When Penny Martin walked into Toronto’s Sheraton Centre last Thursday, she thought she was standing in for Flemming Friisdahl at an Air Canada event that he had said he couldn’t attend due to other commitments. Was she surprised when a roomful of travel types yelled “SURPRISE?” You bet. And, an even bigger and better surprise, her son and sister had flown into town for her retirement party from The Travel Agent Next Door.
Amex GBT aims to improve accessibility for disabled clients, Travel Leaders Network Elite affiliate members cruised to Japan and South Korea, and Virtuoso announced appointments and changes to its senior leadership team in this week’s round-up from the world of retail.
Crystal has launched a new booking engine today (Aug. 1). The cruise line say its innovative platform is designed to streamline the booking experience for travel advisors, offering “unparalleled ease of use, advanced features, and robust support tailored to meet the needs of today’s travel professionals.
An airline passenger who tried to craft a shank from plastic cutlery and open the cockpit door during an American Airline flight and was thwarted by a flight attendant who hit him over the head with a coffee pot has been sentenced to 19 months in prison.
In the round-up this week, Canada’s airlines are under fire, the Caribbean is bouncing back from Hurricane Beryl, Air Canada raised money for kids, WestJet introduced two new destinations in California, Southwest is making history, Sandals is set to make a switch in The Bahamas, and much more.
A recent study has revealed that despite Canada being one of the most popular destinations for solo travellers, less than half of Canadians (46%) are aware of the HELP signals used by people who travel alone. Further, the survey found that 63% of Canadians have travelled alone at least once in their lives, but that only 21% know how to proceed once someone signals distress.
The US Department of Transportation is proposing a new rule that would ban airlines – including foreign carriers – from charging parents more to sit with their young children. Under the proposal, released Thursday, airlines would be required to seat children 13 or younger next to their parent or accompanying adult for free.
Turbulence is knocking a beloved instant-noodle offering off Korean Air’s economy menu. Cups of Shin Ramyun instant noodles, a favourite among Korean Air travellers over the years, will no longer be available for economy-class passengers starting Aug. 15, a spokesperson for the Seoul-based airline said.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian says the airline is facing $500 million in costs related to the global tech outage last month that disrupted emergency services, communications, and thousands of businesses. Bastian said that the monetary amount represents lost revenue as well as “the tens of millions of dollars per day in compensation and hotels” for the five-day period.
Porter Airlines is launching non-stop flights to San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) from Toronto-Pearson International Airport (YYZ) this December. San Diego is a year-round route, starting Dec. 9, with four weekly flights. Palm Springs is a winter seasonal service, starting Dec. 12 with three weekly flights.
You can’t make up a place like Portovenere. Its confection of tall candy-coloured homes and ancient stone walls lining a sparkling blue harbour dedicated to Venus has inspired generations of romantic poets and artists. Visitors and locals mingle on narrow streets that stay shaded and naturally cool in the summer heat. Staircases built of lava rock lead to a fantastic cove where poet Lord Byron is said to have brooded while writing odes to beauty and nature.
Regular readers will know there’s nothing Listening In likes better than a good choir. And suggestions from the flock. This week the two come together with Elvi Cal’s (TravelBrands) introduction to us of Choir! Choir! Choir! (C!C!C!), a unique Toronto-based initiative that started in 2011 as a singing event that interprets popular songs like David Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” performed here at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Consumer advocates south of the border are criticizing an appeals court decision that blocks a new US Transportation Department rule requiring airlines to more clearly disclose fees when they advertise prices for a flight. A three-judge panel on the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans said this week the rule “likely exceeds” the agency’s authority “and will irreparably harm airlines.”
Boeing named a longtime aerospace industry veteran on Wednesday as its next chief executive, who will take over a company that has been rocked by legal, regulatory and production problems, as well as a just-reported US$1.4 billion second quarter loss. Robert “Kelly” Ortberg, a former CEO at Boeing supplier Rockwell Collins, will succeed David Calhoun as CEO and president effective Aug. 8.
