Last week, the shoe dropped on new TICO registrant fees in Ontario, while news emanated from the second airports in both Montreal and Toronto. Air Canada Vacations launched its Europe tool kit featuring bonus offerings for travel advisors, while G Adventures invited agents to be ‘change makers.’ And Chinese New Year celebrations got underway in grand style in Hong Kong.
NEWS
Starting April 1, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario will introduce a new fee structure that it says is more equitable for registrants across the board, but which will see rates for members increase 3.4% on average (based on 2019-20 sales). Notably, the new funding model for TICO and the provincial Compensation Fund will not include a consumer pay option.
A celebration has been launched to mark ‘85 Years of Flight’ at Toronto’s downtown island airport. Conceived in the 1930s as the main airport for Toronto, the construction of what is now Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) was completed in 1939 at the same time that Malton Airport (now Toronto Pearson) was constructed as a secondary, alternate airport to be used in the event of weather. On Feb. 4, 1939, H.F. McLean of Montreal landed a Stinson SR-9F Reliant aircraft at Toronto’s new airport, marking the beginning of 85 years of flight at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Montreal Saint-Hubert Airport (YUH) has revealed a new brand identity, reflecting its transformation into commercial aviation as construction of its new terminal, in partnership with Porter Airlines, progresses. Located in Saint-Hubert since 1927, the airport will now be known as MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport.
AIR
WestJet is set to introduce 10 new routes and return or extend 16 routes this summer, offering a significant increase in coast-to-coast travel options for travellers. Underpinning its growth strategy, the increases on domestic, leisure and international travel routes represent a 15 percent gain year-over-year.
A simplified fare structure from Avianca now includes four fare options for flights in the Americas (excluding Brazil) – three options in economy class and one in business class: basic, classic, flex, and business, all with varying degrees of inclusions and amenities. Check the web site for details.
To meet demand, Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is undergoing a multi-million-dollar project at Concourse B, part of a phased modernization program for PBI. The first phase will include a new 280-sq.-m. restaurant and restroom expansion. Other updates will consist of an overall refresh, an integrated nursing suite, a sensory room to create a calming space for travellers with autism and more.
BY THE NUMBERS
IATA reported that the recovery in air travel continued in December 2023 and total 2023 traffic edged even closer to matching pre-pandemic demand. Total traffic in 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 36.9% compared to 2022. Globally, full year 2023 traffic was at 94.1% of pre-pandemic (2019) levels. December 2023 total traffic rose 25.3% compared to December 2022 and reached 97.5% of the December 2019 level. Fourth quarter traffic was at 98.2% of 2019, reflecting the strong recovery towards the end of the year.
DEALS
Available through Feb. 29, the ‘Time of Your Life’ Wave Season offer from Holland America Line gives guests a free stateroom upgrade, fare discounts, free fares for kids, and reduced deposits. This is in addition to the “Have It All” perks of shore excursions, beverages, specialty dining and Wi-Fi that also are included with the cruise fare. The offer is available on cruises through Feb., 2025.
New York City Tourism + Conventions, has announced the return of NYC Off-Broadway Week, with two-for-one ticket sales to 31 Off-Broadway shows, available at nyctourism.com/offbroadwayweek. The biannual program, which features over a dozen new shows, runs Feb. 12-March 3.
TOURS
Air Canada Vacations’ 2024 Europe Travel Agent Toolkit is back and packed with opportunities to boost sales and earn bonus commission, plus savings on personal vacation travel to Europe. The updated toolkit features new additions and enhancements aimed at empowering travel professionals with comprehensive resources to support travel agents as they navigate the tour company’s extensive Europe portfolio. In 2024, ACV is offering Europe as a year-round program with extensive winter tours and ski packages, in addition to existing summer options.
Kensington Tours is broadening its Voyages by Kensington Tours program that pairs river or ocean cruises with private guided land-based experiences with the introduction of exclusive private guided shore excursions. Available in over 165 global ports, these new offerings feature a variety of enriching experiences such as historical explorations, cultural immersion, active adventures, and culinary journeys.
RESORTS
Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres, the latest World of Hyatt Inclusive Collection property is now open in Mexico. The 507-room adults-only resort (photo), situated along a secluded strip of idyllic oceanfront coast, is close to the island of Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy National Park, as well as Playa Mujeres Golf Course, a Greg Norman signature 18-hole course with exceptional ocean and tropical views, and the Puerto Cancun Shopping Centre.
Club Med has unveiled its latest property in Hokkaido, Japan. Club Med Kiroro Grand is the company’s fourth resort on the northern island – an internationally renowned ski destination – and is located only a three-minute gondola ride from its sister resort, Club Med Kiroro Peak. Open for both the summer and winter seasons, the resort is inspired by Kiroro’s natural landscape and features 266 guest rooms, plus distinctive restaurants, and vibrant main bar.
