FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Where to eat on the street in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, a culinary haven renowned for its vibrant street food scene, has embarked on an international campaign to showcase its unique and transformative cuisine. Spearheaded by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the campaign has enticed audiences worldwide since December with its compelling video titled “All You Can Eat.”

NEW SHIP ORDERS SIGNAL RISING CRUISE OPTIMISM

In a signal that cruising has finally recovered, Carnival Corp. has inked its first order for a new ship since before the pandemic. The fourth Excel-Class ship for Carnival Cruise Line will be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard and be delivered in 2027. And the company confirmed rumors reported in Seatrade Cruise News they are in discussion for as many as four ships to be built by Fincantieri in Italy.

LISTENING IN: Advice from Keb’ Mo’ and Rosanne Cash

I’ve loved the music of Kevin Roosevelt Moore known as Keb’ Mo’, since my blues loving (and playing) cousin Jerome, introduced me to his music some years ago. Since then, the American blues musician and eight-time Grammy Award winner, has become a staple in our house.

‘IT’S BLOWIN’ A STORM’: Another huge snowstorm descends on Atlantic Canada

A Valentine’s Day snowstorm closed school and caused travel delays across parts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. The nor’easter dumped up to 37 centimetres of snow on Nova Scotia by Wednesday morning before heading to Newfoundland, where the wind picked up and a swirling snowfall enveloped much of the province.

FORT MYERS REBOUNDS FROM HURRICANE IAN

During my recent visit to Lee County, Florida I couldn’t help but strum along to Jimmy Buffett’s 1977 hit song, “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.”  As I walked the streets and beaches of Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva islands, these lines in particular stood out:

CUNARD OFFERS SPECIAL BRITAIN SAILING ON QUEEN ANNE

Cunard has announced the first event voyage on Queen Anne with a special British Isles Festival to coincide with her maiden voyage around the British Isles, departing May 24. The 14-night roundtrip voyage is designed to showcase the very best of Britain’s shores, taking in Cunard’s spiritual home of Liverpool and along with Belfast, the Highland cliffs, and the scenic Scottish coast.

‘RENDEZVOUS WITH THE WORLD’: France to mark special D-Day milestone in June

The eyes of the world will be on Paris this summer when the City of Light hosts the Summer Olympics; but first France will show its gratitude toward World War II veterans who will return, many for the last time, to Normandy beaches this year for 80th anniversary commemorations of D-Day to mark the defeat of the Nazis.

EXPLORE ’24: 7 reasons to visit Denmark

With a rich cultural heritage and vibrant culinary scene, Denmark always has plenty on the go to entice visitors, not least a host of new events and experiences set to take place in 2024. From unique sightseeing and active adventures to only-in-Denmark culinary celebrations, here are seven mouthwatering reasons to visit this year.

CALL A CAB: Uber, Lyft and DoorDash plan mass strike today

Happy Valentine’s Day. Thousands of Uber, Lyft and DoorDash drivers are set to cause chaos on today in Toronto and other cities across Canada and the US, during a mass strike for higher wages. The Valentine’s Day strike is expected in Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg, as well as dozens of cities across the US. and Europe. The drivers, who are considered independent contractors, have accused the platforms of taking disproportionately high amounts as commissions.

VRBO FUMBLES: Newfoundland and Labrador rightly angered by SuperBowl tourism ad.

Newfoundland and Labrador has released a new advertisement that appears to respond to an ad by a vacation rental company that angered many in the province.  Vrbo ran an ad during the Super Bowl broadcast on Sunday showing disappointed travellers discovering that their vacation rental is overrun by squealing livestock, while the beloved folk song “I’se the B’y” plays in the background.

FIRST LOOK: Universal reveals new Orlando theme park

Universal Orlando Resort has revealed the first official look and details of its new theme park, Universal Epic Universe. Located a few miles from the current Universal footprint, the park is set to open in 2025, promising an “unmatched level of theme park innovation” that includes five immersive worlds featuring attractions, dining, shopping and more, all set in “breathtaking gardens.”

HILTON EMBRACES MOBILE MESSAGING FOR GUESTS

Late check-out request. Extra pillows. Wine glasses. Replacement toothbrush. Just send a text. To support the growing need for frictionless travel and introduce easier ways for guests to engage with hotel teams, Hilton is expanding its mobile messaging platform to its more than 7,000 Hilton properties worldwide by the end of 2024.

BOEING DELAYS COMPROMISE WESTJET’S PLANS:

WestJet faces indefinite delays on dozens of new aircraft deliveries after a panel blowout on a Boeing 737 Max plane last month prompted a halt to greater production at the US aircraft maker. The Calgary-based carrier bought 42 Boeing 737 Max 10 jetliners in 2022, with options for 22 more – on top of nearly two dozen earlier Max orders still in the pipeline.

