In last week’s new, highlights included accolades for YVR earned accolades in the prestigious Skytrax Awards survey and ACTA announced details, including the dates and host destination of its first international conference in decades. In other news, WestJet Encore avoided a strike, a precious landmark in Copenhagen was destroyed by fire.
NEWS
ACTA has announced its first international destination conference in decades, to take place in the Azores (Portugal) from Nov. 18-25, 2024. The ACTA International Destination Conference will be held on two of the Azores islands, São Miguel, and Terceira. During an eight-day itinerary, travel advisors will immerse themselves in the culture and authenticity of the Azores, connect with local providers, and improve product knowledge, while also having the opportunity to enhance social media business-building skills. Travel advisors are invited to register their interest online before midnight PST, Friday, May 3, 2024. To do so, click HERE.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) was named Best Airport in North America at the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards in Frankfurt, Germany. Skytrax is recognized as the world’s premier international airport awards with honours assessed according to votes cast by more than 13-million passengers worldwide. YVR – the only Canadian airport earning top accolades in the survey – was also named the Cleanest Airport in North America and 17th best globally.
Toronto’s airports authority has announced a multibillion-dollar plan to update and modernize Toronto Pearson Airport. The program will see the refurbishment of existing airport assets, including high-speed taxi lanes, a modernized airfield electric lighting and control system, and interim terminal facilities. Pearson saw 45 million passengers in 2023 and is expected to see about 65 million annually by the early 2030s, the GTAA said.
The union representing WestJet Encore pilots said a tentative deal has been struck with the compamy, days before the pilots had threatened to go on strike. The tentative deal must still be approved by the 355 members it covers.
BY THE NUMBERS
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)) is projecting a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism in 2024, with the sector’s global economic contribution set to reach an all-time high of US$11.1 trillion. According to the global tourism body’s 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR), Travel & Tourism will contribute an additional $770 billion over its previous record, stamping its authority as a global economic powerhouse, generating one in every $10 worldwide.
AIR
Swiss will launch its new summer route between Zurich (ZRH) and Toronto Pearson (YYZ) on May 10 with five-times weekly service (all days except Monday and Wednesday). The flights depart Toronto at 16:35, arriving at 6:30 the following day. Meanwhile, Edelweiss is expanding its long-haul flights from North America to Zurich (ZRH) in summer 2024. Travellers from Vancouver (YVR) will be able to fly daily to Zurich during the extended season from May to October and Calgary (YYC) will benefit from up to three weekly flights from May to September.
Beginning June 20, WestJet will operate new non-stop, twice-weekly seasonal service between Fredericton and Calgary. Service will run through Oct. 28.
American Airlines will begin a new seasonal route between Quebec City and Charlotte, NC, on Aug. 10, with Saturday flights weekly through Nov. 2. This YQB-CLT route will join American Airlines’ existing flights from Québec City to Philadelphia and Chicago, giving Québec City passengers more options for direct flights to a major hub in the carrier’s network in the US and helping to open Quebec to new markets in the US.
DEALS
Holland America Line is debuting ‘Glacier Days’ on its Alaska cruises with expanded ‘We Love Alaska’ on-board experiences. HAL’s six ships doing cruises from Vancouver and Seattle are featuring more cultural enrichment and culinary and cocktail specialties designed to foster a deeper connection to the people and history of Alaska, the company says. And a new standby program will give those with convenient access to Seattle or Vancouver the opportunity to cruise at last-minute fares of $49 p.p. per day. The season begins April 27.
The ‘Suite Upgrades’ promotion from Silversea enables guests to enhance their experience with exclusive benefits on a worldwide collection of over 550 voyages, departing May 2024 through 2026. Moreover, for the first time, the Suite Upgrades promotion is combinable with both Door-to-Door and Port-to-Port All-Inclusive fares, as well as Silversea’s fare guarantee, Venetian Society savings, and combo savings programs, among others. Available for new bookings made between by May 31, the promotion provides up to a two-category suite upgrade on a broad selection of ocean and expedition voyages, for select suite categories; US$1,000 shipboard credit per suite on select voyages, for select suite categories (US$500 p.p., limited to two guests per suite); and a reduced deposit of 15%.
TOURS
Arts & Leisure reports that it has created a dedicated department exclusively for LGBTQ+ travellers. The Toronto-based boutique wholesaler, known for its unique and personalized itineraries for luxury clients, says it “firmly believes that regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity, everyone deserves an unforgettable journey,” and the new department is a testament to that belief. To that end, A&L staff actively train, ensuring they are well-versed in domestic and international laws, political situations, and cultural nuances; partner with LGBTQ+ advocates and others; seek to support minority-owned enterprises, and more.
Collette has added “Hamilton” to the itinerary for its “Spotlight on New York City” tour in February and March 2025. On limited departures, travellers will get to experience the Broadway hit as part of their journey through The Big Apple.
