TRAVELSAVERS members enjoyed an elite retreat, while in other round-up news, Trevello was cruising to success, Flight Centre embraced AI, while TDC said ‘bravo’ to 25 top agencies, and Direct Travel hosted its first-ever leisure conference.
Low-cost airlines Ryanair and Malta Air won a court case Wednesday against the European Union’s decision to approve billions of euros in state aid by the French government to Air France and holding company Air France-KLM during the COVID-19 pandemic.
New York City is always a hive of activity, and never more so than during the holidays, culminating in the famed New Year’s ball-drop at Times Square. But there is much more to do in the Big Apple, and much of it is free.
Scientists anticipated the eruption of a volcano in southwestern Iceland near the country’s top tourist attraction for weeks, so when it happened on Monday night, it was no surprise. The region had been active for more than two years and thousands of small earthquakes rattled the area in recent weeks. Here is a look at what happened and how it may affect flights and tourism.
Despite financial pressures, Canadians’ vacation confidence continues to rise with seven in 10 saying they plan to take a holiday in 2024, according to Allianz Global Assistance’s seventh annual Vacation Confidence Study.
Brazil’s Embratur has joined the Canadian association of tour operators (CATO), an unusual arrangement for a tourist board, but one that reflects the South American country’s keen interest in the Canadian tourism market.
Southwest Airlines will pay a US$35 million fine as part of a $140 million settlement to resolve a federal investigation into a debacle in December 2022 when the airline cancelled thousands of flights and stranded more than 2 million travellers over the holidays. The US government said the assessment was the largest it has ever imposed on an airline for violating consumer protection laws.
With more than two million passengers – 200,000 more than last year and 99 percent of 2019 – set to travel through Vancouver International Airport this month, the facility says it has been working all year to improvement the traveller experience at YVR to ensure there is no repeat of last year’s “challenges” during the holiday travel period, typically the busiest week of the year.
Marriott International is set to debut its first-ever all-inclusive property fully conceptualized by the Marriott brand at the site of the former Marriott Cancun Resort, which closed its doors for the extensive renovation this past March. Reservations are now open effective March 22, 2024.
AI or Artificial Intelligence is a powerful tool for content production, including articles, images, and videos. However, it requires not only intelligent input from the user, but also a keen eye to understand the product. AI is only part of the solution because it’s the human element that makes it powerful and effective. Here’s a guide to understanding the balance.
It’s been an “incredible” year for Nassau Paradise Island (NPI), from the opening of the city’s spectacular new cruise port to a Golden Jubilee, plus landmark hotel happenings and record arrivals. And in Canada, the return of representation for the NPI Promotion Board, which has “ambitious” goals for the destination in this country.
Air Transat passengers can now purchase upgrades on the airline with Plusgrade, which gives ticket holders multiple opportunities to move up to Club Class, featuring the comfort of an exclusive cabin, plus gourmet meals and priority airport service.
The Bahamas is perhaps best known as a beach destination, famed for soft white sands, sparkling turquoise waters, and abundant sunshine – more than 300 sunny days each year. But beyond the beach visitors will discover a destination brimming with vibrant culture, natural beauty, and fascinating history, where Spanish, West African, and British influences come together with a uniquely Caribbean twist.
Sunwing Vacations is always ready to help your mutual clients – so you don’t have to! So says the tour company’s VP of Sales & Business Development, Deana Murphy, who told top agents recently at the company’s annual Christmas lunch with RIU that “we have a wonderful team in every destination, and they are there to help.”
There’s so much to discover in Nassau Paradise Island – from turquoise blue waters and lush beaches to vibrant culture and array of accommodations. Indeed, every moment is precious. So, how to make the most of one’s time in the Bahamian paradise? Here are some insider tips.
Seoul, South Korea will join WestJet’s growing list of international destinations starting in May, 2024. The airline’s second transpacific connection to Asia, along with Tokyo, underpins the continued establishment of the carrier’s global hub in Calgary, say company execs.
