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!”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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).
It’s Australia month at Goway and any mention of DownUnder always gets me thinking about my favourite singer, the amazing Aussie Paul Kelly – a multi-talented singer-songwriter-poet I have previously introduced in this space, comparing his band and style to Blue Rodeo.
More than half of travellers surveyed by Virtuoso say global developments in 2023 have encouraged them to travel more responsibly, citing geopolitical conflicts, overtourism, and the effects of climate change, such as natural disasters, pollution, and rising temperatures.
Citing strong financial results– including record annual revenue – Air Canada issued its 2023 Annual Report highlighting the carrier’s achievements for the year, including progress made on several key strategic initiatives.
Viking “floated out” its newest ship for the Nile River – the 82-guest Viking Hathor— late last week, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in August, the Viking Hathor will join the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships for the Nile River and will sail Viking’s popular 12-day ‘Pharaohs & Pyramids’ itinerary.
In this week’s retail round-up, Direct Travel agents are “pulling off the impossible,” while TRAVELSAVERS and Virtuoso are welcoming new team members; plus, a couple of countries have specialist news.
During the pandemic, the Ontario government implemented several measures to help reduce the burden on Ontario’s registered travel agencies and tour operators and to assist certain travellers impacted by the pandemic. While some of the changes were permanent, others were time limited. Now, TICO is reminding that the final two temporary amendments are set to expire this year, beginning next week.
Passengers at busy Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas can test self-screening at customs – a new system that US federal airport security officials are calling “a step into the future.”
France’s capital resurrected a 110-year-old race for its servers Sunday. The dash through central Paris celebrated the dexterous and, yes, by their own admission, sometimes famously moody men and women without whom France wouldn’t be France.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun will step down from the embattled plane maker at the end of the year after a series of mishaps at one of America’s most storied manufacturers. Board Chair Larry Kellner has also told the company he doesn’t plan to stand for re-election in May. Boeing also said Monday that Stan Deal, president and CEO of its commercial airplanes unit, will retire immediately from the company.
Port Everglades, the world’s third largest cruise port, is among the top gateways for Canadians heading off on a Caribbean cruise vacation. And located only 15 minutes from downtown Fort Lauderdale – and even less from the airport – it’s perfectly positioned for clients who want to add on extra time in sophisticated and fun South Florida to their cruise vacation.
Italy followed France on Monday in stepping up security following the attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall and the claim of responsibility by an affiliate of the Islamic State group.
Travel professionals can discover special deals and not-to-be-missed attractions now that Visit Lauderdale, the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale, has launched its new VIP Passport for travel advisors.
American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) is buying CWT. Subject to customary conditions, the “definitive agreement” between the two business travel giants is valued at approximately US$570 million, with a closing date expected in the second half of the year.
Greater Fort Lauderdale’s tropical paradise offers a sweet retreat for all who visit. Better still, there are countless free ways to explore local gems, annual events, and worldclass art venues and attractions, no matter the interest or party size.
G Adventures and its non-profit partner, Planeterra, have confirmed that the second annual GX Community Tourism Summit will be held in India this fall. The destination has been a closely guarded secret by G since the inaugural event in Cusco, Peru in 2023.
By the simplest measurement, the answer to that question is ‘no’ but you would never know that by reading about the torrent of flight problems in the last three months. The last deadly crash involving a North American airliner (Colgan Air, which operated for Continental Express, United Express and US Air Express) occurred in February 2009 – 15 years ago – an unprecedented streak of safety, especially given there were 9.6 million flights in the US alone last year.
US Federal regulators are increasing their oversight of United Airlines following a series of recent issues including a piece of the outer fuselage falling off one jet, an engine fire and a plane losing a tire during takeoff.
Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship died during an “incident” in the ship’s engineering space, the cruise line said. The unidentified crew members died Friday while the Florida-based Nieuw Amsterdam was at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, Holland America said in a statement.
Blue Diamond Resorts is mapping its entire portfolio with immersive 3D scenarios that take each resort into the metaverse and make it easy for travellers and travel professionals to experience 360° virtual tours of all on-property details through an easy-to-use interface.