LISTENING IN: It’s Time to mark Pink Floyd milestone

Laser Floyd. Two words that said it all about Pink Floyd and a generational right of passage (totally sober, of course) in the years following the 1973 release of the band’s epic, now iconic album “Dark Side Of The Moon.”

AIR CANADA NDC PROGRAM TAKES FLIGHT: Provides advantages for agents

Air Canada has announced its New Distribution Capabilities (NDC) program, featuring new benefits, expanded content and additional trade support for agencies and travel buyers. The airline says the program will provide a competitive alternative to legacy distribution, giving agents access to Air Canada inventory, fares, ancillary services, ticketing, and digital products.

PASSPORT RENEWALS NOT ESSENTIAL DURING STRIKE

Senjuti Sarker needed to renew her passport for an upcoming trip to Europe but her attempt at doing so failed Wednesday after federal public service workers went on strike. Employment and Social Development Canada has said essential services such as employment insurance and social insurance numbers will be maintained, but passport services are not deemed essential.

TIME TO CELEBRATE: ACTA plans support, prizes on Travel Agent Day

The travel industry has been through a lot in the past three years, says ACTA – from working overtime with no guarantee of outcome due to pandemic restrictions, to political unrest, severe weather, infrastructure issues, mass schedule changes, cancellations, and more.

BAHAMAS BOOSTS PROFILE IN CANADA

Joined by dignitaries from both The Bahamas and Canada, and staff from the Bahamas tourist office, Bahamas prime minister Philip Davis opened the island’s first-ever Consulate General in Toronto this week amidst a flurry of positive tourism news from destination.

YVR UNVEILS PASSENGER SUPPORT ROADMAP

Officials with Vancouver International Airport are promising new real-time weather monitoring equipment, gate protocols and better communication after releasing a review of the travel chaos caused by snow last December.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: The women of Ensemble and Trevello

Ensemble has announced it has become the first travel advisor consortium to partner with Women Leading Travel & Hospitality, a membership-based association that connects executive women across all sectors of the travel and hospitality industry.

ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE ON THE MOVE

The Ontario Science Centre will be moving to a revamped Ontario Place on Toronto’s waterfront. Premier Doug Ford unveiled plans for the next stage of a redeveloped Ontario Place that includes the new location for the science centre, an expanded amphitheatre, a public beach, bars, restaurants, a new marina, and a massive spa.

150 YEARS: Holland America Line celebrates historic milestone

Holland America Line’s flagship Rotterdam arrived at the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, yesterday following a 150th Anniversary crossing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship’s arrival on the exact date of Holland America Line’s 150th birthday (April 18) kicked off all-day celebrations that included royalty, local dignitaries, port officials and guests who commemorated the special day.

MAJOR REFORMS TO AIR PASSENGER RIGHTS NEEDED – HOUSE REPORT

A parliamentary committee has recommended sweeping changes to Canada’s air passenger rights framework, stressing tougher enforcement and compensation rules around flight delays. Tabled Tuesday, the report comes after chaotic travel seasons over the summer and winter holidays brought on by soaring demand, labour shortages and poor weather.

TDC GETS STRATEGIC AT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) is hosting a delegation this week of travel agency owners, preferred partners, and members of the TDC network’s management team at the Breathless Riviera Cancún Resort & Spa in Mexico. The five-day National Leadership Conference kicked off on the weekend with strategic reflection and the exchange of best practices between members in the spotlight.

TECH TROUBLES GROUND SOUTHWEST PLANES

Southwest Airlines planes were briefly grounded nationwide in the US Tuesday for what the airline called an intermittent technology issue, leading to more than 1,800 delayed flights just four months after the carrier suffered a much bigger meltdown over the Christmas travel rush.

NEW TOURISM IRELAND CAMPAIGN HAS HEART

Tourism Ireland’s new global campaign “Fill you heart with Ireland” has launched in Canada. Designed to “win hearts around the world,” the promotional endeavour “is all about celebrating the different ways in which the island of Ireland fills the hearts of our visitors and of locals – and inviting potential holidaymakers to experience those for themselves,” according to the tourist board.

