LISTENING IN: Burton Stands Tall

Any conversation about rock’s best vocalist typically begins and ends with Freddie Mercury. But those of a Canadian persuasion sometimes tentatively proffer an alternative: Burton Cummings, the legendary Guess Who frontman, and subsequent solo star.

‘GET USED TO IT’: Hurricane future ‘looks grim’

Explosively intensifying Hurricane Milton is the latest freaky system to come out of what veteran hurricane scientists call the weirdest storm season of their lives. Before this Atlantic hurricane season started, forecasters said everything lined up to be a monster busy year, and it began that way when Beryl was the earliest storm to reach Category 5 on record. Then, nothing.

EMERGENCY LANDING AS PILOT DIES MID-FLIGHT

A Turkish Airlines jetliner headed from Seattle to Istanbul made an emergency landing in New York on Wednesday after the pilot died on board. Pilot İlçehin Pehlivan, 59, lost consciousness at some point after Flight TK204 took off from Seattle Tuesday night, Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Üstün said in a statement.

‘A DEFINING MOMENT’: T&T emissions going in the right direction

In contrast to returning to near pre-pandemic levels of activity in the industry, global emissions from Travel & Tourism dropped in 2023, marking an “important achievement” with the sector’s economic contribution growing faster than its environmental impact, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN PROMISES ANOTHER PERFECT DAY

Perfect Day Mexico will make a splash in 2027 as the latest in Royal Caribbean’s growing lineup of destination experiences, which began with Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas in 2019, and includes upcoming ventures in Paradise Island, Bahamas; Cozumel in 2026; and Labadee, Haiti.

QANTAS APOLOGIZES FOR AIRING RACY MOVIE

Qantas Airways has drawn up a stir after broadcasting a slightly racy movie across an entire flight. And the Australian carrier now is apologizing to customers.

KENSINGTON OFFERS NEW LOOK WITH REBRAND

Toronto-based Kensington has announced the rebranding of its core businesses. As part of the transformation, Kensington will be the main brand offering several sub-brands featuring a portfolio of luxury experiences: Kensington Tours, Kensington Villas, Kensington Cruise, Kensington Air, and Kensington Private Jet, with plans to explore additional categories in luxury travel.

GRAND PALLADIUM A PLAYGROUND FOR ALL AGES

Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts is known for its luxury accommodations, pristine resort grounds and on-site entertainment and activities that provide every member of the family unforgettable vacation experiences, says Sunwing Vacations.

GAME ON: Britain’s West Midlands builds on Commonwealth legacy in Canada

With the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games firmly in the rearview mirror, Britain’s West Midlands region is still building on the legacy of the Games with new tourism product and itineraries, not least when it comes to leisure tourism, which has typically lagged behind business tourism in the region.

MORE EYE-OPENING HOTELS IN NASSAU-PARADISE ISLAND

Nassau-Paradise Island has no shortage of great places for visitors to stay – from small to (very) big, and ancient to all-new. Yesterday we examined four of note – Atlantis, Baha Mar, British Colonial, and Margaritaville. Here we round out our Great 8 accommodation options in the Bahamian capital with four more marvellous mainstays: Four Seasons, Goldwynn, Graycliff, and Sandals.

THE THRILLA OF ANGUILLA: Tourist board returns to Canada

The Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB) returned to the Canadian market last week, meeting with travel trade industry representatives and media. Stacey Liburd, Anguilla’s Director of Tourism, and Kohn Richardson, Co-ordinator of International Markets, visited Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City where shared record-breaking arrival numbers, led by visitors from the island’s top markets, Canada and the US.

NEW TAIWAN TOURISM CENTRE IN VANCOUVER A RESOURCE FOR TRADE

The Taiwan Tourism Administration (MOTC) celebrated the grand opening of the Taiwan Tourism Information Centre in Vancouver last week, reflecting a significant step in promoting Taiwan to the Canadian market and liaising with the travel trade.

WESTJET NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE VP, CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

The WestJet Group has named Jacqui McGillivray as its Executive Vice-President and Chief People Officer, effective today (Oct. 7) She replaces Angela Avery, who announced her retirement earlier this year. Avery will stay on in an advisory capacity to assist with a smooth transition.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO: Tampa prepares for ‘black swan’ hurricane

A “black swan” worst-case hurricane scenario feared by scientists is set to wallop Tampa on Wednesday – something that hasn’t happened in nearly 100 years. On Monday, Hurricane Milton rapidly strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico to become a Category 5 hurricane – the strongest level – on a path toward Florida, prompting evacuation orders along the same stretch of coastline that was swamped by Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago.

