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NORTH TORONTO HITS JACKPOT WITH NEW CASINO RESORT

A massive new $1-billion entertainment resort is set transform a remote northern section of Toronto when it opens its doors this summer with a modern Vegas-style casino, integrated 400-room hotel, 5,000-seat live entertainment venue, and multiple on-site dining options.

NORTHERN PILOT SHORTAGE TIP OF THE ICEBERG

Airlines that operate in the North – where many residents rely on flights for transportation and goods – say disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, a Canada-wide pilot shortage and new fatigue regulations are creating headwinds. “With the COVID effect, that took a lot of people out of the marketplace,” said Michael Rodyniuk, president and CEO of Canadian North. “It’s not as attractive as it used to be to become a pilot.”

WOMEN IN FLIGHT: Air Canada announces scholarship winners

On the occasion of International Women’s Day yesterday (March 8), Air Canada and the CAE Women in Flight Ambassador program announced the recipients of the 2023 Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to Canadian women studying to become commercial pilots or aircraft maintenance engineers.

THE NEED FOR SPEED: Experience world’s fastest car in Coventry

Ever wondered what it’s like to drive the fastest car in the world? With the reopening of the star attraction at the Coventry Transport Museum in February, museum visitors in the UK city now have the chance to experience what it feels like to break the sound barrier on land.

‘TOURISM ALWAYS COMES BACK’: Industry hails return of ITB

ITB Berlin opened Tuesday, marking its first in-person event since 2019. And as the global travel industry flocked to the German capital for the world’s largest travel show, the United Nations Tourism Organization announced that tourism is on track to achieve full recovery this year.

MAKING PEARSON GREAT AGAIN

In the face of recent service cuts and general passenger and industry disillusionment – and a claim that Canada is “years behind” other countries when it comes to digital border solutions – a new coalition of travel and business leaders has joined together with the goal of ensuring that Toronto Pearson remains “a global beacon of air travel.”

ROAD RISKS WORRY WOMEN TRAVELLERS: Feel less safe than men

A global survey of business travellers reveals that over seven in 10 women (71%) say they are less safe when travelling for work than men. And, to that end, they are more likely to take measures to protect their safety while away from home, employing such tactics as not going out at night or wearing a wedding ring to ward off unwanted attention.

GREAT GETAWAYS: Getting to know Chicago

Lynn Osmond has lived in Chicago for close to 30 years, but the St. Catharines, Ont., native, who oversees tourism in the Illinois city, has a unique perspective on how Canadians view her adopted home – and what many of us are missing when it comes to awareness and knowledge of the bustling midwestern destination.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN”S DAY 2023: Marriott Canada women consider secrets of success

In celebration of International Women’s Day today (March 8), Marriott Hotels of Canada asked a few of its associates to reflect on their careers, describe the challenges they needed to overcome to be successful, and what advice they would give to young women interested in pursuing a career in travel or their other given fields.

COLOMBIA WEIGHS HIPPO PROBLEM

Colombia is proposing transferring at least 70 hippopotamuses that live near Pablo Escobar’s former ranch – descendants of four imported from Africa illegally by the late drug lord in the 1980s – to India and Mexico as part of a plan to control their population.

CANADIAN TRAVELLERS FACE HIGHER AIRPORT FEES

Canadian travellers are facing increased airport fees after the pandemic grounded revenues, disrupting the airport sector’s “relatively stable” and resilient business model and causing more debt for airports across the country.

WESTJET ADDS MORE SUMMER SEATS

WestJet says it is making significant increases to its summer schedule, bringing more seats and additional flight frequencies to routes across its network. That includes a 64 percent increase in capacity from Regina and 46 percent more from Saskatoon, as well as other western gateways.

CANADA’S NEW BRAND AMBITION: Taps TED to put destination on the map again

Destination Canada has introduced a new global brand strategy – including a unique new partnership with TED – designed to “put Canada on the map” again for international travellers, reversing the pandemic trend that saw eight of 10 tourism dollars spent last year by Canadians.

WHY IS JAMAICA’S BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE THE WORLD’S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER COFFEE?

