THE PITFALLS OF CREDIT CARD, GOVERMENT INSURANCE

With the reality of airline delays, cancellations, and other unexpected travel issues, the expenses associated with travel remain steep. But travellers who rely solely on their credit cards and the government for travel insurance may be unaware of the potential risks.

STORMS AND FLOODS HALT AIR TRAFFIC IN GENEVA

Clean-up crews and business owners were inspecting the damage Wednesday after sudden storms lashed southwestern Switzerland the previous night, sending torrents of water through roads and temporarily halting air traffic at Geneva’s airport.

YOLO, FOMO FUEL SOLO TRAVEL

Solo traveling is no longer a niche sector, it’s growing fast. According to Global Rescue’s survey of the world’s most experienced travellers, the percentage of solo travelers has more than tripled in the past 12 months. In the spring of 2023, only nine percent of women and 12 percent of men planned any solo trips. A year later those percentages skyrocketed to 37 percent for men and 32 percent for women.

CANADIAN NORTH TO BOOST TRAINING CANADIAN PILOTS

Canadian North says it is taking a significant stride in advancing pilot training in Canada with the introduction of a state-of-the-art Boeing 737NG Full-Flight Simulator (FFS) that will begin operations in August at its new training centre in Edmonton.

‘REFRESH TRAVEL’: Health & Wellness travel redefined

As emotional and mental health concerns surged during the pandemic, so has research pointing to the healing effects of outdoor/nature experiences and active lifestyles – activities and lifestyles that align closely with the leisure travel experience. 

FOUR SEASONS YACHTS REVEALS INAUGURAL DESTINATIONS

With Four Seasons Yachts preparing to debut in 2026, the company has revealed its first 10 voyages, featuring more than 130 distinct destinations across over 30 countries and territories.

MORE PRESSURE:Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines flights disrupted by pressurization problems

A Korean Air flight to Taiwan was forced to return to Incheon airport west of Seoul after a sudden depressurization on the plane, a Boeing 737 Max 8, the transport ministry said Tuesday. Separately, Malaysia Airlines said one of its flights en route to Bangkok on Monday made a U-turn back to Kuala Lumpur after the Airbus A-330 experienced a “pressurization issue.”

YUL SUGGESTS WAYS TO EASE AIRPORT CONGESTION

Montréal-Trudeau International Airport is warning that conditions are likely to be congested at the facility again this summer due to increasing passenger numbers and the resulting car traffic that comes with it. Last summer, construction added to chaotic situation that left many travellers – both coming and going – frustrated and angry.

TRAVELLING FOR CANADA DAY OR U.S. INDEPENDENCE DAY?: Here are some tips for a smoother trip 

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminds travellers of what to expect when crossing the border for the upcoming Canada Day and US Independence Day holidays. The CBSA works to protect Canadians, and ensure the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across our borders. In 2023, they welcomed over 86M travellers and intercepted more than 72,200 kg of prohibited drugs, cannabis, narcotics, and chemicals, representing an increase of close to 30% from 2022.

CARIBBEAN QUEENS: CTO’s Inaugural Women’s Leadership Awards

At an event celebrating “Caribbean Queens: Saluting Women Shaping the Future of Caribbean Tourism” Breakfast & Awards event held during Caribbean Week in New York last week, Tourism marketing professional Beverly Nicholson-Doty from the United States Virgin Islands received the “Secretary-General’s Distinguished Service Award.”

FULL STEAM AHEAD: Train tour a great day trip from London

Britain’s Steam Dreams Rail Co., which provides unique English countryside tours from London Victoria on a classic steam train, has launched its summer season and will continue with a limited series of weekly departures departing twice daily every Tuesday through Aug. 20.

WHALE TAILS: New Rio excursions captivate tourists

Famous for its beaches and vibrant parties in the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, Rio de Janeiro now has an attraction for winter: humpback whales. The tourism agency of Niteroi, Rio’s sister city across the Guanabara Bay, has launched a whale-watching program that enables tourists to closely observe the mammoth mammals.

TO ‘THE BEACH’ AND BEYOND: Why Canadians love Myrtle Beach

Canadians love the beach. And “The Beach” – the nickname adopted by Myrtle Beach, is a huge favourite. This popular destination has been attracting snowbirds and winter escape artists for decades. They love its fine weather, southern hospitality, year-round world-class golf (and mini golf), low-country cuisine, shopping, and, of course, the famed Can-Am Days in March, an annual celebration of the connection between Canada and the South Carolina city.

GOLF, ART, AND ALE: Myrtle Beach hails new trails

Myrtle Beach is known as the ‘Golf Capital of The World,’ boasting more than 80 championship courses, nearly 2.8 million rounds played annually. But, notably there’s also mini golf, with more than 50 utterly unique and eclectic places to play along the Grand Strand, many of them now accessible through the South Carolina destination’s new Mini Golf Trail.

