Perched on two fingers on the roof of the city art gallery in Wellington, New Zealand, the giant hand with an unsmiling human face has loomed over the city for five years. Some found “Quasi” disturbing, and now, after five years of provoking controversy and myriad emotions – from horror and revulsion to delight – among residents, the sculpture has been removed taken to a new home.
The city of Florence took new measures Tuesday to crack down on overtourism, just as the Italian government hosts the Group of Seven tourism ministers in the Renaissance city and seeks to significantly boost the country’s place as a top visitor destination.
The US Federal Aviation Administration announced Tuesday that it will prohibit US airlines from flying to Haiti for 30 days after gangs shot a Spirit Airlines flight and the United Nations said it will suspend flights, “obviously limiting the flow of humanitarian aid and humanitarian personnel into the country.”
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and its partners report that they have successfully demonstrated that the industry is ready to deliver a fully digital air travel experience. This was achieved in a recent proof-of-concept (PoC) involving two passengers using different digital wallets and travel credentials on a round-trip between Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Air Canada Vacations latest travel collection features New Zealand, with a collection designed to show off the South Pacific destination’s “stunning landscapes, Māori culture, natural wonders and vibrant cities.” The program of seasonal tours corresponds Air Canada flights from Vancouver to Auckland operating four times per week from November to January, and five times per week from January to March.
MSC Cruises has announced enhancements to its MSC Voyagers Club loyalty program, highlighted by a refreshed tier scheme and easier-to-access discounted and extended validity. Also from MSC, EXPLORA JOURNEYS has unveiled exclusive access for guests to Monaco’s Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2025.
The news rippled through Treasure Island, Fla., almost like a third storm: The mayor planned to move off the barrier island a month after Hurricane Helene flooded tens of thousands of homes along the Gulf Coast and two weeks after Hurricane Milton also ravaged the state.
WestJet says rising government-imposed fees are what’s keeping air travel “out of reach” for many Canadians. Along with third-party fees, the add-ons are “higher in Canada than in other countries (and) represent the most significant barrier to competitive growth and affordable air travel,” the company states in a statement on its website.
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 shook eastern Cuba on Sunday, after weeks of hurricanes and blackouts that have left many on the island reeling. The epicentre of the quake was located about 40 km south of Bartolome Maso, Cuba, about 100 km from Holguin, according to a report by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The World Travel Market Ministers Summit, in collaboration with UN Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), returned last week to focus on the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence for the sector. Taking to the floor in London were Ministers representing more than 20 countries and providing the voice of the private sector, leaders from Expedia, HBX Group, JTB Corp and SITA, highlighted the importance of enterprise and public-private partnerships.
Change Makers, G Adventures reward program, is offering 15 Canadian travel agents the chance to earn spots at next year’s GX Summit, taking place in September in Jordan, The incentive will bring together a group of 75 winners from around the world to celebrate community tourism and see firsthand how their work directly impacts local communities in the places they send their travellers to.
In this week’s round-up, ACTA wants to know what members think of NDC; TTAND travel advisors were river cruising with ACTA and Avalon Waterways; Direct Travel held its annual conference in Chicago; and TTC Tour Brands inaugurated its first advisors conference.
Crystal has finalized its order with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for construction of a third ocean ship. The announcement comes two years after A&K Travel Group acquired Crystal in 2022, marking a new chapter for the cruise line.
World Travel Market attendees seemed to take the US election results in stride last week – beyond at least one avowed Democratic who was considering seeking asylum in the UK – instead focussing on the business of travel at a time it was being reported that international tourism arrivals are expected to hit 1.5 billion this year, surpassing 2019 values (the global benchmark for record tourism numbers).
Air Canada is extending its intermodal strategy across Europe to include Italy, Spain, Britain as well as to Asia, with its first operator in South Korea. Clients purchasing flights on Air Canada can now easily book onward land rail and bus connections to destinations across these countries to create a seamless travel itinerary.
Italy’s former national carrier Alitalia has started procedures for the collective dismissal of its remaining 2,059 employees, its administrators told unions. The move comes as the successor to bankrupt Alitalia, ITA Airways faces hurdles in its merger plans with German Lufthansa.
Prestigious Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) has announced the winners of its first Verified Air Travel Awards. The 2024 luxury awards spotlight the best experiences in air travel, including airlines, airports and private jet services and highlight a range of 22 winners across multiple travel categories. They include five-time winner Emirates and four-time winner Delta Air Lines.
Ever been to Kalso, Kinsale or Kilwa Kivinje? How about Hermanus or the Abrolhos Archipelago? Neither has any cruise line before Swan Hellenic added them to their coming itineraries. The storied brand has been reborn with new owners and a fleet of new eco-friendly expedition ships.
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.
Cuba was left reeling Thursday after a fierce Category 3 hurricane ripped across the island and knocked out the country’s power grid. The magnitude of the impact remained unclear through the early hours of the day, but forecasters warned that Hurricane Rafael could bring “life-threatening” storm surges, winds and flash floods to Cuba after ravaging parts of the Cayman Islands and Jamaica.
Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki unleashed towering columns of ash into the air on Thursday, in an even larger eruption than the one that killed nine people and injured dozens of others three days ago. There were no reports of casualties from the latest eruption as residents living in the danger zone spanning a radius of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from the crater had been evacuated to other villages.
Effective January 1, 2025, members of Skål Toronto and Skål Toronto North will consolidate into a single Skål Toronto Club, reuniting both clubs after over two decades of independent journeys. This decision reflects the commitment and unified vision of members from both clubs, marking a step forward in revitalizing Skål within the Greater Toronto Area.
From koalas to kangaroos, Australia’s unusual wildlife has long-captivated North American travellers. To find out which animals people want to encounter most, experts at UK-based tour operator Audley Travel analyzed Google Search data, revealing quokkas as top of the list, with wombats and platypuses rounding out the top three.
It’s been a year since ‘Pilsner Urquell: The Original Beer Experience’ was untapped in Prague and already the interactive attraction, located in a historic building on the city’s landmark Wenceslas Square, rates in the top five for tourists in the Czechia capital.
US Google searches for “how to move to Canada” skyrocketed as the votes were counted and Trump’s victory became apparent. “Work visa Canada” searches in the US have also surged as votes were revealed. Searches for “if Trump wins can I move to Canada” peaked for the first time in three months. And, “Canada work visa” searches are projected to skyrocket by 566% following Trump’s victory.
Royal Caribbean Group has confirmed it is buying the Port of Costa Maya in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The deal is reported to be worth nearly US $300 million and includes adjacent land at Mahahual. The cruise company plans major upgrades at the port and surrounding infrastructure.
In Wrexham, the ‘Rob and Ryan effect’ goes beyond the soccer club the Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought and revived, as tourism and investments grow in the small Welsh city, which has rapidly become one of Britain’s most unlikely tourist hot spots.
Due to the unique multi-leg nature of travelling by cruise ship, combined with potential medical issues abroad, the importance of cruise travel insurance cannot be overstated, says travel insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip.ca.
The world’s second Sphere will be built in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates following the opening of the first in Las Vegas. The attraction will be located in a prime spot in the city and echo the scale of the Sphere in the US and is expected to be a major year-round draw for both residents and visitors from around the world.
With the popular “Yellowstone” series set to return this fall, America’s majestic wild west will again be in the spotlight, inspiring many to seek not only the great outdoors, but an authentic western experience. And where better to do so than a dude ranch?