Rhythmic reggae beats, mesmerizing beaches and waterfalls, friendly people, a vibrant culture and Blue Mountain Coffee — these are just a few of the amazing things that Jamaica is known for. While there are many reasons for your clients to visit this vibrant island, on top of that list is being able to wake up to the delightful aromas of a cup of the world-famous Blue Mountain Coffee.

ANITA EMILIO JOINS FLIGHT CENTRE

Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) has announced the appointment of travel industry veteran Anita Emilio as the Vice President and General Manager, Independent and Luxury pillars in Canada, effective immediately.

EXPANSION TO BOOST IMPORTANT GREEK MUSEUM

Greece’s National Archaeological Museum is in for a major renovation and expansion that officials hope will attract more visitors to the Athens venue that houses what is considered the most important collection of Greek antiquities in the world.

THE “SUITE” LIFE AT SANDALS DUNN’S RIVER

When Sandals Dunn’s River opens on May 24, 2023, it will set a new standard of excellence in Jamaica, offering one-of-a-kind accommodations where nature and luxury go hand in hand. Modern designs inspired by the stunning phenomenon of the Dunn’s River, encapsulating the rainforest backdrop for this tranquil place, these accommodations have been elevated to new heights with Jamaica’s natural elements present in every experience across the resort.

AIRLINES SUE OVER FLIGHT CUTS

Just as Toronto Pearson announced a cap on flight and passenger arrivals, a group of airlines that includes KLM, Delta and easyJet have sued the Dutch government over its plans to reduce the number of flights from Amsterdam’s busy Schiphol Airport.

WHAT’S COOKING IN BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham today is hardly recognizable to those who may have visited in the past. Britain’s second city has re-invented itself over the past couple of decades, and not least in recent years leading up to and including last summer’s Commonwealth Games – an event city officials consider a global coming out party for the West Midlands city.

TOURISM STARS SHINE AT BC AWARDS GALA

Nine British Columbia tourism and hospitality providers have been recognized for their outstanding contribution to the sector in Canada’s westernmost province. Winners were presented by Indigenous Tourism BC March 2 at a gala awards event sponsored by the British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) and the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC).

MEET THE NEW BOSS: Seabourn sets sail with new president

Seabourn has announced the appointment Natalya Leahy as its new president. Leahy, whose seven years with Holland America Group included operational oversight of Seabourn, succeeds Josh Leibowitz who is leaving the brand to pursue new opportunities.

LITTLE MERMAID VANDALIZED AGAIN

The famed statue of Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid, one of Copenhagen’s biggest tourist draws, has been vandalized, with the colours of the Russian flag painted on the rock on which she sits.

ROUND-UP: Feb. 27-March 3, 2023

Airports in Montreal and Toronto made big news last week, along with the unveiling of a number of appealing agent incentives. And, as usual, there’s the latest airline cruise, hotel, and tour operator tidbits, plus much more.

A DECENT PROPOSAL: A marriage almost made in heaven

If Sunwing passenger Behfar Sanjarit was at all nervous about flying to Cancun for a recent holiday, it’s only because he was preparing to pop the question to his unsuspecting girlfriend, Golnar Adhami, in an unconventional setting – on the plane at 30,000 feet!

OTTAWA URGED TO EXPAND TRUSTED TRAVELLER PROGRAM

A travel industry coalition is calling on Ottawa to broaden its trusted traveller pilot program and roll it out across the country. The demand comes ahead of an expected busy summer season, and spring break this month when traveller numbers at Toronto’s Pearson airport are expected to be 30 percent higher than a year ago.

FUN IN THE SUN: A Florida Spring Break primer

With Spring Break on the horizon (at last!) and many Canadians preparing to escape the trenches – not to mention the snowbanks – to head south for heaping helping of sunshine and warm weather, many Florida destinations are gearing up for the annual migration of students and families with a host of happenings throughout March and April.

APPY DAYS: Air Transat unveils mobile app makeover

If you haven’t tried Transat’s mobile app for awhile, now’s the time, as the airline has unveiled a fresh interface and new features, all designed to simplify the user experience.

STRANGE BUT TRUE: Tales of the weird and wacky

Alligator antics, lunatic leaders, a yearning for Easter eggs, and roving bands of headphone-stealing bandits on mopeds, were among the items that caught our attention this week in this big, ol’, wacky world.

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