For over 50 years, Goway has showcased Australia and New Zealand – destinations renowned for their dynamic natural landscapes, ancient cultures, and wealth of activity options. There are a million things a traveller can do Downunder, but where to start? Luckily, travel advisors don’t have to go it alone when planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand.
Reflecting a “significant recovery” in air travel by Canadians – particularly to destinations South and to Europe, Air Transat has revealed its 2024 summer flight program from Toronto. In 2024, the airline is offering six more weekly flights to Europe and seven more weekly flights to the South.
Sydney is blessed with one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world, but it’s only a fraction of the wonder that a traveller can experience in Australia. Goway has been planning tailor-made trips to Australia for over 50 years and is constantly finding new ways to showcase the nation’s blend of natural landmarks, world-class cities, and ancient cultures.
Sandals Resorts’ newest all-inclusive resort is now open for reservations. Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines will mark the ninth Caribbean destination and 18th Sandals resort for Sandals Resorts International (SRI) when it welcomes its first guests on March 27, 2024.
Few, if any, countries can match the natural beauty of New Zealand. It’s a veritable paradise – arguably the most beautiful country in the world – and one that Goway is dedicated to helping travellers explore, from its towering mountains to pastoral grasslands, winding coastlines, verdant wine regions, and attractive cities.
The week’s round-up news includes WestJet taking a winter break on YYZ-YUL flights and revealing its Sunwing integration date; Porter Airlines California-bound; and Saudia returning to Canada. Non-airline highlights” TICO released its long-awaited reform proposals – including fee changes for members, Royal Caribbean revealed the name of its newest ship, and an Ontario hotel earned a singular honour.
After conducting a comprehensive funding framework review, including the Compensation Fund, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has released its proposals for a future funding model. They include lower annual fees for most members (but higher for some others), the removal of end-supplier coverage of airlines and cruise ships, and – controversially – no consumer pay model.
From inflation to labour shortages, political discord to war in Ukraine, and even train and plane failures, it’s of little surprise that Canadians want to get away from it all – a notion reflected in a recent survey by Air Transat that shows nearly 50 percent of respondents indicate that relaxation is their main reason for travel.
Vancouver International Airport welcomed more than 7.1 million passengers from July through September, a 21.7 percent increase over the same period last year and on par with 2019, reports YVR’s airport authority. August was YVR’s busiest month of the summer, with the BC Day weekend seeing the most passengers—328,422 passengers from Aug. 4 to 7.
First-time and experienced cruisers alike may be surprised to know some of the everyday items that are prohibited onboard the most popular cruise ships. From irons to homemade food, helium balloons, and even young babies, some things are best left behind before setting sail.
Andrea Nissen is trying to prepare her 65-year-old husband, who has Alzheimer’s disease, for a solo flight to visit family. She worries about travellers and airport officials misinterpreting his forgetfulness or habit of getting in people’s personal space, and feels guilty about not being able to accompany him.
Are you ready for an adventure that will make history? We’re about to sail across the top of the world, to explore the fabled Northwest Passage and set foot on places few people have ever been. For decades, Canada’s high Arctic remained terra incognita, a fascinatingly dangerous obsession that drove explorers to commit to three years of hardship on wooden ships with icy decks in an environment that could break ships as well as the resolve of even the most resolute sailors.
We’ve done this song before, but let’s be honest, you really can’t hear “Take Me Home Country Roads” too many times. Especially when it’s continually interpreted in so many amazing, creative (sometimes globalized) ways, not least from Izzy Kamakawiwo’ole’s Hawaiian take on a ukelele to Toots & the Maytals plaintiff “almost heaven, West Jamaica.”
WestJet is halting flights between Toronto and Montreal for the winter in a continuation of its retreat from short-haul routes in Eastern Canada to retrench in the West. The route will be suspended for six months, starting late October and resuming in late April.
