A quick pivot to replace cruises in the Middle East has opened a new opportunity for winter cruising in the Mediterranean. Windstar Cruises has received so much demand it’s decided to keep Star Legend in Europe for a second winter with more varied itineraries. It’s part of a trend that is seeing MSC Cruises operating ships year-round from Italy and Spain and a plan for AmaWaterways to start cruising as early as February on European rivers.
A buddy messaged me the other day and said, “Have to say it’s the first time I’ve ever landed in Vancouver to see everything covered in snow.” It was so cold in T.O. my wife wouldn’t let me walk the dog (her concern was for the dog!). And don’t get us started on the rain and fog. Needless to say, winter is wearisome in this country, and there’s so much more to come.
When Cathy Olliffe-Webster’s 90-year-old mother-in-law died suddenly last year, her family had to make the trek from Cold Lake, Alta., to Ontario in a hurry. The jewellery business owner figures the flight would have set her and her husband back $2,000 because it was a last-minute booking, but they scored a hefty discount.
Porter Airlines is introducing a new senior leadership structure to support its ongoing growth. The president and CEO roles will be separated, with Michael Deluce continuing in the position of CEO, while current executive VP and CCO Kevin Jackson assumes the role of president.
The City of Dryden, Ontario’s chief administrative officer and the local airport’s manager are leading efforts to address a pending gap in plane service, following the announcement that Bearskin Airlines will end its scheduled passenger air service to Dryden, Kenora, and Fort Frances in May.
On Saturday a Boeing 757 jet operated by Delta Air Lines lost a nose wheel while preparing for takeoff from Atlanta, potentially creating more uncertainty around one of the nation’s top manufacturers after a troubling string of incidents involving its planes.
Six months after recording its largest booking day, Holland America Line says it surpassed that mark last week to set a new single-day sales record. The bookings on Jan. 16 topped the previous record from July 11, 2023, by 18%, making it the biggest sales day in the 150-year history of Holland America Line.
The European Commission on Tuesday announced an in-depth investigation of German airline Lufthansa’s planned takeover of Italian carrier ITA Airways, citing competitive concerns. Lufthansa signed a deal last year for a 41% minority share in the long-struggling ITA Airways, formerly Alitalia.
In times of economic uncertainty, it’s not uncommon for business owners to tighten their belts and cut costs wherever possible. Unfortunately, one area that often falls victim to budget reductions is public relations and marketing. Some view it as an “extra expense” rather than a strategic investment.
Manulife and Air Canada have announced first-of-its-kind loyalty program partnership in Canada that will enable Manulife Group Benefits members to earn Aeroplan points by engaging in behaviours and activities that encourage health and wellbeing.
WestJet has announced the acquisition of five brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8s to its fleet with the planes expected to arrive in early 2025. The purchase adds to the airline’s already significant multi-billion-dollar investment in its orderbook and follows a leasing agreement with CDB Aviation for three aircraft and international aircraft leasing company Avolon for two aircraft.
About a kilometre-long section of Ottawa’s Rideau Canal Skateway has opened, much to the relief of many Ottawa residents – and potential visitors – who worried it would remain closed for the second winter in a row, following an unusually warm December.
VisitBritain will welcome more than 120 international travel buyers – including a delegation from Canada – for a series of educational visits across Britain, as part of its flagship ‘Showcase Britain 2024’ trade event. The annual event helps set agendas for tour operator and travel agency product for the coming year.
Lynx will launch a new route between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) this summer with three non-stop flights per week starting on July 11, increasing to daily service as of Aug.11, 2024
With the introduction of Air Transat flights from Toronto and Montréal to Lima, Canadians have a direct route to the South American nation known for stunning natural landscapes, historical treasures, exceptional cuisine – and affordability. With this in mind, here’s a look at some of the most recent tourism developments in the country, including digital nomads, ceviche and coffee culture, and new treks, tours, and packages in the pipeline:
Spirit Airlines hasn’t made money since before the pandemic, ticket sales haven’t bounced back as quickly as the carrier expected, and dozens of its planes will be grounded at times this year because of a problem with the engines. But after a federal judge in Boston scuttled plans for JetBlue to buy the troubled carrier last week, some analysts who follow Spirit are tossing around the B word – bankruptcy.
