08 APR 2019: In case you missed it, and even if you didn’t, here’s a quick look at some of last week’s need-to-know travel news:
AIR
Air Canada has further adjusted its schedule through to May 31 due to Transport Canada’s continued closure of Canadian airspace to the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, it. The carrier says it anticipates it will cover 98% of previously planned flying for the month through a series of mitigation measures, schedule changes and temporary route suspensions.
Travellers who book Sunwing by April 30 can save $200 per couple on domestic flights this summer. The incentive marks the airline’s 14th consecutive season of flying within Canada and includes daily Toronto-Vancouver flights from May 13 to Sept. 4 and weekly service Sept. 5-Oct. 10. Other notable flights include Toronto-St. John’s June 12-Sept. 4, as well as service to Gander and Stephenville.
Through April 16, Air Transat is inviting travellers to discover Canada this summer with flights for under $249. Routes include Toronto to Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary; and Montreal to Quebec City, Calgary and Vancouver.
The Globus family of brands has extended the opening hours of its Air Desk from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The team handles air bookings for Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways.
DEALS
Goway Travel and Virgin Australia have teamed up to offer great value getaways to Melbourne & Sydney, Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef, and all three destinations combined, starting at $2,400 p.p. The deals are available for sale until April 30.
“On-the-spot” offers for travel across the globe are the focus of Trafalgar’s new Real Travel Deals ‘here today, gone tomorrow,’ promotion. Never the same, the limited-time offers are detailed in Trafalgar’s agent portal and can be combined with 5% off for VIT past guests.
The “Sail Into Savings” promotion by Princess Cruises offers up to 40% off on select Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean cruises and cruise tours when booked by April 30.
TOURS
Small-group tour operator Exodus Travels has launched a new Luxury Adventure Collection designed to take travellers to the farthest reaches of the planet in high style and reminiscent of the “golden age of travel.” Destinations include the Amazon, Galapagos, Costa Rica, East Africa and the Antarctic (photo) with more tours ranging in price from approximately US$6,000 to $11,000. See their web site for full details.
From in-depth neighbourhood art and culinary tours of Toronto to guided hikes through remote terrain of Algonquin Park, the 30,000 islands, wine tastings in Prince Edward county or flightseeing over Niagara Falls, newly launched bespoke tour company, Guided Toronto, promises to transport clients “beyond the CN tower” through its premium special-interest tours conducted by private guides and local experts. Catering to international visitors, VIP guests, business travellers and newcomers to the city, “Guided Toronto can deliver on any travellers’ interests,” says company founder Gabrielle Nydam, who is a Toronto resident and former president of Contiki Canada.
Global adventure travel brand Pursuit is expanding its flight ride concept to the Las Vegas strip. Modeled after the company’s successful FlyOver Canada attraction in Vancouver, FlyOver Las Vegas will provide guests with an exhilarating flight experience over the American Southwest’s most iconic locations, picturesque scenery and natural wonders. With construction to begin later this year, the new attraction is anticipated to open in early 2021. The Vegas experience will follow the launch of FlyOver Iceland in Reykjavik this summer.
HOTELS
More than two dozen hotels in Saint Lucia have created offers with special rates, event transfers, amenities and more, with discounts up to 50% off for the island’s upcoming jazz festival. The event takes place May 4-12. This year’s line-up includes Gregory Porter, Dianne Reeves, Catherine Russell, Somi, The Baylor Project, Veronica Swift, and members of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. Click here for OFFERS.
Open:
The Sarasota Modern has opened its doors in the heart of downtown Sarasota, Fla., within the epicenter of the urban ‘Rosemary District.’ With European inspired design details, the hotel features 89 guestrooms with indoor and outdoor living features, as well as two aqua pools and a hot spa. Dressed with clean white walls, natural wood detailing, floor-to-ceiling windows, pops of energetic wallpaper, private outdoor clawfoot tubs, all surrounded by lush greenery, The Sarasota Modern is a member of Marriott International’s new Tribute Portfolio of independent hotels with character.
