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FIRE AND ICE: Wild weather puts southern U.S. to the test

Residents and travellers continued to be subjected to diverse and devastating climate challenges in the US over the weekend as wildfires raged in California and a winter storm and poler vortex enveloped the South. By far, the worse of the two weather bombs afflicted Los Angeles, where strong winds are threatening to pick up again this week to exacerbate what Gov. Gavin Newsom said could end up being the worst natural disaster in US history.

QUEEN ANNE EMBARKS ON HISTORIC MAIDEN VOYAGE

Cunard’s newest luxury ship, the Queen Anne, embarked on her historic 107-night maiden world voyage from Southampton, UK, Jan. 9, marking a new chapter in the cruise line’s distinguished history. Spectators gathered across the city to witness the ship’s 9 p.m. departure, which was celebrated with a dazzling fireworks display.

G ADVENTURES’ G-NORMOUS OFFERS OODLES OF INCENTIVES

G Adventures has launched its popular annual ‘G-Normous’ agent incentive, a four-month competition that offers travel advisors up $40k in prizes, including a $10,000 “G dollar’ grand prize that can be put towards any trip with the company. Also in January, the G Adventures ‘Great Adventure Sale’ offers up to 25% off the price of over 500 trips for clients (for travel through Dec 15).

TORONTO PEARSON FLYING HIGH: Airport takes stock of record growth

Toronto Pearson set a milestone achievement in 2024, welcoming eight new airlines. That’s more, the airport says, than any other large airport in North America, and brings the facility’s roster of airline tenants to 54, serving 180 destinations worldwide. 

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AT PEAK POPULARITY

The US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism reports that the destination, which includes of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, achieved record-breaking passenger arrival numbers in 2024, closing out the year on a high on Dec. 28, on which 4,606 passengers arrived, surpassing the single-day arrival record set earlier in March, 2024.

ROUND-UP: Jan. 6-10, 2025

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.

THE TROUBLE WITH STOWAWAYS: Incidents raise fears about aviation security

What is going on with aviation security? People have been found dead hiding in the wheel wells of planes twice in the past month. Two stowaways were arrested on different flights in November and December. Then a passenger opened an emergency door while a plane was taxiing in Boston Tuesday night.

TRAVEL SURGE LEADS TO GROWING PAINS

In 2024, travellers embarked on their long-postponed dreams of global travel, fueled by a stabilizing economy and a renewed focus on meaningful experiences over material possessions. However, this surge in travel brings its own set of challenges, notably an uptick in overtourism, overpacking, and the ongoing need for thoughtful planning by travellers and destination hosts.

WHAT’S NEW WITH ACV EUROPE TRAVEL AGENT TOOLKIT

Air Canada Vacations has released is 2025 Europe Travel Agent Toolkit, designed as a comprehensive resource for travel professionals featuring tools and necessary support to help inspire clients and facilitate bookings to the continent. This year – ACV’s 50th – there are several new features and clients can choose from over 240 curated tour packages, offering guided, self-guided, or partially guided experiences.

DUMB IS AS DUMB DOES: Lesson learned the hard way

A traveller was blocked from entering Poland because her passport was defaced with handwritten notes, border officials in the country said, prompting a simple warning: don’t write in your passport!

LOS ANGELES IN FLAMES

Multiple massive wildfires tore across the Los Angeles area with devastating force Wednesday, destroying more than 1,000 structures and killing at least two people as desperate residents escaped through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke.

KENSINGTON’S KEYS TO 2025

Luxury travel specialist Kensington has released a comprehensive forecast of the travel destinations and experiences it says will help travel professionals stay ahead of significant shifts in traveller behaviour that are currently taking place – changes that range from the allure of lesser-known destinations to a deepening preference for more personalized and exclusive travel experiences.

TREVELLO TAKES FIRST STEP INTO U.S.

Trevello World Holdings Inc., parent company of Trevello Canada, has acquired Gifted Travel Network (GTN), a US-based host agency specializing in the luxury travel sector. The move marks the first step in Trevello’s strategic plan to expand beyond Canada and establish a foothold in the US market.

LOS CABOS TEES UP NEW EXPERIENCES

With an increase in flights this fall/winter season, including a direct Air Canada flight from Montreal that started in December, Los Cabos is anticipating an increase in Canadian visitors to the already popular sun destination on Mexico’s Pacific coast.

FRANCE ROAD SHOW RETURNS IN FEBRUARY

Atout France Canada’s annual Destination France travel trade road show is set to return in February, with stops in Montreal (Feb. 17), Toronto, (Feb. 18), Vancouver (Feb. 19) and Calgary (Feb. 20). The events will feature 20 exhibitors taking part pre-scheduled appointments, followed by a cocktail reception, dinner, presentation and activities.

