients can choose from 91 vacation packages that include flights from 63 Canadian cities and hotels across multiple regions and range from three to 15 nights. The comprehensive collection includes 10 ski resorts in Western Canada and three in Quebec, plus options for non-skiers like snowmobiling, dogsledding and wildlife adventures, as well as golfing, camping, cruises, urban getaways Fly & Drive and Fly & Rail options. ACV has also partnered with Trafalgar to offer eight additional guided tours.
Summer or winter, tan lines or toques? Contiki is highlighting 20 European tours that will appeal to clients who want to travel in either season. The Europe Summer vs. Europe Winter campaign aims to underscore the pros of travelling in either season – from having fewer crowds, lower pricing and Christmas Markets in the winter to beaches galore and sexy adventure activities on offer in the summer months. There’s also $250 in savings when booked by Jan. 6. Full DETAILS.
DEALS & DISCOUNTS
Sunwing’s popular BOGO sale is back – for this week only. Travellers can buy one vacation package and get the second at 50% off when purchasing a select vacation package from a wide range of southern resorts if they book by Nov. 16 for departure dates from January onwards.
AmaWaterways has extended its free air promotion, offering guests free roundtrip airfare and airport transfers from more than 50 US and Canadian gateways on select 2019 Europe river cruises (promo code FLYFREE-EB). The offer is valid on bookings made before Nov. 30.
Canadians can save up to $1,000 per couple when booking sun vacation packages with Transat thanks to the tour company’s Hats Off to Winter promotion, which is in effect until Nov. 19, for travel from Dec. 15 to April 30, 2019.
CareFlex and CareFree travel protection plans are being offered for free by Air Canada Vacations for clients booking winter vacations to Mexico, the Caribbean or South America. The offer is in effect through Nov. 19 for travel Jan. 6-31, 2019, and includes free seat selection, year-round Price Drop Guarantee, StormGuard, and a $50 waiver on administration change fees. Both CareFree and CareFlex must be added at time of booking and the promotion is not applicable to group packages.
Guests booking their holiday getaway at Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa in Mexico by Nov. 19 (for travel Dec. 22-Jan. 5, 2019) will receive up to $400 in resort coupons per room and one free night when booking a minimum five-night stay.
HOTELS
Guests at The Peninsula Hong Kong can now cruise the city’s famed harbour in style with the launch of the Peninsula Yacht. The Sunseeker Manhattan 60 is a 19-metre cruiser that accommodates up to 15 passengers each evening on a two-hour cruise featuring the ‘Symphony of Lights’ on Victoria Harbour. The “Harbour Sunset Cruise” package includes canapés and unlimited consumption of house Champagne, wine and other beverages. Taking place 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly, the cruise is priced at HK$1,400 for adults and HK$600 for children. It is also available for charter events via eventphk@peninsula.com.
After closing for renovation at the end of 2017, Cannes, France’s Hotel Martinez has re-opened its doors with a new design by Pierre-Yves Rochon. The rooms have kept their Art Deco spirit and a garden with a tree-lined terrace has been added to the grounds. The iconic hotel, built in 1929, has also joined The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, an exclusive collection of hotels and experiences.
RESORTS
S stands for style at Jamaica’s newest property, the S Hotel Jamaica (photo). Created by Chris Issa, owner of Kingston’s popular Spanish Court Hotel, the S promises to “artfully combine discrete urban sophistication and a laid-back resort lifestyle punctuated with a subtle, rootsy vibe” when it opens before year’s end. Overlooking Doctor’s Cave beach on the site of the former Breezes Montego Bay, the hotel will feature “buzzing bars, a chic café, and a high-spirited pool scene” – all part of the plan to be a trendsetting hotspot on Montego Bay’s “hip strip,” Gloucester Avenue.
RIU Hotels & Resorts’ first Jamaican hotel, the Riu Palace Tropical, has completed an extensive refurbishment. Opened in 2001 in Negril, the 452-room hotel now has a fresh new look, 452 rooms, and completely updated facilities, including RiuLand kids’ club, refurbished restaurants, gym and spa zone.
Until Jan. 8, 2019, solo travellers, couples and families can stay at Club Med properties starting at $119 p.p. per night (some terms apply) and receive extra benefits, such as: Up to $300 air credit; no single supplement; kids under four stay free (1); kids under 15 stay for up to 50% off (1); and free room upgrades.
CRUISE
New technology enhancements in Uniworld Boutique River Cruises Collection’s “River Currents” travel advisor booking tool, as well as new waitlist functionality, are now in effect. The new advancements are designed to help agents generate sales for both Uniworld and U by Uniworld, save time and ultimately avoid missing out on potential client bookings. New features include the ability to add clients to a waitlist for sold-out cruises for a small deposit; expanded promo code functionality and messaging; a clear savings breakdown including shipboard credits; simple invoice sending options, and booking status displays.
After a month in dry-dock, the Crystal Serenity has hit the high seas again after what the cruise line says was the ship’s “most extensive refurbishment ever.” Mirroring the changes implemented aboard Crystal Symphony in fall of 2017, the Serenity now boasts new dining options and open-seating dining; new spacious, butler-serviced Seabreeze Penthouse and Seabreeze Penthouse Suite accommodations; redesigned lounge and entertainment venues including the Stardust Club and Palm Court; a new production show called Crystal on Broadway, The Show; and new interactive technological amenities.
With 142 million outbound travellers, China represents the Holy Grail for the cruise industry. To that end Carnival Corp., has partnered with a Chinese firm in a new joint venture that will operate its own fleet to serve Chinese cruise guests by the end of 2019. CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Ltd. will eventually consist of two existing ships from Carnival Corp.’s Costa Group, the Costa Atlantica and Costa Mediterranea, along with two new-builds. Carnival says the move is “a significant milestone in the strategic development of a strong and sustainable cruise industry in China.” Read more HERE.
