‘Tis the season for FAMs, and Canadian travel advisors have been hitting the road (and air and waves), according, from destinations as remote as Croatia, and as familiar as Kissimmee. Here’s a quick look at some of the journeys undertaken, including agents from CAA, WestWorld Tours, and Voyages en Direct.
Sandals Resorts is expanding its innovative off-site dining program to Nassau, Bahamas. First debuting with the opening of Sandals Royal Curaçao in June 2022, the “Island Inclusive” program celebrates and supports locally owned restaurants by giving select Sandals guests access to some of the destinations’ top dining experiences – all included with their booking.
Philippine Airlines (PAL), the national flag carrier of the Philippines, has launched PAL Holidays, a one-stop travel website that offers a seamless and comprehensive platform for booking travel to the southeast Asian country, and beyond. The new site is now live in Canada and elsewhere.
Acknowledging that there has been some “confusion and speculation” in the travel trade over its recent announcement that it would be mothballing its travel agent booking channel effective Oct. 24, the WestJet has issued a statement aimed at clarifying the situation and its plan to introduce an alternative by early next year.
With the outbreak of violence in Israel and Gaza, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) says travel sellers in the province have certain obligations to clients, from issuing travel warnings to possible refunds. To that end, and in light of federal government advisories advising against travelling to region, the provincial regulator has issued a special bulletin designed to answer questions about registrants’ responsibilities under the Travel Industry Act and Ontario Regulation 26/05.
With the launch of year-round flights to Peru in December from Toronto and Montreal, Transat is adding packages, excursions, and à la carte hotels to its offering, making it easier for both clients and travel advisors to book a trip to the South American destination.
Tourism Ireland introduced its new concept “Senses of Ireland” event series earlier this month with a trip to Western Canada. With calls in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver, the events featured eight Irish suppliers intent on taking travel advisors on a “sensory journey through the breathtaking landscapes and rich culture of the island of Ireland” while showcasing their diverse range of products.
Colourful el Día de los Muertos festivities have kicked off in Mexico, leading up to the actual Day of the Dead on Nov. 2, where Mexicans and visitors alike honour departed loved ones and reaffirm the bond between the worlds of the living and dead. Rather than somber, the occasion is joyous and raucous, yet also reflective.
A British judge has ruled in favour of Richard Branson’s Virgin group in its lawsuit against Brightline, the Florida passenger train company that terminated a licensing agreement that would have seen it rebrand as Virgin Trains USA, claiming the Virgin brand was no longer one of “high repute.” Judge Mark Pelling ruled in favour of Virgin Enterprises, which had sued Brightline Holdings for breaching the agreement – a decision. Brightline said it would appeal.
War in Israel resulted in myriad travel disruptions and future itinerary changes – read on for the latest dispatches including Air Canada flights. Also in the round-up: a report forecast room rates rising; Maui began welcoming tourists again (even if few showed up), TICO at last announced the election of its two industry directors, and more WestJet-Sunwing merger news.
As WestJet and Sunwing continue integrating operations, the newly created Sunwing Vacations Group has been designated as the official vacation division of the WestJet Group, encompassing five “powerhouse” brands ¬– Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, US tour operator Vacation Express, and the Group’s travel retail businesses SellOffVacations.com and Luxe Destination Weddings. Together they form the largest vacations brands in North America, though, notably, each will continue to be marketed independently.
Travel agencies that sell the Holy Land are scrambling to rebook passengers and reroute itineraries as the war sparked by Hamas’s attacks on Israel ramps up. Artzi Korostelev says it’s been all hands on deck at Toronto-based Peerless Travel as customers reschedule trips to Israel into 2024 and employees work the phones 16 hours a day, while new bookings have screeched to a halt.
I am now an official jet setter. I was recently invited to fly from Hamilton, Ont.’s Jetport to Fox Harb’r Resort in Nova Scotia. Our small group boarded the Challenger 605 and sipped mimosas in grand comfort and style until we landed on the resort’s private runway. What a way to go!
As the self-proclaimed “Halloween Vacation Capital” of the world, Orlando continues to offer a host of haunting adventures in theme parks and beyond throughout the spooking season and in some cases, even a bit longer. The central Florida city also has a bounty of fall events to keep visitor entertained, and well-fed.
