25 FEB 2019: In case you missed it, and even if you didn’t, here’s a quick look at some of last week’s need-to-know travel news:
AIR
Porter Airlines has released its 2019 schedule for Stephenville, Nlfd., with 48 round-trip flights operating between Halifax, beginning May 4, through Jan. 8, 2020, with schedules varying by season.
Air Canada will boost capacity on regional routes across Western Canada this spring as it deploys more state-of-the-art Bombardier Q-400 Next Gen aircraft. Routes include YVR to Nanaimo, Comox, Sandspit, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Kamloops, Penticton, and Calgary to Kelowna, Saskatoon and Winnipeg. Vancouver-Anchorage will get increased frequencies.
Italy’s second-largest carrier, Air Italy, will launch non-stop flights to Toronto on May 6 from Milan-Malapensa, making YYZ the carrier’s fifth new North American route after New York, Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Flights will be daily except Thursdays on Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The airline also announced that it has been named the Official European Carrier of Toronto Pride 2019.
DEALS
Savings of up to 50% on vacation packages to an array of luxury tropical five-star resorts in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean are being offered by Sunwing through March 1. The March Madness sale includes such options as the Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa, Royalton White Sands Montego Bay and Riu Republica (Punta Cana).
Myrtle Beach’s Canadian-America Days are set to kick off. Running March 9-17, the 58th annual festival celebrates the annual snowbird/spring break pilgrimage of Canadians to the South Carolina hotspot with a host of special events, but also discounts of up to 55% off a range of activities, attractions, accommodations, and restaurants. Many discounts continue through the end of April (and in some cases even longer). Visit the CAN AM PROMOTIONS PAGE for details.
Busabout’s ‘Your Perfect Summer’ campaign invites clients to save up to $240 on a one-week Hop-on Hop-off pass when they book any Europe Festival or Adventure trip as a way to extend holiday. The offer is in effect through April 15. Clients can also save 10% off on any of Busabout’s stand-alone Adventure, Festival, Island Hopping & Sailing, HAGGiS, Shamrocker trips and Hop-on Hop-off Europe passes.
TOURS
In response to a growing demand for physically challenging travel experiences for shutterbugs of every skill level, Exodus Travels has added a new itinerary to its growing portfolio of photography tours. The “Five Stans of the Silk Road” tour explores Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan from July 20 to Aug. 11, led by National Geographic explorer, TV presenter and photographer George Kourounis (photo). Priced at US$5,505 p.p. the tour is described as a “hardcore photographer’s dream… designed for real travellers who aren’t afraid to push their limits.” Exodus has three other photographer tours in Europe, Africa and the Arctic.
G Adventures and National Geographic Expeditions are strengthening their partnership with the launch of a new tour program: National Geographic Family Journeys with G Adventures. The new program of 12 trips goes on sale globally on May 7 and will feature unique National Geographic experiences for children, and adults, to connect through travel on departures in 2020. The two companies first joined forces in 2015 with the launch of National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures, a program of small group adventures which has grown to include 89 trips in 53 countries during 2019.
Asia is hot off the press at Goway. The tour operator’s 2019/20 brochure features over 230 independent and escorted touring ideas across the continent, including China, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and India. New product is also available in Singapore and Sri Lanka, amongst other destinations. Agents can earn an extra $50 for each booking made in March or April.
HOTELS
Israel’s Dan Hotels has acquired three hotels from Israel’s Rimonim Hotel Group. The purchase involves the Rimonim Eilat Hotel (formerly the Neptune), the Rimonim Spring Hotel in Nazareth and the boutique-style Ruth Rimonim Hotel in the heart of the ancient town of Safed. Four additional Rimonim properties may be added to the Dan Hotel chain in the coming months: one in the Negev Desert, two in Tiberias on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and one in the Golan Heights. The move fills a gap in Dan’s coverage of Israel, particularly with the addition of the properties in Safed and Nazareth, both located in the northern Galilee region.
