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WILL HE BE BACK? Schwarzenegger not amused at customs treatment

Arnold Schwarzenegger, who uttered the legendary line “I’ll be back” in The Terminator, may think twice before returning to Germany after being stopped for hours at customs and subjected to what he called an “incompetent shakedown” at Munich Airport after entering the country with a luxury watch that was potentially to be auctioned at a charity event last week.

TRAVEL THE REMEDY FOR VACATION FATIGUE

Despite not being able to afford one, many Canadians are planning to take a holiday this year anyways as they battle inflation fatigue with travel plans, according to a new survey. The seventh annual Vacation Confidence Study from Allianz Global Assistance’s (Allianz) says the average vacationing family intends to spend over $4,000 on their vacation in 2024.

INTERNATIONAL LAYOVERS: How much time is really needed?

Most airlines recommend arriving at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three hours before international flights. But do passengers need that much time for connections between international flights?

WASN’T THAT A PARTY: Italian town celebrates 500 years of Carnival tradition

“What in God’s name are you wearing?” my neighbour asks. “Me! Look at you! You look a right idiot.” So, there we stand in our respective costumes, surveying our splendour in my hallway mirror. Serena is costumed up as Po, the red Teletubby (UK kids TV show) and I’m Kermit the Frog. “We could become a thing,” I said. “It might catch on.”

THEY WON’T STAND FOR IT: New Las Vegas ordinance promotes pedestrian traffic flow

Las Vegas is truly a city that never stands still. Indeed, standing or stopping is now banned on pedestrian bridges on the Strip where visitors often pause to take photos amid the glittery casino lights or to watch street performers. Violators of the ordinance, which took effect Tuesday, could face up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.

PUBS, PATIOS & BARS: ‘Illicit whisky’ and dream drams at London’s Síbín

“Hidden in plain sight behind a secret door,” and situated in one of London’s most historic and cherished buildings, the Síbín whisky bar has launched a global “Whisky Passport” designed to take patrons on a flavour journey beyond the British capital with some of the world’s best vintages.

ON THE LEVEL: What to expect for corporate travel in 2024

Flight Centre Travel Group’s Corporate Traveller has released its 2024 travel trends forecast, signalling a levelling of the rapid travel growth expected for sector this year. Nevertheless, “corporate travel demand is growing and positive,” it reports.

MSC CHANGES COURSE DUE TO RED SEA ATTACKS

MSC Cruises says the ongoing attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea has obliged it to cancel three repositioning ‘Grand Voyage’ sailings in April from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Europe because of the risks in the region.

TINY GRENADA PACKS A BIG TOURISM PUNCH

On a day when most of Canada, coast to coast, was gripped in polar temperatures and snow, Grenada tourism officials brought their sunny ways to a Toronto airport hotel, leaving a couple of dozen travel advisors more actively dreaming of an escape to the Caribbean Spice Island than usual, both personally and for clients.

NEW FLIGHTS ‘GREAT NEWS’ FOR REGINA

Lynx Air has announced the addition of Regina to its network starting in June. The new gateway marks the discount carrier’s first foray into the Saskatchewan market and brings to 23 its total number of North American destinations.

EXPLORE ’24: What’s new in Florida

Whether travellers are looking for new places to stay, take a trip to one of the many theme parks, or experience a part of the state they may not have known, Florida has a host of new things to explore in 2024. Read on for just a small sampling of what’s new and coming in the Sunshine state this year:

WESTJET ENCORE PILOTS START CLOCK ON JOB ACTION

Citing a “near standstill” in negotiations, the union representing pilots with WestJet’s regional subsidiary says it has started the clock on potential job action – though any moves on that front are still at least three months off.

PORTER OFF TO LA-LA LAND

Porter Airlines celebrated the start of daily roundtrip service between Toronto Pearson and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) yesterday, expanding east-west connections between eastern Canada and southern California.

RADISSON WRAPS 2023 WITH RAPID GROWTH, PROMISES MORE TO COME

In 2023, Radisson Hotel Group celebrated a new company record with the addition of its largest number of keys to its portfolio of 10 leading brands, amounting to over 30,000 keys through openings and signings. The fastest-growing brand in the industry, Radisson has grown its business by nearly 50% since the launch of its transformation plan in 2018.

