29 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
Swoop celebrated the launch of air service in London, Ont., Sunday. The inaugural flight from Edmonton was welcomed by a water cannon salute upon arrival at YXU at 12:25 p.m. and was the first of three new routes launching in London, with service to Abbotsford, BC (YXX) and Halifax, NS (YHZ) beginning on May 24. Flights can be booked through Oct. 26.
The latest round of “mitigation plans” by Air Canada over it’s grounded Max 8 aircraft (as mandated by Transport Canada) now extends to Aug. 1. The adjusted schedule and arrangements for additional aircraft will “provide customers greater certainty for their summer travel plans,” says the airline, which notes that 96% of its schedule is currently covered.
Austrian Airlines will begin year-round flight service to and from Montreal/Vienna beginning April 29. The long-haul flight will be operated on the airline’s Boeing 767 aircraft.
TOURS
Homer Simpson take note: Chicago’s popular Underground Donut Tour has expanded beyond the Windy City to the City of Roses – Portland, Oregon. The walking tour features four of the city’s top donut-eries, sharing the history of each, plus local sights and history along the route, including Pioneer Square, Chinatown, and the PSU Campus. But most importantly, promise organizers, there are “lots and lots” of donuts. A highlight is Voodoo Doughnuts (photo), where tour participants can skip the line. Tours run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m. with more days to be added. Tickets are $30 for adults (CA$40) $15 (CA$20) for kids 10 and under, and sold on a first come, first served basis.
Following the attacks in Sri Lanka on April 21, G Adventures cancelled all departures in Sri Lanka up to and including April 30. The next scheduled departure is on June 23, but future travellers can postpone their tour to a later date or alternative destination with no change fees.
The 2019-20 Seasons collection by Insight Vacations has two new journeys to Greece: the 15-day Glories of Greece & Three Continents Cruise and 11-day Athens & Three Continents. Also joining the 32-itinerary collection is the 10-day Easy Pace Budapest, Vienna & Prague. A 5% EBB is in effect through Aug. 29.
DEALS
All Air Canada Vacations escapes to Hawaii are available for up to 25% off when booked by May 19. At the same time, agents will earn 15% commission for bookings made by May 6 for travel through Dec. 31.
Transat’s Spring into Europe sale is valid on flight reservation made up to May 14, for travel between May 1 and Dec. 15. See the website for details.
Goway and APT have announced the extension of the Early Bird Savings for bookings made before May 31 (previously March 31. Passengers will receive a 5% discount on their deposit, or up to 10% off a trip fully-paid at time of booking.
HOTELS
The mural behind the bar at The St. Regis Hong Kong celebrates Hong Kong’s rich history and natural landscape.
Hong Kong is the latest home for ultra-luxury brand St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. A residentially inspired retreat designed for business travellers and culture seekers, the 27-storey St. Regis Hong Kong offers 129 exquisitely appointed guest rooms and suites featuring butler service, wood flooring, accents infused with an understated Asian sensibility, deep soaking bathtubs, and expansive windows that frame harbour and city views.
The opening of the 1,000th location of a Fairfield by Marriott in Denver makes it the second brand in the Marriott International portfolio to reach the milestone, joining Courtyard by Marriott. Fairfield has recently experienced rapid global growth in China, Japan, Mexico, India and the US and expects 300 more properties to open by 2021.
Hotel X Toronto by Library Hotel Collection will soon debut Canada’s first Guerlain Spa, featuring products from the famed French beauty brand and 10 treatment rooms overlooking Lake Ontario. The partnership will create an exclusive new menu of personalized treatments focusing on beauty and well-being while using signature products for facials, massages and body treatments. The hotel will also unveil the fine-dining Mediterranean restaurant Pétros 82 and bar.
RESORTS
Beaches Resorts reveals that Rosita, the beloved bilingual character from Sesame Street, will join the existing cast of walkaround characters this fall at its Beaches properties in Negril, Ocho Rios and Turks & Caicos as part of its Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street program.
