News

THE SKY IS FALLING: Airfares steadily declining, says StatsCan

The price of a plane ticket fell more than 14 percent on average in January compared with a year earlier, according to new data from Statistics Canada. Airfares also dropped nearly 24 percent between December and January, the agency’s consumer price index report said, as holiday demand gave way to stay-at-home habits last month.

IS EGYPT SAFE? Our Goway FAM found out (and the answer is yes!)

The cruise ships dot the Nile like planes coming into an airport, though the procession belies the fact that they are operating at half capacity or less as Egyptian tourism continues to be rocked by the country’s perceived proximity to the war in Palestine – despite the fact that the distance from Gaza to Giza is close to 500 km., and through the Sinai desert no less.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN FULL STEAM AHEAD WITH NEW SHIP

With Icon of the Seas newly having just entered service and Utopia of the Seas set for summer sailing, Royal Caribbean Group says it is already dreaming up its next vessel, which is a now a step closer with the announcement of an agreement with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

JTB KICKS OFF QUARTERLY OPEN HOUSE SERIES

Travel advisors are invited to connect with JTB Canada team during virtual drop-in sessions as the tourist board launches a new virtual travel agent engagement series with the Jamaica Winter Open House, taking place today (Wednesday, Feb. 21) from 1 to 3 p.m. ET. Further sessions are planned throughout the year.

INDUSTRY VETERAN KAREN EVANS TO RETIRE

Discover the World has announced the retirement in March of Karen Evans after 30 years at the company. She will be succeeded in her role as National Sales Manager for SATA Azores Airlines by her colleague Andrea Thornton, who has worked alongside Evans for many years

WESTJET COMMITTED TO ‘DOING BETTER’ ON ACCESSIBILITY

WestJet chief executive Alexis von Hoensbroech has apologized for incidents where the airline failed to accommodate people living with disabilities, and says the airline is “committed to doing better.”

ROUND-UP: Feb. 12-16, 2024

Troubles in the Red Sea continue to play havoc with the cruise industry. Also last week, the New Year and Leap Year have intersected to create plenty of consumer deals; PEI is polishing up its hockey sticks; a Jamaican resort is celebrating the Bob Marley movie; TravelBrands welcomed a new BDM; and Tauck celebrated a newly re-organized executive team.

BETTER TOGETHER? Flair, Lynx merger speculation heats up

As rumours swirled Thursday, Flair and Lynx declined to comment on speculation of a merger, and various sources said the precise timing of any announcement was as yet unknown.   However, the Toronto Star, citing three industry sources,  reported that “Flair Airlines and competitor Lynx Air are in discussions about a merger, and a deal could be announced the same day.

DIGITAL DIGEST: Producing viral content – myth vs reality

Creating viral content is what every advertiser, marketer, and content producer dreams of, but it isn’t always straightforward. There are no set formulas or recipes for success, so it’s important to get the basics right.

WHERE CANADIANS ARE BOOKING FOR FAMILY DAY

With Family Day (Feb. 19), marking the first holiday of 2024, online travel family CheapOair.ca revealed some of the top local and international destinations being booked by Canadians. Some are certainly familiar, but others not so much.

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS?: PEI and NHL sign partnership deal

Canada’s smallest province is looking to boost its tourism profile through a deal with the National Hockey League. The agreement announced Tuesday designates Tourism Prince Edward Island as the “official travel destination partner of the NHL.’”

‘IT’S BLOWIN’ A STORM’: Another huge snowstorm descends on Atlantic Canada

A Valentine’s Day snowstorm closed school and caused travel delays across parts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. The nor’easter dumped up to 37 centimetres of snow on Nova Scotia by Wednesday morning before heading to Newfoundland, where the wind picked up and a swirling snowfall enveloped much of the province.

FORT MYERS REBOUNDS FROM HURRICANE IAN

During my recent visit to Lee County, Florida I couldn’t help but strum along to Jimmy Buffett’s 1977 hit song, “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.”  As I walked the streets and beaches of Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva islands, these lines in particular stood out:

CUNARD OFFERS SPECIAL BRITAIN SAILING ON QUEEN ANNE

Cunard has announced the first event voyage on Queen Anne with a special British Isles Festival to coincide with her maiden voyage around the British Isles, departing May 24. The 14-night roundtrip voyage is designed to showcase the very best of Britain’s shores, taking in Cunard’s spiritual home of Liverpool and along with Belfast, the Highland cliffs, and the scenic Scottish coast.

‘RENDEZVOUS WITH THE WORLD’: France to mark special D-Day milestone in June

The eyes of the world will be on Paris this summer when the City of Light hosts the Summer Olympics; but first France will show its gratitude toward World War II veterans who will return, many for the last time, to Normandy beaches this year for 80th anniversary commemorations of D-Day to mark the defeat of the Nazis.