Sandals Resorts International (SRI) says it is accelerating plans to expand the family-friendly Beaches Resorts brand with the development of Beaches Exuma. The first Beaches in the Bahamas will replace Sandals Emerald Bay, which will close on Aug. 15 to undergo the transformation and rebranding before reopening in the fall.
Vowing to “take low-fare travel to new heights,” Spirit Airlines is moving farther away from its history as a fee-happy budget airline and will start selling tickets that include some of its most popular extras in a single bundle.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ third ‘Rivers of the World’ cruise in 2026 will highlight the company’s 50th anniversary with a 50-night around-the-world journey where guests will sail on five different vessels across multiple countries and continents with special surprises including the brand’s Uniworld’s signature Mystery Cruise leg to secret destinations.
Government backing has been approved to enable the Tampa Bay Rays to finally build a new ballpark for the team, replacing arguably major league baseball’s most dismal venue. But local officials see the Field of Dreams development as more than that: an opportunity to transform the west-Florida city into a “world-class tourism destination” at the same time.
A new study has uncovered the most coveted airplane seats by passengers. The results of a travel survey conducted by Texas-based Upgraded Points reveal preferences based on seat location, airline comfort, and specific needs, providing a comprehensive guide for passengers and, at the same time, aiming to settle once and for all the great debate: window or aisle?
Air New Zealand scrapped its 2030 carbon emissions reduction targets on Tuesday, citing lags in producing new planes, a lack of alternative fuel and “challenging” regulatory and policy settings.
WestJet and Air North have announced a new interline agreement directly connecting both carrier’s networks. Starting today (July 31), guests can book a single ticket with a connected itinerary between WestJet’s global network and the Yukon and Northwest Territories with single point check-in and through-checked bags for connecting itineraries.
Britain’s new Labour government has axed a construction project on a controversial traffic tunnel bypass near Stonehenge as part of austerity measures resulting from what it called an unexpected 22-billion-pound shortfall in the public finances.
In an unusual first-look roll-out of details of its newest ship, taking place over three days, Disney Cruise Line (DCL) has revealed the first details of the heroes and villains-inspired Disney Destiny, which will set sail in late 2025 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
As the world worries about war between Israel and Hezbollah, prompting some airlines to cancel flights to Lebanon, it appeared to be business as usual Tuesday at the Beirut airport, where many travellers greeted the situation with a shrug.
TV and film is a proven driver of tourism interest and Sweden is once again in the spotlight with the recent third season debut of “Vikings: Valhalla” on Netflix, a show that has rated in the network’s top 10 since its 2021 debut. With this in mind, Visit Sweden as has curated a lengthy list of sites and experiences to inspire fans who want to delve into Viking history in the epicentre of the Norseman’s world.
TIME magazine has unveiled its ‘The World’s Greatest Places’ list for 2024. The annual accounting of “extraordinary destinations to visit and stay this year” expands in number (to 100 from 50) and scope (to include hotels, cruises, restaurants, attractions, museums, parks, and more) over last year, and runs the gamut from other-worldly art to active travel and engaging communities to “learning more deeply about ourselves.” And, yes, Canada is represented.
The Competition Bureau says it is officially launching its market study of domestic airline service as concerns around prices and quality persist. Competition commissioner Matthew Boswell says “many Canadians are frustrated by the cost and quality” of air travel in Canada and that he aims to put forward recommendations on how to improve it.
The Nobu Hotel Toronto isn’t expected to open until next spring, but fans, and those eager to discover, the acclaimed Nobu hospitality group’s offerings will get a first taste in August with the pre-opening of the Nobu Toronto restaurant and bar, which will fire up the burners in time for the Toronto International Film Festival (starting Sept. 5).
Air Canada Vacations and Azamara combined for what they called a “landmark” incentive trip with Expedia Cruises, while Travel Only advisors donated to Hurricane Beryl victims with the help of One Caribbean Canada, and Virtuoso member attended a series of cruise ship tours.
Super 8 by Wyndham is marking its 50th anniversary by reviving its eye-catching $8.88 room rate (plus tax) for a limited time this summer. The rate, playing off the popular road-side budget-friendly brand’s name, was offered at the at the original Super 8 in Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1974, when gas cost just 53 cents (in the US).