‘BACK AT ITS BEST’
Travel poised for record-breaking year
The winds of war notwithstanding, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)) is projecting a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism in 2024, with the sector’s global economic contribution set to reach an all-time high of US$11.1 trillion. MORE
CATERERS STRIKE AT PEARSON, NO SNACKS FOR PAX
About 800 airline food service staff at Toronto's Pearson airport went on strike Tuesday, leaving thousands of passengers without meals. Gate Gourmet employees voted 96 percent against an offer from the Swiss-owned travel catering company on Monday night, Teamsters Canada said. MORE
ACTA ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN AZORES
ACTA has announced its first international destination conference in decades, to take place in the Azores (Portugal) from Nov. 18-25, 2024. MORE
WESTJET ENCORE PILOTS ANNOUNCE DEAL, AVOID STRIKE
The union representing WestJet Encore pilots says a tentative deal has been struck with their employer, days before the pilots had threatened to go on strike. MORE
SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL
Agents see uptick in intimate cruising
A notable shift towards smaller and more luxurious vessels, including yachts, among affluent travellers, is among the latest trends in cruising, according to independent travel agency First in Service (F1S). MORE
LYNX BLAMES SABRE FOR REFUND WOES
Lynx Air says Sabre Corp. has "refused to assist" with passenger reimbursement for the now-defunct ultra-low-cost carrier, which ceased operations and filed for creditor protection in late February. MORE
SCOTLAND TAPS GAELIC INTEREST FOR NEW TOURISM STRATEGY
A new tourism strategy aimed at delivering authentic and memorable visitor experiences by celebrating Gaelic culture, heritage and language has been launched in Scotland. The new plan highlights an increasing interest in the Gaelic language and culture from both domestic and international visitors. MORE
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TRAVEL AND TRAFFIC DISRUPTED IN U.S. CITIES
Demonstrations cause chaos
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked roadways in Illinois, California, New York and the Pacific Northwest on Monday, temporarily shutting down travel into some of America’s most heavily used airports, onto the Golden Gate and Brooklyn bridges and on a busy West Coast highway. MORE
AIR CANADA CANCELS ISRAEL FLIGHTS
Less than a week after re-instating flights between Canada and Israel, Air Canada cancelled service due to the weekend’s missile and drone attack against the country by Iran. Air Canada stated on its website that operations to Tel Aviv were “paused” with flights cancelled on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. At press time, the carrier said the next scheduled flight is now Thursday, April 16. MORE
SO MUCH FOR LOYALTY
American Airlines urged to reconsider punitive measures
Calling American Airlines’ decision to award loyalty points only to clients that book directly or through a small number of “preferred agencies a “punitive measure” against travel agencies that choose to use third-party booking platforms, the World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA) warns the policy is “a threat to the travel agent ecosystem.” MORE
MEET ONVIGO, CANADA’S NEWEST HOST AGENCY
Onvigo says it’s a host agency with a “twist.” The brainchild of Chippy Jegathesan, CEO of Canadian consolidator Voyzant, the enterprise recently launched with a “no fees, no (social) barriers” model designed to “empower individuals from all backgrounds to thrive in the travel industry.” The agency also aims to equally appeal to existing independent agents, those who may have been “away” for a while during the pandemic, and especially individuals looking to join the industry. MORE
PALM BEACHES PUMPED ABOUT NEW TRAVEL TRADE PORTAL
Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB), the tourism marketing organization for Palm Beach County, Fla., has created a new resource to help travel professionals learn, sell, engage with, and promote The Palm Beaches. MORE
GRANDE PRAIRIE IMAGINES INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
The Grande Prairie Airport has received $140,000 from the Alberta provincial government to explore renovations that could include adding customs and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The money will fund a Canadian Border Services Agency Facilities Study. MORE
CRUISE LINE HAS WIND IN ITS SAILS
Small-ship luxury cruise Windstar Cruises is expanding its fleet with the addition of two all-suite motor yachts, Star Seeker and Star Explorer. The first of the two ships, new-build Star Seeker, is expected to be delivered in December of 2025, followed by Star Explorer in December, 2026. MORE