Snow fell on Hawaii’s tallest peak this week, briefly turning the mountaintop into a winter wonderland. The summit area of Mauna Kea on the Big Island got five centimetres of white powder. Hawaii is better known for its warm weather, beaches and rainforests. But it’s not unusual for snow to fall at the higher elevations on Mauna Kea during the wetter, winter months.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the results of its 2024 Global Passenger Survey, revealing that travellers continue to prioritize convenience and speed. For a smoother travel experience, they are eager to use biometric identification and complete some travel processes before reaching the airport.
Federal regulators south of the border have given a strong push to electric-powered air taxis by issuing a final rule for operating the aircraft and how pilots will be trained to fly them. The head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Mike Whitaker, said the rule recognizes air taxis as an entirely new type of aircraft that will soon join airplanes and helicopters in the sky.
Tourism Ireland brought the spirit of Halloween’s origins to life with an adventurous group of industry professionals this week at Toronto’s Casa Loma’s ‘Legends of Horror.’ The gathering paid tribute to the 2,000-year-old Celtic festival of Samhain – the inspiration for modern-day Halloween – and a nod to the 30,000-plus (yes, you read that right!) castles and castle ruins across Ireland, which range from ancient strongholds and visitor attractions to luxury accommodations.
Air Canada is resuming daily service from Canada to Beijing and will be increasing its Shanghai flights to daily. Both routes will operate from the airline’s Vancouver (YVR) hub, starting Jan. 15 and Dec. 7 respectively. The airline currently offers flights four days a week from Vancouver to Shanghai.
The St. Kitts Tourism Authority recently hosted the fifth instalment of its culinary event, “Savour St. Kitts”, designed to help travel advisors learn more about the destination’s diverse culinary experiences. The interactive event, held this year at Capra’s Kitchen in Port Credit, Ont., was at maximum capacity as agents crowded in to have their chance to cook Kittitian inspired dishes, side-by-side with celebrity chef, Massimo Capra.
With interest in the US presidency currently at fever pitch, a new attraction in Washington DC has opened, offering the next best thing to being in the Oval Office: an identical replica of President Joe Biden ‘s office, right down to his desk, the armchairs in front of the fireplace and the weathered family Bible resting on a side table.
Canada has announced an expanded its air transport agreement with Australia that will allow an unlimited number of direct passenger and cargo flights and enhances operational flexibility for each country’s airlines. It also includes access to any point in the other country’s territory.
Tourism officials on Florida’s Gulf Coast say one of the ways concerned people can help the area recover from recent hurricanes Helene and Milton is to visit as tourists. The tourism promotion agency for the St. Petersburg-Clearwater area said in a news release that 80% of hotels and businesses in the area are open for business, even as clean-up and recovery continues.
Goway held the latest edition of its long-standing annual Africa & Middle East event Monday at the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto with approximately 125 travel advisors in attendance for a day of learning and networking, plus trade show featuring over two dozen supplier partners – “from Saudi Arabia to South Africa” – on hand as well.
In this week’s round-up, we recap Uniglobe Canada’s annual conference, Trevello is going public, Encore Cruises is set to sail with travel advisors at its annual SeaU event, while the Affluent Traveler Collection recognized a host of winners at its recent symposium in Florida.
The US government has fined American Airlines $50 million for failing to provide wheelchair assistance to passengers with disabilities and damaging thousands of wheelchairs over a five-year period. The Transportation Department said that “in some cases,” wheelchair users were injured, but it did not give a number.
A popular selfie spot for visitors to Banff National Park has become a victim of its own success. The two-metre-high, $350,000 “Banff” sign was installed in 2017 on Mount Norquay Avenue, one of two entrances into the Alberta mountain park’s idyllic townsite. But the narrow two-lane road, which runs from the Mount Norquay Ski Resort seven kilometres away, is fraught with traffic jams, even between the peak tourist seasons of winter and summer.
Ontario’s government wants to transform the Niagara region into a “Las Vegas of the North.” The grand plan, which promises to “put Niagara region on the map,” encompasses more casinos, hotels, an amusement park, cruise ships, and even an international airport.
