This week’s round-up reveals a new Caribbean marketing organization in Canada, a bold move from NCL, extended visa requirements for Brazil (again), an impending strike that could affect meals on flights from YYZ (including Air Canada and WestJet), and it’s National Tourism Week!

NEWS

Brazil postponed until April 2025 tourist visa exemptions for Canadians that had been scheduled to end last Wednesday. The decision (which similarly applies to Americans and Australians) marks the third time Brazil has delayed lifting the visa requirement since President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office in 2023.

A new Caribbean tourism group, One Caribbean Canada, has launched to fill a collective void in Canada for the Caribbean, bringing together a growing list of 18 destinations and others to provide information and links for both consumers and the travel trade, the latter featuring a dedicated microsite not available to clients. Headed by former Caribbean Tourism Organization Canadian BDM Nancy Drolet, the resource can be accessed at onecaribbeancanada.ca.

The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has announced the members of its two new advisory councils – the Consumer Advisory Council (CAC) and Industry Advisory Council (IAC). Part of a contentious review and reorganization of the provincial regulator, the bodies were mandated following “Minister’s Orders” in August 2023. The inaugural meetings of the CAC and IAC will take place in May. For more information about the CAC and IAC and its new members, visit HERE.

AIR

With little fanfare, Air Canada resumed service between Canada and Tel Aviv, Israel on April 9 following a six-month pause. The airline says a once-weekly flight between Montreal and Tel Aviv will resume in May.

Following the weekend hostilities between Iran and Israel Air Canada have issued the following updates on flights to/from Israel and on flights to/from Beirut, Amman or Terhan

Porter Airlines inaugurated service between Vancouver and Montreal on April 11. The route marks Porter’s first Western Canada destination from Montreal. Service from Montreal to Edmonton and Calgary begins later this spring.

99.8 percent of Gate Gourmet workers represented by Teamsters Local Union, Canada’s largest transportation and supply chain union, have voted to go on strike. A strike by the over 800 workers could mean no food and beverages on many flights out of Toronto Pearson Airport this month. The job action could begin as early as April 16. Airlines affected by a potential strike include Air Canada, WestJet, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Air India, Aero Mexico, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, and Jetlines.

WestJet has announced additions to its Winnipeg network, with new year-round, daily service to Montreal, as well as increased, daily, year-round service to Ottawa, beginning June 3. The airline also announced new seasonal service between Winnipeg and Nashville, set to take off on Sept. 16. The twice-weekly service (through Nov. 15) to Music City is WestJet’s seventh direct transborder connection out of Manitoba’s capital.

DEALS

The U.S. Travel Association is launching sales of its Daily Getaways today (April 15), featuring exclusive offers from major travel brands, such as discounts up to 50% off loyalty points, theme park tickets, vacation packages, and hotel stays. Go to DailyGetaways.com.

Low-cost Icelandic airline PLAY, which connects through Reykjavik to 26 European destinations from Hamilton, Ont., is offering is 25% flights booked between April 15-21. Discounted destinations Iceland, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, London, Paris and Stockholm and travel must take place between June and October.

TOURS

Air Canada Vacations is expanding its Europe product offering with the introduction of 30 new tour packages featuring popular destinations across the continent. ACV now offers over 180 European tour package options to choose from, complemented by numerous cruise itineraries and flight and hotel packages. Destinations ranges from Austria to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and Switzerland.

Intrepid Travel has introduced a 12-day Saudi Arabia Women’s Expedition designed to help empower women and support female-owned businesses in the destination. The tour will be exclusively led by female leaders and guides, aiming to showcase a different side of the country beyond the luxury resorts and high-end offerings. Starting in Riyadh and finishing in Jeddah, groups will stay in a female-owned boutique hotel, heritage property and desert camp, directly supporting a total of nine female-owned and operated businesses. A limited run of five departures, each with a maximum of 12 travellers, will start on Nov. 26.

HOTELS

Located in the heart of the city, Kimpton Lisbon, the brand’s first property in the Portuguese capital, will open its doors in early 2025. It’s the second Kimpton to come to Portugal, following the signing of Kimpton Algarve São Rafael Atlántico in late 2023. The hotel will be reimagined and feature 141-guestrooms, design-forward spaces and a rooftop bar and pool.

Now accepting reservations for May 1, The Four Seasons Cabo Del Sol promises a unique “Hacienda-style village” concept in the heart of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Ninety-six guest rooms and suites and a slate of magnificent residences and villas are arranged circularly around a central pool, just steps from the ocean. Oceanfront suites hold a wealth of opulent options: plunge pools, indoor and outdoor showers, firepits, and unbelievably spacious interiors.

