News

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.

PORT CANAVERAL NOW THE BUSIEST IN THE WORLD

Move over Miami, Port Canaveral has climbed to number one as the world’s busiest cruise port for the first time ever. New figures from the Florida Ports Council rank the port 45 miles from Orlando as number one, with 4.07 million passengers coming to or from cruises in 2022. That compares with 4.02 million for PortMiami, which has held the title for many years. Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale retained its number 3 spot, with 1.72 million passengers.

LISTENING IN: Constantly craving k.d.

Kudos to k.d. lang, who was just awarded Canada’s highest honour in the performing arts – the 2023 Governor-General’s Performing Arts Awards, one of seven Canadians to receive the honour. The lifetime achievement award “recognizes artists for their outstanding body of work and enduring contribution to the performing arts in Canada.”

‘BIZCATIONS’: Canadians loving new work perk

Flexible work arrangements, such as “bizcations,” are some of the most notable work-related outcomes of the pandemic – and something that many employees prioritize. The mobile workplace has become the norm and innovative working arrangements have become a key factor in attracting talent.

GOWAY BRITAIN TOURS GO WEST (TO WEST MIDLANDS)

From cosmopolitan (and quintessential) British cities to historic castles, and Shakespeare to Peaky Blinders, England’s West Midlands region shows another side of the country beyond the well-known attractions of London. And they’re attributes that Goway is eager to show off in a series of new tours recently introduced by the Canadian tour operator.

MASKS LIFTED, SMILES RETURN TO HONG KONG

Hong Kong lifted its mask mandate on Wednesday, ending the city’s last major restriction imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The city’s chief executive, John Lee, said masks are no longer be required for residents or travellers both outdoors and indoors, including on public transit.

CARRIER BLAMES COLOMBIA FOR ‘SHAMELESS’ GROUNDING

Struggling low-cost airline Viva Air suspended its operations in Colombia and Peru Tuesday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded in airports with little support. The airline, owned by the same group that owns Ryanair, blamed Colombian authorities for delays in approving the airline’s requested merger with Avianca, Colombia’s main carrier.

AN INCENTIVE FOR CHANGE: G Adventures agent campaign returns

G Adventures’ popular agent incentive program “Change Makers” is returning this year after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Agents will be able to earn their way to the global summit – to be held from Sept. 22-28, 2023, in a yet-to-be-revealed destination – by “choosing to change people’s lives through travel.”

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