‘NOT A THEME PARK’: Kyoto ticked at misbehaving tourists, institutes ban and fines

Japan’s ancient capital of Kyoto, long a popular destination for tourists, is closing off some private-property alleys in its famous geisha district because of complaints about misbehaving visitors. Tourists crowd the narrow, quaint streets of the area called Gion, often following tour guides who show people around and lecture for long hours, local district official Isokazu Ota says, adding, “We are going to put up signs in April that tell tourists to stay out of our private streets.”  

AN ADVENTURE FOR EVERY EXPLORER IN CUBA

For many Canadians, no vacation is made complete without adding a sprinkle of adventure to their days in paradise. From history and culture to marine life and picturesque ocean views, the top-selling sun destination of Cuba is full of unique experiences that travellers of all kinds will love and can only get in this beautiful country.

DIGITAL DIGEST: Two-way communication the key to social media

The real power of social media lies in connecting a brand with its consumers on a human level instead of a sales and commercial level. Connecting with the audience starts with content production focused on generating two-way communication and then moderating to build an active community. Here are a few ideas to consider.

WHAT DO CANADIANS WANT?: Amex Travel Trend Report tells all

Canadians rank as the second highest global market for anticipated average trip spend and are prioritizing spontaneous, bucket list and once in a lifetime vacations, according to American Express Travel, which has released its annual 2024 Global Travel Trends Report highlighting the inspiration and trends driving global travel bookings this year. 

PEARSON REGAINS TOP AIRPORT RANKING

Toronto Pearson has been named the “Best Airport over 40 million passengers in North America” for the sixth time in seven years by Airports Council International (ACI) – World, the global trade representative of the world’s airports. The airport regained the prestigious ranking in 2023 after achieving the honour for five consecutive years between 2017 and 2021, but missing in 2022.

PASSENGERS ON FLIGHT ‘BOUNCED OFF THE ROOF’

As officials investigate what caused a “strong shake” before a sudden plunge on a plane traveling between Australia and New Zealand, a passenger on Tuesday described a wild ride, with people without seatbelts thrown from their seats and some crashing into the plane’s ceiling.

FOR WOMEN, BY WOMEN: Insight launches new female group tours

Insight Vacations has launched small group, women-only tours designed to encourage solo travel and spotlight women in the travel industry, for travel in 2025. And for a limited time, female travellers will receive 8 percent off the new itineraries when booked by May 31. There are 11 different tours across Europe, the Americas, India and Africa.

NEW PORTER FLIGHTS: California here they come

It’s California here we come (again) as Porter Airlines adds seasonal roundtrip flights on two new non-stop routes between Montreal and Los Angeles and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), creating further connections from eastern Canada to US west coast this summer.

IT’S MANATEE SEASON: Where to see Florida’s lovable sea cows

Florida’s rubbery, slow-moving sea cows are beloved by all who are fortunate enough to meet them. Manatees widely roam the waters of Florida from April through October, though when the heat hasn’t hit full on, they still hang out in places like freshwater Florida Springs, where the temperatures remain constant throughout the year.

HITTING THE ‘SWEET SPOT’: Cruises surge for Canadians in March

Cruises are surging back to popularity among Canadians this March Break, as more travellers look to try a mode of tourism they may have avoided since the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts say Caribbean cruises are drawing greater numbers of northerners to Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Tampa Bay, and other ports of call thanks to their sun-soaked itineraries and affordable fares in the face of soaring hotel prices.

WAKING UP TO THE BENEFITS OF SLEEPER TRAINS

Though still a niche and relatively pricey market, demand for sleeper trains is increasing. The online platform Trainline says overnight bookings in 2023 rose 147 percent compared to 2019, the year before the pandemic. And a climate survey by the European Investment Bank found that 62 percent of respondents supported a ban on short flights.

RECORD DEMAND PROMPTS ADDED CAYMAN LIFT FROM CANADA

A steady increase in Canadian visitations to the Cayman islands – including a record-breaking Q1 and best-ever March – has prompted a boost in airlift to the Caribbean destination with additional flight frequencies by both Air Canada and WestJet.

GOWAY FAM: There’s no better time to walk like an Egyptian

For those whose bucket list is beckoning, there may be no better time to travel to Egypt – a destination that our recent Goway FAM group found utterly unaffected by the ongoing situation in Gaza, but which is nevertheless experiencing a dip in tourism that has created an unintended silver lining of fewer fellow visitors for those who do go.

