WELCOME TO WREXHAM: Unlikely soccer story puts Welsh city on the map

Three years into the unlikely ownership of Wrexham AFC soccer/football club by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the appeal of their accompanying (and explanatory) documentary series “Welcome to Wrexham” continues to skyrocket. The series, and overall exposure, generated by the celebrity owners and the fairytale story that has ensued, has gifted the city with an unexpected moment in the global spotlight and, subsequently, a not-surprising surge of visitors to sleepy North Wales.

GUCCI’S WORLD AT LONDON’S SAVVY SAVOY

It’s not the oldest of London’s top-tier luxury hotels but The Savoy is arguably the most famous. Many would also argue it’s also the best, living up to every inch of it’s outsized reputation. Founded in 1889, the iconic property has hosted a bevy of rich and famous patrons (Monet painted from it’s windows) over its nearly 135 years, and even some who weren’t famous yet – like Guccio Gucci, who once worked there as a luggage and lift-boy early.

SETTING SAIL IN STYLE ON THE ELEGANT SEA CLOUD SPIRIT

Scrambling up the masts of one of the world’s largest sailing ships on rope ladders, crew members gingerly balance on tightrope-like lines to untie knots and let her huge sails unfurl in the wind. On deck below, a ballet begins as other sailors have to use all their weight to manually pull sail lines taut and meticulously loop miles of rope onto belaying pins. A spectacular morning has begun on Sea Cloud Spirit.

STRANGE BUT TRUE: Tales of the weird and wacky

An odd New Year’s record in Las Vegas and ghosts in Nevada, plus David Bowie news in Paris and a Banksy brouhaha in London highlight this edition of weird and wacky world news.

LISTENING IN: The sweet sounds of the Stones and Lady Gaga

Last week I proffered my favourite song from 2023; now it’s time to tout last year’s best (in my humble estimation) album: The Rolling Stones’ “Hackney Diamonds.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not typically blinded by any and every offering from rock bands whose best days are years (decades!) in the past, but dropped-jaw kudos to Mick, Keith et al, whose latest album is, I daresay, right up there with some of their best.

IT’S THIS CLOSE: Air travel nears full recovery

In a sign that 2024 will prove to be the year that air travel is fully recovered from the pandemic, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that data for November 2023 indicated that air traffic demand topped 99% of 2019 levels.

THE WORLD’S MOST ON-TIME AIRLINES

Recently we learned that passengers perhaps ought not set their watches by Canada’s major airlines. But which carriers do boast the best on-time performance? In its annual 2023 On-Time Performance Review, respected aviation analytics firm Cirium celebrated operating excellence in the aviation sector, including airlines and airports, hailing a host of winners from every corner of the globe.

TRAIN STRIKE BRINGS GERMANY TO STANDSTILL

Train travel across Germany and in many cities came to a near standstill on Wednesday leaving commuters and other travellers struggling to find alternatives involving long-distance bus or car travel or flights after a union representing many of Germany’s train drivers started a nearly three-day strike.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: ACTA, Uniglobe, TTAND, Virtuoso, and Travel Edge

In this week’s bumper retail round-up ACTA welcomes back a new old face, Celebrity celebrates with TTAND, Virtuoso makes moves with Malta, Travel Edge is looking to inspire new agents, and Canadian agents join the Uniglobe Chairman’s Circle.

WHAT’S HOT FOR HIKERS IN 2024

From key tourism developments and new launches to new festivals and global events, World Expeditions has designated its three top destinations for active travellers to explore in 2024… and why.

HOTEL WEEK: Kempinski adds two landmark hotels in Dubai

Kempinski Hotels has doubled its footprint in Dubai after signing a partnership with Abu Dhabi National Hotels to rebrand two iconic properties. On Jan. 1, the Kempinski flag was hoisted above Kempinski The Boulevard Dubai and Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai, formerly Address Boulevard and Address Dubai Mall respectively. The addition of these two landmark properties to the Kempinski portfolio significantly expands the brand’s presence in Dubai, which was one of the best-performing destinations worldwide for the luxury hotel group in 2023.

DIGITAL DIGEST: The digital case study 2024

As the new year begins, evaluating your performance for 2023 is essential to understanding how 2024 will shape up. Whether you are an agency, a brand, or an entrepreneur, crafting your digital media report will unearth functional insights and also help to align expectations for the coming year.

MAKING WAVES: Stats reveal most popular cruise lines, top trends

After serving up close to 20 million cruise quotes, online travel advisor marketplace CruiseCompete has released its CruiseTrends 2023 Annual Report offering an inside look at what consumers want in cruise vacations based on their requests.

NEW JETBLUE CEO FIRST FEMALE TO LEAD A U.S. AIRLINE

JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes will step down next month and be replaced by the airline’s president, Joanna Geraghty, who will be the first woman to lead a major US carrier. Geraghty, 51, joined JetBlue in 2005 and has taken on an increasingly prominent role at the New York-based airline in recent years, including becoming president and chief operating officer in 2018.