On a day on which Ontario’s cottage country was actually hotter than Las Vegas, it seemed only fitting that a team of suppliers and tourism officials from the latter city met with a group of Canadian trade representatives in Muskoka to talk travel. The two-day retreat early this week at the JW Marriott on Lake Rosseau was also meant to symbolize Sin City’s current tagline: “Las Vegas Unplugged.”
Residents from fire-stricken Lahaina have asked Hawaii Governor Josh Green to delay plans to reopen a portion of West Maui, saying the grieving community is not ready to welcome back visitors. Tourists had been invited back starting this weekend (Oct. 8).
Unique Vacations Canada has announced the appointment of Jordon McGrowder to the position of Business Development Manager, Alberta, Manitoba, and Northwest Territories. He joins the Sandals/Beaches team as the second BDM in western Canada and replaces Donné Nixon, who is moving to Toronto to become Human Resources Manager at UVC headquarters.
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario has re-launched its industry director voting process with registrations required by Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. The re-vote follows a technical glitch at TICO’s recent Sept. 26 AGM that limited members ability to vote for two directors in the organization’s restructuring process.
United Airlines has agreed to improve air travel for passengers in wheelchairs after the US federal government investigated a complaint by a disability-rights advocate. United and the Transportation Department said last week that the airline will add a filter to the booking tool on its website to help consumers find flights on which the plane can more easily accommodate their wheelchairs.
Parents, teens, and kids alike can have the all-inclusive vacation of their dreams with Grand Palladium Hotels and Resorts, says Sunwing. Set on some of the most sought-after shores of the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Jamaica, the paradise destinations are simply a bonus – the real fun is found on site!
Following Transat Distribution Canada’s annual conference in Toronto, we had an opportunity to ask General Manager Karine Gagnon some questions about the company’s ongoing developments, operations, team, and outlook for the future.
Tropical storm Philippe dropped heavy rains in the northeast Caribbean on Tuesday, forcing governments to close schools in the region as forecasters warned of flash flooding. The storm was located about 70 miles (115 kilometers) northwest of Anguilla on Tuesday morning and had winds of up to 45 mph (75 kph). It was moving northwest at 10 mph (17 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
The United National World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has launched a new global initiative designed to unite and encourage nations, members of the tourism sector, and consumers to be more open-minded when choosing a travel destination.
Porter Airlines is launching its first two western US destinations in California with daily roundtrip service connecting Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
Egypt is seeking to double the number of visitors to the country in the next five years with a goal of reaching 30 million visitors by 2028, as its once-thriving tourism sector recovers from the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic and the grinding war in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Miami brought its new global marketing campaign to Toronto recently at a trade event designed to convey the South Florida city’s many faces and colours. Salsa dancers, cocktail making, and an artistic endeavour guided by a renowned graffiti artist from the city enlivened the event while giving hints of the “Find Your Miami” campaign.
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) and Destination Canada have announced that they secured a significant US$100,000 investment from Expedia Group to help boost Indigenous tourism across Canada. The investment marks a major milestone in advancing Indigenous tourism in Canada and supporting Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action #92, says Destination Canada.
Aviation companies are making the pitch to Ottawa that stricter rules designed to boost customer compensation and improve service could put passenger safety at risk – an argument consumer advocates reject. The push, made in regulatory submissions and meetings on Parliament Hill, comes on the heels of sweeping reforms to the passenger rights charter announced in April and currently being hashed out by Canada’s transport regulator before going into effect next year.
Jamaica’s Tourism Minister has high hopes for Canada – namely making the island the No. 1 destination in the Caribbean from this country, and with no less that a million visitors a year to boot. Currently boasting over 300,000 Canadian visitors a year, Edmund Bartlett has declared a goal of 500,000 annual visitors by 2025, which would eclipse the 400,000 high watermark in 2010.
Delta Air Lines says is rethinking changes it already announced to its loyalty program, with the airline’s CEO saying it went too far trying to address a surge in the ranks of elite frequent flyers. Delta said two weeks ago that starting in early 2025 it would base elite status purely on spending, instead of also counting flights, and limit airport club access for holders of Delta credit cards.