Possible strikes dominated last week’s news, with Air Canada pilots threatening job action, and London Heathrow border staff polishing their pickets for this coming weekend. Elsewhere, US airports are readying for their busiest Labour Day weekend ever, winter campaigns were unveiled by a trio of prominent tour operators, and Viking unveiled its newest ship on the Nile.
NEWS
Air Canada pilots voted on Thursday to overwhelmingly approve a strike mandate, putting them in a position to walk off the job as early as Sept. 17. The Air Line Pilots Association, which represents more than 5,400 aviators at the country’s largest carrier, says the vote passed by 98%.
Border Force staff at London Heathrow airport are planning a four-day strike from Aug 31 to Sept. 3. The strike will be the latest in a series of rotating job actions that have disrupted the facility over the summer. The 650 Public and Commercial Services (PSC) members who work in passport control at terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 at LHR have been in dispute with their employer after a new roster was imposed in April. After the forthcoming four-day strike, union members will engage in a work-to-rule and overtime ban until Sept. 22.
BY THE NUMBERS
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says it is preparing to screen more than 17 million people during what is expected to be the busiest Labour Day travel period on record, and 8.5% higher than last year. The peak travel day is projected to be Friday (Aug. 30), when TSA expects to screen 2.86 million people.
GOOD DEEDS
Planeterra has announced 15 recipients of its Global Community Tourism Fund for 2024. This year, the community-led enterprises spanning the globe from Uganda to Mexico, and India to Costa Rica will receive grants of up to US$3,500, along with specialized training and ongoing mentorship, to amplify their impact in sustainable tourism. “These organizations stand out for their extraordinary commitment to community development through initiatives that foster cultural exchange, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment,” said Evie Nhdlovu, Manager of the Planeterra Global Community Tourism Network.
AIR
The main terminal expansion of Portland International Airport (PDX) has opened to passengers. At the 93,000 sq. m. the project doubles the capacity of PDX and will enable the airport to process 35 million passengers annually by 2045. Noteworthy is a 37,000-sq.-m mass timber roof (photo), helping the new terminal evoke the feeling of walking through a Pacific Northwest forest. Views to the airfield, abundant natural light, and interior landscapes that reflect the natural beauty of the region are present throughout.
The Grenada Tourism Authority has announced approval of WestJet’s new direct flight from Toronto to Grenada. Starting on Nov. 3, this service will operate once weekly until April 27, 2025,
Sabre and WestJet have signed a multi-year renewal of their distribution agreement. The agreement will continue to provide Sabre-connected agencies with access to all WestJet content, including future New Distribution Capability (NDC) offers.
DEALS
Collette is offering a discount for select dates to the Iberian Peninsula as a part of August’s “Hot Deals.” Travellers can save $200 when booking the Nov. 30 departure for “Spain’s Costa Del Sol & and Madrid” or the Dec. 5 departure of “Sunny Portugal.”
The Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau and Maui’s resort industry partners have launched a special Maui Offers page with resort deals for visitors as the island continues to encourage respectful and compassionate travel. This late summer and fall, Maui is inviting visitors to enjoy free rooms, rates up to 30% off and US$250 daily resort credits. Details at www.GoHawaii.com/MauiOffers.
TOURS
Sunwing’s 2024-25 winter season will feature the addition of three new sun destinations: Tulum, Camaguey-Santa Lucia, and San Andrés. In total, the company will offer more than 700 hotel in 27 sun destinations throughout Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, from 24 gateways across Canada. Highlights of the just-released flight schedule include direct flights from Toronto and Montreal to Cuba’s Camaguey-Santa Lucia and direct service from Montreal to the new airport in Tulum, Mexico, as well as San Andrés, off the coast of Nicaragua.
Transat’s new winter 2024-25 brochures cover a variety of destinations across Mexico, South and Central America, the Caribbean, North Africa, Florida and Europe. For South destinations, over 360 hotels are offered, departing from seven Canadian cities. In Europe, there are over 100 hotels in Spain, France, Portugal and the UK. Packages and tours in Morocco and Peru complete the diverse offering. By booking at least 60 days before departure, travellers can save up to $500 on a tour for two, and all packages include a first checked bag.
The new ‘My Vacation Mood’ campaign from Air Canada Vacations features the company’s new 2024/25 Digital Sun Guide with over 600 options to choose from, Canadians looking to escape the cold are sure to find the perfect destination to suit their travel style and budget. To celebrate the launch, Air Canada Vacations is also inviting Canadians to enter for a chance to win a one-week, all-inclusive trip to Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Complete contest details HERE.
