LOS CABOS CALLING: And Canadians getting the message

Canadians’ love affair with Los Cabos is continuing as arrivals to the Mexican tourism hotspot have increased close to 13% in the first half of the year – and that’s having already reached pre-pandemic figures over the winter.

CHANGE IS IN THE WIND: U.S. considering aviation revamp

Lawmakers south of the border are considering rolling back an Obama-era rule that requires airlines to show the total price of a ticket upfront in advertising, while also tweaking training requirements for airline pilots and making other changes in a massive bill covering the Federal Aviation Administration.

A FIRST GLIMPSE OF CELEBRITY ASCENT

Celebrity Cruises has unveiled for the first details about what travellers can experience on board the brand’s newest resort at sea, Celebrity Ascent, when it sets sail this December out of Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

ST. REGIS CHICAGO HITS UNPRECEDENTED HEIGHTS

Physically towering over the city of Chicago, and inspirationally across the globe, the long-awaited St. Regis Chicago has opened its doors to guests. The 101-storey tower is notably the tallest building in the world designed by a female architect, American Jeanne Gang.

STAR ALLIANCE NAMES NEW CEO

Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline alliance, and which includes Air Canada, has announced that Theo Panagiotoulias has been chosen to become its next CEO, succeeding Charlotta Wieland, who has been interim CEO since January.

STRATEGIC THINKING: Canada creates tourism routes to inspire visitors

A new pilot project from Destination Canada is creating new tourism routes across the country with the aim of focussing visitor interest in distinct aspects of the Canadian experience and giving both international and domestic tourists “more reasons to travel” here.

U.S. REJOINS UNESCO

United Nations cultural and scientific agency UNESCO, which notably administers the World Heritage program – a significant driver of tourism interest – announced Monday that the United States plans to rejoin, and pay more than US$600 million in back dues.

MICHAEL SCOTT NAMED WESTJET VP, CFO

The WestJet Group today announced Michael (Mike) Scott to the role of WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer. The 30-year aviation industry veteran will start with the airline’s executive team on June 13.

TOWERING ACHIEVEMENT: Jerusalem landmark re-opens after makeover

Jerusalem’s iconic citadel has opened its revamped museum after a three-year, US$50-million makeover that included a restoration of its signature minaret. The Tower of David, the ancient fortress on the western edge of the Old City, contains remnants of successive fortifications built one atop the other dating back over two millennia.

SWOOP OUT: WestJet to wind down low-cost subsidiary

WestJet will wind down its Swoop subsidiary by late October as it integrates the budget carrier’s operations into its main banner, the airline said Friday. The move comes after pilots with the two airlines ratified a new collective agreement that brings them onto a level pay scale.

AIR CANADA BACKTRACKS ON COMP CLAIMS

Air Canada says it made a mistake in rejecting some compensation claims from the thousands of travellers affected by delayed flights due to computer malfunctions. In messages to some customers, the airline initially said the information technology fumble was out of its hands, relieving it of obligations to pay them compensation.

CUCKOO FOR COCONUT BAY, AND SERENITY

With Air Canada flying three times weekly to Saint Lucia this summer, there’s no time like the present for Canadians to take advantage of the amenities of the island’s sibling resorts, Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa and Serenity, travel agents were told at a Toronto event Friday.

ROUND-UP: June 5-9, 2023

Last week, in a case of battling acronyms, ACTA and CATO were miffed at TICO; Canada also eased visa restrictions on 13 countries, Air Canada doubled its dose for a Caribbean island, Marriott boosted agent incentives, and Mexico welcomed a new adults-only all-inclusive.

PURPLE HAZE: Smoke could last for days, disrupts life, travel

On air quality maps, purple signifies the worst of it. In reality, it’s a thick, hazardous haze that’s disrupting daily life, including travel, for millions of people across Canada and the US, blotting out skylines and turning skies orange.

ACTA, CATO TAKE ON TICO OVER FUNDING MODEL

Fearing additional financial burdens on travel agencies and other registrants in Ontario, ACTA and Canadian Association of Tour Operators say they are largely being “kept in the dark” over the Travel Industry Council of Ontario’s ongoing review of its funding framework and fee structure, which TICO earlier this year called the largest since its inception.

NETFLIX SHOW IGNITES NEW PASSION FOR PARIS

The immense success of the series “Emily in Paris” has transformed a quiet, untouched square in the French capital into a tourist magnet. For diehard, beret-wearing fans of the show, Place de l’Estrapade has become a landmark of its own, igniting a new passion for Paris.

WHEN DOES TRAVEL BRAND LOYALTY MAKE SENSE?

Travel brand loyalty is nothing new. Ever since Texas International Airlines and American Airlines created the first frequent-flyer programs in the late 1970s and early 1980s, travellers have been racking up miles, seeking elite status and pouring their airfare dollars into brands that offer the most perks.

RECORD-BREAKING ASTRONAUT CHRISTENS SCENIC ECLIPSE II

A ship designed for exploration of the seas was christened by the first woman to walk in space. Accompanied by Scenic Group owners Glen and Karen Moroney, NASA Astronaut Dr. Kathryn Sullivan christened one of the world’s most technologically advanced ultra-luxury yachts, Scenic Eclipse II in Málaga, Spain.

LISTENING IN: Gimme Jimi

With a nod to today’s lead story, we had a hankerin’ for a little Hendrix this week, and specifically the guitar god’s classic “Purple Haze.”

IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL: A deep dive into Canadian travel habits to Europe

The latest European Travel Commission Long-Haul Travel Barometer sheds light on the travel intentions in key overseas markets – including Canada – for the summer. The Coles Notes on Canadians: We’re into culture and history, travel in summer, stay for more than a week, have a fondness for France, and – surprise! – spend the least on a daily basis amongst the six markets analysed.

WILDFIRES WIPE OUT QUEBEC WILDERNESS TOURS

Quebec’s massive forest fires have forced most of the province’s wilderness outfitters to shut down during one of their busiest seasons. While some have been closed due to active fires, dozens of others have been forced to cancel reservations by a government order limiting access to forests in much of the province.

IS THAT IT?: Not any more at The Alamo

It’s the most iconic landmark in Texas, but for many, initial impressions prompt the question: “Is that it?” After all, the historic site – famed site of the Battle of The Alamo in 1836, where Davy Crockett and others lost their lives fighting in the Texas Revolution – is squeezed into a downtown square in San Antonio that lacks the epic scale of most other national moments in the US.

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