B.V.I. PREMIER AND PORTS DIRECTOR CAUGHT IN DRUG STING
- The premier of the British Virgin Islands appeared in federal court in Miami on Friday after his arrest on cocaine-smuggling charges, while Britain's governor of the Caribbean territory announced that a corruption inquiry found ample reason to suspend the islands' elected government.
RIDING HIGH: Coast to coast coasters coming in 2022
- Thrill-seekers will be riding high this year with the debut of no less than four major new attractions in the US, spanning the country from coast to coast. Busch Gardens will unveil Iron Gwazi in Tampa, while SeaWorld breaks the ice with a new ride in Orlando and California’s fastest, tallest, and longest dive coaster in San Diego. There’s also something for swingers in San Antonio. Here’s a look:
KEY WEST’S FANTASY FEST BEGINS:
- Fantasy Fest has begun in Key West, despite the cancellation nearly two months ago of its iconic Duval Street parade and other large-crowd highlights to protect against the potential spread of COVID-19. (Video)
ANTIGEN TESTS WORK CONCLUDES WESTJET-YVR STUDY
- WestJet and the Vancouver Airport Authority (VAA) say that the results of their high-profile COVID-19 Testing Study at YVR, now concluded, prove that antigen testing is an “effective, acceptable, and cost-efficient method for screening travellers” that can contribute to “safer and healthier air travel.”
UN SEEKS HELP FOR ST. VINCENT: Devastating impact as volcanic eruptions continue to threaten
- The United Nations announced Tuesday that it is seeking US $29.2 million to help St. Vincent recover from ongoing volcanic eruptions that have destroyed homes and crops, contaminated water supplies and displaced up to 20% of people on the eastern Caribbean island.
VIRTUALLY THERE: Getting the goods on groups at TTC
- As travel begins to rebound, group sales are destined to be an important revenue driver for travel counsellors. The Travel Corporation (TTC), whose brands include Trafalgar, Costsaver, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold and Contiki is planning a two-part webinar series, starting later this week, to help agents “prepare for a most successful comeback.”
A BLOW TO RYANAIR: EU court approves state help measures
- A top court has ruled that measures introduced by France and Sweden to help some airlines weather the fallout of coronavirus restrictions are compatible with European Union law, dealing a major blow to low-cost carrier Ryanair which challenged them as unfair.
ROUND-UP:Feb. 8-12, 2021
- Some of last week’s notable news includes federal approval for Air Canada’s Transat takeover; Sunwing and Marriott playing let’s make a deal; and new flights for Flair.
AROUND THE WORLD IN ONE DAY: Oceania 2023 journey sells out in 24 hours
- Oceania Cruises says its 2023 “Around the World in 180 Days” voyage sold out within one day of opening for sale to the general, prompting company execs to state that “travellers are clearly bullish on the future (of cruising).”
A TIMELINE OF COVID 19 IN CANADA: Key developments in Canada since the first presumptive case was reported on Jan. 25, 2020:
- Jan. 25, 2020: A Toronto man in his 50s who returned from the Chinese city of Wuhan - the initial epicentre of the outbreak - becomes the first presumptive case of the novel coronavirus in Canada. The man is placed in isolation in Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital.
LOVE HURTS:Cruise line sells Pacific Princess
- This one hurts. Princess Cruises says it’s selling Pacific Princess – the vessel most closely identified as being the famed “Love Boat.” Of course, like most love stories, it’s a little complicated. The ship that still inspires fond memories of Captain Stubing, Julie, Isaac, Gopher, Doc, plus hundreds of beloved guest stars, in the 1970/80s TV show “The Love Boat” is in fact the second iteration of the Pacific Princess, which took the reigns, er ropes, of the original in 2003.
ROUND-UP:Jan. 18-22, 2021
- The Canada-US border will stay closed for at least another month; Royal Caribbean is selling Azamara; and the 737 Max is finally on the move.
HARD NOT TO SPEAK ILL: Good Samaritan shows symptoms after helping passenger with virus
- An emergency medical technician said he has COVID-19 symptoms after performing CPR on a man infected with the coronavirus who later died after going into cardiac arrest during a United Airlines flight.
B.C. BOOSTS TOURISM SECTOR SUPPORT
- The British Columbia government has added $55 million to a grant relief fund to help tourism businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism Minister Melanie Mark said Thursday the additional cash follows recommendations of a task force report to immediately launch a $105-million fund to help the tourism sector.
WAS IT COVID: CDC looks into death of man on flight from Florida
- United Airlines has given information about other passengers to federal health officials after a man who possibly had coronavirus-like symptoms died shortly after being on a flight Monday from Orlando, Florida, to Los Angeles.
