ACTA called for help from the federal government to head off the potential Air Canada pilot strike; WestJet ordered three new planes; New Zealand tripled its tourism tax; and Sunwing revealed its annual ‘Best of the Best’ list. All this and more in last week’s round-up.
Did you, or someone you know, endure a 22-hour flight seated next to a Tasmanian devil? Did your luggage go on a separate vacation? Spend half the week in the hospital after a “dining adventure?” Leading travel insurance provider Travel Guard says it has heard almost every conceivable travel nightmare. But this fall, they’re hosting a contest and sweepstakes to identify the all-time worst.
The United States is the world’s most powerful Travel & Tourism market, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in its just-released 2024 Economic Impact Trends Report. The sector contributed a contributing a record-breaking $2.36 trillion to the nation’s economy last year.
Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin gave up life on land to become seaborne nomads on a years-long cruise. Months later, the couple has yet to spend a night at sea. Their ship, the Odyssey, is stuck in Belfast undergoing repair work that has postponed its scheduled May departure for a 3- 1/2-year round-the-world voyage.
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare, but a 4-year-old boy who accidentally broke a rare 3,500-year-old jar in an Israeli museum has been forgiven, and even invited back, as curators hope to turn the disaster into a teachable moment.
ACTA is urging the federal government to intervene and help find a resolution to Air Canada’s labour dispute with its pilots before it becomes “another significant challenge” to the Canadian travel industry and Canadian public. The pilots, who have voted overwhelmingly to strike if negotiations with the company fail to result in an agreement, are in a position to do so on Sept. 18.
TravelBrands has announced that, for the first time ever, its silent auction at its 9th Annual Charity Golf Classic – taking place today – will be open to all travel industry professionals, regardless of attendance at the event. The annual tournament is aiming to raise even more funds for the SickKids Foundation by expanding participation in the charity auction.
On Oct. 28 in Toronto, Goway’s Africa & Middle East Gathering 2024 will connect travel advisors with the tour operator’s destination specialists and over 25 travel partner suppliers from across Africa and the Middle East. The annual event is one of the largest and most comprehensive travel events focused on African and Middle Eastern nations in Canada; and new this year is a virtual option.
Virtuoso welcomed a new advisory board in Canada; Ensemble launched a new certification program, Flight Centre has a profitable fiscal year, and an amazing Edmonton travel agent celebrated 50 years in travel!
They’re versatile! Following a visit early this summer designed to highlight arts and culture (culminating in tickets to a performance of the Philadelphia Orchestra), delegates from the Philadelphia Visitors and Convention Bureau returned to Toronto Wednesday, this time (ball) cap in hand while hosting select members of the trade at a Phillies-Jays game at the Rogers Centre.
In a small auditorium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Christopher Columbus and other colonial-era figures came under scrutiny recently in a lengthy debate punctuated by snickers, applause and outbursts. The government had asked residents of the diverse, twin-island nation in the eastern Caribbean if they supported the removal of statues, signs and monuments with colonial ties and how those spaces should be used instead.
With the launch – relaunch, actually – of Virgin Atlantic from Canada next May, company executives Simon Hawkins and Kathryn Stanley were in Toronto recently to talk about “everything and anything” regarding the colourful British carrier and its imminent, and much anticipated, return to this country.
A tourist visiting Canada is questioning the safety of Via Rail after he says his phone was snatched from him by an employee when he was documenting a train delay that left passengers stranded as they ran out of food, water and working toilets.
Starting Oct. 1, New Zealand will raise its visitor fees, nearly tripling the levy to NZ$100 from NZ$35 (about $84 Canadian). The move is designed to support public services (including tourism sites and facilities) and conservation, says the government, but critics claim it will discourage visitors
Cathay Pacific says maintenance activity on its A350 fleet is “progressing well” after being forced to cancel dozens of flights this week after an engine issue forced a Zurich-bound flight to return to an airport in Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific, based in Hong Kong, has scratched nearly 70 flights since Monday, though none from Canada.
