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AUDITOR BLASTS GAPS IN TRAVEL ACCESSIBILITY

About two-thirds of people with disabilities encountered barriers on federally regulated planes and trains in 2019 and 2020, highlighting a lack of consultation and enforcement by agencies involved, the federal auditor general says in a new report.

PORTER OFF FROM OTTAWA WITH NEW ROUTES

Porter Airlines has launched three new routes between Ottawa International Airport and Boston, New York-Newark and Thunder Bay, providing new travel links for the region.

EXPLORA JOURNEYS SET FOR SUMMER DEBUT IN NORTHERN EUROPE

EXPLORA I, the first of up to six luxury ships to join the Explora Journeys (EJ) fleet, will debut this summer in Northern Europe as the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group sets sail for the first time.

SKIP THE LINE: Rio attraction sparks protest

Despite ongoing protests and an online petition with 11,000 signatures demanding that work be halted, a zipline on Rio de Janeiro’s world-famous Sugarloaf Mountain is scheduled to be inaugurated later this year.

BIG EASY FESTIVAL GETS READY TO ROULER

New Orleans’ 40th annual French Quarter Festival, billed as Louisiana’s largest free showcase of music, food, and culture, is set to let les bons temps rouler in April with a line-up of more than 270 acts. The festival launches three weeks of musical festivities in the city, with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival taking place the last weekend of April and first weekend of May.

‘NO SMALL MISSION’: SeaWorld Conservation Fund marks milestone

Celebrating 20 years of marine animal conservation grants, the SeaWorld Conservation Fund announced 22 new grants made in 2022 to support third party research, rescue, and conservation programs to protect marine animals and their habitats. To date the non-profit Fund has provided more than US$20 million in grants to 1,391 organizations across all seven continents.

OUTRAGE IN ISRAEL: Demonstrations largest in 75 years

Departing flights out of the Israel’s main international “airport” were grounded Monday stranding 70,000 travellers as the country’s largest trade union group launched a strike across a broad swath of sectors, joining a surging protest movement against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to overhaul the judiciary – a plan that is facing unprecedented opposition.

THE AZORES: A year-round paradise for families and nature-lovers

Nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic making up the archipelago known as the Azores have a year-round, pleasant temperature which, when combined with the islands’ unparalleled nature, cover the two basic must-haves for a safe, fun family vacation or for those looking to relax and re-charge in isolation with nature.

THE AZORES: Volcanic islands that offer unique natural experiences

About eight million years ago, the first signs of the Azores islands started to appear in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean as a result of volcanic eruptions. Eventually, nine major islands were created about 1,2000 kilometres (800 miles) west of mainland Portugal. These islands make up the Azores archipelago and are Mother Nature’s gift from the centre of earth for us to enjoy.

THE FEELING YOU GET WHEN YOU VISIT THE AZORES

Wonder, Natural, Magical, Dream, Inspire, Breathe, and Peaceful. Aiming to inspire our passengers, all of Azores Airlines A321neo and A320 aircraft have been designed to emotionally appeal to our magical destinations.  The words inscribed on the fuselage refer to the magical, wonderful and peaceful universe of the Azores. “Breathe”, “Wonder”, “Magical” and “Inspire” reflect the symbolic homage to the Azores, which is, simultaneously, the cradle of Grupo SATA companies and our destiny by Nature.

BORDER CROSSINGS RETURN TO PRE-PANDEMIC HOURS

Opening hours are being extended at 42 border crossings with the United States and at several airports across the country as the Canada Border Services Agency returns to pre-pandemic hours. The changes will take effect on March 31. The border agency first restricted hours at land border crossings in April 2020, closing many points of entry early and stopping 24-hour service at seven crossings.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: Travel agencies in the news

Ensemble has launched a new familiarization program for members and Flight Centre is “fizzing with inspo” in a cheeky, new promotional series on YouTube this week’s retail round-up. Also, well-earned acknowledgements for Trevello and The Travel Agent Next Door.

AIRBNB REACTS TO FATAL FIRE IN MONTREAL

Short-term rental company Airbnb says it is pulling listings in Quebec that don’t have a permit from the provincial government, after a fatal fire earlier this month destroyed a historic Old Montreal building that housed illegal rentals.

