EMIRATES APOLOGIES FOR DUBAI DISRUPTION

In an open letter to customers affected by the historic rain event in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates last week, Emirates Airlines president Sir Tim Clark apologized Saturday for disruptions to its service due to the weather and the carrier’s response, which he admitted was “far from perfect,” but which also gave a glimpse into the airlines’ “all hands on deck” response to providing thousands of passengers with rooms, meals, water and medical attention.

ROUND-UP: April 15-19, 2024

In last week’s new, highlights included accolades for YVR earned accolades in the prestigious Skytrax Awards survey and ACTA announced details, including the dates and host destination of its first international conference in decades. In other news, WestJet Encore avoided a strike, a precious landmark in Copenhagen was destroyed by fire.

HEAVIEST RAINFALL EVER DISRUPTS DUBAI, UAE

Dubai International Airport allowed global carriers to again fly into Terminal 1 on Thursday as the United Arab Emirates struggled to recover from the heaviest recorded rainfall ever to hit the desert nation.  But on Friday, Emirates said it would again halt local check-in for passengers, with the order lasting through the entire day into early Saturday as the UAE’s main airport worked to restore normal operations even as floodwater still covered portions of major highways and roads.

YVR VOTED BEST AIRPORT IN NORTH AMERICA: But Doha is best in the world

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has been named Best Airport in North America at the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards in Frankfurt, Germany. Skytrax is recognized as the world’s premier international airport awards, with honours assessed according to votes cast by more than 13-million passengers worldwide.

AIR CANADA DROPS PUCK FOR PWHL FAN FLIGHT

Citing an ongoing commitment to gender equality, Air Canada has announced the first Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) edition of its popular Fan Flight program, giving young fans a chance to attend a game during the upcoming PHWL Finals.

HELLO DOLLIES: Windsor Castle celebrates centenary world famous doll house

Throughout 2024, Britian’s Royal Collection Trust will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House at Windsor Castle, the largest and most famous dolls’ house in the world. Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House was built between 1921 and 1924 as a gift from the nation to Queen Mary following the First World War.

PENGUINS OR WALLABIES? A dilemma on an Aussie island

Decisions, decisions. On a visit to Australia’s Philip Island on a Seabourn Cruises voyage down under, two evening shore excursions were both listed as must-sees. One tour promised us an unforgettable avian airshow as thousands of seabirds fly in feathery clouds back to their nests at sunset as part of a spectacular hike along one of Australia’s most famed surfing beaches whose cliffside trails are the routes of loveable wallabies. We’re also promised an awesome surprise at the end.

LISTENING IN: From Chicago to Toronto, the Legend of Buddy Guy

I saw the amazing Buddy Guy a few years back at Casino Rama, in Orillia, Ont., still rocking (and wading into the audience) even in his early 80s. Now 87, the last of the great Chicago bluesmen is on his “Damn Right” farewell tour, and I’m lucky to be catching him again tonight (Friday) at Massey Hall in Toronto, where he has played 18 times since 1970.

UP IN FLAMES: Fire guts famous Copenhagen landmark

There’s one less spire in the “City of Spires” after fire gutted the Boersen, Copenhagen’s famed former stock exchange building on Tuesday – a calamity being compared to the destruction of Notre Dame in Paris in 2019.

NYC HITTING A HOME RUN WITH CANADIAN MARKET

There’s always something new in New York, a constant that helps inspire a million Canadians a year to visit, says senior city tourism exec Reginald Charlot.

TRANSAT CELEBRATES ROOKIE CAMP GRADS

Transat staff may not have got much sleep, but the reward was a successful inaugural ‘Rookie Camp’ in Mexico, which saw 100 travel advisors from across the country graduate with honours.

CARNIVAL BOOSTS BOOKING TOOL FOR AGENTS

Carnival Cruise Line is introducing a series of new features to its online booking tool for travel advisors, GoCCL Navigator. The enhancements streamline the booking process, providing travel advisors with the tools and resources they need to maximize efficiency and improve their overall experience to support their business and income growth.

MARRIOTT NAMES NEW CANADIAN EXECS

Marriott International has appointed two new members to its Canadian senior leadership team. Susie Grynol will join Marriott International as Market VP, Eastern Canada, while Keri Robinson will assume the position of Area VP, US Western Mountain Pacific and Western Canada, expanding her current responsibilities.

‘BACK AT ITS BEST’: Travel poised for record-breaking year

The winds of war notwithstanding, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)) is projecting a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism in 2024, with the sector’s global economic contribution set to reach an all-time high of US$11.1 trillion. 

CATERERS STRIKE AT PEARSON, NO SNACKS FOR PAX

About 800 airline food service staff at Toronto’s Pearson airport went on strike Tuesday, leaving thousands of passengers without meals. Gate Gourmet employees voted 96 percent against an offer from the Swiss-owned travel catering company on Monday night, Teamsters Canada said.

LYNX BLAMES SABRE FOR REFUND WOES

Lynx Air says Sabre Corp. has “refused to assist” with passenger reimbursement for the now-defunct ultra-low-cost carrier, which ceased operations and filed for creditor protection in late February.

SCOTLAND TAPS GAELIC INTEREST FOR NEW TOURISM STRATEGY

A new tourism strategy aimed at delivering authentic and memorable visitor experiences by celebrating Gaelic culture, heritage and language has been launched in Scotland. The new plan highlights an increasing interest in the Gaelic language and culture from both domestic and international visitors.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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