LISTENING IN
Remembering Jimmy Buffett – the ‘life of the party’
Jimmy Buffett celebrated slackers before the word existed, even though he was hardly one himself. “Wastin’ away again in Margaritaville,” went the chorus to his most famous song, which became an international singalong. But you’ve probably heard that song by now, so we’ve got something else in mind for this week’s video. MORE
COURAGE, STRENGTH AND GRACE
Jill Stewart
Condolences from the travel world and beyond are pouring in for Jill Stewart, the wife of Sandals Resorts executive chairman Adam Stewart, who died after a year-long battle with cancer. The Stewarts were married for 14 years and shared three children. MORE
LISTENING IN
Remembering Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’
Tina Turner was an unstoppable singer and stage performer who teamed with husband Ike Turner for a dynamic run of hit records and live shows in the 1960s and ’70s surviving her horrifying marriage to triumph in middle age with a string of hits, including the chart-topping “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” Dubbed the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Turner died at her home in Switzerland this week after a long illness at age 83. MORE
THE MINSTREL OF THE DAWN
Gordon Lightfoot
Like a great many Canadians I was saddened by the news of Gordon Lightfoot’s death last week. I bought his first album ‘Lightfoot’ when it was released in 1966 mainly because he was related to a friend and I thought he was cute. However, while the Lightfoot look was attractive, the Lightfoot sound hooked me. I bought all the albums as they were released and headed off to hear him live at Yorkville’s famous Riverboat Café in Toronto. What you may not know however, is that way back in those pre-album days, Lightfoot had a strong connection to an early travel industry founder. MORE
MIKE HANNAH
A loss to the industry
Mike Hannah had a long and distinguished career in travel. He wa s a senior executive at P.Lawson Travel, Sears Travel and President of UFTA. He was a longtime highly valued member of the Skal Toronto Club and a member of the executive board. He was a familiar presence at the monthly meetings and his experience and expertise proved invaluable over the years. MORE
RON HARDING
Travel Industry Pioneer
Ron Harding was one of the founders of this industry and was well known, well liked and well respected long after he retired in the late nineties. Ron died February 28, 2022, at the age of 84 at Collingwood Hospital after an accident at his home. MORE
HARRY STEELE
Canadian aviation pioneer
Harold Raymond “Harry” Steele has died in St. John’s at 92. Steele was an old school entrepreneur, who believed in doing what you said you’d do, when you said you’d do it. His mantra was, “If there was a problem, it had to be fixed, no excuses.” MORE
THE CARIBBEAN REMEMBERS
Dr. Jean Holder, former CTO Secretary General
In a statement The Caribbean Tourism Organization said it joins the rest of the Caribbean in mourning the loss of Dr. Jean Holder, the father of regional tourism development. Dr. Holder spent more than 30 years of his professional life leading the development and expansion of the sector that would become the region’s main foreign exchange earner and the engine of economic growth. MORE
Popular industry executive Frank V. Dennis died January 15. Prior to joining Uniglobe, Frank enjoyed a successful career in the food industry in many capacities such as Senior VP, Canada Packers and President of Del Monte Foods. He purchased and owned the franchise rights to the Uniglobe Eastern Canada Region from 1991 to 2016. MORE
ALL THAT JAZZ
The life and times of Sandra Jaffe
I never knew, met, nor (I confess) was even aware of Sandra Jaffe, but in hindsight the remarkable woman has without a doubt played an influential, unexpected role in my life. Jaffe, after all, was co-founder of Preservation Hall in New Orleans, an iconic institution that I have previously proclaimed my favourite place on the planet. MORE
LEGENDARY TRAVEL WRITER TAKES FINAL JOURNEY
Legendary Czech travel writer Miroslav Zikmund has died. He was 102. The museum in the eastern city of Zlin, where Zikmund had lived, announced his death in a statement, saying he recently “left for his final journey.” Details were not given. MORE
John McKenna, an icon of the travel insurance sector, died on Nov. 27. McKenna began his travel career at Air France, and then moved to Voyageur Travel Insurance where he served as president prior to its purchase by the Royal Bank of Canada. His career culminated as vice chairman of the board of directors of the RBC Insurance Group. MORE
BERNIE RICKMAN, 1945-2021
Former JTB manager, Canada
The Jamaica Tourist Board reported the recent death of tourism stalwart Bernard “Bernie” Rickman, former Deputy Director of Tourism, Overseas Administration for the JTB. During his 20-year tenure with the JTB, Rickman was deeply committed to developing the organization in Canada and positioning Jamaica as a leading tourism destination within the market. MORE
A MENTOR, A VISIONARY, A TRUE LEADER
Angus Kinnear, the best boss
Angus Kinnear died last week. The former co-founder and CEO of Canada 3000 Airlines was a pivotal figure in Canadian travel, tourism and aviation. He was far from your typical CEO. A tall angular figure, Kinnear could be found striding through Toronto’s Pearson International Airport late at night, or before dawn, often at the aircraft door checking his watch to ensure his flights were ‘pushing back’ on schedule. Employees of the carrier were in awe of ‘AJK’ but proud to follow the professional, passionate, pace he set. MORE
STANLEY TOLLMAN
Remembering an industry icon
Stanley Tollman, who built a travel empire and opened the first The Travel Corporation (TTC) office in Canada in 1968, died last week at the age of 91 following a battle with cancer. Celebrated as one of the architects of the global tourism industry and a devoted philanthropist, Tollman was chairman of TTC, which celebrated its centenary in 2020. MORE
You’ve likely heard by now of the death this week of Charlie Watts, the self-effacing and unshakeable Rolling Stones drummer who helped anchor one of rock's greatest rhythm sections but used his “day job” to support his enduring love of jazz until his death this week at age 80. MORE
If you were at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport in the eighties and nineties, working with the tour operators or the charter carriers you likely remember Ellen Rosemond. A small blonde firecracker who despite a beaming smile, simply didn’t suffer fools and who seldom had a thought she didn’t immediately voice. Ellen ruffled a lot of feathers, bruised some egos but could also be just as kind, considerate, caring and funny as she could be brash and brazen. MORE
'Larger than life.' Lucia Bitondo epitomized that phrase in every way. A huge personality with an even bigger heart, Lucia was one of a kind - a ‘Diva’ in the best possible form – an operatic character – full of life and love and passion. She will remain forever in the minds and hearts of her friends, colleagues and competitors - those of us privileged to work with her, whether at the airport or at an office. To meet Lucia, was to remember her, and to love her. MORE
ACTOR GAVIN MACLEOD DIES
Princess Cruises and fans mourn Love Boat captain
Popular actor Gavin MacLeod, who starred for 10 seasons as Captain Merrill Stubing in the popular television series The Love Boat, and for 7 seasons prior to that as the wisecracking news writer Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Show has died at the age of 90. MacLeod acted as Princess Cruises’ global ambassador for 35 years, starting in 1986, making him the longest serving celebrity spokesperson and brand ambassador in history. MORE
I can still hear Bill McVean’s amiable greeting: “Hello, Michael!” An iconic Canadian broadcaster who turned to travel in the latter days of his career, Bill was one of a rare few, among them my parents, who could use my given name without it sounding weird (everyone else calls me Mike). MORE