ROUND-UP: APRIL 15-19, 2019

22 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

Qatar Airways’ says it is bringing First-Class travel to Business Class with Qsuite, which is now officially available on the carrier’s three times weekly Montreal-Doha flights (increasing to four a week in May). The service features two industry firsts: the first double bed in Business Class, as well as privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private cabin.

Etihad Airways and Panasonic have partnered to develop trial wellness solutions aimed at enhancing the traveller experience. As part of the partnership, Etihad will be the first airline to trial Panasonic’s new wellness solution, the Jet Lag Adviser, which will be integrated into the airline’s passenger app. Jet Lag Adviser takes a range of passenger inputs including chronotype, circadian rhythms, height, weight, the nature of travel, and travel information such as flight times, routes and zones and uses its artificial intelligence engine to produce personalised jet lag plans for passengers with tailored advisories to help them reduce jet lag.

In quest of “the perfect travel experience,” Turkish Airlines has introduced new sleep gear for business class passengers. The ‘Flow Sleeping Set,’ was designed in collaboration with textile expert Zorlu Tekstil to provide passengers with a healthier and higher quality sleep environment. Amenities include a “blanket” that helps maintain the ideal temperature during all four seasons, a “sleeping pad” with an orthopaedic surface for sleep and dense interior filling for extra comfort, and a classical form “pillow” that can be used during both sitting and sleeping.

DEALS

For a limited time, Air Canada Vacations is offering the lowest guaranteed prices in the market or your clients will be refunded (up to $1,000), and your commission protected. The Price Drop Guaranteed offer is applicable on select resorts in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, valid for bookings made before May 5 for travel between May 25 and June 23 and Sept. 1-30.

Hilton Hotels is hoping to hit a home run by offering special baseball-oriented discounts to guests booking select hotel packages at US hotels throughout the season. For example, fans can score 20% off San Diego Padres home games when booking Hilton’s California Road Trip package or snag a $20 food and beverage voucher at Minnesota Twins Stadium when booking the Sports & Summer Fun in Minneapolis. In Cincinnati, a complimentary ticket to the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Museum is offered when booking the Reds Hall of Fame package at Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. Other cities are also in on the action.

Guests booking any Emerald Waterways 2020 sailing before May 14 will pay 2019 fares and receive an additional discount of $3,000 per couple on sailings of 15-days or longer, and $2,000 per couple on sailings of eight to 14 days. Part of Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Waterways’ eight branded Star-Ships offer river sailings in Europe and on the Mekong, as well as the MS Rossia along the Volga River in Russia; the Adriatic Princess and Adriatic Pearl yachts in Croatia; and the MS Hamees on the Nile.

TOURS

In celebration of Earth Day today (April 22) and alongside its parent company, The Travel Corporation, Trafalgar has announced the removal of single-use plastic (SUP) water bottles from its coaches from 2019 as part of its continued commitment to being SUP-free on their trips by 2022.

Hundreds of unique European itineraries are on offer from TravelBrands’ in the tour operator’s just-released annual Europe brochure, which also includes hotel options, tours and excursions, cruises, airline options, car rentals and more in cities and towns all over Europe and Britain.

HOTELS

Four Seasons Hotel Montreal and the onsite restaurant MARCUS are confirming reservations for dates beginning May 8.

To mark 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Orania.Berlin, located in the former Western part of the city right near the border, is offering a two-hour walking tour of the Berlin Wall for guests to learn about the history of the city’s division, the struggle for freedom and the process of reunification. The offer is in effect April 26-30.

Open Now:

Now open in downtown Portland, Oregon, The Porter is the city’s newest property, offering 297 boutique rooms and suites, an expansive library, indoor pool, meditation center and fitness centre. It is also home to several new premier restaurants, including a rooftop bar that showcases the city skyline.

South American boutique chain Selina has opened two new hotels in Peru: one in Cusco and one in Huaraz. Another three properties are expected to open their doors in the next three months: a second Cusco hotel, plus accommodations in Aguas Calientes and Arequipa. Selina opened its first Peru hotel in Lima in December, and the brand is known for beautifully designed, artist-influenced spaces at a variety of price points, from private apartments through to dormitory beds

RESORTS

Palace Resorts’ flagship property Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun has re-opened for guests with a multimillion-dollar renovation. The five-star all-inclusive features a completely redesigned lobby, new designer guest suites, redefined restaurants with new gourmet dining menu options and newly decorated common spaces including bars and lounges. The opulent beachfront adults-only property is located on an enclave between the Nichupte Lagoon and the Caribbean Sea in Cancun and is consistently recognized as one of the world’s top all-inclusives.