National Rum Day may be Aug. 16, but every day is rum day in Jamaica, with travellers able to sip the rich, molasses-based liquor all year round courtesy of a host of classic distillers and in a variety of locations – from simple road-side bars to historic sugar plantations.
There’s a polar bear on our starboard side! The first of what would be many encounters with the Arctic’s iconic ice bears woke everyone up early on Seabourn Venture’s Northwest Passage voyage. Guests rushed to the observation decks and trained binoculars on a polar bear on the prowl, regularly raising his head to sniff the air for a potential meal.
Anne Wilson needs little amplification as one of rock’s greatest vocalists (of either gender), but sister Nancy sadly flies under the radar for her guitar chops, rating as one of the most underrated in many accountings. Nevertheless, the two together, and a bevy of great songs, has made the Can-Am band one of the genre’s most indelible.
Travelport and Air Canada have renewed their content distribution agreement. Notably, the multi-year agreement will feature a full range of New Distribution Capability (NDC) content and end-to-end servicing of NDC bookings to help agencies easily manage trip changes and exchanges – a development the airline calls the “next step” in the evolution of its distribution capabilities.
From cancelling cruises from Ashdod and Haifa to hasty departures as bombs were falling, cruise lines have had to quickly retreat from Israel due to the sudden eruption of a devastating war. Here’s a look at what we know so far.
Hurricane Lidia dissipated Wednesday after hitting land as a Category 4 hurricane near the resort of Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, where one person was killed by a falling tree and two others injured. The hurricane knocked over trees and blew roofs off houses with winds as high as 220 kph before moving inland.
A massive fire tore through a newly built parking garage at Luton Airport early Wednesday causing flights to be suspended for much of the day. The airport asked would-be passengers to stay away because emergency crews were still on scene and access was restricted.
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) will be conducting a “Canada Trade Week” mission in early November with key events in Calgary, Montreal, and Toronto. Agents will have an opportunity to meet with local and on-island suppliers and destination wedding vendors to learn about the latest product updates and resort developments in Jamaica.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has announced the addition of two new Super Ships, the SS Victoria and SS Elisabeth, which will begin sailing in Europe in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Uniworld will take over the ships from Seaside Collection under a three-year, bareboat charter agreement for each ship and utilize them on existing itineraries with Uniworld staff and brand style and amenities.
In this week’s retail news, Flight Centres takes it “slow,” Trevello has had an uplifting experience, Travel Leaders Network mixed it up in Moncton and Halifax, and The Travel Agent Next Door welcomes a new marketing manager.
As “revenge travel” continues, hotel guests should expect to pay increasingly higher room rates in 2024, according to a new report from American Express Global Business Travel, which says the rate spike follows large price jumps in 2022 and 2023. In Canada, the Hotel Monitor 2024 study forecasts record-breaking rates in Canada including percentage increases of 8.9, 8.3 and 6.7 percent in Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto respectively.
Canada’s largest private sector union has released its own Air Transportation Workers’ Charter of Rights asserting that the actions taken by the federal government and airport authorities to solve travel chaos are not enough to solve the root of the problem – inadequate working conditions.
Add “author” to the list of accomplishments of Edmund Bartlett. It’s a natural evolution for Jamaica’s thoughtful and eloquent tourism minister, who has written a book examining and detailing his passion and advocacy for tourism resilience in the face of disasters and challenges both natural and manmade – from hurricanes to artificial intelligence, and, of course, plagues.
From max relaxers to adventure hunters, Canadians have distinct preferences when it comes to maximizing their vacations, according to a new survey from Sunwing. And with this in mind, the tour company has launched a winter campaign that reflects these diverse travel styles and preferences, encouraging clients to see their next holiday “in a new light.”
The area around the Maui town largely destroyed by wildfire began welcoming back travel this week – two months after the wildfire that killed at least 98 people and destroyed more than 2,000 structures. Five hotels in West Maui were accepting reservations again, according to their websites and the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association.
Collette, the oldest tour operator in the US, has announced the succession of Jaclyn Leibl-Cote to Chief Executive Officer of the organization, only the fourth CEO in the 106-year history, and its first woman. She is also the third generation of the Sullivan family to transition into the role.