News

RETAIL ROUND-UP: The women of Ensemble and Trevello

Ensemble has announced it has become the first travel advisor consortium to partner with Women Leading Travel & Hospitality, a membership-based association that connects executive women across all sectors of the travel and hospitality industry.

ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE ON THE MOVE

The Ontario Science Centre will be moving to a revamped Ontario Place on Toronto’s waterfront. Premier Doug Ford unveiled plans for the next stage of a redeveloped Ontario Place that includes the new location for the science centre, an expanded amphitheatre, a public beach, bars, restaurants, a new marina, and a massive spa.

150 YEARS: Holland America Line celebrates historic milestone

Holland America Line’s flagship Rotterdam arrived at the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, yesterday following a 150th Anniversary crossing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship’s arrival on the exact date of Holland America Line’s 150th birthday (April 18) kicked off all-day celebrations that included royalty, local dignitaries, port officials and guests who commemorated the special day.

MAJOR REFORMS TO AIR PASSENGER RIGHTS NEEDED – HOUSE REPORT

A parliamentary committee has recommended sweeping changes to Canada’s air passenger rights framework, stressing tougher enforcement and compensation rules around flight delays. Tabled Tuesday, the report comes after chaotic travel seasons over the summer and winter holidays brought on by soaring demand, labour shortages and poor weather.

TDC GETS STRATEGIC AT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) is hosting a delegation this week of travel agency owners, preferred partners, and members of the TDC network’s management team at the Breathless Riviera Cancún Resort & Spa in Mexico. The five-day National Leadership Conference kicked off on the weekend with strategic reflection and the exchange of best practices between members in the spotlight.

TECH TROUBLES GROUND SOUTHWEST PLANES

Southwest Airlines planes were briefly grounded nationwide in the US Tuesday for what the airline called an intermittent technology issue, leading to more than 1,800 delayed flights just four months after the carrier suffered a much bigger meltdown over the Christmas travel rush.

NEW TOURISM IRELAND CAMPAIGN HAS HEART

Tourism Ireland’s new global campaign “Fill you heart with Ireland” has launched in Canada. Designed to “win hearts around the world,” the promotional endeavour “is all about celebrating the different ways in which the island of Ireland fills the hearts of our visitors and of locals – and inviting potential holidaymakers to experience those for themselves,” according to the tourist board.

SNOW A BLOW TO GRAND CANYON VISITS

The public will have to wait a little longer to visit the North Rim at Grand Canyon National Park this year. Like other parts of the western US, northern Arizona received an abundance of snow over the winter, and park officials say pushing back the opening from mid-May to June 2 will give them more time to plow the main state road that leads to the rim and allow staff to reopen visitor facilities.

CLOCK TICKING ON PSAC STRIKE: Border and passport delays possible

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says its 155,000-plus members working for the Treasury Board and the Canada Revenue Agency – including federal border and passport workers – will launch a strike action if a deal cannot be reached with the federal government by 9 p.m. ET today (April 18) – setting the stage for one of the largest strikes in Canada’s history.

FAMILY FUN IS PLENTIFUL IN AMERICA’S FIRST RESORT DESTINATION

With more than 100 family-friendly attractions, 47 miles/76 km of sparkling coastline, outdoor adventure, arts and culture and a diverse culinary scene; The Palm Beaches offer many exciting and enticing experiences for the entire family. Get close to sea turtles and marine life at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, feed a giraffe at Lion Country Safari, make a discovery at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, snorkel along the spectacular trail offshore at Phil Foster Park or just kick back and relax on a postcard-perfect, golden-sand beach.

MONTREAL AIRPORT: Calls for crackdown on illegal taxis

Montreal’s airport has an illegal taxi problem and its regulatory authority is calling for a crackdown. Airport authority spokeswoman Anne-Sophie Hamel says they sometimes see taxis with fake Uber stickers on their cars, or even cars with fake taxi domes.