CRUISE

The Celebrity Summit (photo) is the latest ship to undergo revitalization in the cruise line’s half-billion dollar fleet modernization program. Enhancements include redesigned staterooms and suites, the addition of The Retreat for suite guests, reimagined restaurants, bars and lounges, and fully redesigned spa and casino. The ship spent a month in dry-dock for the refit, emerging in late March. Next up for Celebrity is the Equinox, which will enter dry-dock in May.

Crystal Cruises has released the second in its 12-part “Culinary Journeys” series of videos on its YouTube channel that follows a Crystal chef through off-the-beaten-path destinations with local chefs, farmers and expert guides showcasing the signature dishes of various locales. The most recent installment of the series sees chef Jon Ashton explore the traditional variety and preparation of Hawaiian poke.

Le Bougainville is the third and latest third ship in the Ponant Explorers series and the eighth vessel in its fleet. The ship will be inaugurated June 4 in Spain, but sailed its maiden voyage in early April. Highlighted by the world’s first ‘Blue Eye’ underwater viewing lounge, the ship has 92 state-of-the-art staterooms and suites, all with a balcony or private terrace. Two more Ponant ships are coming later this year, and five more through 2021.

THEME PARKS

Disney invited Canadian travel agents to “discover the magic” at a special event in Toronto last week. The comprehensive and interactive presentation served as a state of the union address for the theme park giant and covered topics ranging from the long-awaited opening of Star Wars lands in Anaheim and Orlando this summer and fall, and updates on a wide range of developments at the parks and coming attractions (watch this space in the coming weeks for more details). Claire Bilby, Senior Vice President of Sales (photo: left, shown with Marlie Morrison of Disney Canada), also assured agents that they are critical to Disney’s success and that the company is adding new features and more commissionable product for the trade, as well as streamlining its engagement process. “We want to commit to you that you have a friend in us!” she said.

Details are emerging about a new ride coming to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. The name? Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Opening date: June 13. Where? WWHP Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure. Description: Guests will fly with Hagrid on a thrilling roller coaster ride that plunges into the path of some of the wizarding world’s rarest magical creatures.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

To celebrate travel agent day (Wed. May 1), any travel advisor booking and depositing any of the Globus Family of Brands’ four brands – Globus, Cosmos, Avalon Waterways or Monograms – will have his or her name entered in a contest to win one of its European Avalon Active & Discovery cruises for two. Every booking results in one entry.

Agents who book any type of group – social, wedding or corporate – of five rooms or more (for a minimum three-night stay) at any Sandals or Beaches resort through June 30 will automatically be entered for a chance to win a three-night stay of their own. The contest is valid for all contract groups booked with either a tour operator partner (Air Canada Vacations, WestJet Vacations, TravelBrands or Transat) or Unique Vacations, Inc.  Restrictions apply and the incentive is not available for agents in Quebec.

EVENTS

A delegation from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism recently visited Toronto and Montreal to update the trade on happenings in the destination ahead of the busy summer season. Canada is the New England state’s top international market with close to 700,000 annual visitors. Among the group was new executive director Keiko Matsudo Orrall (photo: 5th from left).

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Erminia Nigro has joined Air Canada Vacations as its new General Manager, Sales – Ontario & National Accounts. Nigro has previously spent 16 years at TravelBrands as business development manager.

BY THE NUMBERS

Jamaica’s tourism sector is reporting an unprecedented start to the year with record-breaking arrival figures and earnings. In the first nine weeks of 2019, Jamaica became the first Caribbean destination to welcome one million visitors during the period, generating foreign exchange earnings of approximately US$800 million (CA$1.071million).

DESTINATIONS

With filming of Game of Thrones at an end (and the final season on TV now), Tourism Ireland has created a new fan trail in Belfast where much of the popular TV show was filmed. As season eight unfolds, six giant freestanding stained-glass windows are appearing around Belfast, immortalizing the show’s epic battles, fire-breathing dragons, ice-blue white walkers and blood-red weddings and giving fans a pilgrimage trail to follow in the city. An interactive digital version of the Stark window has also been ‘unlocked’ on ireland.com/glassofthrones, where fans can explore the intricate panels and scenes, upload a photo to create a digital, stained-glass selfie – and then share that photo with friends and fellow fans on their social channels.

St. Lucia’s annual jazz festival kicks off May 5 continuing through May 12 and featuring a wide range of Caribbean and international performers, including the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. This year’s event is being held for the first time in conjunction with New York’s Jazz at the Lincoln Center. Details about performances and more can be found HERE.

In early May, Laval will be awash with colourful spring blooms thanks to a new U-pick tulip field showcasing more than 500,000 multi-coloured tulips. A first in Quebec, visitors can snap photos as they wander the field and “u-pick” along the way or select from some pre-cut bouquets. Laval is a 30-minute drive from downtown Montréal and easily accessible for visitors looking for a short day-trip from the city.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com.