DUTY OF CARE: Employer responsibility lacking as business travel resurges

Business travel is back. The days of travelling long distances for one meeting with one person could be gone forever, but people will travel for business at scale into perpetuity. New data plainly shows that business travel continues to increase post-pandemic, while virtual meetings are losing dominance.

‘COME WITH AN OPEN MIND’: Remote St. Helena builds on Napoleon legacy

History buffs (or those who watch the new Disney+ biopic on Napoleon Bonaparte) may know the remote island of St. Helena as the site of the former French emperor’s exile, but the British overseas territory – a small, craggy island in the South Atlantic Ocean – hasn’t seen many tourists in the past for good reason: It’s one of the most remote inhabited places in the world.

THREE SECLUDED BEACHES THAT EMBUE CUBA’S QUIET SIDE

Cuba is a hot-spot destination for Canadians looking to spend their days soaking up the sun on a soft-sand beach and wading in crystal-clear waters. While renowned Varadero Beach is popular among travellers and picturesque under any light, Cuba is also home to plenty of white sands found off the beaten path that are ideal for travellers seeking some solitude away from the crowds.

THE PRICE OF BORDER BLISS SET TO RISE: Apply now to beat NEXUS price hike

Most NEXUS members in Canada will say the fast-track trusted traveller program is the best $50 they ever spent. (Many others lament they just haven’t gotten around to it yet). But after 20 years of border bliss without a price hike, the cost of the card is set to more than double effective Oct. 1.

WESTJET ENCORE PILOTS AUTHORIZE STRIKE

Pilots at WestJet regional carrier Encore have voted 97 percent in favour of strike authorization after contract talks around pay and career progression came to a “near standstill,” says the Air Line Pilots Association. A strike could commence as soon as April 17.

TROPICANA CHECKS OUT: Famed Vegas resort closes for good

From its lavish opening in 1957 on a Las Vegas Boulevard surrounded by wide-open desert, to its sleepier years amid a boom in megaresorts, the Tropicana Las Vegas has been a familiar landmark in Las Vegas. Now the Strip’s third-oldest casino, the famed resort shut its doors for good at noon Tuesday, with demolition slated for October.

A RESPONSIBLE PARTNERSHIP

VisitScotland has launched an innovative new partnership The Travel Corporation (TTC) and the Travel Foundation designed to inspire and support climate action within Scotland’s tourism industry and drive change with businesses, visitors, and destinations.

KORE VALUES: Education program to enlist and train new wave of agents

Citing a gap in the marketplace and projected growth of the travel and tourism industry in Canada to $16.92 billion by 2028, TRAVELSAVERS Canada is launching KORE, a new education program designed to enhance how the industry enlists and trains the next wave of travel advisors.

AVALON BOOGIES IN PORTUGAL WITH FIRST DOURO SHIP

To the beat of KC and the Sunshine Band’s 1975 hit “Boogie Shoes,” Avalon Waterways christened its 15th Suite Ship in Pinhão, Portugal, late last week with actress Cheri Oteri (‘Saturday Night Live’) doing the honours and serving as Godmother.

FACING THE MUSIC: Mexican beach bands cause brouhaha in Mazatlan

Bands who play the thumping tuba-and-drums songs of northern Mexico on beaches in the resort city of Mazatlan appear to have emerged victorious after noise complaints from foreign tourists who like to observe the resort’s sunsets in peace – or with a bit of soft music – had threatened to silence them.

BUG OFF: U.S. set to experience biggest cicada emergence in centuries

Pack your earplugs. Trillions of evolution’s bizarro wonders, red-eyed periodical cicadas that have pumps in their heads and jet-like muscles in their rears, are about to emerge in numbers in part of the United State not seen in decades and possibly centuries.

BERMUDAIR TO SERVE TORONTO, HALIFAX

Upstart airline BermudAir, which began flying to the US from Bermuda last September, has announced it will add Toronto and Halifax to its growing list of gateways (now seven) starting in May. Starting May 17, the airline will begin operations between Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) and Toronto Pearson (Tues-Fri-Sunday), with flights to Halifax Stanfield (Sat.) commencing on May 25.

TECHNOLOGY WITH A HUMAN TOUCH FUELS BEST AGENT EXPERIENCE

We’ve entered the era of travellers demanding even more from their trips. Now, they crave a more personalized vacation where each moment and detail feel tailor-made, allowing for an unforgettable travel experience. But the reality is that to bring this kind of trip to life, travellers may need to turn to travel agents for their unmatched expertise and a seamless booking experience.

PLANE SHORTAGE HAMPERS UNITED

United Airlines is asking its pilots to take time off in May because of delays in receiving new planes that the airline ordered from Boeing, which is struggling with production due to manufacturing problems.