CRUISE
Victory Cruise Lines will set sail on its summer season on the Great Lakes in May with a 10-day excursion on M/V Victory I between Toronto and Chicago and a 10-day sailing on M/V Victory II between Montreal and Detroit. Itineraries on the intimate ships (photo), which also feature the Maritimes and New England, are designed to show off magnificent coastlines, scenic seaways, inland lakes, hidden harbours and remote ports of call, with excursions led by knowledgeable guides. The Great Lakes Grand Discovery Cruise has 11 departures between May 13 and Oct. 22. Fares start at $6,385 p.p. double. See the web site for full details.
The steel cutting of a fifth Oasis Class ship last week in France marked the start construction of a sister-vessel to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas. The ship is scheduled for delivery in 2021.
For the first time in five years, Disney Cruise Line will return to Greece in 2020. Three Med. departures aboard Disney Magic will call in Piraeus (Athens), Katakolon, Santorini, Mykonos and Crete. One of the sailings (dates TBA) will also stop in Dubrovnik.
THEME PARKS
Florida’s tallest launch coaster is finally flying at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with the opening of Tigris on April 19. The ride catapult riders through an exhilarating array of looping twists with forward and backward motion, breath-taking drops, a 45-m. skyward surge, and an inverted heartline roll, all at more than 100 kph. Tigris races riders along more than 550 m. of steel track designed to mimic the agility of the world’s largest and most powerful cat: the tiger.
Warner Bros. Studio Hollywood is now offering tours of its backlot in Mandarin three times a day Monday through Friday at 8:30 and 11:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Hard Rock International has renewed its lease with Universal Orlando Resort to maintain Hard Rock Café’s presence in the Universal CityWalk entertainment complex for another 20 years. The lease extension for Hard Rock Café’s flagship location keeps the restaurant and entertainment venue open at its current location through 2039.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
The latest edition of Sunwing’s Groups Guide has hit the streets. The comprehensive travel agent resource offers insider tips, exclusive perks and savings opportunities on group vacation and cruise packages with the tour company. To celebrate, Sunwing has reintroduced its STARMillionaire program, giving agents the opportunity to win one million STAR Agent Reward Points that convert to cash (a cash value of $1,800) when making booking of 10 adults or more by Aug. 27. Special groups promotions are also in effect.
Agents who book a European package or European cruise package with Transat by April 30 (retroactive to April 22) will be entered into Transat’s Travel Agent Day draw to win two tickets for any of its flights. One winner per region will be selected.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Colin Skerritt is Brand USA’s new regional director in Canada, based in Toronto. Skerritt has more than 15 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry in Canada, most recently as director of tourism in Canada for the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA). He also worked at Air Canada as global accounts manager from 2010 to 2016.
Globus family of brands has named travel industry veteran (Travelzoo, Rocky Mountaineer) Eva Montenegro as the company’s new BDM for Vancouver Island and the Fraser Valley in BC, replacing Peter Ouzounov, who will now be responsible for agencies in Vancouver, the Interior and North and West Shore. Meanwhile, Ron James as supervisor, inside sales, taking over for Alex Mantios, who has been promoted to the newly-formed position of business analyst.
WestJet’s new BDM for Greater Toronto West and Northern Ontario is Andrei Losinski – a “familiar face” to many in the travel industry, with 12 years of experience.
A career that has included stops at Disney, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, and Encore Cruises and currently at TravelBrands, has helped Shannon Smith earn a promotion from BDM to sales manager, Ontario at the company. Smith will oversee TravelBrands’ business development managers, a variety of agency chains and consortiums as well as the agency partnerships located within Ontario.
DESTINATIONS
The largest annual photography event in the world kicks off May 1 in Toronto with over 200 exhibitions running throughout the month. The Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival’s collaborates with major museums and galleries to present outstanding photographic imagery that reflects issues relevant to our times and the history of the medium. Meanwhile, Canadian Music Week goes May 6-12 in the city with more than 800 bands performing at more than 40 live music venues.
Visitors to Geneva this summer will want to pack their bathing suits in order to take advantage of new beach facilities on the lake. Free to visitors, the 400-m.-long Eaux-Vives public beach is expected to become an “oasis in the heart of the city” and part of a transformation of the area, which will also welcome the new Geneva Marina in 2020.
Comic-Con International, America’s longest continuously-run comics and popular arts convention (and annual road trip for the guys on Big Bang Theory!) celebrates its 50th anniversary in San Diego this year, July 17-21.
Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com.