HOTELS
This year, Jumeirah Group plans to continue its growth trajectory alongside the planned opening of both Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Dubai and Jumeirah The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, as well as Le Richemond in Geneva which is currently closed for a complete renovation.
Copenhagen, Denmark’s 25hours Hotel Paper Island will boast 128 stylish rooms and a prime location on Christiansholm, popularly known as “The Paper Island.” Historically recognized for its storage of large rolls of paper for Danish newspapers, the island has evolved into a trendy urban hotspot, celebrated for its central position and picturesque waterfront vistas. Anticipating further development, the area is set to unveil a new public park and promenade, adding to its allure.
CRUISE
Abercrombie & Kent is building a new Nile riverboat, its fifth in Egypt, which will launch in late 2025. Designed to extremely high spec the yet-to-be named vessel will have all the facilities and services of a high-end floating hotel, including two restaurants – indoor and outdoor – serving world-class food made with locally sourced ingredients, along with a spa, a gym, elegant social spaces, a swimming pool, and a sundeck for relaxation between excursions.
Continuing it’s ongoing expansion in the US, MSC Cruises has announced that Galveston, Texas will be its fourth home port in the country and will serve as the new home base for the MSC Seascape starting in November 2025. The line has opened sales for year-round sailings from the port, offering seven-night western Caribbean itineraries with Sunday embarkation, staring Nov. 9, 2025, with destinations including Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico) and Isla de Roatan (Honduras).
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Pixar Fest returns to the Disneyland Resort from April 26 through Aug. 4. From colourful décor and themed menu items to commemorative merchandise, the Disneyland Resort theme parks, hotels, and Downtown Disney District will have a Pixar twist of friendly fun for a limited time. The festival is highlighted by entertainment featuring Pixar stories. An all-new daytime parade, “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!”, will debut at Disney California Adventure Park, and at Disneyland Park, the emotional “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” (photo) returns with some all-new scenes. During the celebration, guests may encounter new characters such as Ember and Wade from “Elemental,” Red Panda Mei from “Turning Red” and more.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Experience Kissimmee recently hosted a fam for travel advisors from Vancouver to Halifax, with flights provided by Air Canada & Air Canada Rouge. The trip was led by Denise Graham, Account Director for Experience Kissimmee, represented in Canada by VoX International. From hotel & vacation home site inspections to zip lining over alligators at Gatorland, cheering their brave knight to victory at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, cycling through Celebration and wrapping up the week with a magical day at the Walt Disney World theme parks, the advisors left filled with new knowledge of the destination, exciting new product to sell & best of all, new friendships & memories to last a lifetime.
G Adventures’ popular ‘Change Makers’ travel advisor reward program is returning with 15 Canadian agents eligible to earn a space at the community tourism pioneer’s third Change Makers GX Summit later this year. To be held at yet-to-be-revealed destination, the event will include 75 winners from around the globe, brought together to celebrate the impact of community tourism. Running until May 31, agents automatically receive one entry per booking. The top 10 agents from each region will qualify, with an additional five ‘wildcard’ spaces available Visit https://sherpa.gadventures.com/change-makers/ and log into Sherpa, or speak to a G Adventures global purpose specialist.
EVENTS
The second staging of the Global Tourism Resilience Conference will take place in Montego Bay, Jamaica this week, Feb. 16-17. The conference will include panel discussions, networking opportunities, presentations, and lively debates on matters of building resilience in tourism. Experts in their collective fields will gather to collaboratively discuss issues that are central to future-proofing travel and tourism to various disruptions moving forward.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
VoX International has hired Lora Hamre as Account Manager-Travel Trade, working primarily on Tourism Australia and Hawai’i Tourism Canada teams, as well as providing support for other company clients. She can be reached at lora@voxinternational.com and by phone (416) 935 1896 x 249.
Toronto-based YYZlaw has welcomed two new team members: Timothy Poon and Shakshi Shreya. Poon is a Juris Doctor graduate from the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a diverse background that includes aviation law. Shreya holds an LL.M. from McGill University and an MBA in Aviation Management with specialization in Air and Space Law. They join prominent aviation lawyer Bill Clark’s firm immediately.
DESTINATIONS
Hong Kong’s most eye-catching Chinese New Year celebration made a grand comeback on Feb. 10. The 22 annual “Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade” returned after a five-year layoff kicking off the Year of the Dragon on Feb. 10. An integral component of the city’s Chinese New Year ambience, the gala parade is a highlight of celebrations organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).
Now fully open, Daytona Beach Fla.’s Riverfront Esplanade features more than a mile of waterfront running trail with comfortable benches and swings overlooking the Halifax River. The park also features a dog park with an agility course and a state-of-the-art splash pad. Visitors will discover in the new southern end walkways that run through a creek with waterfalls, gardens with flowers, plants and trees and picnic tables that overlook the water.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1982, Laker Airways, which had provided “no frills” service across the Atlantic, declared bankruptcy.
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