ROUND-UP:Dec. 14-18, 2020
- COVID-19 vaccinations began at last in Canada; Ontario plans a tourism tax credit; and Air Canada has a new COO.
IT PAYS TO VACATION IN ONTARIO: Province plans travel tax credit for tourism
- Ontario is creating a travel tax credit to help reinvigorate the province's tourism industry when COVID-19 restrictions are eased. Tourism Minister Lisa MacLeod said Thursday that the credit will allow for a 20 percent return on every dollar spent, and noted that the government has set aside $150 million for it.
TOP NOTCH:Green light for gondola, and other Swiss news
- A trip to the “Top of the Europe” in Switzerland will be quicker than ever thanks to a new gondola opening this week, with the Eiger Express set to shave about 45 minutes off the journey to popular “Jungfraujoch.”
NOT JUST HANGING LOOSE: Hawaii as a remote workplace with a view
- Software engineer Raymond Berger begins his work day at 5 am., before the sun comes up over Hawaii. Rising early is necessary because the company he works for is in New York City, five hours ahead of Maui, where he is renting a home with a backyard that's near the beach.
ROUND-UP:Nov. 23-27, 2020
- Air Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart have partnered for COVID testing; Air France returns to YVR; Cyber Monday deals, and more:
B.V.I. PREMIER AND PORTS DIRECTOR CAUGHT IN DRUG STING
- The premier of the British Virgin Islands appeared in federal court in Miami on Friday after his arrest on cocaine-smuggling charges, while Britain's governor of the Caribbean territory announced that a corruption inquiry found ample reason to suspend the islands' elected government.
RIDING HIGH: Coast to coast coasters coming in 2022
- Thrill-seekers will be riding high this year with the debut of no less than four major new attractions in the US, spanning the country from coast to coast. Busch Gardens will unveil Iron Gwazi in Tampa, while SeaWorld breaks the ice with a new ride in Orlando and California’s fastest, tallest, and longest dive coaster in San Diego. There’s also something for swingers in San Antonio. Here’s a look:
KEY WEST’S FANTASY FEST BEGINS:
- Fantasy Fest has begun in Key West, despite the cancellation nearly two months ago of its iconic Duval Street parade and other large-crowd highlights to protect against the potential spread of COVID-19. (Video)
ANTIGEN TESTS WORK CONCLUDES WESTJET-YVR STUDY
- WestJet and the Vancouver Airport Authority (VAA) say that the results of their high-profile COVID-19 Testing Study at YVR, now concluded, prove that antigen testing is an “effective, acceptable, and cost-efficient method for screening travellers” that can contribute to “safer and healthier air travel.”
UN SEEKS HELP FOR ST. VINCENT: Devastating impact as volcanic eruptions continue to threaten
- The United Nations announced Tuesday that it is seeking US $29.2 million to help St. Vincent recover from ongoing volcanic eruptions that have destroyed homes and crops, contaminated water supplies and displaced up to 20% of people on the eastern Caribbean island.
VIRTUALLY THERE: Getting the goods on groups at TTC
- As travel begins to rebound, group sales are destined to be an important revenue driver for travel counsellors. The Travel Corporation (TTC), whose brands include Trafalgar, Costsaver, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold and Contiki is planning a two-part webinar series, starting later this week, to help agents “prepare for a most successful comeback.”
A BLOW TO RYANAIR: EU court approves state help measures
- A top court has ruled that measures introduced by France and Sweden to help some airlines weather the fallout of coronavirus restrictions are compatible with European Union law, dealing a major blow to low-cost carrier Ryanair which challenged them as unfair.
ROUND-UP:Feb. 8-12, 2021
- Some of last week’s notable news includes federal approval for Air Canada’s Transat takeover; Sunwing and Marriott playing let’s make a deal; and new flights for Flair.
AROUND THE WORLD IN ONE DAY: Oceania 2023 journey sells out in 24 hours
- Oceania Cruises says its 2023 “Around the World in 180 Days” voyage sold out within one day of opening for sale to the general, prompting company execs to state that “travellers are clearly bullish on the future (of cruising).”
A TIMELINE OF COVID 19 IN CANADA: Key developments in Canada since the first presumptive case was reported on Jan. 25, 2020:
- Jan. 25, 2020: A Toronto man in his 50s who returned from the Chinese city of Wuhan - the initial epicentre of the outbreak - becomes the first presumptive case of the novel coronavirus in Canada. The man is placed in isolation in Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital.