AGENTS CAN WIN BIG WITH G-NORMOUS INCENTIVE

G Adventures’ annual incentive is back and bigger than before with up to $75k in cash and prizes up for grabs by travel advisors, including an $11k grand prize to celebrate the 11th year of G-Normous. Running for four months through April 30, agents across Canada are being invited to compete to see who will be crowned the annual G-Normous winner.

HOTEL WEEK: Jumeirah to double portfolio by 2023

Jumeirah Group, the hospitality company that lists such iconic properties as the Burj Al Arab in Dubai amongst its roster of luxury properties, has set out ambitious plans to double the size of its portfolio by 2030, building on its strength in the United Arab Emirates and further expanding its portfolio into key global markets.

NEW PRESIDENT AT ONTARIO TOURISM, ANDREW SIEGWART

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) has announced the appointment of Andrew Siegwart as its new President & CEO, effective Jan. 21. In his new role, Siegwart will guide the organization in promoting and advancing Ontario’s tourism industry while ensuring its growth, sustainability, and alignment with important societal goals.

WHAT’S DOING AT DISNEYLAND IN 2024

For the first time, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Ca., has released its lineup of special events and limited-time festivities for the coming year, with 2024 highlighted by the resort-wide Pixar Fest celebration beginning in the spring.

RIPPLE EFFECT: How Max 9 issues could affect Canadians

Canadian air travellers will be largely unaffected by the grounding of Boeing’s 737 Max 9 airplane, but they may want to double-check their itineraries nonetheless. Some passengers could be booked on routes – notably those by Alaska Airlines and United – affected by the US Federal Aviation Administration order, which has grounded the aircraft.

ARE YOUR CLIENTS SICK OF WINTER? Here’s where to send them

Have you been tirelessly fielding requests from clients who are done with winter’s chilly antics? They’ve simply had enough of having frozen fingertips, shoveling driveways, and experiencing a wardrobe crisis every time they leave the house. It’s not just the winter blues; the never-ending small talk about the weather just about morphed them into the grumpiest version of themselves.

INTO THE LIGHT: What TRAVELSAVERS advisors foresee for 2024

With a strong return to travel last year now in the rearview mirror, TRAVELSAVERS Canada advisors are now looking ahead a profitable year ahead with over 75% of respondents to a recent survey foreseeing their sales increasing in 2024. Only 3% think sales will decline, with no one anticipating a significant drop.

ALL ABOARD FOR LIMA, THE JEWEL OF LATIN AMERICA

Lima, the vibrant capital of Peru, invites travellers to embark on an extraordinary adventure this winter. Located on the Pacific coast, this coastal metropolis offers an array of cultural, culinary and historical delights that are sure to capture the hearts of your clients. And talk about great timing: Air Transat recently introduced new direct flights between Toronto and Lima, operating twice weekly year-round, making this captivating destination more accessible than ever.

HOTEL WEEK: What’s coming from Accor in ‘24

Accor, which boasts a 5,500 properties across 40-plus brands in 110 countries (plus 10,000 food and beverage outlets, wellness facilities and workspaces) has a few (well, a lot) more hotels coming in 2024, from an Orient Express in a historic building in Rome and a Raffles in Jaipur, to a Novotel in Hamburg and a Movenpick in Jakarta.

BREATHE LIFE INTO THE NEW YEAR

“New year, new me!” Is that what your clients are saying? Do they feel like they’re ready to turn the page and let the sun, sand and sea work their magic? A change of scenery at the adults-only Breathless Cancun Soul Resort & Spa could be the answer.

METEORIC RISE: What’s behind Bahamas’ record tourism numbers

The Bahamas is continuing a “meteoric” rise in tourism as air and sea arrivals reach unprecedented heights, marking sustained growth that has surpassed previous years’ benchmarks. As of the end of November 2023, the cumulative count of foreign air and sea arrivals soared to over 8.65 million, representing 41.8 percent surge compared to the corresponding period in 2022.  

THE PLANE FACTS: Canadian carriers unaffected by latest 737 Max mishap

Canadian airlines say they don’t fly the Boeing 737-9 Max jetliners that US regulators have grounded after an Alaska Airlines plane suffered a blowout while in flight. The Alaska Airlines 737-9 Max jetliner blew out a window and a portion of its fuselage shortly after takeoff nearly five kilometres above Oregon late Friday, creating a gaping hole that forced the pilots to make an emergency landing as its 174 passengers and six crew members donned oxygen masks.

VISA FLIP-FLOP: Brazil, Turkey changes benefit Canadians

Both Brazil and Turkey have changed visa rules that will benefit Canadian travellers. But while the latter has cancelled visa requirements for several countries, including Canada, Brazil has only postponed the reintroduction of requirements until April 10.

HOTEL WEEK: Hard Rock breaking ground for Greek tourism

Hard Rock International has broken ground for a luxury resort and casino in the heart of Greece’s Athens Rivera. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens will be the first integrated resort of its kind in continental Europe and will serve as a driver for entertainment and tourism in the city of Athens.

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