Once a playground for celebrities like Sinatra, Marilyn and Jim Morrison, Palm Springs, Ca.’s legendary Movie Colony Hotel has re-opened after a four-year renovation that has retained the original structure’s mid-century architectural appeal. Located in the uptown design district, the 16-room boutique hotel features a pool and courtyard with duplex suites.
RESORTS
A new VIP Arrival Service has been introduced at Sandals Royal Barbados. Available to guests of Butler Elite room categories, the service includes plane-side meet and greet, assistance with the completion of immigration and customs forms, escorts and fast-tracking through immigration and customs, assistance with luggage retrieval, coordination of the Rolls-Royce Ghost transfer (photo) and access to an exclusive Arrival Lounge.
The 200-room beachfront Nobu Hotel Los Cabos has officially opened its doors. Seamlessly blending contemporary Japanese minimalism with locally sourced natural, Mexican materials and finishes, the Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, resort boasts an array of facilities including four pools, luxurious spa, retail stores, a variety of unique dining and lounging experiences, two nearby golf courses, and more.
A new series of outdoor excursions, cultural tours, Hawaiian craft classes and demonstrations, talk story sessions, and culinary events is now available to Four Seasons Resort Lanai guests. The Love Lanai activities, many of them complimentary to guests, include hau tree cordage and lei making, exploring the history and landscapes of the island, and discovering resort artwork procured from across the Pacific Rim. The series is part of Four Seasons Resort Lanai’s slate of guest programs aimed at offering enriching experiences and opportunities to meet with island residents.
CRUISE
MSC Cruises will open an office in Mississauga on May 1 making it the only cruise line with a fully-staffed office in Canada. Ian Patterson has been elevated from director of business development to country manager and will head 15 full-time employees. To coincide with the move, bookings will be able to be made in Canadian dollars and Canadian versions of the web site in both English and French will be launched (the latter later in the year).
For Carnival Cruise Line, not just any brew will do. Capitalizing on its own shipboard breweries, Carnival partnered with Lakeland, Fla.-based Brew Hub to become the first cruise line to can and keg its own private label beers – ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat, ParchedPig West Coast IPA and ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale, as well as seasonal varieties – which are available fleetwide on 26 Carnival ships. Guests are also invited to purchase and pack a four-pack when they go home. A brewery will also be featured aboard the new Carnival Panorama when it debuts in California in December.
Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises has unveiled the complete 2021 deployment for Crystal Esprit. In all, 45 voyages will combine Crystal’s signature luxuries with the histories and landscapes of the destinations. Nearly all of the 62-guest, butler-serviced, all-suite yacht’s 2021 voyages are seven days, designed to suit busy calendars or combine easily for expanded vacations. Notably featured are 11 brand new voyages, including routes along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, an expanded season along the Dalmatian Coast and Greek Isles, warm-weather winter sailings in the Seychelles, and focused voyages in the United Arab Emirates and Holy Lands.
THEME PARKS
SeaWorld Orlando has been designated as a certified autism centre by The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), joining sister theme parks Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove. Park president Mark Pauls says, “Our parks and staff are now equipped to offer families inclusive activities… We think the training and the park specific sensory guides provide useful information to ensure that our guests are armed with all the information they need to prepare, be informed and enjoy their time at our parks.” An important feature is designated quiet spaces with adjustable lighting and a comfortable seating area for guests to take a break from the sensory overload often found in theme parks.
“Jurassic World—The Ride,” a state-of-the art attraction based on the Jurassic Park film series, will debut at Universal Studios Hollywood this summer. Featuring lush scenic design and ground-breaking technology that has yet to be experienced within a theme park, guests board specially designed rafts that will navigate dense vegetation and towering dinosaurs meandering just an arm’s length away from visitors, in some cases becoming “prey” for the giant lizards. A highlight is a T-Rex battle as the rafts spill down a treacherous 25-m. waterfall as the sole means of escape.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Air Canada Vacations reminds that agents can earn 5% bonus commission when booking clients on any Europe package through April 8 for travel before Dec. 21, 2020.
During April, agents can earn 4X STAR Agent Reward Points with Sunwing on all new Princess Hotels & Resorts package bookings in the Caribbean and Mexico departing May 1 and April 30, 2020. Agents will also be entered weekly for a chance to win a trip for two. At the same time, client incentives include reduced rates at participating properties, resort credits and eighth passenger travels free. Among the participating resorts are the Family Club at Grand Riviera Princess, Grand Sunset Princess and Platinum Yucatan Princess.
