Air Canada dropped new seat selection fees (for now), ACTA opened nominations for its annual awards and Dubai announced it is planning a $35-billion airport and urban growth project. In other round-up from last week, food service workers went back to work at Pearson, but Transat flight dispatchers voted for a strike mandate. Meanwhile, travel advisors received the seal of approval from CLIA for their outsized influence in cruise bookings.
NEWS
Food service workers at Pearson Airport returned to work after ratifying an agreement with airline caterer Gate Gourmet nearly two weeks after walking off the job, meaning travellers through Toronto will soon find a full menu option on flights once again.
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 mandate to do so 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.
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. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “Dubai will be the world’s airport, its port, its urban hub, and its new global centre.”
ACTA
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. Criteria for each of the categories can be found on the ACTA website at https://actaevents.ca/acta-awards-criteria/ and the nomination form HERE.
AIR
A new seat selection fee by Air Canada was paused a mere couple of days after being implemented on April 24. The fees, which can top $50, applied to lower-tier passengers who had not purchased a seat in advance and wished to change their automatically designated spot. The airline suspended the fee over operational considerations and doesn’t plan to cancel it altogether.
The start of service to Edmonton, marks a second Western Canada destination from Porter Airlines. International Airport (YEG). The new route starts with daily roundtrip flights operated on the 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.
WestJet celebrated the launch of Edmonton-Atlanta flights on April 29. The daily service marks a critical milestone in growing Edmonton’s direct transborder travel options to one of the world’s largest global hubs, says the airline.
DEALS
Available for booking through May 8, Playa Hotels & Resorts’ “Jamaica Friends & Family” Sale offers travellers up to 32% off at any of Playa Hotels & Resorts Jamaica properties: Hilton Rose Hall, the Hyatts Ziva and Zilara, and Jewels Grand and Paradise Cove (photo). The travel window is through Dec. 18.
Travellers can save up to $350 on Collette’s “Spotlight on Paris” tour for the July 9. Aug. 13 and Sept. 3 departures.
Through May 31, Rocky Mountaineer’s Final Call promotion offers $500 p.p./$1,000 per couple off their Canadian journeys and US$500/$1,000 offer their US routes for 2024. Additionally, wholesale partners receive a special offer of US$250/$500 off SilverLeaf and SilverLeaf Plus, on the Rockies to Red Rocks rail only.
TOURS
Avalon Waterways is saying “je t’aime” to France next year with two new rivers (for a total of five), six new cruises, and 33% more capacity to meet demand. This heightened French connection comes on the heels of the excitement surrounding the Paris Olympics, high-demand in France in 2024 as well as the company’s recent survey revealing that France is on top of cruisers’ “Wish Lists” with 37% of 16,600 respondents choosing it as the No. 1 destination they want to cruise.
In June, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train will travel to the Ligurian Coast for the very first time in its four-decade history, connecting Paris and the breezy seaside town of Portofino, Italy. The overnight journey will wind through the French countryside and along the Riviera, ending with a two-night stay at Splendido, A Belmond Hotel. Meanwhile, the British Pullman train is transporting guests back to the golden age of travel, with the very first cabaret on rails in May as well as reprising its popular murder mystery-themed journeys. The 1930s-era carriage was redesigned by filmmaker Wes Anderson.
HOTELS
Karisma Hotels & Resorts has become the first hotel collection to implement the Autism Passport in partnership with Autism Double-Checked (ADC). An extension of the pioneering Autism Concierge program, the passport serves as a first-of-its-kind comprehensive tool for guests to convey essential information such as communication challenges, sensory sensitivities, special interests, emotional triggers, and calming strategies to staff members who will facilitate their stay. This document, conveniently accessible online, offers visitors a means to communicate their unique needs with Karisma hotels as well as certified airlines and airports.
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) and NOVUM Hospitality have announced a long-term agreement that will double IHG’s presence in Germany to more than 200 hotels in almost 100 cities through a Holiday Inn – the niu brand collaboration and European debuts for IHG’s Garner and Candlewood Suites brands. The agreement will make IHG one of the leading players in midscale and upper midscale market.
RESORTS
Zoëtry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres Cancun will undergo a resort enhancement slated to begin June 2 with an expected completion date of Dec. 2. The property is expected to temporarily suspend operations throughout the renovation, and guests and members with existing reservations during this time will be offered the opportunity to transfer their stay to a nearby Inclusive Collection resort.
The Tryall Club luxury resort and private golf club in Montego Bay, Jamaica, has opened The Spa at Tryall, presenting a holistic approach to wellness with a plethora of bespoke treatments and fitness offerings, including sound therapy, yoga meditation, massage treatments, guided breathing, and more. The spa is located on Mahogany Drive near the northeast edge of the property.