TIAC WELCOMES BIDEN BOOST: Hopes meeting with PM strengthens bilateral tourism

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) welcomed last week’s US presidential visit and expressed hopes that the meeting between Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would further bilateral relations between Canada and the US, particularly in strengthening both leisure and business tourism.

HOW MUCH WATER DOES TOURISM USE?

With water an increasingly precious commodity and three-quarters of the planet’s population “water insecure,” according to the United Nations, the World Travel & Tourism Council has unveiled ground-breaking new data detailing the total water usage of the global Travel & Tourism sector.

‘SO DEEPLY REGRETTABLE’: Regina still roiling over slogan debacle

Calling the situation “so deeply regrettable,” Regina mayor Sandra Masters says a decision has not been made on whether the city’s tourism agency will keep its name after a controversial rebranding rollout that seemed to make light of the Saskatchewan capital’s name rhyming with vagina.

‘A STEADFAST AMBASSADOR’: Donnie Dawson retiring from JTB

With his golf game “calling,” well-known Jamaica Tourist Board executive Donnie Dawson is joining the ranks of the retired effective March 31. The JTB’s Deputy Director of Tourism is leaving with the organization’s “warmest wishes and deepest gratitude” after serving at the tourist board for over 40 years.

ROUND-UP: March 20-24, 2023

Good news for both those needing passport and NEXUS cards was delivered last week; the heat is on Heathrow as it prepares for a strike leading up to Easter, and the world’s top airport was revealed by Skytrax.

FRANCE REELING: Protests cause travel chaos

Labour strikes upended travel in France on Thursday as French trade unions held their first mass demonstrations since President Emmanuel Macron inflamed public anger by forcing a higher retirement age through parliament without a vote.

GERMAN STRIKE EXPECTED TO ‘PARALYZE’ TRAVEL MONDAY

Following the lead of French workers, German unions are calling on thousands of workers across the country’s transport system to stage a one-day strike on Monday (March 27) that is expected to bring widespread disruption to planes, trains and local transit.

HOW TO STAY SAFE IN AN AIRBNB

A deadly fire that swept through a building in Old Montreal last week where several apartments were being used as Airbnb units is raising safety concerns about short-term rental properties. There  are several steps guests can take to protect themselves:

LAGUARDIA RAIL DREAMS CRUSHED

Visitors to New York arriving at LaGuardia will have to continue using buses and car services for the foreseeable future after plans for a rail link from the airport to the city’s subway and commuter rail system were abandoned.

CRYSTAL OFFERS EXCEPTIONAL CREDITS FOR LOST BOOKINGS

The new Crystal has launched an Exceptional Initiative to guests who were financially impacted by the bankruptcy of Crystal Cruises’ former owners. Former Crystal guests who hold a verified claim in the Crystal Cruises LLC case will be able to apply for credits to use toward future Crystal voyages on board either Crystal Serenity or Crystal Symphony.

FOUR ‘FITCATION’ EXPERIENCES IN JAMAICA

With many travellers focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle while on holiday, wellness-focused getaways are now more popular than ever. With this in mind, the Jamaica Tourist Board advises that it has a number of high-energy athletic events throughout the year that are a perfect way for visitors to get a burn beyond the hotel gym.

STRANGE BUT TRUE: Tales of the weird and wacky

Pancakes, tofu and (oddly, more than one story about) mollusks all prompted wacky tales this week, as alas, human behaviour never ceases to amaze. Oh, and there’s at least one item we’re certain will make you laugh.

LISTENING IN: Liverpool tunes up for Eurovision 2023

It might only be the second biggest event in the UK this May (see King Charles lII, Coronation of), but the Eurovision Song Contest is a big deal in Britain (and elsewhere in Europe). And this year’s event, to be held in Liverpool May 8-13, has increased significance as the northern British city – known for its musical chops – has stepped in as a substitute for Ukraine, the originally scheduled host.

TWO NEW ONTARIO TO B.C. ROUTES FOR LYNX: Though the ‘through flights’ go through Calgary

Budget airline Lynx Air announced it is launching two new routes for the summer. The Calgary-based airline says it will offer seasonal summer flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Kelowna International Airport starting April 13, and between Hamilton’s John C. Munroe International Airport and Vancouver International Airport starting April 16.

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