A RELUCTANT FREQUENT FLYER: What, lost your Mittens?

A Maine coon cat named Mittens became an accidental jetsetter recently when her cage was overlooked in a plane cargo hold and she made three trips in 24 hours between New Zealand and Australia.

NO CHAIN SAW REQUIRED FOR WINDSTAR’S BAMBOO

What’s a wood ear? You’ll find out as Windstar Cruises whips up new tastes with its new complimentary Asian/Mediterranean specialty restaurant Basil + Bamboo. The new concept is taking the place of Cuadro 44 restaurant across the line’s fleet in 2025. It’s first on Star Breeze in February 2025, and will debut as the new alternative dining venue aboard Star Seeker, due in December.

LISTENING IN: It’s been a long time since we rock and rolled

It’s been a long time since Led Zeppelin rock and rolled: Dec. 7, 2007, to be exact, and that was 27 years after their last concert with the original foursome in 1980 (before John Bonham died). But fans can now relive the era of arguably rock’s best band with the release of “Becoming Led Zeppelin,” a new documentary that opened last week at IMAX theatres, but debuts in regular theatres today (Friday).

PREPARE FOR DELAYS: Winter storms can cause havoc

A huge winter storm was expected to descend across parts of Ontario and Quebec late Wednesday and quickly spread across Atlantic Canada over the next two days, prompting Environment Canada to issue a flurry of weather warnings.

IATA WANTS AIR TRAVEL CONSUMER PROTECTIONS REMOVED

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has begun lobbying the current US administration. This has included pleas to reverse the regulatory decisions the Department of Transportation (DOT) implemented during the Barack Obama and Joe Biden administrations.

PRINCESS ANNIVERSARY CRUISE A TEMPTING OFFER

Princess Cruises – aka “The Love Boat” – will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year with a special 14-day anniversary cruise to Mexico, departing from Los Angeles on Dec. 6. On sale now, the 60th Anniversary Mexican Riviera Voyage aboard the Royal Princess will include some of the same ports on the cruise line’s first-ever voyage, which set sail on Dec. 3, 1965, on Princess Patricia.

FIRST LUXURY SLEEPER TRAIN SET FOR ENGLAND, WALES

The Britannic Explorer, newly unveiled by Belmond, is the first luxury sleeper train in England and Wales. Set to debut in July 2025. The Britannic Explorer will depart from London, offering three-night journeys with a choice of three routes through the spectacular natural landscapes of Cornwall, The Lake District, and Wales.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: Retailer news, fams & incentives

This week: Amex GBT powers eco-conscious choices; Ensemble powers Rwandan woman; ACTA posts key 2025 event dates for; incentives from Sunwing/Blue Diamond, Encore Cruises, G Adventures, and Africa Travel; and a Bob Marley-based trip contest by the Jamaica Tourist Board.

TIME TO INVEST?: Airlines riding strong tailwind

Airlines expect a strong tailwind from travel demand in 2025. United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and several other US-based carriers have all given investors strong forecasts for the year and Wall Street expects major airlines to increase revenue and profit in 2025. (Air Canada will present its present its fourth quarter and full year 2024 results on Feb. 14).

ARREST MADE IN TAINTED ALCOHOL TOURISTS DEATHS

Tainted alcohol is becoming a problem for foreign travellers in some small tourist areas in South East Asia. A bartender in a popular Vietnamese tourist town has been arrested in relation to the deaths of two foreign tourists. Authorities in Hoi An say they died of methanol poisoning from tainted alcohol.

DIGITAL DIGEST: Turning travellers into storytellers

Stunning vacation photos and engaging videos — User Generated Content (UGC) is marketing gold. It’s authentic, shareable, and helps creates a vibrant community of passionate advocates who inspire others to travel. Moreover, it’s exactly what today’s traveller craves. Here’s how it can help your business.

CUNARD ALASKA OFFERS TWIST IN ‘26

Luxury cruise line Cunard has unveiled its 2026 Alaska program, which will operate between May and September, offering 15 roundtrip voyages from Seattle, ranging from seven to 12 nights. Guests looking for a longer vacation that combines contrasting destinations can choose extended voyages of up to 42 nights that includes the Caribbean.

CHANGES AT NEXION CANADA

Jackie Friedman, President of host agency Nexion Travel Group, has absorbed Mike Foster’s role as President of Nexion Canada. Esther Roemmele, a seasoned leader and long-time member of the Nexion team, will step into the role of Director of Canadian Operations, managing daily operations. She previously served as Director of Member Services. Jenny Lloret will become Supervisor for Member Services.