CRUISE
Carnival Cruise Line is introducing a series of new features to its online booking tool for travel advisors, GoCCL Navigator. They include enhanced offer details, special offers red tag, accessible staterooms, side-by-side comparison, and desktop + mobile access.
A new summer ‘Stay & Cruise’ program by MSC Cruises offers guests the chance to extend their cruise with a new add-on package in five destinations: Athens, Venice, Rome, Miami, and New York. Clients can book extra accommodation for two or three nights (depending on the city) before or after their cruise, coupled with a half-day city excursion. Available on 11 MSC ships, the new program features two-night accommodation with breakfast included at a four-star hotel in Athens, Venice, and Rome or a three-star hotel in Miami as well as the option for two or three nights at a four-star hotel in New York. Transfers are included.
BY THE NUMBERS
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. Canada matched its 2019 numbers last year at a million passengers making this country the sixth largest global cruise source market in both years. The US is by far the largest market at nearly 13 million passengers annually.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Belmont Park, San Diego’s historic beachfront amusement park, is gearing up to celebrate its 99th anniversary this summer by adding Shipwreck Cove, a new ride and play area in the park. The pirate-themed play area, set to open this summer, will have a sunken ship to play on, featuring a slide, telescopes, and other kid-friendly features. The Park’s new tower ride offers thrill seekers beautiful views of the ocean and Mission Beach boardwalk.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
In May, travel advisors who make a new booking or complete Windstar Cruises’ (photo) online training program will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of four free cruises for themselves and a guest. Advisors can boost their chances with each booking (2024 new bookings made during the month of May are worth five entries; each new booking for 2025 and beyond counts for two entries). Advisors who complete Windstar’s Star Specialist Online Learning Program in May 2024 also earn five entries. Beyond the giveaway, Windstar is also offering a bonus perk all month long. Travel advisors can earn a $100 commission bonus for each cabin booked for a new-to-Windstar guest during the month of May.
Sunwing Vacations: Agents have access to exclusive reduced rates on DIY FAMS until October, plus a chance to win one of three, seven-night vacation packages for two, including flights and transfers. Advisors who book Sunwing Vacations packages for their clients by May 31 for travel by April 30, 2025, will be automatically entered for a chance to win an all inclusive stay at Riu Jalisco in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, Riu Bambu in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic or Riu Dunamar in Cancun, Mexico.
Sandals/Beaches: For all new bookings of six nights or longer made with Unique Vacations Canada Inc. between May 1-31 (for travel at any Sandals or Beaches resort through Dec. 26, 2024) Canadian travel advisors will be eligible to receive an enhanced bonus cash commission: US$200 Booking Bonus on Butler Suites; US$150 Booking Bonus on Club/Concierge Level Rooms; US$75 Booking Bonus on Luxury/Deluxe Rooms.
EVENTS
Riviera River Cruises: Throughout May, travel advisors can take advantage of a number of incentives from the British-based cruise company. Advisors who book any three cabins aboard departures of eight days or more in 2024 at retail during the month of May will receive a complimentary cabin of their own and 5% bonus commission. Riviera will also host a webinar on Wednesday, May 15 during which participants could win a $500 gift card. For more information click HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
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. He can be contacted at facinet.yansane@msccruises.ca.
Destination Toronto veteran and current executive vice president Andrew Weir has been named President & CEO of the organization effective May 1. Weir has been an integral member of the leadership team at Destination Toronto for the past 18 years.
DESTINATIONS
A real-time interpretation system capable of interpreting 13 languages using AI technology has been installed at the Customer Support Centre of Seoul, Korea’s Myeong-dong Station (Subway Line 4). The system works by connecting a mic to a see-through touch screen that displays the words spoken and translates them depending on which language the tourist selects. Now travellers can quickly and easily get answers to all their subway questions, including finding subway routes, the fastest transfer points, and anything else about the subway station. The touch screen can also be used to look up information on T-locker and T-luggage, storage systems for travellers. The technology will soon be rolled out at 10 more major stations.
New York City Tourism + Conventions has introduced “Ghostbusters x New York City,” a content collaboration to promote the latest film in the series, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.” The content hub – available at nyctourism.com/ghostbusters – expands on the iconic film franchise and serves as the starting point for New Yorkers and visitors alike to explore the many locations across the five boroughs that serve as the setting for the movie and bring its characters to life.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1919, airline passenger service was inaugurated when Robert Hewitt flew two women from New York to Atlantic City, N.J.
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