Since Israel began bombarding Beirut’s southern suburbs as part of its offensive against the Hezbollah militant group, Lebanon’s national air carrier has become a local icon simply by continuing to do its job. Middle East Airlines (MEA) is the only commercial airline still operating out of the Beirut airport, located on the coast next to the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based.
Fully renovated and under new ownership, Antigua’s Hermitage Bay luxury resort is set to re-open on Nov. 1. The multi-million-dollar makeover offers 30 fully redesigned guest villa suites, an increased number of private pools, refreshed spa, and newly landscaped gardens.
The inaugural One Caribbean Canada + USA Virtual Trade Show will take place on Wed., Oct. 30, designed to provided travel advisors with the opportunity to learn about unique destinations, discover hidden gems, and explore special promotions available exclusively to travel advisors.
The Indian government plans a new law to punish those making hoax bomb threats against flights, which disrupt the schedules of airlines and cause massive inconvenience to thousands of passengers. In less than two weeks, more than 120 flights operated by Indian carriers have received bomb threats, including one that forced an Air India flight to land in Nunavut on Oct. 14 as a precaution.
Cuba’s capital was partially illuminated Monday night after a large-scale blackout generated a handful of protests and a stern government warning that any unrest would be punished. In eastern Cuba, Hurricane Oscar added to the misery as rescue work in the region continued.
WestJet says it ushering in a “new era” by returning to its roots through an updated business strategy that includes the launch of a comprehensive brand platform and fully integrated campaign, anchored by a new tagline ‘Where Your Story Takes Off.’
Air Transat has announced it has partnered with FLX Platform by Accelya to facilitate its New Distribution Capabilities (NDC). Powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), the platform enabled more than half of all global NDC transactions in 2023, according to data from T2RL and is now generating more than 350k personalized offers per second across its airline partners.
Reflecting the continued resurgence of travel after the pandemic, World Travel Market London – the world’s largest English language travel trade show – says this year’s edition will be the largest to date. Taking place Nov. 5-7 (with a new Tuesday start), the event is forecasting seven percent growth, prompting expansion into new halls at ExCeL London.
Passengers riding on Via Rail’s most heavily travelled corridor may endure a slower trip after Canadian National Railway Co. imposed restrictions on Via’s new recently arrived Siemens trainsets running between Montreal and Windsor, Ont. to lower their speed at public crossings.
Expedia Group has published its Unpack ’25 Report, which outlines eight trends set to define travel in 2025 and actionable steps for how travel businesses can capitalize on them. Based on data from Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo, the predictions of where people will go and what they’ll do there in the year to come includes Goods Getaways, JOMO Travel, One-click Trips, and a traditional value vacation type that’s getting a new look from Gen Z.
Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand are popular among Canadians in the summer, and certainly during Spring Break season in the late winter/early spring when warm weather and sandy beaches beckon families looking to escape the cold and snow at home. But city tourism officials maintain that Fall may be the best time of all to visit the South Carolina destination.
Flair Airlines continues to elicit the most complaints amongst passengers in the latest statistics from the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA). Flair topped the chart with an average of 17.9 complaints per 100 flights for the period April through June 2024. By contrast, the best – at the bottom of the chart – was Porter Airlines, with only 1.2 complaints per 100 flights.
There’s no place like Myrtle Beach for golf. From the South Carolina destination’s 90-plus courses to its world-renowned mini golf trail, and now the Tiger Wood PopStroke venture, it’s no wonder the city has been called ‘The Golf Capital of the World.’ Indeed, about three million rounds of golf a year are played there.
In this week’s Round-Up, we go on the road with The Travel Agent Next Door (TTAND) and check out the United Arab Emirates on an Exotic Journeys FAM trip. Meanwhile, the Affluent Traveler Collection is taking luxury to new levels.
It’s never to early to start planning for Can-Am Days, Myrtle Beach’s annual festival of friendship for its Canadian visitors. So, mark the calendar, the 64th annual event will take place March 8-16, 2025.
As Hurricane Oscar begins to roll across Cuba, many Cubans were still suffering Sunday without electricity, which had yet to be totally restored after days of blackout. Some neighbourhoods had electricity restored in Cuba’s capital, where 2 million people live, but most of Havana remained dark.
Customers who give their rental car companies the highest scores for trust are also most likely to reuse that brand for their next rental. However, according to the just-released J.D. Power 2024 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study, overly complicated vehicles, problems experienced during the rental car experience, and the inability to choose a specific vehicle can negatively affect trust, thereby damaging customer loyalty.
The Alberta and federal governments are putting a combined $5.5 million toward attracting tourists to the Rocky Mountain town of Jasper, Alta., after the July wildfire that destroyed one-third of the town, including multiple hotels and 800 housing units. Year-round tourism is Jasper’s main economic driver as close to 2.5 million people visited the surrounding national park last year alone.
Travel Leaders Network (TLN) wrapped its cross-country fall regional PEAK showcases last week boasting “biggest ever” numbers. Such was the turnout in Toronto – 160 members plus 72 supplier partners – that the TLN was forced to relocate to a larger venue near Pearson Airport than was required in previous years.
Sunwing Vacations’ Partner of the Month for October, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, is offering perks and ways for clients to save, plus benefits for advisors who book their getaways at select properties in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.
Goway has appointed travel industry veteran Sean Hebert as its new Vice President, The Americas with a mission to spearhead the company’s transformation of its North American and Latin American product lines.
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.
When a hurricane sets its sights on Florida, storm-weary residents may think of catastrophic wind, hammering rain and dangerous storm surge. Mounds of sand swallowing their homes? Not so much. Yet, that’s the reality for some after Hurricanes Helene and Milton clobbered Florida’s Gulf Coast with back-to-back hits in less than two weeks.
Universal Orlando Resort announced it will open its fourth theme park – Universal Epic Universe – on May 22, 2025. The park will feature themed areas based on Harry Potter, Super Nintendo and “How to Train Your Dragon,” as well as monster movie brands, Universal officials said Thursday.
Travelling bird watchers take note: New Zealand’s elusive hoiho – believed to be the world’s smallest penguin – is New Zealand’s bird of the year, having won the country’s recent fiercely fought avian election and offering hope to supporters of the endangered bird that recognition from its victory might prompt a revival of the species.
Guerlain Spa Toronto, situated within Hotel X Toronto, was named Canada’s Best Hotel Spa 2024 at the World Spa Awards. In its 10th year, the international awards program celebrates the very best in the global spa industry.
Starting Dec. 1, Canadian citizens will again be able to obtain their Egyptian visa upon arrival in the country, or electronically, reversing a controversial pre-entry requirement implemented by the Middle Eastern country last October that forced applicants to obtain their documents via mail from Egyptian consulates in Ottawa or Montreal.
Travellers are becoming increasingly concerned about the evolving risks in international travel, according to a survey of frequent travellers conducted by travel risk experts Global Rescue. Based on the survey of its members, the company says nearly a third (30%) of respondents revealed that geopolitical instability is their most significant perceived travel risk.
The Grenada Tourism Authority reports that new direct service by WestJet from Toronto to Grenada will start Dec. 15 and operate weekly until April 27, 2025. Flights to ‘the Spice Island’ are now open for booking.
When in Africa, you’ll often hear passing reference to Zimbabwe’s outstanding hospitality, and there’s nowhere better to appreciate it than at the iconic World Heritage Site of Victoria Falls. Everyone smiles warmly and greets you like an old friend – they’re all genuinely delightful. And how could they not be, living at a World Heritage site?