Caesars Entertainment Corp. is continuing the evolution of its non-casino business with plans to open its first non-gaming hotel in the U.S. in Arizona, the four-star Caesars Republic Scottsdale. The announcement follows the late 2018 opening of Caesars Entertainment’s two beachfront luxury resorts and beach club on Meraas’ Bluewaters Island in Dubai. Plans have also been announced to develop a non-gaming Caesars Palace resort along the coast of Puerto Los Cabos, Mexico.
A new Fours Seasons in California’s most famous wine region is now taking reservations for arrivals starting Nov. 1. The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley is located in charming Calistoga, 90 minutes from San Francisco and features an on-site vineyard, vine-to-table restaurant, wellness spa and farmhouse-style accommodations.
RESORTS
Wymara Resort and Villas, a luxury resort in the Turks and Caicos Islands is celebrating 10 years with a new look and identity that includes new oceanfront villas. The chic and intimate retreat is located on the most private western end of famed Grace Bay Beach and now features a redesigned beachfront and bar, plus seven posh new villas on Turtle Tail Bay, located four kilometres away from the resort on a hillside overlooking the ocean. The villas include two private pools, expansive indoor-outdoor living areas, a sunken outdoor fire pit lounge area, over-the-water swimming platforms with direct ocean access, beach, restaurants, bars and spa.
On May 1, the Sensatori Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun loses the Sensatori part of its name.
Excellence Group Luxury Hotels and Resorts has announced plans to open the second outpost from their Finest Resorts brand. Set to open in the first half of 2020, Finest Punta Cana will be the third Excellence Group property in the Dominican Republic. The resort will have 450 suites, including 60 family suites, private club, and guests will be able to choose from at least 20 bars and restaurants.
CRUISE
With the new Avalon Envision on deck in April, Avalon Waterways has announced plans to launch another vessel, the Avalon View, in 2020.
The cruise line’s 14th Suite Ship in Europe (and 17th worldwide) will feature 65 19-sq.-m. one-of-a-kind Panorama Suites and four staterooms as it sails the Rhine river. Those booking a 2020 Europe river cruise, including the View, will receive $499 p.p. airfare from select Canadian gateways.
Some of the galaxy’s most formidable and heroic characters, including Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2 will be aboard the Disney Fantasy for nine exclusive Star Wars Day at Sea cruises in early 2020. Onboard activities will include Star Wars-themed live shows, family events, deck party and fireworks display. Departures from Port Canaveral are Jan. 11 and 25 and Feb. 8 and 22, 2020, to the eastern Caribbean and Jan. 4, Jan. 18, Feb. 1, Feb. 15 and Feb. 29, 2020, westward.
Following positive response to Carnival Cruise Line’s first-ever cruises from San Francisco, the line is adding five voyages from the port to Carnival Miracle’s previously announced inaugural schedule in 2020.
Including the five new voyages, Carnival Miracle will now offer a total of 27 voyages within the wide-ranging program, which includes four-day long weekend sailings to Ensenada, Mexico, 10-day cruises to Alaska and 15- and 16-day voyages to Hawaii from March to September 2020. All voyages are now open for reservations.
THEME PARKS
Guests, fitness buffs, runners and walkers alike are invited to join Stuart, Tim and Tom (photo) in Universal Studios Hollywood’s 5K Minion Run, the first in the theme park’s Running Universal series, which kicks off on Saturday, May 11. The inaugural Minion Run, invites participants ages five and older (of all experience levels) to wind their way around Universal Studios Hollywood and through parts of Universal Studios’ historic backlot, giving participants an unprecedented insider’s view of the theme park. Along the course, participants will be entertained by Universal Studios Hollywood characters, including the Minions. For info on registration and packages, click HERE.
www.RunningUniversal.com
LEGOLAND Florida unveils a new land this Spring with three new attractions inspired by “The Lego Movie” and “The Lego Movie 2.”