SNOW A BLOW TO GRAND CANYON VISITS

The public will have to wait a little longer to visit the North Rim at Grand Canyon National Park this year. Like other parts of the western US, northern Arizona received an abundance of snow over the winter, and park officials say pushing back the opening from mid-May to June 2 will give them more time to plow the main state road that leads to the rim and allow staff to reopen visitor facilities.

CLOCK TICKING ON PSAC STRIKE: Border and passport delays possible

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says its 155,000-plus members working for the Treasury Board and the Canada Revenue Agency – including federal border and passport workers – will launch a strike action if a deal cannot be reached with the federal government by 9 p.m. ET today (April 18) – setting the stage for one of the largest strikes in Canada’s history.

FAMILY FUN IS PLENTIFUL IN AMERICA’S FIRST RESORT DESTINATION

With more than 100 family-friendly attractions, 47 miles/76 km of sparkling coastline, outdoor adventure, arts and culture and a diverse culinary scene; The Palm Beaches offer many exciting and enticing experiences for the entire family. Get close to sea turtles and marine life at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, feed a giraffe at Lion Country Safari, make a discovery at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, snorkel along the spectacular trail offshore at Phil Foster Park or just kick back and relax on a postcard-perfect, golden-sand beach.

MONTREAL AIRPORT: Calls for crackdown on illegal taxis

Montreal’s airport has an illegal taxi problem and its regulatory authority is calling for a crackdown. Airport authority spokeswoman Anne-Sophie Hamel says they sometimes see taxis with fake Uber stickers on their cars, or even cars with fake taxi domes.

NEW VIKING SHIP FILLS NILE NEED

Viking reports its newest ship for the Nile River – the 82-guest Viking Aton – has been “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in August, the Viking Aton will help serve surging demand for the destination, resulting in the cruise company selling out its 2023 season.

WORLD-CLASS SHOPPING IS IN THE BAG

Shopping in The Palm Beaches is as enticing as the beaches. From vintage finds to luxury goods to one-of-a-kind treasures, there is something for everyone.

AIRBUS, AIR FRANCE AQUITTED OVER 2009 CRASH

A French court on Monday acquitted Airbus and Air France of manslaughter charges over the 2009 crash of Flight 447 from Rio to Paris, which killed 228 people and led to lasting changes in aircraft safety measures.

BE INSPIRED IN FLORIDA’S CULTURAL CAPITAL

With more than 200 arts and cultural offerings, The Palm Beaches thrive with creativity. Home to an impressive array of world-class museums, performance venues, galleries and an abundance of year-round art and cultural festivals, there is always something to stir the senses.

RESORT ATTACKED IN CENTRAL MEXICO

A band of gunmen invaded a resort and opened fire where dozens of vacationers were spending the weekend in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato – considered the country’s most violent region. Authorities said six adults and a child were killed, and another was seriously wounded.

PARTNERS SHOULD SHARE COMPENSATION COSTS, SAYS WESTJET

The CEO of WestJet Airlines says his company is asking the federal government to allow airlines to recover passenger compensation costs from other industry partners, if they played a role in causing flight delays or disruptions.

UNRULY PAX DECLINING SINCE MASKS MOTHBALLED

Airlines in the US have reported fewer cases of unruly passengers since last April, when a federal judge struck down a requirement that people wear masks on planes and public transportation. Before that ruling, about two-thirds of all incidents on planes involved disputes over masks.

AIR CANADA TO CONNECT VANCOUVER, DUBAI

Air Canada has announced new, non-stop flights from Vancouver International Airport to Dubai. The new route will operate four times weekly beginning Oct. 28 using Air Canada’s Dreamliner fleet.

DESANTIS SURROGATES ESCALATE TIT FOR TAT VS. DISNEY

Appointees of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ on Disney World’s governing board have launched a fresh salvo in the fight to control the resort, seeking to expand their authority after their Disney-controlled predecessors abdicated most powers to the company.

ROUND-UP: April 10-14, 2023

Canadian passport staff, along with other federal workers, announced they may strike this week; Fort Lauderdale was hammered by a historic storm; Transat boosted service to France; and the US decided that the COVID-19 emergency was officially over.

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