MELTDOWN AT SOUTHWEST: ‘We messed up,’ airline exec admits

A senior executive of Southwest Airlines apologized to a US Senate committee late last week for a December meltdown and said the airline is upgrading software to help fix its inability to reassign crews after the winter storm. The president of the Southwest pilots’ union told senators that airline leaders ignored calls to improve technology for years, then botched the recovery from the storm – losing track of employees and operating more than 500 empty flights while passengers were stuck on the ground over the holidays.

PENT-UP DEMAND DRIVES ASIA TRAVEL RECOVERY

Following strong annual percentage increases in international visitor arrivals (IVAs) to Asia in 2022, predictions now are for a return to pre-COVID levels this year, with growth momentum slowly moderating in strength to 2025 as pent-up demand gradually eases.

Top 5 Most Romantic Honeymoon Suites in the Caribbean

Sandals Resorts has earned a worldwide reputation for providing two people in love with the most romantic all-inclusive vacation experience in the Caribbean. For over four decades, couples from around the globe have flocked to 17 resorts in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados and Curaçao to enjoy the very best in luxurious accommodations, delicious 5-Star Global Gourmet™ dining, impeccable 5-Star Service from friendly and attentive staff and so much more.

WESTJET PILOTS ON STRIKE PATH

The union that represents pilots at WestJet says it is asking for federal assistance after months of failing to reach a contract agreement with the airline. The official request begins a process that could result in a strike, or lockout, if the impasse is not resolved.

HOME IS WHERE ACV’S HEART IS: Launches support program for independent agents

Air Canada Vacations has launched a new dedicated support program for independent travel advisors. ACV@Home is designed to provide assistance, creative tools, and training to help grow the community for travel professionals working from home. The tour operator is further introducing an awards program to recognize top-producing home-based agents.

ALL FOR ONE: TTC unifies brand loyalty programs

Six major tour brands under The Travel Corporation umbrella – Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold, Costsaver, Brendan Vacations, and Contiki – have now aligned under one rewards program: Global Tour Rewards.

GAY TRAVEL ‘OSCARS’ NAMES ANNUAL WINNERS

GayTravel.com has named the recipients of its annual Gay Travel Awards for the past year, with 39 inclusive LGBTQ+ winners selected from hundreds of finalists, in categories across the industry spectrum, including hotels, destinations and Pride events.

ROUND-UP: Feb. 6-10, 2023

More protests rocked France on the weekend; Crystal cruise line is back and set to sail again this summer; there was more news about NEXUS; a new tourism day gained UN approval; and Sunwing said ‘I do’ again to its popular annual destination weddings guide.

POWER PLAY: Paris is top destination, but Beijing is lurking

Paris is the world’s most powerful city destination, according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council, but the French capital is bound to be overtaken by ‘staggering’ Beijing by 2032 reveals the WTTC forecast.

STATUS REPORT: Loyalty tiers harder to reach (or keep) in 2023

For the past couple of years, hotel and airline loyalty programs have extended elite status in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But in 2023, that’s coming to an end. A tsunami of downgrades will wipe out some travellers’ elite status because pandemic-era offers are expiring and loyalty programs are upping the qualification requirements.

WIN VIP EXPERIENCE FOR TWO: Cirque sweepstakes celebrates Vegas milestone

When Cirque du Soleil created its first permanent Las Vegas production with Mystère at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino in 1993, founder Guy Laliberté said his fledgling circus troupe wanted to “grow a flower in the desert.” Safe to say that flower became a bouquet even he couldn’t have imagined.

EGYPT UNVEILS TOMBS, SARCOPHAGUS IN NEW FIND

Egypt has unveiled dozens of new archaeological discoveries, including two ancient tombs, at a Pharaonic necropolis just outside of the capital Cairo. The artefacts, unearthed during a year-long excavation, were found beneath an ancient stone enclosure near the Saqqara pyramids and date back to the fifth and sixth dynasties of the Old Kingdom, spanning from roughly 2500 BC to 2100 BC.

RELAXING IN ROATAN: In Search of the Perfect Beach

Sparking blue waters line a beautiful wave-free beach of fine white sand. Palm trees sway in a gentle breeze while friendly bartenders offer up as many cool drinks as you want. It’s the picture that appears in your mind’s eye whenever you think of an idyllic day on a Caribbean beach. That mental ideal seldom lives up to reality in many Caribbean cruise ports, as thousands of cruise passengers flock to the nearest beach at some popular cruise ports.