HOTELS
Hilton says it now has more new rooms under construction than any other hotel company with approximately one in every five hotel rooms under construction globally slated to join the company’s portfolio. After entering new markets including Monaco, Tunisia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2023, this year Hilton is slated to open its first hotels in Bermuda, Paraguay, Nepal, Laos, and Timor-Leste.
Universal Orlando Resort’s two newest hotels – Universal Stella Nova Resort and Terra Luna Resort – are set to settle into earthly orbit in early 2025. Opening Jan. 21 and Feb. 25 respectively, Stella Nova and Terra Luna are co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co., boasting a combined total of 1,500 guest rooms featuring an extra-terrestrial theme.
RESORTS
Hyatt Hotels has announced the planned expansion of Dreams Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino with the upcoming debut of a new, adults-only section, which complements the resort’s existing family-friendly offerings. Slated to open June 1, the 52-room beachfront expansion includes all-new modular units that embrace next generation architecture with modern interior design. The units, which create a secluded space for adults, will be complemented by a new bar and restaurant, an infinity pool and full access to all-inclusive offerings at Dreams Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino.
Channelling the down-to-earth luxury design philosophy that is characteristic of the Soho brand, the 70-room Soho House & Beach Club will offer stunning views of the coast in Cabo Del Sol, Mexico (Los Cabos). Amenities will include a palapa bar, restaurant, fitness facility, and of course, a pool. The property is set to debut in the latter half of 2024.
CRUISE
Small-ship luxury cruise Windstar Cruises is expanding its fleet with the addition of two all-suite motor yachts, Star Seeker and Star Explorer. The first of the 112-suite ships, new-build Star Seeker, is expected to be delivered in December of 2025, followed by Star Explorer in December, 2026.
The new Crystal Referral Program encourages Crystal Society Members to refer friends, family, and colleagues to experience the cruise line. For every “new to Crystal” guest a loyal past traveller refers, the new guest will receive 5% off their cruise fare, and the past traveller will receive the same value as a credit to use towards a future voyage. However, it should be noted that travel agents are not eligible to refer new guests and not entitled to earn future cruise credits through this program.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
LEGOLAND Florida Resort raced into the spring break travel season with the official grand opening of its newest attraction, LEGO Ferrari Build and Race. This hands-on interactive attraction puts guests in the driver’s seat to build race cars entirely out of LEGO bricks and then tests them using cutting-edge digital technology and real-life racing scenarios. The attraction’s centrepiece is the world’s only life-size LEGO Ferrari 296 GTS model. Built brick by brick with over 424,000 LEGO elements, it took 1,850 hours to complete.
EDUCATION
Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB), the tourism marketing organization for Palm Beach County, Fla., has created a new resource to help travel professionals learn, sell, engage with, and promote The Palm Beaches. The Palm Beaches Travel Trade Portal is the destination’s learning platform tailored specifically for travel advisors as the ultimate tool to teach comprehensive insights into “America’s First Resort Destination.” Register HERE.
EVENTS
ACTA is launching quarterly professional development sessions focusing on different segments within the travel and tourism industry. The new initiative aims to provide a platform for learning and discussion of industry trends, enhancing industry knowledge and fostering dialogue. The 2024 spring session leadership panel takes place April 26 at 1 p.m. EST and will focus on the cruise segment. For info and to register, click HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Marriott International has appointed two new members to its Canadian senior leadership team. Susie Grynol will join Marriott International as Market VP, Eastern Canada from the Hotel Association of Canada, while Keri Robinson will assume the position of Area VP, US Western Mountain Pacific and Western Canada, expanding her current responsibilities.
DESTINATIONS
The Virginia Beach Loonie Savers promotion offers Canadian visitors discounts on accommodations, entertainment, attractions, and dining. The 2024 Loonie Savers Pass, conveniently gathers exclusive offers and experiences from across the destination, is available at VisitVirginiaBeach.com. After registering online, visitors simply access the mobile passport to tap into over 50 discounts and deals at attractions, retailers, hotels, and restaurants in the Virginia Beach area.
Fire gutted the Boersen, Copenhagen’s famed former stock exchange building last week – a calamity being compared to the destruction of Notre Dame in Paris in 2019. The blaze, which destroyed half of the building and toppled its dragon-tail spire, was believed to have started on the roof during renovations. The building, which dates from 1615, is known for its green copper roof and distinctive 56-m. spire in the shape of four intertwined dragon tails, is a popular tourist attraction. Owners say it will be rebuilt “no matter what.”
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1912, the British luxury liner RMS Titanic sank in the North Atlantic off Newfoundland at 2:20 a.m. ship’s time, more than 2-1/2 hours after striking an iceberg; 1,514 people died, while less than half as many survived.
In 2010, an enormous ash cloud from a volcano beneath Iceland‘s Eyjafjallajokull glacier caused the biggest flight disruption since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It drifted over northern Europe and stranded travellers on six continents until April 20 when airports reopened across Europe. The airline industry cancelled more than 100,000 flights, costing at least US$1.7 billion in revenue.
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