One Georgia city will welcome 2025 with a larger-than-average bang. The Macon-Bibb County Commission will implode a vacant 16-story hotel that once housed Elvis at midnight on New Year’s Eve. The County spent $4.5 million last year to buy the hotel in a federal bankruptcy proceeding and then agreed to hire a demolition firm to blow up the building at a cost of up to $2.6 million.
News nuggets, airlines, hotels/resorts, cruising, tours, events, FAMS/incentives, deals, destinations and more are covered in our weekly round-up of travel industry news you may have missed.
Here’s wishing all our readers and industry friends and partners a happy holiday season – and some well-deserved rest after another typically tumultuous (but rewarding) year. We’ll still be packing up our boxes on Friday, but will return Monday, Dec. 30. Until then (and even afterwards), all the best to you and yours!
Earlier this month, the Air Canada Foundation was the presenting partner of Welcome Hall Mission’s event, Noël pour tous. Under the theme “Travel to Santa’s Kingdom presented by the Air Canada Foundation,” 2,000 underprivileged children navigated a travel-themed maze, boarding pass in hand, to find Santa Claus’ chalet and receive a Christmas gift.
Every Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, celebrations of Bahamian culture and history take place throughout the destination. Junkanoo, the national cultural festival and parade represents the rich heritage of the African diaspora and is a colourful tradition that speaks to the strength and resilience of the Bahamian people.
As Rome begins a historic Holy Year today – kick-starting dizzying 12-month calendar of events that is projected to attract 32 million pilgrims in 2025– the Eternal City is readying for an increase in congestion that even Dante couldn’t have imagined when he was already calling the Jubilee throng of pilgrims his “inferno” in the 1300s.
Antalya, Turkey, is known for its golden beaches and turquoise waters, but at this time of year, the destination takes on a different persona: the birthplace of Saint Nicholas, the real-life inspiration behind Santa Claus.
Whether it’s switching traditionally hot getaways for something a little cooler or booking the next trip thanks to the latest hit TV show or film, MSC Cruises is revealing five travel trends that are driving guest holiday decisions into 2025 and beyond.
Cold temperatures and long nights have arrived in Quebec, but La Belle Province always manages to heat up with a plethora of dazzling festivals and unique opportunities to entice travellers seeking quintessential Canadian experiences during the winter.
Here’s a recipe as essential to Christmas in Britain as turkey, tinsel and mince pies. Mix a fairy-tale plot with topical references, slapstick, song, dance and double entendres. Drench in sequins and spangles, mix vigorously, add some noisy audience participation, and you have a panto.
News nuggets, airlines, hotels/resorts, cruising, tours, events, FAMS/incentives, deals, destinations and more are covered in our weekly round-up of travel industry news you may have missed.
2024 was the “year of the great recharge,” where sleep retreats made headlines; and mindful drinking rose in popularity while wellness-themed guest rooms took off. So, what’s in store for 2025? Based on a recent survey of over 13,000 global travellers and its own internal experts, Hilton has some ideas, including go getaways, the rise of frolleagues and me-mooners, and even the head-scratching ‘hurkle‑durkling.’
Whether having to scale back vacation spending or deciding to forgo a trip to the US, many travellers are contending with a weak loonie as the Canadian dollar’s value continues to decline. The currency has been hovering around 70-cents US in recent weeks, a slide that has seen its value depreciate to near five-year lows.
The best international airport is Singapore Changi Airport, followed by Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport, Dubai International Airport, and Doha Hamad International Airport, according to the travellers responding to the Global Rescue Fall 2024 Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey.
A new modern art museum designed by American architect Thomas Phifer is now open in Warsaw. The minimalist light-filled structure in the Polish capital is meant to be a symbol of openness and tolerance as the city tries to free itself from its communist legacy.
