SANDALS GUARANTEES ‘STELLAR’ STAY

Guests at Sandals Dunn’s River resort are guaranteed a “stellar” stay with the introduction of the luxury all-inclusive’s first “Stargazing Concierge,” part of a new and out-of-this world Celestial Experience at the newly re-imagined property in Jamaica.

DIRE STRAITS: TIAC warns half of Canadian tourism businesses could shutter

The head of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada says businesses are struggling to stay afloat under a pile of debt and a dearth of overseas visitors. In a poll of tourism operators, some 45 percent said they were likely or somewhat likely to shut down within three years unless the government steps in to adjust their loan conditions.

HURRICANE WATCH FOR EASTERN CARIBBEAN, D.R.

Tropical Storm Bret chugged toward the eastern Caribbean on Tuesday as forecasters warned it could strengthen into a hurricane before approaching a region rushing to prepare itself for an unusually early storm.

EXTREMIST PLOT FOILED: Trains, planes, airports targeted

Police arrested a Norwegian citizen in Hungary on suspicion that he was planning an extremist attack modeled after a 2011 massacre in Norway that killed 77 people, and would have taken place across airports, railway stations and on airplanes.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: TDC, TLN and TRAVELSAVERS

In our latest retail round-up, Transat agents sailed with Scenic, Crystal made waves with Travel Leaders Network, and TRAVELSAVERS Canada talks technology.

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR ACTA SUMMITS

Registration is now open for the ACTA Travel Industry Summits to be held in Toronto, Richmond, BC, and Laval, Que., in September. Travel advisors, managers, senior leaders, consortia, and host agency teams are all invited to attend.

SPANNER IN THE WORKS: Mechanic shortage another issue for airlines

Kwasi Bandoh, a senior recruiter for an airline, stood before a group of aviation mechanic students at their graduation ceremony last month and congratulated them for all having jobs. As some of the students began nudging each other, Bandoh realized that perhaps not every one of them had already been hired.

UP IN THE AIR: Healthy competition or higher fares

Experts seemingly disagree whether WestJet’s decision to shut down Sunwing Airlines and fold it into its main operations could mean less service and higher fares – or whether the Competition Bureau, competitors, and savvy consumers will ensure that fares stay competitive.

SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR MISSING SUB NEAR TITANIC WRECK

A rescue operation was underway deep in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland on Monday in search of a submarine that carries tourists to view the wreckage of the Titanic.

VANCOUVER VOTED TOP CANADIAN CITY BY AGENT GROUP

Vancouver ranks as the top domestic city being booked this year, according to new survey results released by First in Service Travel LTD (F1S) – one of North America’s largest independent travel agencies.

A ‘LOVE LETTER’ TO TRAVEL: New G Adventures campaign comes with agent toolkit

G Adventures has posted a new toolkit for travel counsellors to help promote its new brand campaign. Meant to be “part rally cry, part love-letter to real travel,” “Bring on the World” is designed to capture the type of travel the community tourism pioneer stands for: “unforgettable experiences, deep connections, and a world-changing ethos,” while at the same time “inspiring travellers to welcome whatever their adventure happens brings their way.”

TECH PROBLEM DOCKS PEI FERRY

Ferry travel between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia has been cancelled until at least Wednesday morning due to technical problems with the service’s sole vessel, the MV Confederation.

VICKI IOANNOU-THEOPHILOU JOINS JACTRAVEL

Canadian travel industry veteran Vicki Ioannou-Theophilou has joined JacTravel to boost the British-based destination management company’s presence in North America in the role of regional sales manager.

SUNWING PLANES ON WAY TO WESTJET

WestJet says it will wind down Sunwing Airlines and integrate the carrier into its mainline business within two years as part of a strategy to streamline operations.
However WestJet said its “immediate focus” remains on weaving Swoop into the company’s operations.

TRUST IN TRAVEL: More countries commit to protecting tourists

Cambodia, the Maldives, and Indonesia have become the newest signatories to UNWTO’s International Code for the Protection of Tourists. The Code is the first ever legal instrument designed to create internationally recognized standards for the protection of tourists at the international level.

