Two years after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the United States has begun easing rules that could allow commercial airlines to fly over the country in routes that cut time and fuel consumption for East-West travel.
Amidst the “immense and unprecedented” devastation caused by the wildfires in Lahaina and West Maui (including Napili, Kaanapali and Kapalua), all non-essential travel to the region continues to be strongly discouraged through the month of August, says Hawaii’s governor.
With its new Sun brochure now out there in the ether and product launches pending in five Canadian cities in September, Air Canada Vacations says it is also implementing a new commission policy designed to offer agents enhanced financial protection and stability.
Railbookers is registering a spike in demand for travel in the latter half of 2023, with more than half of all bookings in the last six weeks departing before the end of December, reports the rail specialist tour operator.
A “perfect storm” of problems lies behind Air Canada’s wave of flight delays over the summer, its CEO said, even as the country’s largest airline roars back to profitability.
Travel agents can start booking their clients’ 2024 getaways at two new Princess Hotels luxury all-inclusive beachfront resorts in Jamaica with Sunwing Vacations.
Norwegian Cruise Line has welcomed the first guests to sail aboard its new Norwegian Viva, the company’s highly anticipated new ship and second of the Prima Class, as it embarked on its maiden voyage from Venice (Trieste), Italy.
A judge has sanctioned Southwest Airlines, writing that the airline twisted his words and disregarded his order in the case of a flight attendant who claimed that she was fired for expressing her opposition to abortion.
The composition of Travel Industry Association of Ontario’s (TICO) board is changing – news that officially filtered out late Friday afternoon and garnered industry reaction over the weekend (see following link). And while the letter from Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery Kaleed Rasheed made it clear that province’s travel industry will have less representation – and input – on the board, many questions remained unclear. We put some of them to TICO CEO Richard Smart. Here’s his reply.
Costa Rica is a biodiverse paradise. This nation lies at the meeting point of both northern and southern migration routes, meaning it abounds with birds, mammals, and reptiles. The landscape shifts rapidly throughout the nation from volcanoes to cloud forests to sandy beaches. All that diversity leads to a near certain chance that travellers will encounter incredible animals on a trip to Costa Rica.
The government of Mexico says it plans to revive the Mexicana name for its new airline, which will be controversially run by the country’s military starting in September. The administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has also put trains, law enforcement, tourism and infrastructure projects under the army’s command, including one tourist ferry line serving the Isla Marias islands that is manned by navy personnel.
Costa Rica’s diverse natural environment is a playground for travellers who like to feel a rush of adrenaline and the wind in their hair. The thick rainforests, sandy beaches, and multitude of volcanoes provide the sort of terrain that’s perfect for adventure.
Record hot ocean temperatures and a tardy El Nino are doubling the chances of a nasty Atlantic hurricane season this summer and fall, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is reporting.
The national phrase of Costa Rica is pura vida. It means “pure life.” It’s a greeting, a slogan, and the national philosophy. Costa Rica is the happiest nation in the world and pura vida guides every action of its citizens. These are people who love their land, their animals, and each other, and they’re thrilled to share the beauty and comfort of their nation with visitors.
A 13-year-old North Dakota boy has survived a fall of nearly 30 metres at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon during a family trip. Authorities said it took emergency crews two hours to rescue Wyatt Kauffman after he slipped on a cliff Tuesday and plunged the nearly 100 feet (30 meters) at the Bright Angel Point trail.
The wildfire that has brought sheer devastation to Maui is especially heartbreaking for Hawaii because it struck one of its most historic towns and the onetime capital of the former kingdom.
On Friday afternoon an email from TICO stated CEO Richard Smart had received a letter from the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery, Kaleed Rasheed, outlining changes to the Board of Directors. One of those directives is to decrease the Board members from 11 to 9 and to ensure that no more than 34% of Board members, “are drawn from the travel agent and travel wholesaler industry.” ACTA president Wendy Paradis issued a response to the announcement stressing the importance of a strong industry voice and making other salient points.
New flights to Peru and resumption of service to Cozumel, Mexico, this winter will help Transat capitalize on the growth of tourism to Latin/South America, says the company.
Air Canada says earnings last quarter reached heights not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic amid high travel demand and pricier fares, and despite thousands of flight delays.
Globus family of brands had announced a new leadership position for company’s Canadian team, with industry veteran Denise Harper joining the brands as senior director of sales starting today (Aug. 14).
Club Med will debut Club Med Kirora Grand, its newest Japan ski resort, in December, adding to the chain’s roster of 20 mountain resorts throughout the Alps, Canada, and Asia.
Last week, devastating wildfires in Maui dominated the late week news. Other things: China snubbed Canada in blow to inbound tourism, IATA reported the air sector has nearly reached pre-pandemic levels, Virgin Galactic got its first tourist to space, and Europe forecast a dramatic shift in future tourism patterns as global warming continues to take effect.
Canada is advising people not to travel to the Hawaiian island of Maui after a devastating wildfire largely destroyed the town of Lahaina, killing at least 53 people.
A new report says Air Canada ranked last in on-time performance among the 10 largest airlines in North America, as some carriers in Canada struggle to find their post-pandemic footing despite much better outcomes than the travel chaos of 2022.
China has increased the number of countries that its big-spending tourist groups can visit by more than 70 following the lifting of its last COVID-19 travel restrictions. But in a blow to this Canada’s tourism industry, this country was not among them.
Virgin Galactic rocketed to the edge of space with its first tourists Thursday, including a former British Olympian who bought his ticket 18 years ago and a mother-daughter duo from the Caribbean.
First, it was the banana-randomberry-wheat grass smoothies. Then the cold brew, triple-shot, something-milk lattes; the German-word craft beers; and the small-batch, barrel-aged Prohibition cocktails. Now a new bar in Dubai, the Middle Eastern hub of all things cutting-edge, is serving “gourmet water.” Thirty varieties of it.
Double Michelin-starred chef, Michel Roux will set the tone for a pub on Cunard’s coming Queen Anne, as well as planning an exclusive gala menu for the Queen’s Grill. Roux will be working alongside Cunard’s culinary development chefs to create a new menu for the Golden Lion pub that will be rolled out fleet wide.
Robbie Robertson, The Band’s lead guitarist and songwriter, who went on to become one of Canada’s most famous musicians, died Wednesday at age 80 after a long illness at his home in Los Angeles.
A wildfire tore through the heart of Maui on Wednesday with alarming speed and ferocity, destroying homes and businesses in a historic tourist town, and forcing panicked people to jump into the ocean to flee the flames.