HYATT TO BUY PLAYA RESORTS

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Playa Hotels & Resorts for approximately US $2.6 billion, including approximately $900 million of debt, net of cash.  Playa is a leading owner and operator of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

BERMUDAIR TO LAUNCH MONTREAL FLIGHTS

BermudAir will launch new nonstop service between Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Bermuda (BDA), beginning June 12. The two-hour flight will provide the only direct service between Montréal and Bermuda.

SEIZE THE DAY: Day passes offer downtime, relaxation on the cheap

The pandemic saw the day pass industry leap to life at resorts, spas, water parks and hotels.  From luxury to lower end, more people craved a way to break the isolation monotony while trying to maintain social distance. The passes are a win-win-win. Locals soak up some rest time on the cheap, travellers don’t have to commit to an overnight stay – but can still check out a place that may be sold out, or a little too expensive to stay all week.

BAHAMAS BREAKS ARRIVALS RECORD

The Islands of the Bahamas welcomed a record-breaking 11.22 million international visitors in 2024, making it the best year ever, far exceeding the 9.65 million arrivals in 2023.

LOOK AT IT THIS WAY: Miami’s Paradox Museum is unique

Part art gallery, science exhibition and 21st century funhouse, the Paradox Museum Miami takes guests on a tour through optical illusions and other enigmas geared for the age of Instagram. Housed in Miami’s trendy Wynwood arts and entertainment district, the attraction features more than 70 exhibits that challenge the imagination,

JEFF CARPENTER BACK AT TRAVELBRANDS

TravelBrands has announced the return of Jeff Carpenter as Strategic Account Manager, a newly created position designed to enhance TravelBrands’ positioning with retail partners across Canada. One of the key focuses of this role is to provide enhanced support to home-based consortium accounts.

 EARTHQUAKE SHAKES THE CARIBBEAN:

A magnitude-7.6 earthquake shook the Caribbean Sea south of the Cayman Islands Saturday, according to the US Geological Survey. Several islands and countries urged people near the coastline to move inland but authorities in most places later lifted the tsunami alerts.

CHANGE OF HEART: We still love you, but …

Every year Kathy Rowe and her husband exchange the same Christmas gift: plane tickets to the United States. The couple from Torbay, N.L., had planned to do the same last holiday season, and used points to purchase non-refundable plane tickets to Dallas, where they would rent a car for a road trip in May.

THE OTHER SIDE OF OXFORD: Beyond Britain’s iconic university town

Renowned as a “City of Spires” and for its historic university, Oxford has never suffered for profile, notably as a daytrip delight for visitors from London. And in recent years, the city has attracted a new cohort of Harry Potter fans intent on seeing sites used in the smash film series – namely Christ Church college and the Bodleian Library.

FEAR OF FLYING: Travellers’ concerns ramp up

The spate of recent aviation disasters and close calls have people worried about the safety of flying. The midair collision that killed 67 near Washington, the fiery plane crash in Philadelphia and a commuter plane crash on Friday in Alaska are only the most high-profile disasters.

AMA ALLIES WITH SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS

AmaWaterways and Smithsonian Journeys – the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution specializing in small-group travel – have announced an alliance, starting in 2026. Beginning in April, select European river cruises will feature exclusive experiences, drawing on the Smithsonian’s 175-plus-year history as the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex.

ROUND-UP: Feb. 3-7, 2025

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.

‘HURT AND BETRAYED’: Come From Away director challenges Trump slur

US President Donald Trump’s targeting of Canada has left people feeling hurt and betrayed in central Newfoundland, where on Sept. 11, 2001, residents famously dropped everything to care for thousands of people stranded by terrorist attacks against the United States.

LAST CALL FOR TRAVEL AGENT SURVEY, PLUS ACTA EVENT DATES

The National Travel Agent Survey will now be closing on Sunday, Feb. 15, and it is making a last call for participants. Conducted by Rob Glennie Consulting of Winnipeg, the survey is designed to obtain invaluable insights into the industry and travel agents across Canada.

MOUNTAINS ARE PEOPLE TOO

A mountain in New Zealand considered an ancestor by Indigenous people has been recognized as a legal person after a new law granted it all the rights and responsibilities of a human being. The pristine, snow-capped dormant volcano is the second highest on New Zealand’s North Island at 2,518 metres and a popular spot for tourism, hiking and snow sports.

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