ENSEMBLE EXTENDS LUXURY FOOTPRINT

Ensemble continues to extend its offerings in the luxury travel sector with the announcement of several new partnerships and programs. They include a new preferred partnership with Crystal, a strategic relationship with Tully Luxury Travel, and the launch of its second member community, Luxe Circles.

ACV UNVEILS NEW GROUP QUOTING TOOL

Following a soft launch last week, Air Canada Vacations has officially unveiled its new Group Quoting Tool, offering travel advisors the capability to easily create and manage their group quotes.

JETBLUE-SPIRIT DEAL GROUNDED: Judge blocks $3.8-billion buyout

A US federal judge is siding with the Biden administration and blocking JetBlue Airways from buying Spirit Airlines, saying the US$3.8 billion deal would reduce competition. The Justice Department sued to block the merger, saying it would drive up fares by eliminating Spirit, the nation’s biggest low-cost airline.

HISTORIC PLAN: New Orleans ready for riverfront redo

Having been dubbed the city’s “front porch,” the Mississippi River will be the main tenant in an extensive redevelopment of New Orleans’ Riverfront District, including one of the largest contiguous riverfront parks in the US.

U.S. STUNNED BY ‘NEARLY DEAD LAST’ TRAVEL RANKING

According to new report, the United States ranks “nearly dead last” in global competitiveness among top travel markets – a result the US Travel Association (USTA) calls “stunning” and for which it blames decades of underinvestment and a lack of focus and coordination from federal policymakers.

ICELAND VOLCANO ERUPTS AGAIN: President hoping for a ‘good outcome’

Iceland’s president said the country is battling “tremendous forces of nature” after molten lava from a volcano in the island’s southwest consumed several houses in the evacuated town of Grindavik. Scientists said Monday that the eruption appeared to be dying down, but it was too soon to declare the danger over.

HERE COMES SUNWING’S LATEST WEDDINGS GUIDE

Featuring a new look and feel, Sunwing Vacations has released the 11th edition of Wedding Vacations by Sunwing, designed to be a critical tool to help agents and their clients plan their nuptials in paradise

BOEING PROMISES INCREASED INSPECTIONS OF MAX 9s

Boeing told employees Monday that it plans to increase quality inspections of its 737 Max 9 aircraft, following the failure of an emergency exit door panel on an Alaska Airlines flight last week. It is the latest in a series of troubles for Boeing, whose reputation as the premier American aircraft manufacturer has been tarnished by a series of manufacturing flaws that have led some airlines to hold off aircraft purchases or go with its European rival, Airbus.

INTREPID DOUBLES DOWN ON PHILANTHROPY: Pledges $1 million to support communities in 2024

Following a record year for fundraising, Intrepid Travel is pledging AUD$1 million (CDN$890,000) to local communities around the world in 2024, through its non-profit arm, the Intrepid Foundation. By matching customer donations up to a million dollars, the tour company aims to double the philanthropic impact in its host communities.

CANADA PLANS PRECLEARANCE PILOT – FROM U.S.

Canada wants to launch a pilot project to explore letting northbound land travellers clear customs before they leave the United States. While the US has been pre-clearing southbound air travellers since 1952, Canada currently has no preclearance operations anywhere in the world.

NEARING THE DEADLINE: A reminder from ACTA

ACTA is reminding agencies and independent travel advisors that the deadline to access the partial loan forgiveness feature of CEBA loans and the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) loans is Thursday, Jan. 18.

AIR CANADA CONTESTS DECISION ON POWER WHEELCHAIRS

Air Canada has appealed a decision by the country’s transport regulator that seeks to boost accessibility for travellers living with a disability. If successful, the move would overturn a requirement to fully accommodate passengers whose wheelchairs are too large to move into airplane cargo holds.

HAPPY ENDING: Bomb scare not a threat St. John’s airport

Officials at the St. John’s International Airport say a bomb threat that halted commercial flights Friday morning was not really a threat after all. A post on the X said police and officials from Transport Canada and the airport determined the threat to be “non-credible” and operations resumed around noon.

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