A STRONG START: Air demand soaring in 2024

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says its data of global passenger demand for indicates a strong start for the year. Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), was up 16.6% compared to the year previous, while total capacity was up 14.1%; and the load factor was 79.9% (+1.7%).

BRIGHTLINE REVEALS NEXT FLORIDA STOP

The Brightline rail service, which connects central and south Florida, has announced its next stop: Stuart in Martin County. The new location – on the Sunshine State’s Treasure Coast half-way between Miami and Orlando – was chosen after a review of five proposals in the area.

DISNEY SEEKS MAJOR EXPANSION OF CALIFORNIA THEME PARK

Walking through the frosty, snow-covered hamlet of Arendelle from “Frozen,” or the bustling, critter-filled metropolis of “Zootopia” might be possible one day for visitors to Disney’s California theme parks.

AT SEA WITH MSC

Looking for something completely different at sea? How about a secret speakeasy aboard MSC Cruises’ World Europa? Travel Industry Today is on the scene in the Mediterranean to get you and your clients the scoop.

MISSING RECORDS: Boeing investigated over door blowout

The US the Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into the Boeing jetliner blowout that left a gaping hole on an Alaska Airlines plane this January. Citing documents and people familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal says investigators have contacted some passengers and crew – including pilots and flight attendants – who were on the Jan. 5 flight.

A TOUGH WEEK: United experiences four plane mishaps

Last week was a tough week for United Airlines, which experienced four separate incidents aboard its flights, including an emergency landing, lost tire, engine fire, and runway roll-off. No injuries were reported as a result of any of the incidents.

TURKS TOPS IN AMERICAS SINCE PANDEMIC

The Turks and Caicos Islands has emerged as the best-performing destination in the Americas for 2023, according to the latest UN Tourism Barometer, with the Caribbean nation seeing an arrivals jump 127% since (pre-pandemic) 2019.

SAVE THE DATES: ACTA announces networking events for 2024

ACTA has announced its networking and education events for 2024 including the ACTA Travel Industry Golf Event and three ACTA Travel Industry Summits. Registration will open soon, but in the meantime, members are advised to save these dates.

PLUG PULLED ON FAMED MIAMI SEAQUARIUM

The famed – and troubled – Miami Seaquarium, an old-Florida style tourist attraction that was used as a setting in the “Flipper” TV show and more recently home to Lolita, the beloved Orca that died last year, is being evicted from the waterfront property it leases from Miami-Dade County.

ROUND-UP: March 4-8, 2024

In this week’s round-up of last week’s news, we detail a plethora of agent incentives, reveal Allianz’s data on the ‘bizcation’ trend, reveal what’s cooking at Air Canada, check in for a significant hotel development in Bangkok, and see what’s new at SeaWorld Orlando, plus lots more.

TAKE A BOW: Women in travel make the difference

Take a look at these women.  They are hugely responsible for making our industry what it is today. To make it personal – every one of them, perhaps even without knowing it, has played a part in any accomplishment or success I have had in business and in life. Some I have known for decades, some I have never actually met in person. However, I have either worked with, travelled with, interviewed and written about, or even just emailed, phoned, or video-conferenced, with every one of them.

IS INDIA SAFE FOR WOMEN?: Tourist rapes increase pressure for change

The woman in the Instagram video appeared shaken. Her face was swollen and bruised. Sitting beside her husband, she began recounting her ordeal. “Something happened to us that we wouldn’t wish on anyone,” she said in Spanish, with captions in English.

SETTING AN EXAMPLE: Trip.com invests in female empowerment

From offering childcare subsidies to elevating women into leadership roles, global travel service provider Trip.com Group has been at the forefront of promoting female empowerment in travel for close to 25 years. This International Women’s Day (March 8), the company is continuing to its efforts by celebrating the achievements of women in the industry and by launching a series of mentoring and social impact events around the world.

SEVENTH HEAVEN: The world’s most luxurious shopping streets

When holidaying in the some of the world’s top cities, travellers can find themselves with an opportunity to take in (and load up on) some of the world’s most luxurious shopping streets – names that resonate on the big screen, in the pages of glossy magazines, and maybe in our dreams.  From the Champs-Élysées to Rodeo Drive, here are seven sensational streets where one can shop till they drop, and, with a little luck, maybe even mingle with the rich and famous.

PROJECTS BOOST WOMEN THROUGH TOURISM

In conjunction with International Women’s Day, G Adventures and its non-profit partner Planeterra are announcing the introduction of five new community tourism projects designed to empower local women in the countries the travel company visits, supporting the nearly 500 women who help operate the five social enterprises. 

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