Higher costs and a levelling out of “revenge travel” are leading to a softening of travel intentions amongst Canadians’ travel intentions for 2025, according to new data from Allianz Global Assistance Canada. Based on its 8th annual Vacation Confidence Index Study (conducted by Ipsos), the insurance provider says only 35% of Canadians are expressing confidence that they will take a winter vacation, a 12-point drop from last year.
Air Transat will fly to Berlin in 2025 with the non-stop route taking flight from Toronto on June 10 and operating Thursdays and Sundays on a seasonal basis through Oct. 24. The service will be the airline’s 36th non-stop routes between Canada and Europe or North Africa next year.
Princess Hotels & Hotels celebrated its official opening last weekend in Jamaica, marking the Spanish company’s first property in the country and the biggest hotel on the island in the past 15 years. Not by coincidence, the Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) annual One Love Affair top travel advisor weekend – which included 15 Canadians (and Travel Industry Today) – aligned with the long-anticipated opening, which culminated with a spectacular fireworks display.
Seven foreign tourists who were hospitalized in Fiji after drinking cocktails at a resort bar were not poisoned by alcohol or illicit drugs, officials said Wednesday following a toxicology report. But the incident has “rocked” tourism in the South Pacific destination, says the country’s prime minister, who questioned whether the reports were perpetrated by competitors for tourists.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission will soon require hotels, vacation rental platforms and live event promoters to disclose any fees up front when they list prices. The FTC said consumers often see advertised prices for hotel rooms, short-term rentals, and tickets to sporting events and concerts only to be surprised later by so-called “junk fees,” including resort fees, cleaning fees, processing fees and other extra charges.
The Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) in has launched new tourism program designed help Canadian travel agencies working with Taiwanese tourism companies expand their group business to the Asian nation. The Accelerated and Expanded Inbound Tourism Promotion Program offers attractive subsidies to support group travel packages to Taiwan for non-Taiwanese tourists.
Enquiring minds want to know: How many travel advisors are there in Canada? Historical estimates have typically ranged from thousands (too low, of course) to about 30,000. Some unscrupulous marketers have fantastically claimed up to 75,000. Then there was that thing known as the pandemic, which threw whatever we thought we knew out with the facemasks.
The B.C. Supreme Court has certified a class-action lawsuit against Airbnb that alleges the short-term rental company has breached provincial consumer protection laws by offering unlicensed real estate brokerage and travel agent services.
Following yesterday’s overview of Porto and the Douro Valley, Travel Industry Today continues its journey through Portugal’s north, which will be serviced by new Air Canada flights to Porto out of Montreal beginning next June. Here’s a quick guide on where to go, what to do, and where to stay in the captivating region.
Antigua and Barbuda hosted its inaugural agent achievement gala in the islands; Ensemble is planning to sing the praises of top performers in 2025; and Travel Leaders Network has new Canadian members on its advisory board.
Shuffling across icy ground on a cold December afternoon, lots of tourist groups poured into Santa Claus Village, a winter-themed amusement park perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle.
Universal Orlando Resort has provided a preview of its new 500-room resort, the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, to be located at the Universal Epic Universe theme park, which will open on May 22, 2025. Managed by Loews, the property will have its own dedicated entrance to the park and brings UOR’s portfolio to a total of 11 hotels and 11,000 guest rooms.
The federal government needs to reform this country’s aviation system if it wants travel to become more affordable, according to the under-pressure CEOs of Air Canada and WestJet, who appeared before a parliamentary committee over their recent decisions to introduce carry-on bag fees for travellers.
“Architect of dreams, therapist, curator and creator…” – all of them rolled into one: travel advisor. And 50 of Jamaica’s best global agents were honoured by the island’s tourist board for being just so over the weekend at the brand-new Princess Grand resort during the Jamaica Tourist Board’s annual One Love Affair celebration and gala.
While many Canadians are familiar with Portugal’s Lisbon and Algarve regions, an amazing abundance of lesser-known tourism opportunities are about to open up in the country thanks to new upcoming Air Canada service from Montreal to Porto, starting in June and running through September.