In visit to Halifax this week, WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech detailed the airline’s efforts and growth strategy in the region, including the resumption of transatlantic service, increased service to popular sun destinations in the winter, and enhanced east-to-west domestic air service to connect Canadians from coast-to-coast.
Amid accusations that a man struck a wolf with a snowmobile, taped its mouth shut and showed off the injured animal at a Wyoming bar before killing it, wildlife advocates are leading a call for a boycott by tourists of the conservative ranching state over laws that give people wide leeway to kill gray wolves with little oversight.
When MSC Cruises’ World America enters service in 2025, it will feature Cliffhanger, the only over-water swing ride at sea. The swing will tower above the new US flagship’s top deck, promising adrenaline junkies a one-of-a-kind, edge-of-your-seat thrill as their view oscillates between the water below and the sky above.
One of the things I most love is receiving recommendations from readers, often introducing bands I’ve never heard of. This week I offer we-are-not-worthy plaudits to Visit Fort Lauderdale’s Paul Mason, who urged me by to check out Leonid & Friends, an amazing band he was going to see.
From unrealistic expectations of candidates – such as higher wages and the ability to travel everywhere, all the time, for free – to the wider public simply not knowing that the profession still exists, travel agencies are struggling to find new blood to replace lost and retiring staff in order to keep up with surging travel demand from consumers.
Air Canada has launched new – and free – motorcoach service connecting southern Ontario’s Hamilton-Wentworth and Kitchener/Waterloo Regions to Toronto Pearson International Airport, at the same time enabling customers to create a single itinerary when booking travel with Air Canada through YYZ.
“Mexico City is always a good idea,” would be my geographical manipulation of a quote attributed to Audrey Hepburn, reflecting on the best-known capital city in the world (Paris). Yet, barely five hours’ flying time from Toronto (and marginally longer from YVR), there is another gem of a capital city powerfully reflecting the character and culture of the great country of Mexico.
Global Travel Agent Month has kicked off with a flurry of supplier incentives for May – and, in some cases, beyond – designed to profess recognition and appreciation of the invaluable work done throughout the entire year by travel advisors. While the list is lengthy – everyone loves travel agents after all! – here is a sampling of just some of the perks that are available.
Tourists were evacuated by air from Kenya’s Maasai Mara national reserve Wednesday after more than a dozen hotels, lodges and camps were flooded as heavy rains battered the country. Tourist accommodation facilities were submerged after a river within the Maasai Mara broke its banks. The reserve, in southwestern Kenya, is a popular tourist destination because it features the annual wildebeest migration from the Serengeti in Tanzania.
Universal Orlando Resort will debut DreamWorks Land on June 14 – a new themed environment inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s characters Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda. Located in the Universal Studios Florida theme park, the expansive area will feature a family-friendly coaster, multiple interactive play areas, live entertainment, character meet and greets, and more.
Cayo Largo, a Cuban island consisting of many all-inclusive resorts, has beautifully maintained its natural splendor of pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and protected wildlife. Any vacationer seeking a tropical getaway that blends serenity with nature and plenty of opportunities for exploration will find what they’re looking for on this small but mighty island.
Air Canada as pressed pause on a new seat selection fee a mere couple of days after it implemented the policy. For years, customers with economy fares have been able to change the seat automatically assigned to them at check-in free of charge. However, travel agents received notice from the company this month that lower-tier passengers who had not purchased a seat in advance would have to pay a fee to change their automatically designated spot, starting April 24.
Almost three quarters (73%) of cruise passengers say that travel advisors had a meaningful influence on their decision to travel, according to Cruise Lines International Association’s recently released 2024 State of the Cruise Industry report, which also notably revealed that 2023 passenger volume reached 31.7 million – surpassing 2019 by seven percent.
Another round of labour trouble is threatening to disrupt Air Transat, with the company’s 28 airline dispatchers in a position to strike, having voted for a strike mandate to protest what the union says is “disappointing progress” in labour talks. No Air Transat aircraft can depart without the approval of a flight plan by a flight dispatcher, though no strike date has been announced.
As travel advisors across the country celebrate Travel Agent Day today (May 01), here’s the latest from The Travel Agent Next Door (TTAND) and Royal Caribbean, Ensemble, and First in Service (F1S), plus some travel agent day/month specials from suppliers designed to make agents’ lives just a little bit better.
