UN BACKS AI TO ‘FUTURE-PROOF’ TOURISM

The World Travel Market Ministers Summit, in collaboration with UN Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), returned last week to focus on the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence for the sector. Taking to the floor in London were Ministers representing more than 20 countries and providing the voice of the private sector, leaders from Expedia, HBX Group, JTB Corp and SITA, highlighted the importance of enterprise and public-private partnerships.

CHANGE MAKERS CHALLENGE: Earn a spot at G Adventures 2025 Summit

Change Makers, G Adventures reward program, is offering 15 Canadian travel agents the chance to earn spots at next year’s GX Summit, taking place in September in Jordan, The incentive will bring together a group of 75 winners from around the world to celebrate community tourism and see firsthand how their work directly impacts local communities in the places they send their travellers to.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: ACTA, TTAND-Avalon, Direct Travel, TTC Tour Brands

In this week’s round-up, ACTA wants to know what members think of NDC; TTAND travel advisors were river cruising with ACTA and Avalon Waterways; Direct Travel held its annual conference in Chicago; and TTC Tour Brands inaugurated its first advisors conference.

THREE’S A CHARM: A look at Crystal’s new ship

Crystal has finalized its order with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for construction of a third ocean ship. The announcement comes two years after A&K Travel Group acquired Crystal in 2022, marking a new chapter for the cruise line.

OPEN MINDS, OODLES OF INSIGHT: Takeaways from World Travel Market 2024

World Travel Market attendees seemed to take the US election results in stride last week – beyond at least one avowed Democratic who was considering seeking asylum in the UK – instead focussing on the business of travel at a time it was being reported that international tourism arrivals are expected to hit 1.5 billion this year, surpassing 2019 values (the global benchmark for record tourism numbers).

INTERMODAL AIR CANADA EXPANDS IN EUROPE, ASIA

Air Canada is extending its intermodal strategy across Europe to include Italy, Spain, Britain as well as to Asia, with its first operator in South Korea. Clients purchasing flights on Air Canada can now easily book onward land rail and bus connections to destinations across these countries to create a seamless travel itinerary.

THE END IS NEAR – FOR ALITALIA

Italy’s former national carrier Alitalia has started procedures for the collective dismissal of its remaining 2,059 employees, its administrators told unions. The move comes as the successor to bankrupt Alitalia, ITA Airways faces hurdles in its merger plans with German Lufthansa.

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO FORBES: Unveils inaugural ‘Verified Air Travel Awards’

Prestigious Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) has announced the winners of its first Verified Air Travel Awards. The 2024 luxury awards spotlight the best experiences in air travel, including airlines, airports and private jet services and highlight a range of 22 winners across multiple travel categories. They include five-time winner Emirates and four-time winner Delta Air Lines.

HOW SWAN HELLENIC IS REINVENTING EXPEDITION CRUISES

Ever been to Kalso, Kinsale or Kilwa Kivinje? How about Hermanus or the Abrolhos Archipelago? Neither has any cruise line before Swan Hellenic added them to their coming itineraries. The storied brand has been reborn with new owners and a fleet of new eco-friendly expedition ships.

ROUND-UP: Nov. 4-8, 2024

News nuggets, airlines, hotels/resorts, cruising, tours, events, FAMS/incentives, deals, destinations and more are covered in our weekly round-up of travel industry news you may have missed.

IN THE DARK: Cuba reeling after hurricane knocks out power grid

Cuba was left reeling Thursday after a fierce Category 3 hurricane ripped across the island and knocked out the country’s power grid. The magnitude of the impact remained unclear through the early hours of the day, but forecasters warned that Hurricane Rafael could bring “life-threatening” storm surges, winds and flash floods to Cuba after ravaging parts of the Cayman Islands and Jamaica.

NO LET UP: Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupts for the second time in a week

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki unleashed towering columns of ash into the air on Thursday, in an even larger eruption than the one that killed nine people and injured dozens of others three days ago. There were no reports of casualties from the latest eruption as residents living in the danger zone spanning a radius of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from the crater had been evacuated to other villages.

STRONGER TOGETHER: SKAL Toronto & SKAL Toronto North Unite

Effective January 1, 2025, members of Skål Toronto and Skål Toronto North will consolidate into a single Skål Toronto Club, reuniting both clubs after over two decades of independent journeys. This decision reflects the commitment and unified vision of members from both clubs, marking a step forward in revitalizing Skål within the Greater Toronto Area.