RESORTS

The adults-only Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts brand has debuted with the opening of Hyatt Vivid Grand Island in Cancun, Mexico. A modern all-suite resort that offers a relaxed atmosphere with a host of enriching experiences to complement the resort’s lush surroundings, the property is located 10 minutes from the Cancun hotel zone and adjacent to Dreams Grand Island, which is scheduled to open later this year.

On Duck Key in the Florida Keys, Hawks Cay Resort has launched a pup-friendly “Vacay Pup” program with a planner concierge; menu items such as roasted pig ears, a “quarter hounder” burger and “dog beer;” and doggie activities, including a new Pup Paradise Park with artificial turf and native shade trees, for guests with furry friends. Amenity packages feature a “pup nap time” door sign, in-room dog bowl, relief bags, VIP (Very Important Pups) play ball and dog beds on request. Dogs must be leashed at all times; nightly fees apply.

CRUISE

Norwegian Cruise Line Holidays has revealed an “unprecedented decades-long strategy” that includes building eight new vessels across its three brands (Norwegian, Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas) plus the construction of a multi-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island destination in the Bahamas. The most comprehensive new build order in NCLH’s history will add nearly 25,000 additional berths to the fleet with new classes of ships for each of its three brands to be delivered over a 10-year period, between 2026 and 2036.

In response to a “wish list” survey of past cruisers earlier this year, Avalon Waterways says it will introduce a series of new, longer cruises in 2025, checking in at 10 days and more to meet interest and demand. According to the company, the survey revealed is that cruisers want longer, more in-depth getaways with more than half (57%) stating that they’d like to book a two-week vacation for their next cruise. That’s 23% more than those who said they will be booking a one-week trip.

BY THE NUMBERS

MSC Poesia docked at the Port of Québec April 10, officially kicking off the 2024 Destination Saint Lawrence international cruise season. Nine ports of call are gearing up to welcome 46 different ships from 29 cruise lines in 2024, while bookings to date are estimated to represent over 400,000 passenger-days and some 500 days in port.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

This year, Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights will start earlier than ever, running on select nights from Aug. 30 through Nov. 3. Tickets and packages are on sale now.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

TravelBrands’ top selling agent in April (through the 26th) will win one million Loyalty Rewards points. Second place receives a round-trip air ticket with Air Canada, and third, a $500 travel voucher. Qualifying bookings can be made at www.travelbrandsaccess.com and winners will be announced May 1.

During April, travel advisors can earn an extra 1% bonus commission on all new bookings made with Unique Vacations Inc. or on the Sandals Travel Agent Portal to any Sandals or Beaches resort in Jamaica, Bahamas, Curaçao or St. Vincent. Agents could also win a trip to the new Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which opened its doors on March 27. The top two Canadian travel advisors with the highest earnings from bookings made through May 8 will each be rewarded with a 6-day / 5-night stay in an alluring Butler Suite at the all-new destination.

Agents can win a five-night FAM to Portugal based on bookings made with Air Canada Vacations. The trip takes place Sept. 24-30, and the booking window is April 1-June 30 for travel this year. ACV will automatically track the bookings.

EVENTS

National Tourism Week (NTW) is taking underway. The 14th annual celebration is orchestrated by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and billed as a crucial platform for highlighting the pivotal role of tourism in Canada. Tourism and travel businesses are encouraged to “go green,” share a video on social media to speak about your community, company, or organization and tourism’s economic and cultural importance. Check out ideas on TIAC’s website for other initiatives and tools to help.

GOOD DEEDS

Dedicated to sustainable practices and the preservation of natural heritage around the world, Goway has donated $14,000 to Project Rhino, an alliance of dedicated organizations focused on safeguarding the rhinoceros population in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa from poaching.

WestJet and the Calgary Flames Alumni Association today announced a new two-year partnership focused on unlocking new opportunities to give back to the community through enhanced access to sports for Western Canadian youth.

DESTINATIONS

The East Wing of Buckingham Palace in London will be open to visitors for the first time this summer, when a limited number of special guided tours of the Principal Floor will be available to visitors in July and August. The East Wing encompasses the front façade of the historic building and features the famous central balcony, where the Monarch and members of the Royal Family have gathered for public appearances during special occasions or historic moments since 1851. Access this year has been made possible due to the conclusion of more than five years of improvement works to the East Wing. Tours must be booked in addition to the standard admission ticket to the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. The Palace will be open for seven days a week starting July 11 for the first time since 2019, returning to five days a week during September. Tickets are now on sale at www.rct.uk.

Marketing Manchester has launched the Visit Manchester Pass in partnership with Open Pass, now part of the Turbopass group. The pass provides an opportunity to sell the Manchester city-region with competitive commission rates available. E-mail sofiene.turki@turbopass.com for details.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1988, the federal government put Air Canada up for sale. Legislation was introduced to sell 45% of the carrier’s shares, with the remainder to go on sale in the future.

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