NEW YORK IMPLEMENTS CONGESTION FEE

New York’s much-debated plan to charge drivers to enter the centre of Manhattan is now in effect, following years of bureaucratic and legal roadblocks. The goals of what is known as “congestion pricing” are designed to reduce gridlock and pollution and raise revenue for public transit.

WHAT DOES CHAT GPT SAY ABOUT TRAVEL ADVISORS?

It’s not news that artificial intelligence is all the rage and that the travel industry – including many travel agents – have begun embracing the new technology for a range of tasks, from business planning and promotion to curating ideal itineraries for clients. So, what, we wondered, does AI actually think of travel advisors?

SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT: Bitter cold, snow wreak havoc in US south

The plunging polar vortex brought subfreezing temperatures Tuesday to some of the southernmost points of the US, threatening to dump snow on parts of Texas and Oklahoma in the coming days and contributing to a power outage in Virginia’s capital that made the water unsafe to drink. Floridians were warned to watch for falling lizards (from trees due to the cold);

PORTUGAL’S AMAZING AZORES, FROM A TO Z

An undiscovered gem in the mid-Atlantic that boasts European culture and style, lush landscape with plentiful outdoor activity options, great food and wine, year-round moderate climate, and direct air service from Canada (with free stopovers!) – what’s not to love about Portugal’s amazing Azores islands?

AIR CANADA SET FOR NEW JFK TERMINAL

Air Canada will operate from John F. Kennedy International Airport’s new world-class Terminal 6 (T6) when it opens to passengers in New York in 2026, joining fellow Star Alliance partners Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and ANA as future T6 airlines.

STEPHEN GOULDING JOINS VIRGIN ATLANTIC

Stephen Goulding has joined Virgin Atlantic as Country Manager for Canada. The Canadian airline industry veteran, who has held leaderships roles with WestJet, began the role this week, and takes the position ahead of Virgin’s launch of service from Toronto to London on March 30.

JOY AS FIRST FLIGHTS RETURN TO SYRIA

The first international commercial flight since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad landed Tuesday at the Damascus airport. The Qatar Airways flight landed at Damascus International Airport, greeted by the passengers’ relatives and friends inside a terminal building.

YOU NEED TO KNOW: Canadians face changes to UK and European Travel Authorizations

Starting this week, Canadians will face new entry requirements to enter the United Kingdom, to be followed later in the year in Europe. The electronic travel authorization (ETA) process takes effect Wednesday (Jan. 8) in Britain and is expected to follow by mid-2025 in Schengen zone countries. Notably, the ETAs must be completed (at least the first time) before arrival in the destinations.

TRANSAT PILOTS TALK TOUGH ON NEW CONTRACT

Air Transat pilots have filed notice to beginning bargaining with the company over a new contract with the warning, “We want management to know we are ready to fight for a contract that addresses the concerns of our pilots and brings stability to our airline.”

RETAIL ROUND-UP: Ensemble, Trevello, TRAVELSAVERS, Direct Travel, Onvigo, TTAND

TRAVELSAVERS Canada advisors are feeling optimistic about the upcoming year; Ensemble expands its Range with a new content-rich digital platform; top Trevello advisors cruised in style in South America with Swan Hellenic; Direct Travel got festive across the country; Onvigo recognized its first-year top achievers; and TTAND agents were honoured in Antigua.

5 FOR ‘25 ADVENTURE TRENDS

Intrepid Travel, with almost 1,000 small group adventures across all seven continents, has dropped its ‘Five for 2025 Travel Trend Predications’ for the year ahead. Trips led by women for just women, Gen Z solo adventures, and parents looking to connect with their kids in new ways were just a few that made the list. 

BYE-BYE BOARDING PASSES?

The chief executive of start-up Riyadh Air, which will take flight this summer, says that boarding passes – both paper and digital – will likely disappear withing five years, to be replaced by biometric scans for passengers.

ALL IS WELL IN ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has become the first Wellness Destination officially recognized by the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA), satisfying all nine of the WTA’s stringent criteria.

THE BEST AND WORST ON-TIME AIRLINES

Aeromexico had the world’s best record – 87% – for on-time arrivals in 2024, according to an annual ranking released late last week. Delta Air Lines scored the highest among North American carriers, while WestJet and Air Canada finished at the bottom of that regional pack with on-time ratings below 72%.

TRAVEL DISRUPTED AS WINTER WALLOPS US, EUROPE

A blast of snow, ice, wind and plunging temperatures stirred up dangerous travel conditions in parts of the central US on Sunday, as a disruptive winter storm brought the possibility of the “heaviest snowfall in a decade” to some areas. At the same time, the UK and Germany were walloped by heavy snow and freezing rain that similarly caused travel chaos as roads and airports closed.

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