NEW VIKING SHIP FILLS NILE NEED

Viking reports its newest ship for the Nile River – the 82-guest Viking Aton – has been “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in August, the Viking Aton will help serve surging demand for the destination, resulting in the cruise company selling out its 2023 season.

WORLD-CLASS SHOPPING IS IN THE BAG

Shopping in The Palm Beaches is as enticing as the beaches. From vintage finds to luxury goods to one-of-a-kind treasures, there is something for everyone.

AIRBUS, AIR FRANCE AQUITTED OVER 2009 CRASH

A French court on Monday acquitted Airbus and Air France of manslaughter charges over the 2009 crash of Flight 447 from Rio to Paris, which killed 228 people and led to lasting changes in aircraft safety measures.

BE INSPIRED IN FLORIDA’S CULTURAL CAPITAL

With more than 200 arts and cultural offerings, The Palm Beaches thrive with creativity. Home to an impressive array of world-class museums, performance venues, galleries and an abundance of year-round art and cultural festivals, there is always something to stir the senses.

RESORT ATTACKED IN CENTRAL MEXICO

A band of gunmen invaded a resort and opened fire where dozens of vacationers were spending the weekend in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato – considered the country’s most violent region. Authorities said six adults and a child were killed, and another was seriously wounded.

PARTNERS SHOULD SHARE COMPENSATION COSTS, SAYS WESTJET

The CEO of WestJet Airlines says his company is asking the federal government to allow airlines to recover passenger compensation costs from other industry partners, if they played a role in causing flight delays or disruptions.

UNRULY PAX DECLINING SINCE MASKS MOTHBALLED

Airlines in the US have reported fewer cases of unruly passengers since last April, when a federal judge struck down a requirement that people wear masks on planes and public transportation. Before that ruling, about two-thirds of all incidents on planes involved disputes over masks.

AIR CANADA TO CONNECT VANCOUVER, DUBAI

Air Canada has announced new, non-stop flights from Vancouver International Airport to Dubai. The new route will operate four times weekly beginning Oct. 28 using Air Canada’s Dreamliner fleet.

DESANTIS SURROGATES ESCALATE TIT FOR TAT VS. DISNEY

Appointees of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ on Disney World’s governing board have launched a fresh salvo in the fight to control the resort, seeking to expand their authority after their Disney-controlled predecessors abdicated most powers to the company.

ROUND-UP: April 10-14, 2023

Canadian passport staff, along with other federal workers, announced they may strike this week; Fort Lauderdale was hammered by a historic storm; Transat boosted service to France; and the US decided that the COVID-19 emergency was officially over.

WESTJET STRATEGIC PLAN ‘COMING TO LIFE’

In a State of the Airline address to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce this week, WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech provided a comprehensive update of progress on its new strategic direction, including the airline’s plans in both east and western Canada, fleet renewal and new routes, and, of course, it’s takeover of Sunwing.

IS A STRIKE IN STORE AT THE PASSPORT OFFICE?

Just as the Canadian passport office seemed to get its head above water, members of the public service’s largest union, which represents more than 120,000 federal workers – including passport office employees – have voted in favour of a strike mandate that could be acted on as soon as next week.

TRAVELLERS MAKING MEMORIES NOW

A new Sunwing survey of Canadian travellers says seven-in-10 (71%) respondents’ fondest vacation or travel memory was from a past or recent vacation as an adult – an overwhelming margin over holidays taken as a child or teen.

THAI FESTIVAL BACK WITH A BLAST

Hordes of revellers toted colourful water guns Thursday as Thailand kicked off its exuberant three-day Songkran festival at full blast for the first time since 2019, hoping for a significant boost in tourism after the industry was devastated by coronavirus travel restrictions.

READY TO ENTER EXPLORA JOURNEYS’ OCEAN STATE OF MIND?

The lobby of Explora 1 evokes comparisons to the luxury of a grand European hotel. The itineraries speak of extraordinary adventures with whimsical names like Glacier Carved Islands or the Valley of Mischievous Trolls.

Scroll to Top