04 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
Starting this summer, Air Canada will replace plastic with wood stir sticks in drinks served on all flights, a move it says will save 35 million plastic stir sticks annually – enough if laid end-to-end to join Halifax and Vancouver.
Swoop has released its full summer schedule with non-stop flights available for booking from April 28 through Oct. 26. Along with three new destinations – London, Ont., Kelowna, B.C., and Oakland, Ca. – the schedule features five new domestic markets, two new transborder markets and an extension of two international routes. Flight capacity will increase by 40%, thanks in part by a seventh aircraft being added to the fleet.
Passengers on Boeing 737 United aircraft can now access 100 channels of live television for free in their seat-backs. In addition to offering the live DIRECTV service, United customers also have access to hundreds of movies and TV shows available on personal devices through the airline’s collection on the United app.
DEALS
Air Transat says it is offering its “best prices of the season” on its flights to Europe, including destinations such as Italy, France, Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Switzerland and Croatia. The Find Your Seat Sale is in effect through Feb. 5.
Available through Feb. 26, select AMResorts properties are offering additional amenities to groups travelling before June 30. The 5th Room Free Groups promotion includes: 5th room complimentary (three complimentary rooms max), one free upgrade for every 10 rooms paid; private check-in; and up to US$200 worth of resort coupons per room. Full terms and conditions, participating resorts, and blackout dates available on brand websites for Dreams, Secrets, Breathless, Zoetry, Now, Reflect and Sunscape.
Through Feb. 17, Contiki travellers can save 15% off on nine of Contiki’s adventures in Europe, Asia and Latin America, plus 20% off the ‘London to Berlin’ and ‘Berlin to Budapest’ itineraries. Sample tours include Adriatic Spirit, Vietnam Highlights and Viva Costa Rica.
TOURS
With over 450 travel ideas, Goway’s 2019/20 Downunder brochure comprehensively covers Australia, New Zealand, the islands of the South Pacific, and Papua New Guinea. Travellers can choose from a variety of tour styles, ranging from exclusive private touring to small ship and ocean liner cruises, family themed vacations and working holidays for adventurous youth, right up to luxury VIP travel. Among the new features are small group escorted vacations in New Zealand with APT and an all-inclusive rail journey on The Great Southern. Agents will earn double reward points for bookings made in February.
Travel counsellors can now book destinations offered by Exotik Journeys through the online platform Access by TravelBrands. A select number of the brand’s itineraries are bookable online with more to be released in the future.
Tauck will offer its first-ever cruise tours on the Douro River in Portugal next spring on a riverboat that’s being designed and built specifically for the Douro. The intimate ms Andorinha will feature three itineraries catering to a maximum of 84 passengers – less than the average 130 compliment on the river. Tour options include a 12-day journey that bookends a seven-night Douro cruise with two-night hotel stays in Lisbon and Madrid; an eight-day “cruise-only” itinerary along the river; and an eight-day Tauck Bridges cruise designed specifically for families with four departures slated for late June/early July 2020. Itinerary details and pricing will be announced later this year.
HOTELS
Jamaica’s newest resort, the S Hotel Jamaica (photo) debuted last week with designs on being a trendy new destination in Montego Bay. Featuring 120 rooms overlooking Doctor’s Cave Beach, the cosmopolitan, multi-experiential property features buzzing bars and a high-spirited pool scene, along with such amenities as a Sky Deck for the exclusive use of those booked on concierge floors, spa, gym and guestrooms with an elevated design aesthetic. Rates start at US$229 for an Essential room, Spa Suite at $329 and the Signature Sky Suite at $1,049 a night, double occupancy.
Now Open:
The Best Western Plus Airport Inn & Suites Saskatoon is located at 317 Aerogreen Cres. near John G. Diefenbaker International Airport. Featuring 80 rooms, 20 suites, and some pet-friendly rooms, amenities include a cocktail lounge, indoor heated pool and fitness centre. Every room is also equipped with a full kitchen with full-size refrigerator, microwave, dish washer and cooktop. Rates from $124.99/night.
With a combined 288 rooms and suites, the dual-branded AC Hotel Atlanta Midtown and Moxy Atlanta Midtown is the first-ever combination of the AC Hotels by Marriott and Moxy Hotels brands under one roof. They are located in the heart of the city’s Midtown’s business and arts district.
RESORTS
With “shovels in the ground,” the first phase of Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Beach Resort at the Pointe is expected to open in Nassau, Bahamas, mid year. When complete, the 2.4-hectare development will have 150 guest rooms and 150 oceanfront residences. It will be the second Margaritaville in the area, the other being on Paradise Island.
The Four Seasons Resort Lanai in Maui has introduced fishing and scuba tours on the Lanai V, a 13.7 centre-console, tunnel-hull watercraft with décor and amenities that, according to the resort, “make the boat feel like a mini yacht.” New ocean experiences on the Lanai V include morning fishing tours and dive excursions at popular Lanai diving spots. Guests can also charter a 15-metrre sailing catamaran, the Lanai, for a private sail or snorkel and sunset sails.
CRUISE
Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras is now open for sale. The ship’s inaugural schedule will feature six- to 15-day sailings throughout Europe and the Caribbean beginning in summer 2020.
