Residents in southwestern Iceland left their homes on the weekend after increasing concern about a potential volcanic eruption caused civil defense authorities to declare a state of emergency in the region. Earlier, the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa – one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions – closed temporarily as a swarm of earthquakes put the island nation’s most populated region on alert.
WTM London 2023 (World Travel Market) wrapped up last week with the world’s largest English-language trade show giving all appearances of being its first to truly take place in a post-pandemic world. While the P word was still prevalent, the W word (war) carried more resonance, not least due to the not-surprising absence of Israel tourism delegates.
Reflecting it’s recognition of the importance of the Canadian market, VisitBritain has created a new director position in the country, naming veteran staff member Cathy Stapells to the role. Stapells was previously Senior Marketing & Communications Manager Canada. The well-known Lynda Falcone continues as National Travel Trade Manager Canada.
An investigation is underway into what Canada’s transport minister and the RCMP call “threats” against Air India, after an online video warns people not to fly on the airline on Sunday, Nov. 19. Pablo Rodriguez says Canada and its security partners are investigating “recent threats circulating online,” referring to comments about Air India.
Accessibility advocates are speaking out about unreliable assistance in air travel, pointing to regulatory gaps and scattershot enforcement that can leave travellers with disabilities injured, stranded, or demeaned. And the problem, they say, goes beyond a single airline.
With the goal of showing that community and adventure do not have to be sacrificed for comfort, G Adventures’ new Geluxe Collection will feature 28 trips that focus on being physically active, with one-of-a-kind accommodation, elevated dining, and a heavy focus on community and culture in destination.
Airline accessibility took the spotlight last week, as did a host of other airline news, including new Lynx service to Tampa. Other round-up items feature Florida rail service Brightline announcing commissions for agents, Sandals preparing for its last masterclass of the year, and a visit by Martinique Tourism officials ahead of the island’s forthcoming and much-anticipated Air Canada service from Toronto.
A charter flight flying from London to Orlando was forced to land after the crew realized it had reached 14,000 feet with two window panes missing. The Titan Airways plane, which was previously used by King Charles and UK prime minister Rishi Sunak, took off from London’s Stansted Airport on October 4 before the crew realized the windows had been damaged during a film shoot the previous day.
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau apologized for the airline’s accessibility shortfalls and rolling out new measures to improve the travel experience for hundreds of thousands of passengers living with a disability.
Driving in a foreign country can be a challenge for North Americans visiting destinations where driving on the other side of the road is standard. It can be especially challenging when many rental cars feature manual transmission, a gear-shifting system rejected by the overwhelming majority of Canadian and American drivers.
Today’s luxury travellers are looking to see and do it all – and to do so exceptionally. With this in mind, Four Seasons has rolled out the first of its new series of private jet experiences for 2025. The all-encompassing itineraries introduce some of the world’s most popular destinations in new and unexpected ways – as planned by Four Seasons experts.
The next time you’re gazing at the “Mona Lisa” at the Louvre in Paris, consider that beneath the subject’s exquisitely enigmatic smile, a new secret has been uncovered about the Leonardo de Vinci masterpiece.
Guinness will soon have a new home in the heart of London. Work is underway at ‘Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard,’ which is located near Neal Street in Covent Garden. The 4,600-sq.-metre microbrewery will build on the success of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and the opening of Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh in 2021.
It’s Five O’clock Somewhere and even though it may only be 11 a.m. in Key West, the crowds at Margaritaville and Sloppy Joes have A Lot of Drink About. Florida’s furthest-south island, that attracted Hemingway and Harry Truman and whole generations of sons of sons of sailors is still partying heartily.
I’d been mulling over this song for awhile, but when the opening violin intro came on at a wedding reception I attended recently caused a rush to the dance floor I accepted it as a sign, and immediately headed for YouTube. Dexys Midnight Runners are considered a one-hit wonder and even Homer Simpson joked in an episode, “You haven’t heard the last of them!”
The labor union representing tens of thousands of Las Vegas hospitality workers announced Wednesday that it had reached a tentative deal with casino giant Caesars Entertainment, a major breakthrough that could help avert an unprecedented strike at more than a dozen hotel-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.