With 100 years of experience and a host of diverse brands, from Trafalgar to Contiki, Brendan Vacations, Costsaver, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold, TTC Tour Brands says it knows a little about recognizing and making the most of booking trends. To that end, the company is offering its insight ahead of the busy summer travel window, suggesting a series of strategies that travel advisors can implement to positively impact the season.
Expedia Group is celebrating Global Travel Advisor Day today (May 1) by hosting a number of events across the world, including Canada, to show appreciation for its Expedia TAAP (Travel Agent Affiliate Program) partners. Overall, Expedia Group will be hosting 16 events across three continents.
MSC Cruises Canada has announced the appointment of Facinet Yansane as Business Development Manager for Western and Central Canada, based in Vancouver. Originally from Conakry, Guinea, Yansane joined MSC Cruises Canada in January 2023 as a bilingual cruise consultant.
Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, will move its operations to the city-state’s second, sprawling airfield in its southern desert reaches “within the next 10 years” in a project worth nearly US$35 billion, its ruler said Sunday. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s announcement marks the latest chapter in the rebound of its long-haul carrier Emirates after the coronavirus pandemic grounded international travel.
Nominations are now open for the ACTA Awards and ACTA is urging the travel industry to get involved to recognize the best of the best. Each year, ACTA presents six awards to travel agency leaders and travel advisor nominees across a variety of categories. Anyone in the industry can nominate an advisor or agency but the nominee must be an ACTA member.
Food service workers are returning to return to work at Pearson Airport after reaching a tentative agreement with airline caterer Gate Gourmet nearly two weeks after walking off the job, meaning travellers through Toronto may soon find a full menu option on flights once again.
It’s Derby week and the eyes of avid horse racing fans – and even many who aren’t – will be on Louisville, home of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby, this Saturday (May 4) when the race celebrates its historic 150th running. Yet there’s more to Louisville than horses, from bourbon to boxing and bluegrass to baseball and Hot Browns, helping make Kentucky’s biggest city a diverse and largely undiscovered gem – and guaranteeing that visitors will be off to the races no matter when they go.
In celebration of Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th birthday, G Adventures has added five ‘Jane Goodall Collection’ trips to its repertoire, including one that follows in the renowned environmentalist’s footsteps, offering participants the opportunity to observe chimpanzees in the wild in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, the place she began her trailblazing research in 1960 at the age of 26.
The Alaska cruise season from Vancouver has launched, but one ship was left at the starting gate. Royal Caribbean International cancelled the April 26 sailing of Radiance of the Seas after 1,900 passengers had already boarded. The company announced after a day of trying to fix a propulsion issue that the cruise was no longer going ahead and everyone had to go home.
Christopher Austin has been named President, North America, of Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group. Based in Miami, Austin will direct Explora’s efforts and teams in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He joined Explora Journeys in November 2020 as the brand’s Chief Sales Officer.
Preventing passenger screening technology using automated face matching technology is misguided and dangerous and will only serve to undermine security and disgruntle travellers by creating longer customs line-ups and delays, the US Travel Association is warning.
On a visit to Toronto last week, Intrepid Travel co-founder Darrell Wade unveiled the adventure company’s plans for the future. Australia-based Wade’s visit was part of a world tour to each of the company’s 27 country offices this year to celebrate its 35th anniversary – and to unveil the 2030 strategy when the brand will turn 40.
Costa Rica provided the Toronto trade some precious moments of serenity last week when tourism officials showcased a photographic exhibit offering captivating images that highlight the diverse landscapes and rich human stories of the Central American nation – uniquely centred on the image of a red chair that inspires the notion that the viewer controls their own destiny and could be sitting in it.
Carnival Cruise Line has added its fifth ship to the fleet in 18 months as it christened its newest ship, Carnival Firenze, at its new home, the Long Beach Cruise Terminal in California. Hollywood actor Jonathan Bennett served as the ship’s godfather, and he and Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy celebrated all things Italian with the help of a Broadway star, a Puccini aria, and even a Catholic priest making a running jump onto the stage to deliver a blessing.
The World Bank has suspended funding for a tourism project in Tanzania that has caused the suffering of tens of thousands of villagers, according to a US-based rights group that has long urged the global lender to take such action. The World Bank’s decision to suspend the US$150- million project, which aims to improve the management of natural resources and tourism assets in a remote part of southern Tanzanian, was “long overdue,” according to the Oakland Institute.