US Security officials intercepted a record number of firearms – nearly all of them (93%) loaded – at US airports in 2023, says the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The total of 6,737 firearms at airport security checkpoints, surpassed the previous record of 6,542 firearms in 2022, and the highest one-year total in TSA’s history. The worst offender was Atlanta, followed by Dallas and Houston.
International air travel recovery reached 99 percent of pre-pandemic levels in November, reported IATA, while visa flip-flops from Brazil and Turkey promised savings for Canadian travellers. In other round-up news, ACTA welcomed the return of a familiar face, Air Canada had a punctual holiday period, we learned the world’s most on-time airlines, Lynx is adding Quebec City flights, plus incentives for agents from G Adventures and Expedia TAAP.
With “no sign” that travel demand is declining in 2024, Kensington Tours has revealed its insiders picks and insights for 2024. With destinations ranging from Africa and Antarctica to Greece and Turkey, the Toronto-based tour company says its list reflects a diverse array of trips sought by clients, from “evergreen European cities to bucket list adventures.”
As the busy winter travel season continues, Canadian travellers are being reminded that, in most cases, their health coverage does not follow them abroad. Only the Canadian territories and the province of Prince Edward Island are obeying the requirement of the Canada Health Act to provide portable universal health care for the more than 56 million trips Canadians take abroad each year, according to the ninth edition of the Canadian Travellers’ Report Card, released by the Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA).
It’s not the oldest of London’s top-tier luxury hotels but The Savoy is arguably the most famous. Many would also argue it’s also the best, living up to every inch of it’s outsized reputation. Founded in 1889, the iconic property has hosted a bevy of rich and famous patrons (Monet painted from it’s windows) over its nearly 135 years, and even some who weren’t famous yet – like Guccio Gucci, who once worked there as a luggage and lift-boy early.
Scrambling up the masts of one of the world’s largest sailing ships on rope ladders, crew members gingerly balance on tightrope-like lines to untie knots and let her huge sails unfurl in the wind. On deck below, a ballet begins as other sailors have to use all their weight to manually pull sail lines taut and meticulously loop miles of rope onto belaying pins. A spectacular morning has begun on Sea Cloud Spirit.
An odd New Year’s record in Las Vegas and ghosts in Nevada, plus David Bowie news in Paris and a Banksy brouhaha in London highlight this edition of weird and wacky world news.
In a sign that 2024 will prove to be the year that air travel is fully recovered from the pandemic, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that data for November 2023 indicated that air traffic demand topped 99% of 2019 levels.
Recently we learned that passengers perhaps ought not set their watches by Canada’s major airlines. But which carriers do boast the best on-time performance? In its annual 2023 On-Time Performance Review, respected aviation analytics firm Cirium celebrated operating excellence in the aviation sector, including airlines and airports, hailing a host of winners from every corner of the globe.
Train travel across Germany and in many cities came to a near standstill on Wednesday leaving commuters and other travellers struggling to find alternatives involving long-distance bus or car travel or flights after a union representing many of Germany’s train drivers started a nearly three-day strike.
In this week’s bumper retail round-up ACTA welcomes back a new old face, Celebrity celebrates with TTAND, Virtuoso makes moves with Malta, Travel Edge is looking to inspire new agents, and Canadian agents join the Uniglobe Chairman’s Circle.
From key tourism developments and new launches to new festivals and global events, World Expeditions has designated its three top destinations for active travellers to explore in 2024… and why.
Kempinski Hotels has doubled its footprint in Dubai after signing a partnership with Abu Dhabi National Hotels to rebrand two iconic properties. On Jan. 1, the Kempinski flag was hoisted above Kempinski The Boulevard Dubai and Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai, formerly Address Boulevard and Address Dubai Mall respectively. The addition of these two landmark properties to the Kempinski portfolio significantly expands the brand’s presence in Dubai, which was one of the best-performing destinations worldwide for the luxury hotel group in 2023.
After serving up close to 20 million cruise quotes, online travel advisor marketplace CruiseCompete has released its CruiseTrends 2023 Annual Report offering an inside look at what consumers want in cruise vacations based on their requests.
Air Canada, the subject of scrutiny recently over low on-time performance results, says it achieved some of its best operational results in a decade over the holidays. The airline says it completed 98 percent of scheduled flights, with an on-time performance of 70 percent.
JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes will step down next month and be replaced by the airline’s president, Joanna Geraghty, who will be the first woman to lead a major US carrier. Geraghty, 51, joined JetBlue in 2005 and has taken on an increasingly prominent role at the New York-based airline in recent years, including becoming president and chief operating officer in 2018.
G Adventures’ annual incentive is back and bigger than before with up to $75k in cash and prizes up for grabs by travel advisors, including an $11k grand prize to celebrate the 11th year of G-Normous. Running for four months through April 30, agents across Canada are being invited to compete to see who will be crowned the annual G-Normous winner.
Jumeirah Group, the hospitality company that lists such iconic properties as the Burj Al Arab in Dubai amongst its roster of luxury properties, has set out ambitious plans to double the size of its portfolio by 2030, building on its strength in the United Arab Emirates and further expanding its portfolio into key global markets.
The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) has announced the appointment of Andrew Siegwart as its new President & CEO, effective Jan. 21. In his new role, Siegwart will guide the organization in promoting and advancing Ontario’s tourism industry while ensuring its growth, sustainability, and alignment with important societal goals.
For the first time, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Ca., has released its lineup of special events and limited-time festivities for the coming year, with 2024 highlighted by the resort-wide Pixar Fest celebration beginning in the spring.
Have you been tirelessly fielding requests from clients who are done with winter’s chilly antics? They’ve simply had enough of having frozen fingertips, shoveling driveways, and experiencing a wardrobe crisis every time they leave the house. It’s not just the winter blues; the never-ending small talk about the weather just about morphed them into the grumpiest version of themselves.
With a strong return to travel last year now in the rearview mirror, TRAVELSAVERS Canada advisors are now looking ahead a profitable year ahead with over 75% of respondents to a recent survey foreseeing their sales increasing in 2024. Only 3% think sales will decline, with no one anticipating a significant drop.
Lima, the vibrant capital of Peru, invites travellers to embark on an extraordinary adventure this winter. Located on the Pacific coast, this coastal metropolis offers an array of cultural, culinary and historical delights that are sure to capture the hearts of your clients. And talk about great timing: Air Transat recently introduced new direct flights between Toronto and Lima, operating twice weekly year-round, making this captivating destination more accessible than ever.
Accor, which boasts a 5,500 properties across 40-plus brands in 110 countries (plus 10,000 food and beverage outlets, wellness facilities and workspaces) has a few (well, a lot) more hotels coming in 2024, from an Orient Express in a historic building in Rome and a Raffles in Jaipur, to a Novotel in Hamburg and a Movenpick in Jakarta.
The Bahamas is continuing a “meteoric” rise in tourism as air and sea arrivals reach unprecedented heights, marking sustained growth that has surpassed previous years’ benchmarks. As of the end of November 2023, the cumulative count of foreign air and sea arrivals soared to over 8.65 million, representing 41.8 percent surge compared to the corresponding period in 2022.
Canadian airlines say they don’t fly the Boeing 737-9 Max jetliners that US regulators have grounded after an Alaska Airlines plane suffered a blowout while in flight. The Alaska Airlines 737-9 Max jetliner blew out a window and a portion of its fuselage shortly after takeoff nearly five kilometres above Oregon late Friday, creating a gaping hole that forced the pilots to make an emergency landing as its 174 passengers and six crew members donned oxygen masks.
Both Brazil and Turkey have changed visa rules that will benefit Canadian travellers. But while the latter has cancelled visa requirements for several countries, including Canada, Brazil has only postponed the reintroduction of requirements until April 10.
Hard Rock International has broken ground for a luxury resort and casino in the heart of Greece’s Athens Rivera. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens will be the first integrated resort of its kind in continental Europe and will serve as a driver for entertainment and tourism in the city of Athens.
The Jamaica Tourist Board is inviting Canadian travel advisors to kick off 2024 with a virtual destination refresher and orientation event on Friday, Jan. 19 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. ET.
December was a busy month for the Travel Industry Council of Ontario. In addition to its ongoing restructuring plans, TICO carried on the day-to-day business of regulating the province’s travel sector with a series of claims, charges, closures and convicted notices.