THE GUGGENHEIM BILBAO: If you build it, they will come

A shiny red sightseeing bus, a common sight in most European cities, might have been an anomaly here in Old Bilbao if not for the reinvention of Spain’s largest Basque city as a mecca for art and culture.

WHERE ARE MILLENNIALS TRAVELLING THIS SUMMER?

Far-flung destinations, late-season travel, and a focus on in-depth exploration of a singular place, highlight this summer’s travel trends for Gen-Z and Millennials, according to new client booking data and new sentiment research of the demographic from Contiki.

MARRIOTT MULLS NEW BRAND IN CANADA, US

Marriott International, Inc. has plans to further expand in the affordable midscale lodging segment in Canada and the US with yet-to-be-named extended-stay brand intended to deliver reasonably priced modern comfort for guests seeking longer stay accommodations.

SEAWORLD OPENS IN ABU DHABI

SeaWorld has opened a massive new aquatic life park in the United Arab Emirates, its first outside the United States. The US$1.2-billion venture features the world’s largest aquarium and a cylindrical LED screen.

ROUND-UP: June 12-16, 2023

In last week’s news, Air Canada announced a return to Singapore after more than 30 years, also a new NDC deal with Sabre; Amex GBT reveals some interesting fare facts; there’s new rail booking platform in Canada; and Vancouver is set to get a swank new hotel.

CHIPS AHOY: Billion-dollar casino resort set to open in Toronto

Heralding a new entertainment district for the GTA, a much anticipated billion-dollar resort located near Toronto airport is set to open next week with a modern Vegas-style casino, hotel, live entertainment venue, and multiple on-site dining options.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ROUND-THE-WORLD

The oneworld airline alliance says it has completed initial trials of a state-of-the-art booking tool that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to help users navigate the complex process of planning a “Round the World” ticket.

‘LITTLE TENNESEE’ BRINGS SOUTHERN FLAVOUR TO TORONTO

Launching ‘Little Tennessee’ at The Drake Hotel Toronto are (l-r) Charmaine Singh, Reach Global; state tourist development commissioner Mark Ezell; singer-songwriters Eric Arjes and Jimmy Robbins; Deana Ivy, president of Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp.; and state tourism assistant commissioner of marketing Debra Smith.

BEVERLY HILLS ESCAPE: Mariah Carey curates one-time vacation rental package

Booking.com and Mariah Carey are offering travellers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to vacation just like Mimi this summer, with a special overnight trip package at the singer’s favourite Beverly Hills vacation rental on Booking.com, where she’s been living it up for the past three months. And it will only cost $6.21.

PUBS, PATIOS & BARS: New rooftop bar an oasis in L.A.

La Lo La Rooftop is an ethereal, sophisticated oasis high above the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Located on the 34th floor of the recently debuted AC Hotel Downtown LA, the expansive wraparound rooftop, which spans almost 410 sq. m., provides an intimate setting for both visitors and locals.

CRUISES LAUNCH ON A NEW RIVER: THE TENNESSEE

You’ve probably danced the Tennessee Waltz, but it’s not likely you’ve ever had a chance to sail the Tennessee River. American Cruise Lines is inaugurating eight-day cruises on a river seldom explored with new eight-day Tennessee River cruises between Nashville and Chattanooga. Guests will visit towns in the winding Tennessee Valley through the Appalachian Mountains.

LISTENING IN: Cool song a hot hit for Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton isn’t from Tennessee, but with a nod to the state’s unique music-oriented promotional event in Toronto this week (see story above), we’ll feature a song co-written by talented Nashville songwriter Jimmy Robbins, who performed for media at the ‘Little Tennessee’ launch Wednesday at The Drake Hotel.

BACK IN THE SLING OF THINGS: Air Canada to return to Singapore

Air Canada is returning to Singapore after more than three decades, launching new service from Vancouver, effective April 3, 2024. Operating four times a week, flights will be the only non-stops from Canada to the southeast Asian city-state, and will offer a further gateway to Southeast Asia, Southern India and Western Australia via Singapore’s Changi International.

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