Canada’s Wonderland will unveil record-breaking roller coaster in April. Yukon Striker is said to be the longest, fastest and tallest dive roller coaster in the world and will be situated in a newly-themed section called Frontier Canada. Meanwhile, WinterFest will be an all-new immersive holiday experience happening late November and December for the first time in the theme park’s history.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Through March 3, Air Canada Vacations is offering 5X ACV&ME points to agents booking a package or a group to a participating Velas Resort for travel until April 30, 2019. Properties include: Grand Velas Riviera Maya; Grand Velas Riviera Maya Grand Class; Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit; Grand Velas Los Cabos; and Casa Velas. Clients will receive a free seat selection applicable in Economy class when ACV is advised at sales@vacv.com.
The ‘I’s have it: Insight has designated Ireland and Italy for a special agent booking promotion through March 31. Each week, the tour operator will highlight a different unique selling point for the countries designed to help travel counsellors to close their bookings, for which prizes will awarded ranging from a $200 gift card for five passengers booked to $1,500 for 20. Agents must be a member of “The IV Insider” Facebook page to be eligible for the campaign incentive and offer.
Agents booking a New Zealand vacation with round-trip airfare and minimum five nights accommodation with Goway will earn double Goway rewards ($30) per person booked. The tour operator has recently introduced three new all-inclusive packages to the South Pacific destination.
EDUCATION
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and its new brand U by Uniworld have moved the Uniworld University advisor education content to the TTC Agent Academy, the single source e-learning platform for all brands under The Travel Corporation umbrella.
According to Uniworld SVP of Global Sales Kristian Anderson, the move was designed to simplify and enhance agent education, offering a single sign-on to access all TTC brands and more engaging content including more videos and easy-to-digest slides.
PEOPLE
Marsha Ramage of Carlson Wagonlit, Wasaga Beach, Ont., has achieved status as Tourism Australia’s first Aussie Specialist Ambassador in Canada.
Matthew Stewart has recently been hired as Insight Vacations/Luxury Gold’s new sales manager for GTA and Northern Ontario, while Paula Rizos has fully taken over all partnership accounts in British Columbia and Yukon as a Business Development Manager. Further, Claire Rottare has been appointed as National Tele-sales Manager, which is a new role at Insight and Luxury Gold focused on developing new business opportunities across the country.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Los Cabos Tourism Board reports that Los Cabos welcomed more than 100,000 Canadian visitors in 2018, a 12% year-over-year increase from 2017
According to Booking.com, which culled data from 163 million verified guest reviews and research from 21,500 travellers across 29 countries, almost a third (31%) of global travellers like the idea of a ‘virtual travel agent’ in their home, using voice-activated assistants to answer travel queries; and one in five want to see technology such as augmented reality helping to familiarize themselves with a destination before they arrive.
DESTINATIONS
March is art month in Hong Kong, with the city staging a plethora of arts and cultural events around town, including the internationally renowned Art Basel Hong Kong (March 29-31) and Art Central (March 27-31) among the highlights. Another is the Hong Kong Arts Festival – an annual bonanza featuring opera, theatre, music, dance and more – which has been running for four decades. Visitors will have the opportunities to enjoy 166 performances by 1,700 artists from around the world during the 31-day-long program this year (Feb. 21 – March 23).
A new “All Access Tour” to the Empire State Building in New York provides an exclusive, guided tour for visitors to areas of the landmark that are otherwise off-limits to general ticket holders, such as the celebrity entrance and green room, a behind-the-scenes look at archival construction photos, along with visit to the 86th-floor observation deck.
The tour includes snacks, souvenir photos and is only available only by reservation at www.esbnyc.com. Cost is US$500 p.p.
Switzerland is primed to serve up the Laver Cup, Sept. 20-22. The third annual three-day tournament features six of the best European players and six of the best players in the world in a unique team tournament similar to the Ryder Cup in golf. The competition is organized at the instigation of the Swiss player Roger Federer and owes its name to Australian tennis legend Rod Laver, who won all four Grand Slam tournaments twice in the 1960s.