As travellers increasingly look to get off the beaten track and explore places less prone to over-tourism, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced its list of Best Tourism Villages 2023. The accolade recognizes villages that are leading in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions – all contributing to the notion of harnessing tourism “as a catalyst for their development and well-being.”
The US announced a $553- million project Wednesday to build a new, deep-water shipping container terminal in the Port of Colombo, in Sri Lanka, as it competes with China in international development financing. The project, financed with private loans, is billed as providing critical infrastructure for the South Asian nation with the potential to “transform Colombo into a world-class logistics hub at the intersection of major shipping routes and emerging markets,” according to the US International Development Finance Corp.
Air Canada has became the first airline globally to bring Disney+ Originals to the skies through its in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. The airline’s latest collaboration with Disney, offers customers opportunities to enjoy original programming for all ages while onboard. It also marks Air Canada’s most recent investment in its family-focused travel experience, adding critically-acclaimed and exclusive Disney+ Originals such as the first three episodes of Loki Season 1 and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
As Maui recovers from devastating wildfires, travelling to Hawaii for many has become more purposeful. While surf, sand and sun are definitely still on the itinerary, there are many experiences waiting for visitors that reflect the importance and meaning of life that can’t be found in all the guidebooks just yet.
Time away is precious and no one wants to wait in line, be lost in a crowd, or stuck at a touristy eatery. In the last 10 years Portugal has burst onto the world stage as a major travel destination, but as a new destination, folks typically go to what they know: Lisbon, Lagos, and Porto.
Parents, teens, and kids alike can have the all-inclusive vacation of their dreams with Grand Palladium Hotels and Resorts, according to Sunwing Vacations. Set on some of the most sought-after shores of the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Jamaica, these beautiful destinations are simply a bonus – the real fun is found on site.
A Saga cruise ship has docked back in the UK with a reported 100 people injured when the boat veered dramatically during a safety manoeuvre on Saturday. Passengers on the Spirit of Discovery have described a state of fear on board the cruise ship after it was hit by a storm in the Bay of Biscay. Most of the injuries were described as minor by cruise company Saga, but five people were taken to hospital when the ship docked in Portsmouth on Monday.
Last year, cybersecurity company NordLayer created the Global Remote Work Index (GRWI), which reveals the best and worst countries to work remotely in terms of four different criteria: cyber safety, economic safety, digital and physical infrastructure, and social safety. Canada ranks two places lower compared to last year’s data and stands at 14 as the best country for remote work, according to new research
InterContinental Hotels and Resorts (IHG) says it is embarking an extensive brand evolution designed to lead it into the future through cutting-edge technology, innovative design, and elevated service, while maintaining a “harmonious balance between freedom and familiarity” for guests.
Leading hotel commerce platform SiteMinder, has released the 2023 edition of what it says is the world’s largest consumer research on accommodation. Among its notable findings are the continued dependence of travellers on both new and familiar technologies (and devices) – from artificial intelligence to social media and the Web – in the travel planning and booking process.
Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are among the most frequently used phrases in business today. In simple terms, machine learning entails a machine or system using processes and algorithms to learn a solution to a problem, while AI mimics human intelligence to do the same. It’s more complex than this explanation but adopting some of these technologies today will give your business the early-mover advantage with years of benefits.
Princess Cruises will celebrate its 40th anniversary sailing the Mediterranean by featuring two of its newest and largest ships there in 2025 – Star Princess and Sun Princess. In total six Princess ships will offer cruise tours in the regions, with departures now on sale.
Amber Vencill, a Florida mother, alleges her 12 and 10-year-old sons who were travelling alone, were left without food, water, blankets or pillows after their flight was cancelled. She also claims she was given conflicting information on the boys’ rescheduled flight and was unable to speak with them for hours.
Almost half of Canadian sports fans (42%) are more likely to travel and see a game on the road rather than attending a game at home or in their closest sports city, according to a new study by Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo. The Sports Travel Road Game Report also found that the average fan takes approximately three sports trips per year, and that 80 percent of fans are looking to take either the same or more trips in the upcoming year than they did the previous year.