PERU RE-OPENS MACHU PICCHU

Machu Picchu has reopened after being closed nearly a month ago amid antigovernment protests. The move on Wednesday came after agreements between authorities in Peru with social groups and the local tourism industry to guarantee the security of the famed tourist attraction and transport services.

MANAGING RISK KEY TO STRESS-FREE TRAVEL

While nine in 10 Canadians are eager to take a vacation this year, 40 percent of them say that the stress of travel is discouraging them from doing so, according to a new survey from Blue Cross. And many others are taking measures to mitigate the risk.

ACTA NAMES INDEPENDENT AGENT ADVISORY GROUP

ACTA reports it held its first meeting this week with its newly appointed 2023 Independent Travel Agent Advisory Group (ITAAG), a body tasked with advising ACTA on advocacy issues specific to independent travel agents.

GET THE SCOOP WITH SANDALS: Webinar series features resort GMs

Unique Vacations Canada is introducing another avenue for travel advisors learn more about Sandals and Beaches resorts with “The Sandals Scoop,” a new series of brief, casual one-on-one chats with various general managers across the chains. from Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Created exclusively for the Canadian market, the series debuts Tuesday, Feb. 21.

JULIE LAMONTAGNE TO TRANSAT: Chief People, Sustainability and Communications Officer

Transat A.T. inc. has announced the appointment of Julie Lamontagne as Chief People, Sustainability and Communications Officer of Transat. She will be responsible for developing and deploying initiatives in corporate culture, labour relations and talent attraction, retention, and mobilization. She will also oversee corporate responsibility programs as well as internal and external communications. She will begin her new role on March 13.

CRITICIAL JUNCTURE: Agents urged to voice Tourism Growth Strategy support

ACTA is asking travel agents again to send letters to their Member of Parliament in support of its recommendations on the federal Tourism Growth Strategy (TSG). The initiative is part of a wider effort by the travel industry in Canada to ensure that its concerns are top of mind as the government prepares its upcoming 2023 budget.

CYCLONE PROMPTS STATE OF EMERGENCY IN NEW ZEALAND

A national state of emergency was declared in New Zealand Tuesday after Cyclone Gabrielle battered the country’s north in what officials described as the nation’s most severe weather event in years. The emergency declaration was only the third in the country’s history.

CTO ANNOUNCES RETURN OF LANDMARK EVENTS IN 2023

As the tourism sector across the Caribbean registers strong post-pandemic results, the 25-member Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is resuming several hallmark activities and events this year to help strengthen the region’s position as the world’s leading warm-weather destination.

FLORIDA ROADTRIP: What’s new and notable around the state

Whether travellers are looking for new places to stay, visiting iconic theme parks, returning to favourite haunts, or discovering a part of the state they may not have known, there is never a shortage of new experiences and opportunities in Florida. Here is a just a small sampling of some of what’s brightening the tourism scene in the Sunshine State in 2023.

SURGING DEMAND PROMPTS ‘HISTORIC’ AIR INDIA BUY

Air India is placing orders for 470 Boeing and Airbus aircraft to keep up with surging demand for increased mobility in a nation with a swelling middle class. It is Boeing’s third largest sale of all time, in dollar value, and its second of all time in quantity, and has India’s prime minister predicting that the country will soon be the third largest aviation market in the world.

LOOKING AHEAD AT ADVENTURES BY DISNEY 2024

In 2024, Adventures by Disney guests will have more opportunities to explore Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Galapagos Islands with added expedition cruises to the destinations, plus, for the first time, the chance to discover the Adriatic Sea.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE: Nature rules at new Mexican Four Seasons

With just 15 luxury tents surrounded by 19 forested hectares on the edge of a private peninsula in Punta Mita, Mexico, Four Seasons’ new adults-only Naviva resort is now welcoming guests with the promise of a personalized retreat that “awakens the intrinsic bond that humans have with nature.”

TWO CONTRASTING WEEKS IN PANAMA

Earlier this year four of us – old friends (in both senses!) – arrived in Bocas del Toro, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea off the far western shores of Panama. We had been tossing around the idea of a winter getaway for several weeks but found a decision difficult. City or somewhere quiet? Beach or countryside? Hotel or self-catered? We each had different ideas, but had agreed that it should be a destination none of us had visited before. Then came an inspired suggestion … Panama! A ‘first’ for each of us. And we could spend a relaxing week in the tropical islands of Bocas and a busy week in Panama City. All our boxes were ticked!

There are destination weddings, and then there are Mazatlán weddings

Mexico’s Pacific Coast is a beautiful mix of charming towns, stunning beaches and tropical landscapes, and no destination better captures the best of this paradise than Mazatlán. This idyllic resort town is perfect for couples planning their nuptials down south and offers a variety of options for all kinds of celebrations, big and small. Known as The Pearl of the Pacific, Mazatlán is a breathtaking location that brings couples’ destination wedding dreams to life.

Crafting a Dream Wedding with Sandals Resorts

The charm of the Caribbean is undeniable. The gorgeous tropical landscape makes this region an appealing choice for a stunning ceremony venue. Sandals® Resorts calls the Caribbean home for the same reason — we can’t deny the magic of this place. When guests have started newly engaged life, Sandals Resorts would be their best choice to explore a venue. From the lush jungle scenery to the powdery white-sand beaches, our resorts have several distinct locations to select from. Couples can also customize their passionate getaway whichever way they wish. There’s no end to the ways to create perfect Caribbean escape.

VIEW FROM PERU: What’s happening and is it safe to travel?

Political turmoil is nothing new in Peru, which has seen six presidents in the last five years. But the scale of violence following President Pedro Castillo’s Dec. 7 impeachment and arrest for a clumsy effort to shutter Congress – unrest that has left 57 people dead and hundreds more injured – has revived class and racial divisions and thrown a wrench into Peru’s important tourism industry.

WESTJET, PORTER: Canadian carriers announce new routes

WestJet has unveiled 20 new routes and three new destinations – Minneapolis, Detroit and Washington DC (Dulles) – to the airline’s summer schedule, which features what the carrier calls its “largest expansion in history” out of Edmonton. At the same time, Porter is launching Ottawa-Charlottetown service in May.

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.

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