SCHENGEN STATUS A BOOST TO ROMANIA, BULGARIA TRAVELLERS

In move that will benefit millions of travellers annually, Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union.

ANOTHER FINE PICKLE: It’s game on in Antigua-Barbuda

Is it the most queried question in travel? “Do they have pickleball?” With this in mind, the Antigua and Barbuda has served up a list of places in the twin Caribbean island nation where visitors can grab a paddle and have a “slamming good time with the warm sun shining down and the gentle Caribbean breeze on your face.”

‘ALL HANDS ON DECK’: Niagara braces for eclipse throng

Niagara Falls is bracing for its largest influx of tourists in its history with more than a million people expected to flock to the city for next week’s total solar eclipse. A state of emergency has already been declared for Niagara Region on April 8, though Niagara Falls’ mayor is urging visitors to prepare for, not avoid, the spectacle.

AMERICAN AIRLINES EASES PET POLICY

American Airlines is relaxing part of its pet policy to let owners bring their companion and a full-size carry-on bag into the cabin. Until last week, people who carried a pet into the cabin – which involves paying a $150 fee – could only have one other small item that fit under the seat.

DUBAI: Lifestyles for the rich and famous, and everyone else

Dubai welcomed more tourists than ever before in 2023, attracting 17.15 million international overnight visitors. And they weren’t all rich and famous – a perception that Visit Dubai is eager to dispel, urging the trade to consider that “If you think you know Dubai, think again!”

THE SERIOUS DEBATE OVER DAVID’S DOODLE

Michelangelo’s David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue’s religious and political significance is being diminished by the thousands of refrigerator magnets and other souvenirs sold around Florence focusing on David’s genitalia.

JTB TO HOST ‘EVENING WITH JAMAICA’ EVENTS

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is inviting travel advisors from across the Greater Toronto Area to experience a night of destination knowledge, cultural exploration, and island hospitality during a two-part ‘Evening with Jamaica’ event series on April 16 and 17.

UNITED BOOSTS PILOT PROGRAM TO FILL INDUSTRY NEED

As the aviation industry grapples with a shortage of pilots, United has opened a new, 14,000-sq.-m. building at its Flight Training Center in Denver – already the largest facility of its kind in the world – that has the potential to trains 240 more aviators per day. The new building gives the airline the capability to add 12 more advanced full-motion flight simulators to the facility, six of which have already been delivered.

ROUND-UP: March 25-29, 2024

A short week due to Easter, but plenty of news nonetheless, including a major purchase by Amex GBT; a much-anticipated Sandals opening; a TICO reminder; promising Air Canada and Toronto Pearson passenger barometers; a Viking float-out; and a big reveal from G Adventures/Planeterra.

DISNEY, DESANTIS SETTLE BITTER DISPUTE

Allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney reached a settlement agreement Wednesday in a state court fight over how Walt Disney World is developed in the future following the takeover of the theme park resort’s government by the Florida governor.

PLANNING, SURVIVING AND THRIVING ON A MULTI-GEN TRIP

For the past 11 years, Kathy Sudeikis has planned a yearly family reunion. Called “Nanapalooza,” the tradition began as a way to bring her six siblings and their families – including “Ted Lasso” star Jason Sudeikis – together to honour the memory of their mother.

AGENTS MEET THE REAL NEW ZEALAND

Accompanied by key suppliers from New Zealand, the South Pacific country’s national carrier called in Toronto and Calgary this week as part of a North American mission designed to “harness everything New Zealand… and bring a touch of New Zealand” to the trade.

THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD FOR DOROTHY’S SLIPPERS

A pair of the iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” will soon be embarking on an improbable global exhibition tour following their own yellow break road to Los Angeles, New York, London, and Tokyo. (Stay tuned for dates, Ozzies). The tour follows the unexpected return of the iconic shoes to their owner, nearly 20 years after they were stolen from a museum in the late actor’s hometown. 

SANDALS OFFICIALLY OPENS IN SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines opened its doors Wednesday, welcoming its first guests to a nature-forward resorts brimming with island inspiration and stirring ‘Sandals Firsts.’ The opening marks Sandals Resorts’ long-awaited introduction to the largely undiscovered Eastern Caribbean destination.

BETTER WATCH OUT SANTA, WE’RE COMING TO THE POLE

Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn’t go? An 18-night icebreaking voyage all the way to the North in July is among Abercrombie & Kent’s innovative new small-ship expeditions for 2024. There will be a cocktail party at 90 degrees north and a toast to Santa Claus. (Of course, it’s a myth he and his elves actually live at the Pole, but bears and Arctic birds could very well be surprise guests).

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