FROM QUOKKAS TO KOALAS: Ranking travellers’ favourite Aussie animals

From koalas to kangaroos, Australia’s unusual wildlife has long-captivated North American travellers. To find out which animals people want to encounter most, experts at UK-based tour operator Audley Travel analyzed Google Search data, revealing quokkas as top of the list, with wombats and platypuses rounding out the top three.

PUBS, PATIOS & BARS: Prague attraction probes history of pilsner

It’s been a year since ‘Pilsner Urquell: The Original Beer Experience’ was untapped in Prague and already the interactive attraction, located in a historic building on the city’s landmark Wenceslas Square, rates in the top five for tourists in the Czechia capital.

LISTENING IN: An Apple a day keeps Fats at play

On almost every level It’s hard to compare Fiona Apple with Fats Domino, but that doesn’t mean the exceptional American singer doesn’t do justice to the great early rock and roller. From John & Yoko to Cheap Trick, plenty of artists have covered “Ain’t That a Shame,” but Apple and her collection of talented friends give it their own rootsy treatment, which is fun and refreshing.

ARE AMERICANS PACKING?: ‘Move to Canada’ Google searches hit their highest peak

US Google searches for “how to move to Canada” skyrocketed as the votes were counted and Trump’s victory became apparent. “Work visa Canada” searches in the US have also surged as votes were revealed. Searches for “if Trump wins can I move to Canada” peaked for the first time in three months. And, “Canada work visa” searches are projected to skyrocket by 566% following Trump’s victory.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN BUYS MEXICAN PORT

Royal Caribbean Group has confirmed it is buying the Port of Costa Maya in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The deal is reported to be worth nearly US $300 million and includes adjacent land at Mahahual. The cruise company plans major upgrades at the port and surrounding infrastructure.

THE ‘ROB AND RYAN EFFECT’: Stars help Wrexham hit the tourism jackpot

In Wrexham, the ‘Rob and Ryan effect’ goes beyond the soccer club the Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought and revived, as tourism and investments grow in the small Welsh city, which has rapidly become one of Britain’s most unlikely tourist hot spots.

INSURANCE TIPS: Key benefits for Canadian cruisers

Due to the unique multi-leg nature of travelling by cruise ship, combined with potential medical issues abroad, the importance of cruise travel insurance cannot be overstated, says travel insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip.ca.

SPHERE OF INFLUENCE: Abu Dhabi follows Vegas lead

The world’s second Sphere will be built in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates following the opening of the first in Las Vegas. The attraction will be located in a prime spot in the city and echo the scale of the Sphere in the US and is expected to be a major year-round draw for both residents and visitors from around the world.

HEAD WEST: Dude ranches tap cowboy culture, great outdoors

With the popular “Yellowstone” series set to return this fall, America’s majestic wild west will again be in the spotlight, inspiring many to seek not only the great outdoors, but an authentic western experience. And where better to do so than a dude ranch?

BOEING STRIKE ENDS:  Workers vote to accept contract

Factory workers at Boeing voted to accept a contract offer and end their strike after more than seven weeks, clearing the way for the aerospace giant to resume production of its bestselling airliner and generate much-needed cash.

LINDSAY PEARLMAN NAMED COO OF TRAVEL LEADERS NETWORK

Travel Leaders Network (TLN), the largest network of professional travel advisors in North America, has announced that Lindsay Pearlman will serve as Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President at Travel Leaders Network. His role will officially begin in January 2025, and he will report to John Lovell, President of TLN.

TRAVEL SCAM ALERT: How to spot and avoid common travel deceptions

Travelling can be an exhilarating experience, filled with adventure and the opportunity to explore new cultures. However, for many, it can also be a minefield of scams and deceit. The more travellers know about the tricks and traps scammers use, the better off they’ll be.

THE STORY BEHIND KLM’S LITTLE BLUE HOUSES

What basement bar belonging to anyone with tenure in the travel industry doesn’t have one? Since the 1950s, KLM has been handing out Delft Blue Houses filled with Bols Jenever to World Business Class passengers on intercontinental flights. The houses are miniature versions of buildings in the Netherlands and abroad with a special history and are sought-after collector’s items.

WHERE ARE THEY HEADED: Top trending destinations for Millennials, Gen Z

From Australia to Idaho, American Express Travel has revealed the next installment of its Trending Destinations list, highlighting the top 10 must-visit places for 2025 with Millennial and Gen Z travellers in mind. Destinations are based on global American Express card member travel bookings and insight from Amex travel consultants.  

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