IT’S MONEY HONEY: Exorbitant costs make the Maldives less desirable to many

The island of Maldives in the North Central Indian Ocean, is high on the ‘gotta go’ list of many travellers. Who can resist an alluring island, graced with stunning white sand beaches, luminous cyan-blue waters, and dazzling coral reefs. And, it’s not just brochure BS, the beauty of this paradise seems infinite – but there’s a catch – an underreported story that raises eyebrows.

CANADIAN OPENS PLANE DOOR CAUSING CHAOS: Over two thousand passengers effected by delays

Canada is providing consular assistance to a Canadian citizen who was taken into custody last week after Thai authorities say the person opened an emergency door on a Thai Airways plane and triggered the evacuation slide prior to takeoff. According to a statement issued by the Chiang Mai International Airport, the incident took place on the night of February 7.

THE CONTINUING MYSTERY AND SEARCH FOR AMELIA EARHART

A grainy sonar image recorded by a private pilot has reinvigorated interest in one of the past century’s most alluring mysteries: What happened to Amelia Earhart when her plane vanished during her flight around the world in 1937? Numerous expeditions have turned up nothing, only confirming that swaths of ocean floor held no trace of her twin-tailed monoplane. Tony Romeo now believes his new South Carolina-based sea exploration company captured an outline of the iconic American’s Lockheed 10-E Electra.

TAIWAN INTRODUCES SPECIALIST COURSE FOR AGENTS

In an initiative to enhance the knowledge of travel agencies across Canada about Taiwan’s diverse travel offerings, the Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) has announced the launch of its online Taiwan Tourism School. This e-learning platform is specifically designed to acquaint Canadian travel professionals with the unique allure of Taiwan as a premier tourist destination.

IHG HOTELS FORGING A LEGACY OF LUXURY

With its six brands of its 19 brands now representing nearly a quarter (22%) of its global pipeline – nearly double its stake from just five years ago – IHG Hotels & Resorts, says it will continue to expand and invest in the segment, particularly in the Americas. Globally, IHG has transformed its Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio through notable acquisitions of Six Senses, Regent Hotels & Resorts and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants; the growth of its legacy InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and Hotel Indigo brands; and the launch of Vignette Collection.

SWINGING IN MEXICO:The New and Improved Higuera Golf Club in Punta de Mita, Riviera Nayarit

Guaranteed sunshine, lush green mountains, a turquoise sea and enough margaritas to stave off scurvy are a few of the reasons why I’ve made the Bay of Banderas my home-away-from-winter for almost 20 years. But I am also a self-confessed golf fanatic and Riviera Nayarit is arguably one of Mexico’s top golf destinations. Now the golf scene here is even better with the transformation of what was originally called Litibu, now called Higuera Golf Club, named after the wild fig trees that proliferate the area. In fact, the golf club’s logo was modelled after the humongous higuera tree at the back nine taco shack. 

A WEIGHTY ISSUE:  A good idea or fat shaming?

Each aircraft has a set maximum weight for safe takeoff. Almost everything that gets onto a commercial plane — fuel, checked-in baggage, cargo and meals — is weighed. For passengers and their cabin bags, most airlines use average data. But Finland’s national carrier Finnair said Friday that it started asking passengers this week voluntarily and anonymously hop onto a scale with their hand luggage at the country’s main airport in Helsinki.

CONFLICT CONCERNS IMPACT CRUISE: Major detour for Virgin’s Resilient Lady

Concerned about potential escalations to the conflict in the Middle East, Virgin has announced a major detour for the repositioning cruise of its ship, Resilient Lady, departing Australia on March 27. Leaving from Sydney, the repositioning cruise will sail around the coast of Africa.

LOOKING BACK, AND FORWARD, AT 25 YEARS OF ONEWORLD

The oneworld alliance is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024. Launched on Feb. 1, 1999 by founding members American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas, the alliance has flown nearly nine billion customers on its member airlines and currently boasts a takeoff or landing somewhere in the world every six seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

BET ON IT: The most Instagrammable casinos in Canada  

Take a bow Casino Rama.  The Ontario casino has taken the top spot with 26,587 posts.  New research has revealed the most Instagrammable casinos in Canada. Niagara Fallsview Casino, also in Ontario, ranks second.

MONKEY BUSINESS: Something sniffy in passenger’s luggage

A passenger returning from a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo reported that his luggage contained dried fish after US Customs and Border Protection dog sniffed out something unusual in his bag.  However, an inspection at Boston Logan Airport revealed something quite different – mummified monkeys.

TAMPA TIME: Transforming travel training

Visit Tampa Bay has introduced a new and comprehensive training, marketing, and sales tool designed specifically for travel advisors.  The Tampa Bay Specialist Learning & Sales Companion features cutting-edge technology and is touted as “a significant advancement in remote destination sales and training” that goes beyond a typical educational course.

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