THE MUSIC LIVES ON: Burt Bacharach ‘set the bar’ for generations of listeners

Burt Bacharach died yesterday at the age of 94. The Oscar and Grammy-winning composer has had Top Ten hits since the 1950s, and was known for such standards as “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” “Walk on By,” “Alfie,” “That’s What Friends are For,” and “Raindrops keep Falling On My Head.”

THE NEXT WAVE: Passport Office readies for 10-year renewals

With 98 percent of the delayed passport applications having now been processed, according to the federal government, the Passport Office is preparing for its next large wave of renewals as the first passports issued with a 10-year expiry date come due in July.

UNACCEPTABLE DELAYS: Aspiring pilots say licence processing backlogs slows careers

Against the backdrop of a global pilot shortage, hopefuls aspiring to a career in the skies say their Canadian licensing applications are taking far too long to process. Student pilots who have completed the training requirements for their private or commercial pilots’ licences say their credentials are being delayed due to what they say are unacceptably lengthy processing times at Transport Canada.

IT’S UNANIMOUS: Feb. 17 declared Global Tourism Resilience Day

The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution to have Feb. 17 officially declared Global Tourism Resilience Day, which will be celebrated for the first time next week. Pioneered by Jamaica, the initiative was supported by over 90 countries.

IATA AIMS TO IMPROVE MOBILITY AID HANDLING

The International Air Transport Association has issued new guidance to assist airlines and handling agents to transport mobility aids safely and efficiently and improve the travel experience for passengers with disabilities.

FLORIDA’S MOST EXPENSIVE HOTEL DESTINATIONS

Marco Island is the most expensive destination in Florida for hotel stays, according to a new survey by CheapHotels.org, which compared hotel rates across 30 popular Florida destinations early this year – typically the high season for most destinations in the Sunshine State.

SAFETY FIRST: Congress takes up legislation on federal aviation oversight

The US Congress began considering critical aviation legislation on Tuesday in the aftermath of recent close calls involving airline and cargo jets at airports in New York and Texas. Lawmakers celebrated the small number of deaths on airline flights in the United States since a 2009 crash that killed 50 people, but they noted the recent scary incidents.

HOLLAND AMERICA KEEPS COOKING IN 2023

Holland America Line has extended its “Culinary Cruise” program into 2023, whereby celebrity chefs share their expertise and kitchen secrets on select voyages, offering tips, tricks, and techniques to foodies, while sharing their passion for gastronomy.

EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK: WestJet and pilots close to an impasse

The union representing WestJet pilots says contract negotiations with the airline have been unproductive and federal conciliation may be needed to avert a strike. ALPA Canada, which represents approximately 1,800 pilots at WestJet and its low-cost subsidiary Swoop, says it has been negotiating unsuccessfully with the Calgary-based company since September.

DESANTIS VS DISNEY: Uncertainty as Florida government takes control of Disney district

Disney’s government in Florida has been the envy of any private business, with its unprecedented powers in deciding what to build and how to build it at the Walt Disney World Resort. Those days are numbered as a new bill released this week puts the entertainment giant’s district firmly in the control of Florida’s governor and legislative leaders in what some see as punishment for Disney’s opposition to the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature.

LOS CABOS CHAMPIONS WELLNESS

The Los Cabos Tourism Board returned to the Canadian market last week heralding 2023 as the year of wellness, both physical and mental, in the Mexican resort destination, with platforms extending to luxury and sustainability.

HERE COMES THE SUN: Princess gives a glimpse of the new ship

Princess Cruises has revealed a first glimpse of the most contemporary and state-of-the-art designs imaged yet onboard Sun Princess – the cruise line’s newest and most innovative ship, which is scheduled to debut in early 2024.

AUSTRALIAN TOURISM BOUNCES BACK

With major cities welcoming travellers once again after the pandemic, Australia’s Travel & Tourism sector is at last getting back on track, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.

MILESTONE MOMENT: Emirates tests flight with biofuel

As carriers worldwide try to lessen their carbon footprint, Emirates says it has successfully flown a test flight with one of its two engines entirely powered by so-called sustainable aviation fuel.

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