The Enchanted Princess will debut in 2020 and sail its inaugural season in the Mediterranean, reports Princess Cruises. A sister ship to Sky Princess, the vessel will feature new Sky Suites, centrally located on the top deck of the ship and featuring the largest private balconies ever offered by Princess Cruises. Bookings opened for sale on Nov. 8.
CLIA
Enrollment is now open for Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 2019 individual and agency memberships. “CLIA Membership elevates the credibility and reputation of agencies and their individual agents within the travel industry and is built to help members navigate the cruise industry, attract more clients and increase their earnings,” says the organization. Members also have access to industry-leading professional development, cruise line bonus commissions, cruise line trainings and webinars, as well as exclusive personal travel perks and discounts. For full details, click HERE.
EVENTS
Group travel is the next topic in Sandals Resorts ongoing Let’s Talk webinar series for the trade. Scheduled for Nov. 22 from 12:30 to 1 p.m., the session will be hosted by Sandals national groups manager Grant Lawlor and address the benefits of group travel, sales and marketing tips and strategies for growing groups business, as well as details on Canadian-specific group incentives. Agents will also receive a recorded version for future use. To register, e-mail your IATA number to webinars@uvisandals.ca.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Travel agents who book TravelBrands US land and air packages in November will receive 3x Loyalty Rewards points on their respective bookings. Bookings of $1,500 or more will receive a $50 add-on credit, using promo code USA50. For every applicable booking, agents will also be entered in a draw to win a grand prize five-night stay with Vacation Homes Collection in Kissimmee, a five-day car rental, two three-day theme park tickets and a $1,000 TravelBrands voucher. Valid bookings must be made online through Access and must be destinations featured in the latest brochure. Another promotion awards 25,000 Loyalty Rewards points to agents booking five cruises with TravelBrands Cruises in November for travel through Feb. 28, 2019.
PEOPLE
Transat A.T. Inc. announced that Jean-François Lemay, President and General Manager of its subsidiary Air Transat, will be leaving the airline in a few months’ time, following more than seven years of service with the integrated international tourism company, the past five at the helm of Air Transat. Lemay will continue in his current role until the company identifies a successor.
Air Canada Vacations is saying bonjour to a new area sales manager for Quebec, Mary-Gina Mercier. The 14-year sales and marketing veteran will cover Downtown & South Shore Montreal, and the regions of Estrie, Lanaudiere & Mauricie. She can be reached at mmercier@vacv.com.
The executive shuffle continues at Toronto’s Merit Travel Group with president Jason Merrithew announcing that he is leaving the company. He will be replaced by current COO Dirk Baerts, effective Nov. 15. Merrithew’s departure follows that of his parents Mike Merrithew and Louise de Grandpré, who left the company they founded in July.
Meet the new boss: Chris Van Kooten has been named chief executive officer (CEO) Allianz Global Assistance Canada. The Canadian insurance industry veteran comes from Guy Carpenter Canada and has also worked for The Co-operators General Insurance Company and Economical Insurance.
Meet the new boss 2: James Marchant is Contiki’s new Global CEO. The highly regarded travel exec comes from luxury holiday rental investment company Second Estates and will relocate from London to Geneva to head up the dedicated Travel Corporation brand for 18 to 35-year-olds.
BY THE NUMBERS
Istanbul Airport, which officially opened on Oct. 28, is destined to be the world’s largest airport. The megaproject is being developed in four phases with the final phase set to be complete in 2028. In all, the complex will occupy an area of 76.5 square kms, with six runways, four terminals and 233 aircraft parking positions. It will have the capacity to serve up to 200 million passengers a year with 500-plus check-in desks and 225,000 employees. Upon completion of the final phase, the facility will incorporate offices, residences, hotels, a health centre, culture and art buildings, a shopping mall, designer outlets, an EXPO convention centre, and meeting and training facilities.
BRAND INDEX
Germany remains the top country brand in the world, according to the respected Anholt Nation Brands Index (NBI). The index ranks 50 nations based on a variety of criteria, including governance, culture, people, and tourism, and the results are eagerly embraced (at least by the winners) for their validation of tourism practices, potential and marketing initiatives. “This positioning confirms the sustainability of our campaigns for Germany as a travel destination. With our marketing activities, especially the digital campaigns, we effectively target that Germany will be also optimally positioned competitively in the future,” said Petra Hedorfer, CEO of the German National Tourism Board. Rounding out the top 10 were Japan, the UK, France, Canada, Italy/US (tie), Switzerland, Sweden and Australia.
DESTINATIONS
Canadians visitations to Switzerland in 2017 were a record and the best in 25 years – and the surge is continuing. Switzerland Tourism reports the Canadian overnights this summer (May-September) jumped more than 10% over last year. A key factor is increased lift from SWISS and Air Canada.
More than 10,000 rooms in 135 hotels are available for booking in Puerto Rico with many more on the way, reports the island’s destination marketing organization. Discover Puerto Rico says a multi-billion hotel boom is fueling “one of the greatest comeback stories in tourism,” as recovery continues from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria in 2017, considered the worst natural disaster on record in Puerto Rica (and Dominica). Close to 200 tourism attractions and 4,000 restaurants across the island are also now open says the DMO.
The (Barack) Obama Presidential Center is expected to open in 2021 in historic Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago. The new-build project, which follows a long tradition of facilities dedicated to former US presidents, will include three buildings—a museum, forum and library— that will form a campus surrounding a public plaza. The Center is expected to attract up to 760,000 annual visitors.
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