EXPLORE ’24: 7 reasons to visit Denmark

With a rich cultural heritage and vibrant culinary scene, Denmark always has plenty on the go to entice visitors, not least a host of new events and experiences set to take place in 2024. From unique sightseeing and active adventures to only-in-Denmark culinary celebrations, here are seven mouthwatering reasons to visit this year.

CALL A CAB: Uber, Lyft and DoorDash plan mass strike today

Happy Valentine’s Day. Thousands of Uber, Lyft and DoorDash drivers are set to cause chaos on today in Toronto and other cities across Canada and the US, during a mass strike for higher wages. The Valentine’s Day strike is expected in Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg, as well as dozens of cities across the US. and Europe. The drivers, who are considered independent contractors, have accused the platforms of taking disproportionately high amounts as commissions.

VRBO FUMBLES: Newfoundland and Labrador rightly angered by SuperBowl tourism ad.

Newfoundland and Labrador has released a new advertisement that appears to respond to an ad by a vacation rental company that angered many in the province.  Vrbo ran an ad during the Super Bowl broadcast on Sunday showing disappointed travellers discovering that their vacation rental is overrun by squealing livestock, while the beloved folk song “I’se the B’y” plays in the background.

FIRST LOOK: Universal reveals new Orlando theme park

Universal Orlando Resort has revealed the first official look and details of its new theme park, Universal Epic Universe. Located a few miles from the current Universal footprint, the park is set to open in 2025, promising an “unmatched level of theme park innovation” that includes five immersive worlds featuring attractions, dining, shopping and more, all set in “breathtaking gardens.”

BOEING DELAYS COMPROMISE WESTJET’S PLANS:

WestJet faces indefinite delays on dozens of new aircraft deliveries after a panel blowout on a Boeing 737 Max plane last month prompted a halt to greater production at the US aircraft maker. The Calgary-based carrier bought 42 Boeing 737 Max 10 jetliners in 2022, with options for 22 more – on top of nearly two dozen earlier Max orders still in the pipeline.

CANADIAN OPENS PLANE DOOR CAUSING CHAOS: Over two thousand passengers effected by delays

Canada is providing consular assistance to a Canadian citizen who was taken into custody last week after Thai authorities say the person opened an emergency door on a Thai Airways plane and triggered the evacuation slide prior to takeoff. According to a statement issued by the Chiang Mai International Airport, the incident took place on the night of February 7.

THE CONTINUING MYSTERY AND SEARCH FOR AMELIA EARHART

A grainy sonar image recorded by a private pilot has reinvigorated interest in one of the past century’s most alluring mysteries: What happened to Amelia Earhart when her plane vanished during her flight around the world in 1937? Numerous expeditions have turned up nothing, only confirming that swaths of ocean floor held no trace of her twin-tailed monoplane. Tony Romeo now believes his new South Carolina-based sea exploration company captured an outline of the iconic American’s Lockheed 10-E Electra.

TAIWAN INTRODUCES SPECIALIST COURSE FOR AGENTS

In an initiative to enhance the knowledge of travel agencies across Canada about Taiwan’s diverse travel offerings, the Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) has announced the launch of its online Taiwan Tourism School. This e-learning platform is specifically designed to acquaint Canadian travel professionals with the unique allure of Taiwan as a premier tourist destination.

IHG HOTELS FORGING A LEGACY OF LUXURY

With its six brands of its 19 brands now representing nearly a quarter (22%) of its global pipeline – nearly double its stake from just five years ago – IHG Hotels & Resorts, says it will continue to expand and invest in the segment, particularly in the Americas. Globally, IHG has transformed its Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio through notable acquisitions of Six Senses, Regent Hotels & Resorts and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants; the growth of its legacy InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and Hotel Indigo brands; and the launch of Vignette Collection.

SWINGING IN MEXICO:The New and Improved Higuera Golf Club in Punta de Mita, Riviera Nayarit

Guaranteed sunshine, lush green mountains, a turquoise sea and enough margaritas to stave off scurvy are a few of the reasons why I’ve made the Bay of Banderas my home-away-from-winter for almost 20 years. But I am also a self-confessed golf fanatic and Riviera Nayarit is arguably one of Mexico’s top golf destinations. Now the golf scene here is even better with the transformation of what was originally called Litibu, now called Higuera Golf Club, named after the wild fig trees that proliferate the area. In fact, the golf club’s logo was modelled after the humongous higuera tree at the back nine taco shack. 

A WEIGHTY ISSUE:  A good idea or fat shaming?

Each aircraft has a set maximum weight for safe takeoff. Almost everything that gets onto a commercial plane — fuel, checked-in baggage, cargo and meals — is weighed. For passengers and their cabin bags, most airlines use average data. But Finland’s national carrier Finnair said Friday that it started asking passengers this week voluntarily and anonymously hop onto a scale with their hand luggage at the country’s main airport in Helsinki.

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