An overwhelming about of misinformation about travel insurance online and elsewhere is causing confusion for Canadian travellers, leading to negative implications when it comes to cost, coverage, treatment, and claims, says leading insurance provider Snowbird Advisor Insurance. With this in mind, SAI says it wants to debunk some of the most common myths about travel insurance in this country and “set the record straight.”
Whether your clients crave the tranquility of a beach escape or the exhilaration of pulsating sporting events, one destination stands ready to fulfill their every desire – Greater Fort Lauderdale. As a seasoned travel advisor, you understand the importance of curating unforgettable client experiences, and here in this coastal paradise, the possibilities are boundless.
Tens of thousands of people were without electricity and hundreds of trains were cancelled and some planes diverted on Monday after the latest in a wave of winter storms – nine since September – lashed Britain and Ireland with heavy rain and wind gusts of almost 160 km an hour.
Greater Fort Lauderdale is a culinary paradise where each restaurant tells a unique story through its cuisine. And from Asia to Africa, Italy, France, and the Mediterranean, there is no shortage of international flavours to make the mouth water.
With shipping under attack in the Red Sea region, Crystal Cruises is the latest cruise line to take stock of its situation there. Citing safe passage of its cruises as being of paramount importance, the cruise line a statement on future intent.
From popular beach volleyball matches to thrilling soccer matches, Greater Fort Lauderdale is a paradise for Canadians who are sports enthusiasts. The south Florida destination also boasts a bevy of events this winter and spring, particularly when it comes to music.
While visitor spending reached a record $7 billion in 2023, the number of visitors in Toronto remains below pre-pandemic levels, according to the year-end Toronto’s ‘Visitor Economy: 2023 Market Performance Highlights’ report published by Destination Toronto.
From star gazing to gorilla trekking, and Bhutan to Japan, Virtuoso has curated a list of top experiences, trends, and destinations it believes should be on every traveller’s list this year. Based on the opinions and experiences of travel advisors from around the world, and their clients, the unique results appear in Virtuoso’s newly released Luxe Report 2024.
Perimeter Aviation, the parent company of Bearskin Airlines says it plans to discontinue passenger service from Thunder Bay, Ont. to Dryden, Fort Frances, and Kenora effective May 11. Termination of the flights is being blamed on financial reasons.
Billed as a “new hospitality category that will forever change the landscape of luxury vacation rental homes,” newly opened Evermore Orlando Resort offers guests a unique new option in the Florida theme park capital. The 450-hectare property, which boasts its own lagoon and beach,
Following the dissolution of the previous Consumer and Industry Advisory Committee (CIAC) effective Dec. 31, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) is launching a new opportunity for Ontario’s travel industry to provide input on the way travel consumer protection is delivered in the province.
Air Transat has announced the appointment of Benjamin Pron as Vice-President Commercial Air Transat. Employed by the airline company since 2019, Pron until recently held the position of Commercial Director for Air Transat.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, who uttered the legendary line “I’ll be back” in The Terminator, may think twice before returning to Germany after being stopped for hours at customs and subjected to what he called an “incompetent shakedown” at Munich Airport after entering the country with a luxury watch that was potentially to be auctioned at a charity event last week.
Canadians are still looking to travel this year, according to a survey by Allianz. Also in the round-up, Canada is testing pre-clearance entry options for the first time, Regina is set to welcome a new airline, Sunwing and ACV unveiled new agent tools, Marriott made moves in the all-inclusive market, and MSC diverted its cruises away from the troubled Red Sea region.