MSC Cruises will launch Alaska itineraries for the first time, with seven-night sailings available from May to September 2026 aboard MSC Poesia out of the cruise line’s new Seattle home-port – its fifth in the US. The summer season will also feature two itineraries transiting Panama Canal between Seattle and Miami.
American Airlines is testing a new technology at three airports across the US during the boarding process that aims to cut down on passengers who try to cut the line. The technology, which is being tested in Albuquerque, Tucson, and Washington (Reagan) alerts gate agents with an audible sound if a passenger tries to scan a ticket ahead of their assigned group.
Over 1,000 travel advisors, industry partners, dignitaries, government officials, and resort executives gathered in Jamaica earlier this month to explore the island’s tourism offering through the lens of the Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts brands. The one-day ‘Jamaica Love Showcase,’ showcased valuable insights and emerging trends showcasing the future of travel to Jamaica and the Caribbean at large.
Nassau’s Baha Mar has revealed plans to add a 4th luxury resort as the next phase of its continued development. The new resort and residences will join existing Grand Hyatt, Rosewood and SLS brands, as well as the Baha Bay Waterpark in the mega resort multiplex, when complete in 2029.
Tourists are once again climbing the steps of Manhattan’s beehive-shaped Vessel sculpture after it reopened in mid October for the first time in three years, now with netting aimed at decreasing the risk of suicides like the ones that forced its closure.
With Halloween season in full swing theme parks like Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort are revelling in the spooky occasion, the latter going so far as to dub its annual fearful festivities “Halloween Horror Nights.” But the advent of “scream tourism” is no longer specific to Oct. 31.
The US government says it is launching a broad investigation into the state of competition in air travel, including the effect of mergers and joint ventures between airlines – a move US Travel counters is little more than “disappointing political stunt.”
Venice will extend its day-tripper tax through next year, increasing the number of days on which tourists have to pay to enter the city and doubling the fee to 10 euros ($10.80) for last-minute visitors, city officials said last week. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro stressed that the tax aims to help the city and its citizens battle overtourism and avoid huge influxes of visitors during crowded holidays and weekends.
The 34th edition of the Montréal International Tourism and Travel Show (SITV) returns Nov. 1-3 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal and industry professionals are being offered free accreditation granting full access to three days of activities, exhibitors, and networking opportunities when presenting a business card.
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.
The Cuba Tourist Board says it is happy to report that it’s business as usual in the country’s tourist areas as the electricity has been restored to 100% of the hotels. The message was confirmed by Sunwing, which stated that its in-destination and hotel partners confirmed that that power has been restored throughout the island as of the evening of Oct. 22.
Porter Airlines is operating its largest-ever winter schedule, with the carrier claiming its 180 daily flights across 34 destinations make it the second largest carrier in Toronto, operating out both Toronto Pearson International Airport and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Emotional farewells are a common sight at airports, but travellers leaving the New Zealand city of Dunedin will have to be quick. A new three-minute time limit on goodbye hugs in the airport’s drop-off area is intended to prevent lingering cuddles from causing traffic jams.
The start of “snowbird” season in Florida is only weeks away, but many Florida Gulf Coast beaches, regularly voted some of the best in the United States, are closed to the public because of the devastation from Hurricane Milton two weeks ago.
John Lovell will take the helm at Travel Leaders Network, assuming the role of president on Jan. 1, 2025 – in addition to his current duties at parent company Internova Travel Group. Travel Leaders Network is one of the largest sellers of luxury travel, cruises and tours in the industry, representing approximately 5,700 travel agency locations across the US and Canada.
The Jamaica Tourist Board recently held a gala reception recognizing close to 60 partners from across the country representing the trade, media/influencers and the Jamaican diaspora. Held at the tony Hazleton hotel in Toronto, Canadian regional director for the JTB Angella Bennett said the event was meant to celebrate the success of Brand Jamaica and thank those who contributed to it.