HOTELS
IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to expand its presence in Egypt with the launch of the first Holiday Inn Express hotel in the country. Set to open in 2027, the 250-room Holiday Inn Express West Cairo 205 will be close to popular destinations such as the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, and will cater to both leisure and business travellers.
France’s luxury hotel brand Sofitel has announced the impending complete beautification of its Canadian flagship, the Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile. Located on Sherbrooke Street, the property will undergo a major makeover of all facilities – including guest rooms, lobby, common areas and the Renoir restaurant. The hotel will remain open during the three-phase project, which is expected to finish this fall.
RESORTS
For Sunwing package bookings featuring Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection in sun destinations like Mexico, Jamiaca, and the Dominican Republic, booking made before Aug. 31, travel advisors will earn 3X STAR Points, while clients will benefit from rate reductions and group offers, and at select resorts, up to two kids free, no single supplement, plus complimentary upgrades to Club room categories. They will also be entered for their own chance to win a seven-night all inclusive vacation package for two at Secrets Tulum Resort and Beach Club in Mexico.
CRUISE
Viking has taken delivery of the company’s newest ship for the Nile River, the Viking Hathor. The delivery ceremony took place when the new ship was presented at Massara shipyard in Cairo, Egypt. The 82-guest Viking Hathor joins the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships for the Nile River and will sail Viking’s popular 12-day ‘Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.’
The Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) has named Emerald Cruises as a new CARP Approved Partner. CARP members will immediately be able to take advantage of exclusive discounts and access to elite-level services from Emerald Cruises, which offers a diverse lineup of river and yacht cruises across four continents.
EDUCATION
Goway reports its GowayPro Travel Academy, has just enrolled its 7,000th travel professional and loaded its 600th training module. The program allows travel professionals to learn at their own pace as they become experts on countries, regions, and continents. Academy members can also become certified travel experts and gain exclusive rewards, including access to FAMs and cash rewards with the GowayPro Loyalty Program. The academy’s 600 training modules on 60 countries (and counting) are ACTA-accredited and ASTA-endorsed. They also allow travel professionals to earn CEU credits with the Travel Institute.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
An all-new Dining Card Vacation Package at Universal Orlando Resort includes a food and beverage dining card worth up to US$1,000. Available for purchase now for select travel dates from Nov. 7 through April 10, 2025, the offer also includes accommodations at one of Universal’s hotels and theme park admission. Package holders can use the dining card (one per room) across more than 200 venues. Packages are available for four or five nights and the card credit ranges from $400 to $1,000 depending on the hotel and selected.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Starting Sept. 3 and through September, Riviera River Cruises is offering an end-of-summer promotion on remaining 2024 and 2025 departures that benefits both travel advisors and their clients. Agents will receive a $100 gift card for every cabin booked, while their clients will receive 100 euros in onboard credit for every person booked. More details at https://www.rivierarivercruises.com/.
EVENTS
The Annual Meeting of the members of the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24. All TICO registrants and members of the public are invited to attend. To register (by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 20), click HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Prominent Canadian hotelier Josef Eber is retiring, marking the culmination of an amazing 60-career that has spanned 14 properties in seven countries, notably as a long-time executive at Toronto’s Chelsea Hotel – Canada’s largest hotel – where he currently serves as RVP Canada & Managing Director. His last day will be Nov. 15. Ebner’s global work experience began with an apprenticeship from 1963 to 1966 in Austria, after which he went on to work in Zurich, Paris, London (two times), Toronto (three times), Madeira, Montreal, Geneva, Washington (two times), returning to Toronto for good in 1992.
DESTINATIONS
Whistler Blackcomb is set to open its dual mountains to skiers (photo) and riders on Nov. 22 for the 2024/25 winter season, conditions permitting. Guests can lock in the best deals and experiences by purchasing passes ranging from single day to season-long access before prices go up on Sept. 2.
Touted as a “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean,” Barbados also has the distinction of being the birthplace of rum, both of which pair well as foundations of the annual Food & Rum Festival, which gets underway Oct. 24-27. This event showcases Bajan’s culinary talents, from renowned rum producers to award-winning chefs. Guests can participate in a menu of food and beverage experiences while enjoying the beauty and surroundings of the island.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 2009, the Canada Line, Vancouver‘s new rapid transit line and the first to link a major Canadian city to its airport, opened with a day of free riding.
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