Retail travel agents who have completed Rocky Mountaineer’s TRACKS online training course by May 3 are eligible to receive a one-time offer of $500 in Rocky Mountaineer dollars, which can be applied to one client booking. TRACKS training graduates receive ongoing benefits and access from Rocky Mountaineer.
EVENTS
A series of Avalon Waterways free info sessions for the trade and their clients are set to take place in May. The 90-minute sessions will outline some of the attractions of river cruising in Europe and Southeast Asia and detail the advantages of sailing on Avalon’s charming “suite ships.” There will be two sessions in each city as follows: Burnaby – May 23, Kelowna – May 22, Langley – May 1; Victoria, May 2; Calgary – April 25, Edmonton – April 24; Saskatoon – April 11; Winnipeg – April 9; Ajax – April 30, Burlington – April 4, Etobicoke – April 2, London – May 8, Ottawa – April 25, Peterborough – May 15, Richmond Hill – April 16, St. Catharines – May 2; and Charlottetown – May 23, Halifax – May 21 and St. John’s – May 27. Space is limited and pre-registration is necessary. For details, click HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Travel agent Gina Marcone (2nd from r) from Transat Travel in St. Catharines, Ont., was presented with a cheque for one million TravelBrands’ loyalty points at the travel company’s recent Agent Appreciation gala event in Woodbridge, Ont. Contest winner Marcone got to the show in style, having been transported via limousine courtesy of TravelBrands, though was she kept in the dark as to the nature of the VIP treatment until the actual presentation. Among those presenting the award was TravelBrands president and CEO Frank DeMarinis (l).
Claire Banman from Roblin Travel in BC is Air Canada Vacations’ Get To Know Europe winner, earning a $3,000 future travel voucher. The contest was held in February.
California’s Sonoma County Tourism has selected Reach Global Marketing in Toronto as its Agency of record in Canada. Reach will develop and execute communications, sales, and marketing activities in key Canadian cities to promote overnight stays and encourage tourism within Sonoma County, Ca.
NEWS
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada has been designated as a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). After completing intensive autism sensitivity and awareness training, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is the first attraction in Canada to receive the designation.
BY THE NUMBERS
More. Of everything. Princess Cruises says its 2021 World Cruise aboard the new Island Princess will be its most “robust” ever. Here are the numbers: 111 days round-trip from Fort Lauderdale (departing Jan. 3) and featuring 50 destinations in 32 countries on six continents. Guests will sail more than 34,000-nautical miles, cross the equator twice, visit 25 UNESCO world heritage sites and have 14 late-night “More Shore” options to take advantage of port calls. Perhaps the most important number: rates start at US$19,999 p.p.
DESTINATIONS
Niagara, Ont.’s renowned Shaw Festival kicked off this weekend (April 6). The 2019 season features 13 plays in three theatres on stage through Dec. 22. Meanwhile in Toronto, Hot Docs, North America’s largest documentary festival, returns from April 25 to May 5, offering a selection of over 200 films from Canada and around the world to audiences of more than 200,000. This year’s country theme will highlight Italian films and filmmakers.
A new multimedia visitor centre about the Holy Land is welcoming tourists in Israel. Located on the road to Nataf, the Saxum Visitor Centre is an initiative of Opus Dei (a Catholic institution) and is designed to give Christian pilgrims and tourists an easier and more modern way to understand the history of the Holy Land. It includes a timeline that combines dates of human civilization with those of the Old Testament; a huge stone map with the journey of Abraham and Moses, including touchscreens, and 4D projections about Jerusalem and the Holy Sites.
One of the most iconic and modernizing events in the United States’ history was the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in Utah on May 10, 1869. The 150th anniversary of driving the ceremonially last spike at Promontory Summit in Northern Utah will take place at the Golden Spike National Historic Site over the May 10 weekend. Tickets for “Spike 150” are now on sale and celebrations continue throughout the summer. Northern Utah is considered Golden Spike Country and is brimming with railroad heritage for history buffs young and old.