ANOTHER AIRLINE. ANOTHER STRIKE.: Aer Lingus reveals upcoming flight cancellations

It seems to be everywhere. Now it’s Aer Lingus who says it has been able to re-accommodate, refund or rebook about 80 percent of passengers who could be impacted by the upcoming industrial action by its pilots. Over 240 flights over five days are expected to be cancelled, with as many 35,000 passengers affected.

TOURISTS TURNED AWAY FROM CAPRI

A water emergency prompted the mayor of Capri – one of Italy’s most popular islands – to order a halt to the arrival of tourists on Saturday, in a crisis that has deprived some areas of any water supply. Without a water supply, it was impossible to guarantee essential services to “thousands of people” who travel to the island daily during the tourist season, Mayor Paolo Falco said.

SPLISH, SPLASH, SQUAWK: Autism and Sensory-Friendly Myrtle Beach

Visit Myrtle Beach has released a children’s book titled “Splish, Splash, Squawk! Finding Joy in a Sensory-Friendly Vacation.” designed to inspire families with children on the autism spectrum to explore the joys of travelling together. The initiative is the latest addition to an extensive program that the destination is extremely passionate about, according to VMB executives.

IHG’S NEWEST HOTEL BRAND: Garner gears up for great things

IHG Hotels & Resorts newest midscale conversion brand Garner hotels is set to grow, with locations now earmarked for IHG’s Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa region. Designed to offer guests a high quality, distinct experience at a price that’s hard to find, Garner’s goal is to have more than 500 hotels in the next 10 years, and 1,000 hotels over the next 20 years.

RELIEF AS PEARSON SCREENERS REACH TENTATIVE DEAL

Airport screening officers at Pearson International Airport will vote this week on a tentative agreement reached late Friday night that averted a strike at the facility that had been set for the weekend. According to the news outlets, the deal would give Canadian Airport Workers Union (CAWU) a 24 percent pay raise over the next three years.

VACATION DEPRIVATION – HOW DO CANADIANS COMPARE?

When it comes to taking vacations, nearly six in 10 Canadians (58%) claim to be “vacation deprived,” according to a new consumer survey. That’s an increase from 2023, but still less than our neighbours south of the border, where 65% of people say they don’t take enough time off.

‘UNACCEPTABLE’: AA staff disciplined for removing black passengers from flight

American Airlines has put an unspecified number of employees on leave for their involvement in an incident in January in which several Black passengers were removed from a flight in Phoenix, allegedly over a complaint about body odor. American CEO Robert Isom wrote in a note to staff that the incident was unacceptable.

WESTJET SEEKS AGENT INPUT ON NEW PORTAL

WestJet says it will be launching a new travel agent learning portal later this year and is seeking input from the trade to help make it the most valuable that it can be. Agents are invited to take a short multiple-choice survey to express their opinions, which will be factored into the design of the tool.

TRANSAT BOOSTS MONTREAL ROUTES

Air Transat has introduced several new route options from Montreal. Year-round flights are now available to Nantes, France, while additional frequencies have been added to Marrakech, Morocco, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. All options are now open for booking.

PUTTING THE WOW IN POW WOW: Events celebrate community, indigenous culture

June marks the start of Pow Wow season and a host of events will take place across the Canada, some taking place this weekend. Open to all, the powerful gatherings bring together multiple generations in a celebration of food, cultural traditions, community building, and spiritual healing in honour of Indigenous life, culture and traditions.

ROUND-UP: June 17-21, 2024

A new report last week confirmed that domestic airfares have been rising, and will continue to do so this summer, while another said the number of Canadians planning on using a travel advisors is on the up. Meanwhile, Pearson airport is preparing for higher-than-normal traffic this summer, and ACTA announced that registration is open for its three September cross-country summits.

‘A MOMENT OF RECKONING’: Under-fire Boeing boss defends safety record, apologizes for crashes

Boeing CEO David Calhoun defended the company’s safety record during a contentious US Senate hearing this week, while lawmakers accused him of placing profits over safety, failing to protect whistleblowers, and even getting paid too much. Relatives of people who died in two crashes of Boeing 737 Max jetliners were in the room, some holding photos of their loved ones, to remind the CEO of the stakes.

WESTJET STRIKE REPRIEVE AS TALKS WITH MECHANICS CONTINUE

WestJet and its airplane mechanics have agreed to resume negotiations, removing a strike threat that had been set to begin Thursday evening – a possibility that had resulted in the carrier cancelling nearly 50 flights in the days preceding in preparation.

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