LOVE HURTS:Cruise line sells Pacific Princess
- This one hurts. Princess Cruises says it’s selling Pacific Princess – the vessel most closely identified as being the famed “Love Boat.” Of course, like most love stories, it’s a little complicated. The ship that still inspires fond memories of Captain Stubing, Julie, Isaac, Gopher, Doc, plus hundreds of beloved guest stars, in the 1970/80s TV show “The Love Boat” is in fact the second iteration of the Pacific Princess, which took the reigns, er ropes, of the original in 2003.
ROUND-UP:Jan. 18-22, 2021
- The Canada-US border will stay closed for at least another month; Royal Caribbean is selling Azamara; and the 737 Max is finally on the move.
HARD NOT TO SPEAK ILL: Good Samaritan shows symptoms after helping passenger with virus
- An emergency medical technician said he has COVID-19 symptoms after performing CPR on a man infected with the coronavirus who later died after going into cardiac arrest during a United Airlines flight.
B.C. BOOSTS TOURISM SECTOR SUPPORT
- The British Columbia government has added $55 million to a grant relief fund to help tourism businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism Minister Melanie Mark said Thursday the additional cash follows recommendations of a task force report to immediately launch a $105-million fund to help the tourism sector.
WAS IT COVID: CDC looks into death of man on flight from Florida
- United Airlines has given information about other passengers to federal health officials after a man who possibly had coronavirus-like symptoms died shortly after being on a flight Monday from Orlando, Florida, to Los Angeles.
ROUND-UP:Dec. 14-18, 2020
- COVID-19 vaccinations began at last in Canada; Ontario plans a tourism tax credit; and Air Canada has a new COO.
IT PAYS TO VACATION IN ONTARIO: Province plans travel tax credit for tourism
- Ontario is creating a travel tax credit to help reinvigorate the province's tourism industry when COVID-19 restrictions are eased. Tourism Minister Lisa MacLeod said Thursday that the credit will allow for a 20 percent return on every dollar spent, and noted that the government has set aside $150 million for it.
TOP NOTCH:Green light for gondola, and other Swiss news
- A trip to the “Top of the Europe” in Switzerland will be quicker than ever thanks to a new gondola opening this week, with the Eiger Express set to shave about 45 minutes off the journey to popular “Jungfraujoch.”
NOT JUST HANGING LOOSE: Hawaii as a remote workplace with a view
- Software engineer Raymond Berger begins his work day at 5 am., before the sun comes up over Hawaii. Rising early is necessary because the company he works for is in New York City, five hours ahead of Maui, where he is renting a home with a backyard that's near the beach.
ROUND-UP:Nov. 23-27, 2020
- Air Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart have partnered for COVID testing; Air France returns to YVR; Cyber Monday deals, and more:
CHECK OUT OUR SPECIAL INFOCUS EDITIONS:
AND IF YOU MISSED YESTERDAY’S NEWS… CHECK OUT THESE STORIES
AN ESSENTIAL BORDER PRIVACY PRIMER: And who’s at risk when entering US
- Experts say leaving your phone at home is the only certain way to ensure it isn’t searched by customs officials when entering the U.S. Yet, for most, that’s not a feasible option. So, with the Canadian government warning that U.S. border agents are entitled to search travellers’ electronic devices and “don’t need to provide a reason” to do so, how best to mitigate any risk?
YVR SCORES SKYTRAX HAUL: Singapore named world’s best
- Singapore Changi Airport has been named the World’s Best Airport 2025 in the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards, held last week in Madrid. Notably, Vancouver was named best airport in North America, 2nd-best globally in its category (20-30 million passengers) and 13th globally in the Awards’ pre-eminent best-overall category, leading a trio Canadian airport rankings in the top 100.
RISING SUSTAINABILITY INTEREST AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AGENTS
- No longer simply a concern of backpackers, sustainability for luxury travellers increasingly is becoming a top priority that influences their choices and reshapes the way they explore the planet, says a survey of Virtuoso clients conducted in March. That includes choosing travel companies with strong sustainability policies and seeking guidance from professionals to help them make the right choice.
THAILAND INTRODUCES NEW DIGITAL ENTRY CARD
- Starting May 1, 2025, all non-Thai nationals entering Thailand by air, land, or sea must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within three days before arrival. The new system replaces the traditional paper-based disembarkation form required for all foreign arrivals.
FOOT-AND-MOUTH OUTBREAK DISRUPTS EUROPEAN BORDERS
- Authorities in several countries in Central Europe are working to contain an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among cattle populations that has caused widespread border closures and required the killing of thousands of animals.
ROUND-UP: April 7-11, 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.
