News nuggets, airlines, hotels/resorts, cruising, tours, events, FAMS/incentives, deals, destinations and more are covered in our weekly round-up of travel industry news you may have missed.
NEWS
A reminder that an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Canadian visitors will be required to enter the United Kingdom starting Jan. 8, 2025. For more details and to apply, click HERE.
The European Union has agreed to let Bulgaria and Romania fully integrate into Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone, known as the Schengen area, by lifting land border controls. More than 420 million people live in the Schengen area, and their freedom to move across borders helps businesses and tourism to flourish.
Uplift, a global Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solution for retail and travel brands has been rebranded as Flex Pay.
BY THE NUMBERS
Higher costs and a levelling out of “revenge travel” are leading to a softening of travel intentions amongst Canadians’ travel intentions for 2025, according to new data from Allianz Global Assistance Canada. Based on its 8th annual Vacation Confidence Index Study (conducted by Ipsos), the insurance provider says only 35% of Canadians are expressing confidence that they will take a winter vacation, a 12-point drop from last year. Further, while 60% of Canadians plan to travel in 2024, that’s down 10 points from 2024. High financial considerations continue to be the main barrier (60%).
AIR
Just before Christmas, Air Transat inaugurated its seasonal flights to Tulum, with three weekly departures from Montreal and one from Quebec City. Service will continue until April. With an already established presence in Acapulco, Cancún, Cozumel, and Puerto Vallarta, the airline is expanding its offerings to southern Mexico.
Royal Air Maroc launched its new scheduled international direct air route linking Toronto to Casablanca on Dec. 8. The flight schedule includes flights every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircrafts. Flights from Toronto depart at 21:30 and arrive in Casablanca at 10:50 (local time the following day).
Aeroplan members will have access to free Wi-Fi aboard Air Canada flights starting in May, building on a partnership with telecom giant Bell that already gives passengers free text messaging capabilities. The airline says that the Bell-sponsored internet service will be available on all Wi-Fi equipped aircraft for North American and Central American followed by long-haul international routes in 2026. It said passengers can expect “streaming-quality” service on Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and most Air Canada Express aircraft.
DEALS
From Mexico to the Dominican Republic and beyond, travel advisors can secure clients up to 30% off through the Big Boxing Week Savings sale from Sunwing Vacations, which has been extended through Jan. 5.
To kick off wave season, AmaWaterways is offering guests the opportunity to extend their river cruise with a variety of complimentary two-, three- or four-night pre- and post-cruise land packages available on select 2025 and 2026 European sailings. Guests unable to extend their vacations can chose to take up to US$2,000 per stateroom discount – dependent on itinerary and departure date. The booking window is Jan. 1-March 31 and further details can be found at www.amawaterways.com/freeland.
TOURS
A new collaboration between HIS Group sister companies TravelBrands and Ceetiz now allows Canadian travel agents access thousands of unique experiences across 400-plus destinations worldwide. This enhancement allows agents to offer and sell add-on activities such as a tour of the Louvre, West End musical in London, or tickets to the top of the Empire State building, at competitive prices, making it quicker and more convenient for clients.
Intrepid Travel is adding 55 new trips in 2025 and will now connect travellers with 120 countries worldwide. New itineraries include its first land-based trip in Greenland, a sailing adventure in the Maldives and new trips in the West African nations of Benin, Togo, Ghana, Senegal and The Gambi.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Princess Hotels & Hotels celebrated its official opening just before Christmas in Jamaica, marking the Spanish company’s first property in the country and the biggest hotel on the island in the past 15 years. The 1,000-room resort, located on the west end of the island between Montego Bay and Negril, includes two connected luxury all-inclusive properties, Princess Senses The Mangrove and Princess Grand Jamaica, for adults and families respectively. The property soft-opened Nov. 1.
Blue Diamond Resorts has unveiled the US$32-million transformation of Royalton Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino, and its neighboring Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino – Adults Only. Highlights include renewed culinary experience across the properties, with notable renovations across the food and beverage outlets.
CRUISE
On Oceania Cruises bookings made through Jan. 31, clients will receive up to a four-category stateroom upgrade, plus the choice of one amenity: free or reduced air, a premium drinks package (unlimited wine, beer and spirits) or a shipboard credit of up to US$1,000 per stateroom. The extra amenity and the stateroom upgrade are available on a total of 105 global sailings – 79 in 2025 and 26 in 2026 – and offer guests up to $5,700 in additional value.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced that Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Breakaway and will each undergo significant updates to offer more onboard guest experiences, including a brand-new cinema and dining experience, Silver Screen Bistro; a new outdoor recreational concept, Horizon Park; as well as the extension of popular dining venues such as Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki; and expanded accommodations including The Haven by Norwegian. Norwegian Bliss will be in dry dock from Jan. 17 to Feb. 2 to complete the upgrades, while the Bliss will receive its enhancements between Feb. 19 and March 14.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Universal Orlando Resort is offering two free days of admission to the theme park destination with the purchase of a two-day ticket. On sale now for travel through April 30, the “Buy 2 Days, Get 2 Days” ticket offer gives Canadian residents the opportunity to enjoy four days of access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands. Guests and clients also have the option to upgrade their ticket to include Volcano Bay water theme park. Visit www.VAXVacationAccess.com.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
To celebrate the launch of its new Agent Portal, Rocky Mountaineer is offering retail travel agents who make a confirmed booking through the portal by Jan. 31, 2025, the chance to win two tickets for a Rocky Mountaineer journey (photo). Each booking made earns rewards, with gift cards ranging from $400 for two bookings to $800 for six or more, while one lucky agent will win a complimentary two-day rail journey for two on their choice of route: First Passage to the West, Journey through the Clouds, or Rockies to the Red Rocks including hotel stays on both ends. Travel is valid for select dates between April 14 and Oct. 20, 2025. To register and for full details on the incentive, please visit agentportal.rockymountaineer.com.
Through Jan. 2, TravelBrands’ Boxing Week Sale brings savings for clients and extra loyalty point for agents, including + 10X Loyalty Rewards points on TravelGenie packages, hotel-only bookings, and add-ons such as tours, transfers, attractions, and shore excursions; 5X Loyalty Rewards points on Sunquest packages, plus the travel agent with the most Sunquest package bookings will win a bonus 50,000 Loyalty Rewards points. TravelBrands Intair Flights Receive 3X Loyalty Rewards points on all carriers on all destinations valid for departures anytime.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
DESTINATIONS
Canada’s largest winter wine celebration, the Niagara Icewine Festival, begins Jan. 10, continuing until Jan. 26. The festival offers a vast lineup of experiences, from the glamorous Cool As Ice Gala at the historic Niagara Parks Power Station, to the Icewine Discovery Pass Program or the cozy, après-ski-inspired Icewine Village in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It’s a unique story that combines Canadian winter charm with world-class wine.
Osaka, one of Japan’s biggest and oldest cities, is gearing up to host the World Exposition, to be held April 13-Oct. 13 with the theme “Designing the Future of Our Lives.” Organizers anticipate 28.2 million visitors, over 3 million of them from other countries. Nearly 5 million tickets have already been sold. World Expos happen every five years, and last up to six months. The most recent, in 2020, was in Dubai.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1965, the name change of Trans-Canada Airlines to Air Canada took effect.
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