Canadians are still looking to travel this year, according to a survey by Allianz. Also in the round-up, Canada is testing pre-clearance entry options for the first time, Regina is set to welcome a new airline, Sunwing and ACV unveiled new agent tools, Marriott made moves in the all-inclusive market, and MSC diverted its cruises away from the troubled Red Sea region.
NEWS
Despite not being able to afford one, many Canadians are planning to take a holiday this year anyways as they battle inflation fatigue with travel plans, according to a new survey from Allianz Global Assistance. The seventh annual Vacation Confidence Study says the average vacationing family intends to spend over $4,000 on their vacation in 2024.
Canada wants to launch a pilot project to explore letting northbound land travellers clear customs before they leave the United States. While the US has been pre-clearing southbound air travellers since 1952, Canada currently has no preclearance operations anywhere in the world. The plan would see a preclearance zone inside a Customs and Border Protection facility in Cannon Corners, NY, south of Montreal and is hoped to open later this year.
A US federal judge blocked JetBlue Airways from buying Spirit Airlines, saying the US$3.8 billion deal would reduce competition. The Justice Department sued to block the merger, saying it would drive up fares by eliminating Spirit, the nation’s biggest low-cost airline. “Spirit is a small airline. But there are those who love it. To those dedicated customers of Spirit, this one’s for you,” US District Judge William Young wrote in the ruling.
BY THE NUMBERS
US Security officials intercepted a record number of firearms – nearly all of them (93%) loaded – at US airports in 2023, says the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The total of 6,737 firearms at airport security checkpoints, surpassed the previous record of 6,542 firearms in 2022, and the highest one-year total in TSA’s history. The worst offender was Atlanta, followed by Dallas and Houston.
AIR
Lynx Air has announced the addition of Regina to its network starting in June. The new gateway marks the discount carrier’s first foray into the Saskatchewan market and brings to 23 its total number of North American destinations. Effective June 20, Lynx will operate three flights a week (Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday) each way between Regina International Airport (YQR) and both Vancouver and Toronto Pearson.
Porter Airlines celebrated the start of daily roundtrip service between Toronto Pearson and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Jan. 16, expanding east-west connections between eastern Canada and southern California. LA was the fourth busiest transborder destination out of Toronto Pearson in 2023. The route will operate on state-of-the-art Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, offering a 132-seat, all-economy configuration with a comfortable middle seat-less two-by-two layout.
DEALS
Through Jan. 26, cruisers can book any sailing in any stateroom category with air with TravelBrands and the second guest flies free. The offer is valid for all sailings departing from March 1 to April 30, 2024, and is combinable with any cruise line offers. As an added bonus, travel agents will earn 10X Loyalty Rewards points.
TTC Tour Brands, including Trafalgar, Contiki, Brendan Vacations, Insight Vacations, Costsaver, and Luxury Gold, is conducting its 2024 Big Tour Sale with savings up to 25% off across the tour brands. The sale is in effect through Jan. 31 for Contiki, and Feb. 15 for the others.
TOURS
Sunwing Vacations has released the 11th edition of Wedding Vacations by Sunwing, designed to be a critical tool to help agents and their clients plan their nuptials in paradise. Reflecting the modern bride and wedding couple, the guide provides informative articles, wedding planning tips, and industry expert advice, all to help inspire and support the soon-to-be wed in their journey down the aisle. To read this year’s 11th edition of Wedding Vacations by Sunwing, visit https://brochures.sunwing.ca/en/2024/wedding-vacations/ .
Air Canada Vacations has officially unveiled its new Group Quoting Tool. Features include real-time instant quotes for most sun destinations and hotels. Agents can create up to three itineraries, up to three room categories for one hotel, complete with a direct link to hotel content for resort information. There are also self-serve options to easily manage quotes and monitor quote status, plus agents can access a consolidated view of both current and past quotes, generate client-friendly PDF versions with personalized information, agency logos, and price adjustments, and much more.
RESORTS
Club Med Cancun is set to undergo enhancements that will include the addition of a Wellness Island and improvement of its Family Oasis and Children’s Clubs (rendering above). The resort will continue to operate during the renovations, which will be completed by April and December respectively.
Marriott International is set to debut its first-ever all-inclusive property fully conceptualized by the Marriott brand at the site of the former Marriott Cancun Resort, which closed its doors for the extensive renovation last March. Reservations are now open effective March 22. The resort has been a staple of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico for several decades. Under its new guise, the 450-room new Marriott Cancun, An All–Inclusive Resort will include nine speciality restaurants; unique daily pop-up experiences; water features, such as a lazy river and water slides; and a variety of special entertainment that celebrates local culture.