Sunwing Vacations’ 2024-25 ‘Best of the Best List’ is an expansive, curated collection of more than 250 top-rated resorts across 50-plus categories combining travel expert recommendations, star ratings, and customer feedback, that travel advisors and their clients can lean on to make their vacation dreams a reality this winter.
Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet, and Elizabeth Becker, author of ‘Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism’ have been announced as keynote speakers for the second GX World Community Tourism Summit in Jaipur, India, on Sept. 27. The gala event, hosted by G Adventures and its non-profit partner, Planeterra, will also feature ‘90s dance act C+C Music Factory.
The towels are fine, bed not too mussed, and there’s rarely a chance to score a pillow chocolate anymore, so why trouble the staff? But are guests who decline housekeeping service actually helping the hotel, or the environment, or – as those charged with providing the service contend – unknowingly costing them their jobs, or overburdening the ones who remain?
Twenty handpicked Canadian travel advisors were recently hosted on an exclusive FAM to Peru by Transat. The trip was inspired by the tour company’s “Magical Peru” itinerary and showcased Air Transat’s direct flight from Toronto.
The WestJet Group has announced that Angela Avery has decided to retire from her role as Group Executive Vice-President and Chief People, Corporate & Sustainability Officer. A comprehensive executive search for her replacement is underway. To ensure a seamless transition, Avery will continue in her current role until a replacement is named and will stay on in an advisory capacity until early next year.
Bookings will open Sept. 12 for Disney Destiny, the new “heroes and villains” themed Disney Cruise Line ship that will launch from Port Everglades, Florida (Fort Lauderdale) in November 2025. Sister ship to the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, the Destiny will sail four- and five-night cruises to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean, including visits to one or both of Disney Cruise Line’s island destinations, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Air Canada got out ahead of its possible pilot strike later this month with a “goodwill” rebooking policy, while Flair introduced $1 fares. Also last week, US carriers officially further delayed flights to Israel, Royal Caribbean ordered new ships, and Globus introduced a new travel style and additions to its Canadian team. Read on for these items, and more.
North American carriers saw a 5.3% year-on-year increase in demand in July and capacity increased 6.3% year-on-year, according to data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). At the same time, the load factor was 89.4 percent – virtually the same as last year and the highest among regions.
The Calgary Airport Authority says it will take at least a year and a half to fix part of its domestic terminal that was hammered by hail earlier this month. It says Concourse B will be closed while restoration work is done.
With wine season (Sept.-Oct.) set to be uncorked, Switzerland’s Grape Escapes program offers around 60 special accommodation options – from chic boutique hotels to simple Räbhüsli, and “birdboxes” to “bubble” stays – where everything is included. What they all have in common is a connection to wine and the vines.
A pack of four-legged therapists got a break of their own on Monday when they were honoured at the airport where they dutifully work to ease stress and calm travellers. The event at Philadelphia International Airport marked five years since the 23 members of the Wagging Tails Brigade began greeting people and serving as therapy dogs.
Flair Airlines says it is looking for partners to inject fresh capital into the discount carrier in order to “restructure” its finances and build out its fleet. Eric Tanner, VP of revenue management and network planning, said the company is hoping for partners to buy into the business as a way to deal with pandemic-era debt and allow the company to acquire jets beyond the 20 planes it now flies.
Travel is showing no signs of slowing for risk averse travellers who are motivated by the adoption of a YOLO (You Only Live Once) appreciation for life (43%) coupled with having more money and time (31%) available to dedicate to their travel plans, according to the Summer 2024 Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.
As Maui continues to rebuild after last year’s devastating wildfires, the island continues to welcome back visitors. While some parts of Lahaina have yet to reopen, several restaurants, businesses and activities, such as returning festivals, in Lahaina have resumed operations. And to encourage visitors, Hawaii Tourism has launched a new destination campaign with special discount offers for visitors.
Weather-related travel issues it seems are becoming more frequent. Even if a traveller’s destination isn’t impacted by a weather event, it can still cause a ripple-effect at airports across Canada. Travellers have rights under the Canadian Transportation Agency’s Air Passenger Protection regulations, including assistance and refunds for delays and cancellations – but importantly, this does not apply to situations outside the airline’s control, like weather.