A Russian man who flew on a plane from Denmark to Los Angeles in November without a passport or ticket told US authorities he did not remember how he got through security in Europe, according to a federal complaint filed by the FBI.
Canada has announced that it has expanded its air transport agreements with Ethiopia, Jordan, and Türkiye. The new rights under these agreements are available for use by airlines immediately and allow increased flights between Canada and each of the countries.
Ever wonder what the head of a national travel conglomerate dreams about for Christmas? Since we’re pretty sure it isn’t sugar plums, we thought we’d ask Nathalie Tanious, the newly minted President and CEO of HIS-Red Label Vacations Inc., which operates TravelBrands and its many familiar tour divisions (among them Sunquest, Intair, Encore Cruises, and Exotic Journeys), as well as such retail brands as Red Tag, Merit, and itravel2000.
Air Canada has announced a significant boost to its North American network capacity for summer 2024 with the addition of two new destinations, Tulum, Mexico, and Charleston, SC. There will also be five new routes, increased flight frequencies on others, and earlier resumption of several popular seasonal routes in response to expected demand.
“Finally!” our driver declared, musing on the opening of The Fontainebleau Las Vegas last week (Dec. 13), echoing the sentiment of many in the city of the long-delayed and much-anticipated sequel to its glamourous Miami Beach counterpart.
A full recovery in Canada’s inbound tourism industry will nearly be achieved in 2023, Destination Canada says, as the rebound comes quicker than expected ahead of a bigger bounce-back forecast for 2025. In a new report, the tourism agency says that the number of overnight leisure and business visits in the country will reach 98 percent of 2019 levels, and spending will exceed it by the end of this year.
Fourteen workers at one of Spain’s main airports for tourists have been arrested on suspicion of stealing items from checked-in luggage. Police seized allegedly stolen items worth almost €2 million ($2.9 million), including around €13,000 ($19,000) in cash, from the group of employees at the largest airport in Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands. Another 20 airport employees are under investigation in the same case.
Even as Christmas week approaches, there was no let up in travel news heading into the holidays, as a host of new flights took place, appointments were made and destinations and suppliers looked ahead to 2024 – all detailed in this week’s round-up of last week.
In a dramatic improvement over last year’s results, Transat AT Inc. showed a profit in its latest quarter, as the travel company continues to ramp up flights. CEO Annick Guerard said consumers show little sign of travel wariness, but increased competition and customer financial strain have begun to thin out profit margins even as the travel company guns for major growth next year.
There’s a little-known option for snowbirds looking to buy travel insurance that covers them for medical emergencies while they are away over the winter that could save them a significant amount of money and provide better coverage. Yet few are aware of the personalized travel insurance coverage option that can do just that.
Earthquakes can strike without warning, and no one can predict them. No scientist has ever predicted a major earthquake, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), which states, “We do not know how, and we do not expect to know how (to predict a major earthquake) any time in the foreseeable future. USGS scientists can only calculate the probability that a significant earthquake will occur in a specific area within a certain number of years.”
Tourists at the Acropolis can witness the resolution of one of the world’s most heated debates on cultural heritage. All they need is a smartphone to pinch and zoom their way around the ancient Greek site, with a digital overlay showing how it once looked. That includes a collection of sculptures called the Elgin Marbles, removed from the Parthenon more than 200 years ago that are now on display at the British Museum in London and which Greece wants back.
Recently we reported that Barcelona bar Sips was named the “World’s Best Bar” for 2023 in the annual 50 Best ranking sponsored by Perrier. But with 49 other entries and a host of other unique cocktail-related categories, there is plenty more to tell, such as which establishment finished second.
For the first time, luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways will begin its European river cruising season in February, with two ships on the Danube and Rhine rivers. It’s a direct response to the increased demand for new off-season travel options, but it’s only part of a significant evolution of river cruising preferences, the company that’s had record results for 2023 says.