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
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced its intention to launch its first preclearance operation in 2025. The initiative will have Canadian border services officers working at a shared facility at the Cannon Corners port of entry in New York (adjacent to the Covey Hill, Que., port of entry) – a Cannon Corners is a remote and lightly traveled port of entry that connects the community of Mooers Fork, NY and Havelock, Que. For the two-year duration of the operation, travellers entering Canada will go through Cannon Corners instead of the Covey Hill port of entry, which will be closed to travellers during that time.
The US Transportation Department said Friday it will hit JetBlue Airways with a $2 million penalty for chronically late flights along the East Coast, and half the money will go to passengers who were delayed. The agency said it’s the first time it has fined an airline for chronic delays on specific routes, which it blamed on “unrealistic scheduling” by JetBlue.
The legalization of same-sex marriage in Thailand goes into effect on Jan. 22, making it the first country in Southeast Asia to grant marriage equality. The new law will provide same-sex couples with the same legal rights and protections as heterosexual couples, including inheritance, adoption, and spousal benefits. Bangkok Pride is planning a mass wedding event featuring 300 couples (and growing) to take place on Jan. 23. Thailand is considered to have a “decent” reputation as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly for tourists, though many still experience persecution from the country’s Muslim minority.
BY THE NUMBERS
Higher costs and a levelling out of “revenge travel” are leading to a softening of travel intentions amongst Canadians’ 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
Plaza Premium Group (PPG has unveiled its new Canadian flagship lounge at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). This venue (photo above) introduces the first-ever Plaza Premium First (PPF) in North America, alongside a reimagined Plaza Premium Lounge (PPL), delivering a dual-concept facility that caters to a variety of traveller needs – from luxury seekers to business travellers and families. Located in the international terminal, the lounge spans nearly 1,000 sq. m. and accommodates 251 guests. Key features include interactive live cooking stations, family-friendly amenities, shower facilities, and premium showers (extra charge of $25).
Air Transat will fly to Berlin in 2025 with the non-stop route taking flight from Toronto on June 10 and operating Thursdays and Sundays on a seasonal basis through Oct. 24. The service will be the airline’s 36th non-stop routes between Canada and Europe or North Africa next year.
Porter Airlines is expanding its presence in British Columbia with flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Kelowna International Airport (YLW). Service begins on May 14, with five weekly roundtrip flights, increasing to daily roundtrip flights on June 23.
DEALS
Virgin Voyages is enticing ‘Sailors’ to come aboard its boutique-sized ships with its best-of-the-year WAVE offer: buy one Sailor and get the second 80% off plus up to $300 in free drinks.
Through Jan. 31, CIE Tours’ “2-for-1” round-trip economy airfare offer applies to 26 guided vacations to Ireland, Scotland, England, and Iceland. Available for travel between June 1 and Aug. 31, the offer allows companions to fly for free from Canadian or US gateways when a select tour is booked. The offer must be booked by phone at 1-800-243-8687 or via online chat mentioning promotional code 2FOR125. More details at https://www.cietours.com/offers/2-1-airfare.
CRUISE
French Polynesia-based Paul Gauguin Cruises’ 330-guest m/s Paul Gauguin will undergo an extensive refurbishment during a seven-week drydock in Singapore, February-March. The multi-million-dollar project will introduce sustainable technology upgrades, a contemporary new look for its popular Le Grill restaurant, a reimagined pool deck complete with shaded cabana areas, eight new connecting staterooms, and the updating of soft furnishes throughout the ship. The cruise line’s new 2026 cruise guide is also now available.
MSC Cruises has opened sales for the MSC World Cruise 2027 with a new itinerary aboard MSC Musica. The 121-night route will visit 45 destinations in 25 countries, with seven overnight stays and crossing the equator twice over 37,000 nautical miles across five continents. Embarkation is possible from one of four European ports – Civitavecchia for Rome, Genoa (Italy), Marseille (France), and Barcelona (Spain) from Jan. 5, 6, 7 and 8, 2027, respectively.
TOUR OPERATORS
As part of its ongoing release of all-new itineraries for 2025 and beyond, Wilderness Travel reports that it has added four trips to Kyrgyzstan, Cuba, the Kalahari Desert, and Yellowstone. The collection has a special focus on culture, landscapes, wildlife, in each destination. Tours include ‘Trekking Kyrgyzstan’s Alay Mountains’; ‘Cuba: A Cultural Odyssey’; ‘Botswana Kalahari Safari – Zebra Migration’; and ‘Winter Adventures in Yellowstone’.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Hôtel de Glace marks its 25th anniversary in 2025. The iconic ice hotel, located about 30 minutes from Quebec City, will celebrate its milestone season with a spectacular new restaurant built within its icy walls. Developed in partnership with one of the country’s leading hotels, the Hôtel de Glace Restaurant by Fairmont Le Château Frontenac will offer a Nordic-inspired menu of hearty dishes prepared by the Château Frontenac culinary team. Diners can take advantage of a special gastronomic experience on Fridays and Saturdays starting Jan. 15. The exclusive dinner package includes a welcome cocktail, self-guided tour of the ice hotel, a three-course meal, and round-trip shuttle service to Hôtel de Glace from Château Frontenac
Open again in Kingston, Ont., is the renovated Kingston Marriott. Located in the heart of the city on King Street close, this hotel has 172 guestrooms and proximity to the waterfront and all of the city’s downtown amenities.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Luxury safari outfitter African Travel is offering travel advisors a $300 digital gift card incentive for every couple booked on their escorted safaris before March 31, 2025.
DESTINATIONS
This year, Vienna is celebrating the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss. This milestone will be [lay out throughout the city in ballrooms, on stages, and in exhibition halls highlighting Strauss’s lasting impact on Viennese culture. An overview of events and exhibitions that have been confirmed for 2025 can be found HERE.
In Florida, the Key West Wildlife Center is unveiling a new elevated tropical green wildlife clinic and renovated wildlife recovery aviary, both targeted for completion in early 2025, within the Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park at 1801 White St. near Atlantic Boulevard. The new US$2.4 million facility is to feature a large aviary with expansive room for flight conditioning and a clinic with a dedicated treatment area and additional interior space for patient care. The wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility, with a 24-hour wildlife rescue line, provides rehabilitation for native wildlife including birds, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals. The facility is open to the public every day except Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
In 1973, US airlines began scanning passengers with electronic devices, a practice now routine at major airports.
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