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LOS CABOS – A PLACE TO FISH AND CUT BAIT

Los Cabos is perhaps best known internationally for its luxurious accommodations, sophisticated cuisine, and breathtaking landscape, but for fishing enthusiasts, this dichotomous destination of beaches and deserts is known for a very different reason: With teeming waters off the Baha peninsula in Mexico home to a wide variety of sea life, Los Cabos is specifically reputed as the “Marlin Capital of the World.” And anyone can (try to) catch one.

THE PROS AND CONS OF BEREAVEMENT FARES

When Cathy Olliffe-Webster’s 90-year-old mother-in-law died suddenly last year, her family had to make the trek from Cold Lake, Alta., to Ontario in a hurry. The jewellery business owner figures the flight would have set her and her husband back $2,000 because it was a last-minute booking, but they scored a hefty discount.

PORTER SPLITS EXEC DUTIES, JACKSON NEW PRESIDENT

Porter Airlines is introducing a new senior leadership structure to support its ongoing growth. The president and CEO roles will be separated, with Michael Deluce continuing in the position of CEO, while current executive VP and CCO Kevin Jackson assumes the role of president.

LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS: N. Ontario cities sideswiped by lost air service

The City of Dryden, Ontario’s chief administrative officer and the local airport’s manager are leading efforts to address a pending gap in plane service, following the announcement that Bearskin Airlines will end its scheduled passenger air service to Dryden, Kenora, and Fort Frances in May.

FRUSTRATIONS WITH BOEING BOIL OVER

On Saturday a Boeing 757 jet operated by Delta Air Lines lost a nose wheel while preparing for takeoff from Atlanta, potentially creating more uncertainty around one of the nation’s top manufacturers after a troubling string of incidents involving its planes.

WILL LUFTHANSA-ITA DEAL FLY?: EC to investigate takeover plan

The European Commission on Tuesday announced an in-depth investigation of German airline Lufthansa’s planned takeover of Italian carrier ITA Airways, citing competitive concerns. Lufthansa signed a deal last year for a 41% minority share in the long-struggling ITA Airways, formerly Alitalia.

BUSINESS DIGEST: The pitfalls of slashing PR and marketing budgets

In times of economic uncertainty, it’s not uncommon for business owners to tighten their belts and cut costs wherever possible. Unfortunately, one area that often falls victim to budget reductions is public relations and marketing. Some view it as an “extra expense” rather than a strategic investment.

SKATERS AT PLAY – WHILE THEY CAN!

About a kilometre-long section of Ottawa’s Rideau Canal Skateway has opened, much to the relief of many Ottawa residents – and potential visitors – who worried it would remain closed for the second winter in a row, following an unusually warm December.

BANGING A DRUM FOR BRITAIN: Showcase ’24 event set to welcome trade

VisitBritain will welcome more than 120 international travel buyers – including a delegation from Canada – for a series of educational visits across Britain, as part of its flagship ‘Showcase Britain 2024’ trade event. The annual event helps set agendas for tour operator and travel agency product for the coming year.

EXPLORE ’24: What’s new in Peru

With the introduction of Air Transat flights from Toronto and Montréal to Lima, Canadians have a direct route to the South American nation known for stunning natural landscapes, historical treasures, exceptional cuisine – and affordability. With this in mind, here’s a look at some of the most recent tourism developments in the country, including digital nomads, ceviche and coffee culture, and new treks, tours, and packages in the pipeline:

IS SPIRIT SPENT? What’s next for troubled airline?

Spirit Airlines hasn’t made money since before the pandemic, ticket sales haven’t bounced back as quickly as the carrier expected, and dozens of its planes will be grounded at times this year because of a problem with the engines. But after a federal judge in Boston scuttled plans for JetBlue to buy the troubled carrier last week, some analysts who follow Spirit are tossing around the B word – bankruptcy.

DEBUNKING TRAVEL INSURANCE’S MOST COMMON MYTHS

An overwhelming about of misinformation about travel insurance online and elsewhere is causing confusion for Canadian travellers, leading to negative implications when it comes to cost, coverage, treatment, and claims, says leading insurance provider Snowbird Advisor Insurance. With this in mind, SAI says it wants to debunk some of the most common myths about travel insurance in this country and “set the record straight.”

STORM BATTERS UK, IRELAND, GAME OF THRONES TREES DAMAGED

Tens of thousands of people were without electricity and hundreds of trains were cancelled and some planes diverted on Monday after the latest in a wave of winter storms – nine since September – lashed Britain and Ireland with heavy rain and wind gusts of almost 160 km an hour.

CRYSTAL NAVIGATES RED SEA SITUATION

With shipping under attack in the Red Sea region, Crystal Cruises is the latest cruise line to take stock of its situation there. Citing safe passage of its cruises as being of paramount importance, the cruise line a statement on future intent.

MIXED RESULTS FOR TORONTO TOURISM

While visitor spending reached a record $7 billion in 2023, the number of visitors in Toronto remains below pre-pandemic levels, according to the year-end Toronto’s ‘Visitor Economy: 2023 Market Performance Highlights’ report published by Destination Toronto.

NINE MUST-HAVE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES FOR 2024

From star gazing to gorilla trekking, and Bhutan to Japan, Virtuoso has curated a list of top experiences, trends, and destinations it believes should be on every traveller’s list this year. Based on the opinions and experiences of travel advisors from around the world, and their clients, the unique results appear in Virtuoso’s newly released Luxe Report 2024.

LOSS OF FLIGHTS A BLOW TO NORTHERN ONTARIO COMMUNITIES

Perimeter Aviation, the parent company of Bearskin Airlines says it plans to discontinue passenger service from Thunder Bay, Ont. to Dryden, Fort Frances, and Kenora effective May 11. Termination of the flights is being blamed on financial reasons.

TICO WANTS YOU: Seeks new members for advisory councils

Following the dissolution of the previous Consumer and Industry Advisory Committee (CIAC) effective Dec. 31, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) is launching a new opportunity for Ontario’s travel industry to provide input on the way travel consumer protection is delivered in the province.

PRON NAMED VP COMMERCIAL AT AIR TRANSAT

Air Transat has announced the appointment of Benjamin Pron as Vice-President Commercial Air Transat. Employed by the airline company since 2019, Pron until recently held the position of Commercial Director for Air Transat.

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.

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