HOTELS
In 2023, Radisson Hotel Group celebrated a new company record with the addition of its largest number of keys to its portfolio of 10 leading brands, amounting to over 30,000 keys through openings and signings. The fastest-growing brand in the industry, Radisson has grown its business by nearly 50% since the launch of its transformation plan in 2018.
The Epicurean Hotel has opened the doors to its US$21-million expansion in the stylish Hyde Park district of South Tampa, Fla. Located directly across Howard Avenue from Epicurean’s 137-room main hotel, the expansion adds 51 new guest rooms and suites, a private lobby, meeting space, and rooftop terrace. The new four-storey structure features a classic, crisp white exterior, historic façade, and lush, green landscaping, and adds two floors of parking with an additional 91 spaces. The project also incorporates two fully restored apartment buildings which are scheduled to open later this spring.
CRUISE
MSC Cruises says the ongoing attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea has obliged it to cancel three repositioning ‘Grand Voyage’ sailings in April from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Europe because of the risks in the region. Cancelled are the 24-night cruise of MSC Splendida from Durban, South Africa to Genoa, Italy; a 21-night sailing of MSC Opera from Dubai to Genoa; and a 23-night voyage of MSC Virtuosa from Dubai to Southampton, UK. All passengers booked on the three repositioning cruises have been, or are in the process of being, contacted.
Silversea has enhanced its groups program, providing travel partners with the opportunity to increase revenues and grow commissions. The brand has introduced a new ‘Super Advantage’ tier on group bookings, which allows the eighth guest to sail for free when seven guests pay the full fare on select sailings, and includes US$300 shipboard credit per suite and a minimum of 15% commission. Moreover, Silversea’s price protection guarantee is extended to 120 days from group opening, and no deposits are required to open group shells.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
The reimagined Pixar Place Hotel opens Jan. 30, marking the official transformation of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel into the first fully Pixar-themed hotel in the United States. The 15-storey hotel overlooking Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim will offer Pixar-themed guest rooms, new dining featuring Great Maple restaurant, a rooftop pool area, play court and more.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Through Jan. 31, travel agents can earn 5,000 bonus Loyalty Rewards points (valued at $50) for each Discover Japan’s Coastal Wonders sailing onboard Norwegian Jewel booked with TravelBrands Encore Cruises. The voyage will take travellers on a 10-night trip to Kobe, Nagoya, Busan, and Mt. Fuji, departing March 31 (until April 10, 2024). Points will be posted to agents’ accounts once passengers have sailed. Go to www.travelbrandsaccess.com for more details. Also, through Feb. 11, agents can earn 15% commission on all car rentals commencing on or before March 31, 2024. The offer is applicable on Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Europcar, Fox, Hertz, National, and Thrifty car rentals.
AGENCIES
Ensemble continues to extend its offerings in the luxury travel sector with the announcement of several new partnerships and programs. They include a new preferred partnership with Crystal, a strategic relationship with Tully Luxury Travel, and the launch of its second member community, Luxe Circles.
DESTINATIONS
A new digital trade directory from Britain’s Great West Way is a one-stop-shop for travel advisors to find out more about the touring route in western England. It includes information designed to make it easier to create bookable itineraries, contract suppliers and promote the region, as well as new highlights, specialist tours, attractions, and sites. Following an extensive audit of attractions, activities, places to stay, and bars and restaurants, there are 500 up-to-date supplier listings of all tourism supplier product in and around the region. Check it out HERE.
‘Welcome to Rockville’ one of the biggest rock music festivals in the US, returns to Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., on May 9-12. The festival is expanding by adding a fifth stage and 50 bands to feature 150 bands in total over four days. The musical lineup for 2024 edition of Welcome to Rockville will include Foo Fighters, Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Jelly Roll, Disturbed, Limp Bizkit, Queens of the Stone Age, Judas Priest, Greta Van Fleet, Evanescence, Falling In Reverse, A Day To Remember, Breaking Benjamin, Bad Omens, The Offspring, Mudvayne, Koe Wetzel, Stone Temple Pilots, Primus, Cypress Hill, Sum 41 and many others.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1956, the first jet flight was made across Canada from Vancouver to Dartmouth, N.S.
In 1778, English navigator Captain James Cook reached the Hawaiian Islands, which he dubbed the “Sandwich Islands.”
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