WestJet flight WS34 from Toronto touched down in Dublin on Friday, marking the return of transatlantic flying by the carrier between eastern Canada and Europe. The service to the Irish capital also kicked off the 10-year anniversary of WestJet’s entry into Europe, commemorating the airline’s inaugural transatlantic flight between St. John’s and Dublin in 2014.
Celebrating record sales for 2023 – and a 22 percent jump over the year previous – luxury travel network Virtuoso hosted its annual Canada Forum last week at the Four Seasons Hotel. The annual gathering brought together more than 100 owners and managers from Virtuoso’s travel agency members in Canada and preferred partners from around the globe.
MSC Cruises today announced it will base a ship in Spain’s Canary Islands for the winter to replace its previously planned Red Sea winter 2024-25 program, which is cancelled in light of the current risk to shipping in the region.
RIU Hotels and Resorts newest Jamaican property – it’s seventh – is set to open its doors May 4. Located in the Falmouth, Trelawny, 15 minutes from the airport in Montego Bay, the five-star all-inclusive Riu Palace Aquarelle is exclusive to Sunwing Vacations and boasts a beachfront location, water park on site, and international dining options.
A powerful blizzard that a meteorologist termed “as bad as it gets” howled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, closing a long stretch of Interstate 80 in Northern California, forcing ski resorts to shut down, and leaving thousands of homes without power.
Checked bag fees are going up at Air Canada, while Mexico says it may retaliate against new visa regulations for its citizens coming to Canada. Plus, other notable news last week: Blue Cross discovered that Canadians are still prioritizing travel in 2024, Air Transat flight attendants approved a new collective agreement, and a glitzy godmother helped Carnival Cruise officially name new its new flagship.
Mexico says is reserving the right to “act in reciprocity” after Canada re-imposed visas for Mexicans, effective yesterday. In a statement released on its website, Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said it “regrets” the Canadian move and believes that there were “other options available before putting this measure in place.”
CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) says a recent member survey has unveiled concerning statistics regarding the lack of travel insurance awareness and preparedness. Despite the financial risks associated with travelling unprotected, the survey found that 40 percent of CAA members in Ontario who travel don’t always purchase emergency medical travel insurance, highlighting a potential vulnerability.
With war in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, volcanos in Mexico and Iceland, and a seemingly endless list of global dangers always at hand, international travellers may face the possibility of a hasty departure – particularly if they are in, or near, affected regions. But are they prepared?
Days Inn by Wyndham is seeking two adventurous BFFs to become its latest “sun-terns” with the annual program this year tying into the 2024 solar eclipse. One ‘sun and moon’ duo will embark on a journey to witness the rare event on April 8 from a private helicopter experience, giving an unparalleled vantage point of the path of totality.
Lynx Air ceased to fly this week, the latest in a long line of discount carriers to bite the departures dust – brought down in part by stiff competition, high fees, and Canada’s vast geography. Lynx, which filed for creditor protection Feb. 22, marks at least the eighth budget airline to take off and then fizzle out since 2000, joining the ranks of Roots Air, CanJet and Swoop.
With just one accident for every 1.26 million flights, last year was the safest year ever for aviation, says IATA in its just-released 2023 Annual Safety Report. However, despite citing several 2023 parameters showing “best-ever” results, the association’s director general says, “We can never take safety for granted.”
Located on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos might be the “most isolated” region of Mexico – “you have to come by air,” notes the managing director of the region’s tourist board, Rodrigo Esponda – but Canadians clearly have no trouble finding the vacation hotspot.
Mexico’s National Disaster Prevention Center said Wednesday the Popocatépetl volcano, located just 80 kilometres from the country’s capital, had erupted 13 times in the past day. Volcanic ash from the Popocatépetl disrupted flights out of Mexico City’s largest airport on Tuesday and caused another airport even closer to the volcano to temporarily suspend activity.
Leap year. It’s an extra day for finally sorting that annoying sock drawer, or perhaps planning one’s next holiday. Or, for some, celebrating a birthday that comes only every four years. So how did it all begin and why? And what would happen if it didn’t happen? More than you might think.
The podcast is quickly becoming one of the leading tools for persuasive marketing. It has a unique pull for the audience because it successfully differentiates itself from marketing and advertising messages.
United Airlines has raised its fees for checking bags, following a similar move last week by American Airlines. Now in effect, economy-class passengers on domestic flights will be charged US$5 more. That will bring the price to $35 if they pay online at least 24 hours before the flight, and $40 after that.
Brent Carnegie admits he wouldn’t likely have ever listed Albania on his travel bucket list. But the Canadian travel industry veteran recently found himself in what has traditionally been considered a rather mysterious Balkan enclave for a family visit – and he loved it.
The corporate travel landscape is poised for a transformative ride in 2024 according to a new report from American Express Global Business Travel (AmexGBT). The report highlights top trends from pricing, technology, the future of work and corporate responsibility that will shape the business travel landscape this year.
A Norwegian Cruise Line ship with more than 3,000 passengers and crew was allowed to dock Monday in the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius after being quarantined offshore for a day over fears of a possible cholera outbreak onboard, authorities said.
ACV marked a milestone for its @Home program, Travel Leaders Network reported record growth in Canada, Redtag.ca celebrated 20 years in Jamaica, and Travel Agent Next Door set its sights on pre-travel health.
Porter Airlines has announced a pair of new routes for Eastern Canada this summer, including the only non-stop Ottawa-St. John’s flight on the market, and the introduction of Deer Lake as a new destination, with service to Halifax.
In a joint effort to promote sustainability in the Travel & Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council and Biosphere have inked a partnership to promote sustainability criteria in the hotel industry under the Hotel Sustainability Basics initiative. A significant milestone for global hotel sustainability, the collaboration will initially benefit 2,500 hotels.
Dubbing it the start of “an exciting new era,” Flight Centre Travel Group’s Independent division is launching a new principal brand to the market – one it promises will “provide a true heart and home for independent travel agents and agencies.” And one it says will it help it become a “global powerhouse” for independent travel advisors.
Air Transat announced Monday that 62.7% of its flight attendants have voted in favour of ratifying a new collective agreement and effectively lifting the strike threat, thereby putting an end to the uncertainty for travellers.
Private jets and international business class reservations are enjoying a huge upswing among Canadian business and luxury leisure travel clients of First in Service (F1S), according to the independent travel agency group.
The stars were out in Texas on Saturday as Carnival Cruise Line celebrated the naming of its new flagship Carnival Jubilee, pop start Gwen Stefani was honoured as the ship’s godmother, and Feb. 24 was declared “Carnival Jubilee Day” by Galveston Mayor Craig Brown – all on the same day that marked the 100th birthday of the late Ted Arison, Carnival Cruise Line’s founder.
Hilton has announced LivSmart Studios by Hilton as the official name of its new studio apartment-style, extended-stay hotel brand. Built to accommodate guest stays of 20 nights or more, the lower midscale, extended‑stay solution already has more than 350 deals in various stages of negotiation.
The local travel industry – and even some from afar – were out in full force at the Outdoor Adventure Show, held over the weekend at the International Centre in Toronto. Exhibitors included travel agents and tour ops (Merit, Intrepid, G Adventures), suppliers (air and cruise lines) and international destinations from the Caribbean to US, and Africa to Asia – and of course, across Canada.
Aviation experts say it was just a matter of time before one of Canada’s new low-cost carriers became unable to fly. With recent well documented reports of financial issues at Flair Airlines, it is perhaps more unexpected that Lynx Air was the first to fall in the crowded low-cost marketplace.