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
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‘TIRED AND AGED,’ TORONTO PEARSON PLANS FACELIFT
Toronto’s airports authority has announced a multibillion-dollar plan to update and modernize Toronto Pearson Airport. The program will see the refurbishment of existing airport assets, including high-speed taxi lanes, a modernized airfield electric lighting and control system, and interim terminal facilities. MORE
TOUR OPERATORS BOUNCE BACK
Study shows impressive growth, better than U.S.
With total sales revenue of $9.8 billion reported in 2023, Canadian tour operators recorded an “impressive” bounce-back from the difficult days of the pandemic, says the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO). MORE
BETTER BUSINESS BUDGETS
Tips for corporate travel
With rising travel costs and some airlines introducing surge pricing policies on checked baggage, plus new paid seat options, Corporate Traveller Canada’s latest poll paints a vivid picture of the strains facing Canadian business travellers today. MORE
ACTA LAUNCHES PANEL SERIES
First Up – Cruising
ACTA is launching quarterly professional development sessions focusing on different segments within the travel and tourism industry. The new initiative aims to provide a platform for learning and discussion of industry trends, enhancing industry knowledge and fostering dialogue. The 2024 spring session leadership panel takes place April 26 at 1 p.m. EST and will focus on the cruise segment. MORE
DEALS FINALLY SIGNAL END TO GERMAN TRAVEL WOES
Lufthansa and a union representing cabin crew have reached a pay deal, concluding the last of several major disputes that have led to recent strikes at Germany's biggest airline and in the country's wider aviation sector. The UFO union said nearly 19,000 cabin crew will get a pay raise effectively totaling 17.4% in three stages under the three-year deal, plus a one-time payment of 3,000 euros (CDN$4.400) per person to offset inflation. Some bonuses also will be increased. MORE
OUT OF THIS WORLD
Universal Orlando reveals two new hotels
Universal Orlando Resort’s two newest hotels – Universal Stella Nova Resort and Terra Luna Resort – are set to settle into earthly orbit in early 2025, promising to place guests “in the centre of marvellous galaxies and diverse planetary elements for an experience unlike anywhere else in the universe.” Opening Jan. 21 and Feb. 25 respectively, Stella Nova and Terra Luna are co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co., boasting a combined total of 1,500 guest rooms featuring an extra-terrestrial theme. MORE
This week’s round-up reveals a new Caribbean marketing organization in Canada, a bold move from NCL, extended visa requirements for Brazil (again), an impending strike that could affect meals on flights from YYZ (including Air Canada and WestJet), and it’s National Tourism Week! MORE