Princess Cruises plans to expand its MedallionClass experience to three additional ships – Royal Princess (Feb. 17), Crown Princess (July) and Sky Princess (Oct.). The enhanced guest experience, mainly oriented around guests’ smart devices, includes personalized check-in, improved wi-fi at sea, on-demand beverage service, hands-free keyless room entry, on-ship compass and much more.
An intriguing option for those interested in the anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy is being offered by luxury cruise line Cunard, which is partnering with the Greatest Generations Foundation to pay tribute to six heroes of World War II onboard flagship Queen Mary 2. Thematic onboard programming will allow guests to hear first-hand accounts from WWII veterans – including two D-Day survivors – as they share their experiences of battle during the Transatlantic Crossing. Guests on the seven-night cruise, departing New York on May 24, will have the opportunity to attend lectures, Q&As and interact with several WWII veterans.
THEME PARKS
Universal Orlando Resort is rolling out les bon temps rouler this week with a family-friendly version of Mardi Gras at the Orlando theme park. Featuring authentic Cajun-style cuisine, nightly parade and – on select nights – live concerts from names like Mackemore, Pitbull, Dan + Shay, Beck G, Steve Miller and Ziggy Marley, the good times will roll through April 4.
It’s a boy! A male Masai giraffe calf was born recently at Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. Some guests experiencing the park’s Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction that morning actually saw the wonder of nature first hand as the calf was delivered.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
TravelBrands Cruises, by Encore Cruises in partnership with Celebrity Cruises is giving agents a chance to win prizes based on bookings made by Feb. 10 with prizes including two spots on the Celebrity Jet Set FAM, departing April 12 and $50 in Loyalty Rewards points. One ballot will be issued for every Celebrity Cruises booking made by phone and two ballots for every booking made online. Members of the “Your TravelBrands BDM” Facebook group will earn double ballots.
Trafalgar reports that its annual Acclaim VIP agent incentive trip will be to Africa this year, featuring highlights from the Essence of Africa itinerary. The tour company’s top performing agents from around the globe will visit seven destinations over 10 days, starting in Cape Town, South Africa. Each booking qualifies and Trafalgar will advise top performers monthly if they are in the running.
Travel counsellors booking Insight Vacations through March 8 have a chance to be selected for a special Croatia FAM courtesy of the tour operator. Top sellers of Insight or Luxury Gold trips (retroactive to Dec. 14) will be invited on an eight-day Dalmatian Elegance excursion, taking place April 27-May 4. Additionally, one entry will be entered into a draw for each booking made and another two tickets will be chosen at random for the journey.
EVENTS
Globus recently invited close to 50 top trade partners to lunch in Mississauga to say thanks for the business. “2018 was a record growth year and we want to say thank you from the bottom of our heart,” said Globus family of brands Canada managing director Stéphanie Bishop, adding, “Every one of you contributes to our success, and we are here for you. It’s a two-way street.” Pictured at the event were Tony Celio (Air Canada), Lindsay Pearlman (Ensemble Travel Group), Bishop, Flemming Friisdahl (TTAND), Una O’Leary (CWT), Spencer Sorensen (WestJet) and Dianne Jackson (CAA).
PEOPLE
Royal Caribbean International has announced 2018 Travel Partners of the Year Awards for North America and copping top honours for Canada was The Travel Agent Next Door.
Heidi Schnitker is back at Insight Vacations, taking up her former role as BDM for southwestern Ontario, a position she held from 2008 to ’15.
Recently departed Jamaica Tourist Board Canadian regional director Philip Rose has been appointed to the same post in Northeast USA. Rose served for seven years in Canada at the JTB’s office in Toronto. The JTB is currently recruiting to fill the Canadian position and told TIT it hopes have a candidate by the end of March.
GOOD DEEDS
For every booking made by Feb. 28, Exodus Travels will send a child from a developing community on the trip of a lifetime with its responsible tourism initiative, the Inspiration Project. Designed with input from the community and run by local Exodus guides, the project takes children from destinations around the world on safaris, hiking trips and cultural tours within their own home countries. Since 2017, Exodus has hosted 4,378 children on 137 trips in approximately 28 countries.
BY THE NUMBERS
The United Nations World Tourism Organization reports that tourism arrivals in 2018 totalled 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals, a figure that beat forecasts by two years and which represented 6% growth over 2017. The Middle East led the way at +10% while Africa grew +7%.
DESTINATIONS
Hong Kong, a kaleidoscope of colour every day of the week, kicks things into an even higher gear with the celebration of Chinese New Year. Lavish fireworks, a renowned night street parade, elaborate banquets and glittering illuminations are just some of the festivities planned as resident and visitors look to invoke good fortune for 2019’s Year of the Pig.
With final 2018 tourism tallies starting to emerge, Japan is the latest destination to report an arrivals record with more than 30 million overseas travellers visiting last year, an 8.7% increase over 2017 (the previous record year). The country is clearly an “it” destination in the build-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with some tour operators, such as G Adventures, forecasting that Japan will be its top destination of 2019.
Los Angeles too set an all-time arrivals record of 50 million last year – hitting the target two years ahead of schedule. Canada recorded its highest-ever visitation to the region with 780,000 visitors (+4.5%).