EIGHT GREAT HOTELS IN NASSAU-PARADISE ISLAND

From the small boutique properties of Cable Beach to the book-ending behemoths Atlantis and Baha Mar, and with both new options and old favourites, Nassau-Paradise Island (NPI) has dozens of hotels of different stripes sure to appeal to very type of visitor to the popular destination.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: Transat, Ensemble, Travel Masters, TRAVELSAVERS, F1S

In this week’s look at the world of retail travel, Transat was on the road to amazing Marrakesh, hosting an advisor FAM; Ensemble has launched a hotel-cruise amenity program for clients; award-winning Travel Masters, TRAVELSAVERS Canada celebrates new tech and new affiliates; and F1S has welcomed a new exec.

LACE UP FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE NASSAU WALKING TOUR

There’s no better way to explore Nassau than on foot. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy the area’s historical landmarks, local shops, and dining spots at your own pace. It’s laid back, relaxed, and the best way to explore the Bahamian capital. So, lace up the walking shoes and check out our list of must-see sights and attractions.

AIR CANADA FINED FOR FLYING OVER IRAQI AIRSPACE

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has fined Air Canada US$250,000 for operating flights carrying United Airlines’ designator code in regions in which a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight prohibition was in effect for US operators. The airline was ordered to cease and desist from future similar violations. 

WHERE TO EAT IN NASSAU & PARADISE ISLAND

Food often serves as the best gateway to learning about a new destination, offering an opportunity to indulge during your getaway. Fortunately, Nassau & Paradise Island have an array of dining options, from upscale and casual spots to on-the-go snacks, bars, and more. With so many choices, we’re here to make your dining decisions as simple as possible.

GX SUMMIT SHOWCASES POWER OF COMMUNITY TOURISM

G Adventures reports it raised more than CAD$325,000 raised to-date to uplift communities worldwide at its recent GX World Community Tourism Summit in Jaipur, India. Held in conjunction with its non-profit partner, Planeterra, the Summit took place Sept. 27, coinciding with World Tourism Day celebrations around the world.

WE ARE NOT AMUSED: What’s bugging travel advisors today

From direct bookings by suppliers to sheer exhaustion in their jobs, a new survey of TRAVELSAVERS Canada agency owners and managers has identified their greatest challenges. The former pain point was named by 54% of those polled, while OTA competition was named by 33%. Agencies are also coping with staffing and economic issues, the survey revealed.

‘IT’S CLEAR’ – FLORIDA WILL BE HIT HARD AGAIN

Hurricane Milton is expected to intensify rapidly into a major hurricane before slamming midweek into the already storm-ravaged Gulf Coast of Florida. While forecast models vary widely, the most likely path suggests Milton could make landfall Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area and remain a hurricane as it moves across central Florida into the Atlantic Ocean, forecasters said.

EXPERIENCE MEETS INNOVATION: An in-depth look at ‘the new Goway’

From a first reservation conducted by telegram in 1970 to a just-launched state-of-the-art reservation system that took five years to develop, Goway has certainly come a long way. And still has a long way to go, says company founder, 81-years-young Bruce Hodge, who officially introduced “the new Goway” Thursday at a gala event in Toronto as the tour company enters its 55th year with a fresh look and renewed ambition.

SUPREME COURT BACKS PAX

In a victory for air travellers, the Supreme Court of Canada has upheld rules that bolster compensation for passengers subjected to delays and damaged luggage on international flights.

ROUND-UP: Sept. 30-Oct. 04, 2024

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

DO REPEATED FLIGHT SEARCHES RAISE THE PRICE? And how to beat the system

Frequent travellers may want to think twice before repeatedly and excessively searching for the best flight fares options. It’s an exercise, experts warn, that may lead to price actually going up due – a phenomenon occurs because online booking platforms deploy cookies to track and remember an individuals search patterns, prompting dynamic pricing adjustments.

AIR CANADA, WESTJET ORDERED TO AID COMPETITION BUREAU

The Competition Bureau says it has obtained court orders requiring Air Canada and WestJet to hand over information for the watchdog’s market study into airline competition. Granted by the Federal Court, the rulings require the country’s two biggest carriers to produce records and answer questions around barriers to entry into the field, performance metrics and agreements with airports and other airlines.

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