International air travel recovery reached 99 percent of pre-pandemic levels in November, reported IATA, while visa flip-flops from Brazil and Turkey promised savings for Canadian travellers. In other round-up news, ACTA welcomed the return of a familiar face, Air Canada had a punctual holiday period, we learned the world’s most on-time airlines, Lynx is adding Quebec City flights, plus incentives for agents from G Adventures and Expedia TAAP.
NEWS
In a sign that 2024 will prove to be the year that air travel is fully recovered from the pandemic, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that data for November 2023 indicated that air traffic demand topped 99% of 2019 levels. IATA Director General Willie Walsh said that international travel remains 5.5% below pre-pandemic levels but that gap is “rapidly closing.” He noted that domestic markets have been above their pre-pandemic levels continuously since April.
Brazil has postponed for the second time the reintroduction of requirements to obtain tourist visas for Canadians, as well as citizens of the US and Australia. Visas were to be required effective Jan. 10 following the first postponement of implementation on Oct. 1. The new date is now April 10.
Meanwhile, as of Jan. 1, Canadians vacationing in Turkey no longer require an E-visa to visit, as the country joins the rest of Western Europe as being visa-free. Cost of the document was approximately $60. The change (at press time) was not reflected on Turkey’s e-visa web site, but the new decree was signed by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Dec. 22.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Bahamas is continuing a “meteoric” rise in tourism as air and sea arrivals reach unprecedented heights, marking sustained growth that has surpassed previous years’ benchmarks. As of the end of November 2023, the cumulative count of foreign air and sea arrivals soared to over 8.65 million, representing 41.8% surge compared to the corresponding period in 2022. With December not yet tallied, tourism minister I. Chester Cooper expects the 9 million mark to be surpassed “easily.”
AIR
Aviation analytics firm Cirium celebrated aviation sector’s best on-time airlines and airports (as defined as a flight that arrives within 15 minutes of the scheduled gate arrival, and for airports, flights departing within 15 minutes of scheduled departure). The winners were: Global – Avianca; ANA for Asia Pacific, Oman Air for the Middle East, and Africa; Copa in Latin America; and Iberia Express in Europe. Safair was the leading low-cost carrier and Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport was the top airport performer globally. In North America, the top five were Delta, Alaska, American, United, and Southwest.
Lynx Air will further expand in Eastern Canada with the addition of Quebec City to its network from June 6, 2024. The discount carrier will offer six flights a week between Vancouver and YQB (as a “through flight” from Calgary) and 10 flights to and from YYC.
Air Canada says it achieved some of its best operational results in a decade over the holidays. The airline says it completed 98% of scheduled flights, with an on-time performance of 70%, percent while carrying about 2.6 million customers on more than 20,000 flights.
DEALS
Transat and Air Transat have launched the second edition of their ‘Come Back Changed’ promo, offering up to 40% off South packages and up to 20% off flights to the South and to Florida. Sales apply to individual bookings departing from Quebec or the Maritimes made by Jan. 29 for travel by Dec. 15, 2024. Conditions apply.
The ‘Discover More’ sale from Viking gives North American travellers a variety of new booking incentives across the company’s collection of river, ocean, and expedition voyages. Through Jan. 31, the cruise line is offering special fares, up to free airfare and a $25 deposit on all itineraries – as well as additional savings for both new and returning guests.
The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, in Nassau, Bahamas, is offering guests a complimentary fourth night when booking a three-night stay for travel through Dec. 19, 2024. Round-trip transportation between the airport and resort is also provided.
For visits in early 2024, families can get greater value with a special offer on Disneyland theme park tickets for children ages 3-9. Valid through March 10 (no blackout dates, subject to park reservation availability), child tickets can be purchased for as low as $50 per child, per day.
CRUISE
Cruise operator Adventure Canada has unveiled a 2025 line-up of small-ship expeditions that will explore some of the planet’s most hard-to-reach places, with a focus on the people, culture, history, and wildlife that call these regions home. Highlights include an all-new Baffin Island itinerary and the return of popular Scotland and Iceland journeys. For a limited time, clients can receive 25% off the berth cost on any 2025 Ocean Endeavour expedition (excluding Antarctica).
Royal Caribbean International’s highly anticipated Icon of the Seas took centre stage as it arrived in Miami for the first time last week, being welcomed with fanfare by air, land and sea, ahead of its official debut on Jan. 27.
TOURS
Air Canada Vacations has expanded the number of destinations where Aeroplan members can earn extra points on their entire vacation packages. Now, with the addition of 88 new eligible packages to Europe and the US, in addition to Mexico and the Caribbean, Aeroplan Members will have even more opportunities to earn up to 12,000 extra points on select packages – this in addition to accumulating points on the flight portion of their trip.
After a four-year hiatus, Trafalgar is bringing back an original trip in 2024: the 24-day “Western Discover” travels through California, Nevada, and Arizona. A new addition to the trip is a ‘Make Travel Matter’ experience where guests will embark on a Black Foodie walking tour through Oakland, Ca., during which travellers will discover the diverse tastes and infused foods of African American and Caribbean fusion cuisines from local, black-owned restaurants in downtown and Old Oakland.
HOTELS
The all-new 24-unit Flamingo Lodge in Florida’s Everglades National Park is now open. The lodge features studios and one- and two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes and balconies overlooking Florida Bay, is with rates ranging from US$259 to $399 per night, plus tax, through May 2024 with a 14-day maximum stay. An adjacent stand-alone restaurant also opened along with the lodge. The park is the third largest in the continental US.
Kempinski Hotels has doubled its footprint in Dubai after signing a partnership with Abu Dhabi National Hotels to rebrand two iconic properties. On Jan. 1, the Kempinski flag was hoisted above Kempinski The Boulevard Dubai and Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai, formerly Address Boulevard and Address Dubai Mall respectively. The addition of these two landmark properties to the Kempinski portfolio significantly expands the brand’s presence in Dubai, which was one of the best-performing destinations worldwide for the luxury hotel group in 2023.
RESORTS
Entering its 18th year in St. Lucia, Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa (photo) has unveiled a host of new enhancements, including a new oceanfront Wedding Gazebo and rejuvenated the Eternity Beach venue for your destination wedding couples, and groups; updated menus across all restaurants; refreshed décor in the guest rooms; new and activities at the CocoLand Kidz Klub; and in Splash Premium and Harmony Jr. Suite rooms, new concierge amenities including spa treatments, nightly turndown service, welcome gifts, and more. The resort has also announced dates for its 4th Annual Rum and Rhythms Festival. The Oct. 19-Nov. 2 celebration will feature top Saint Lucian and Caribbean musical performers, beach parties, rum tastings, and more. For booking rewards, register at cbayresortrewards.com.
Recently reopened, Riu Place Pacifico is located on Playa de Flamingos beach in Nayarit, Mexico. Following a complete refurbishment of all the hotel’s facilities, it is now an adults-only establishment. The renovation of the elegant hotel, which was built in 2008, comes with new services for guests to increase the number of dining options, as well as Elite Club by RIU.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Orlando is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Fun Spot America with deals on entrance passes, available through June 9. As a birthday bonus, anyone who purchases ten single-day tickets will receive two extra passes for free, giving you 12 tickets for the price of 10.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
To kick off the year, Expedia Group has announced its 2024 January Expedia TAAP sales event, having negotiated at least 25% off thousands of hotels globally. This special offer applies to bookings made through Jan 31 and are valid for travel until Aug. 31, 2024. Expedia touts the sale as the ideal opportunity for travel agents to drive bookings, boost sales, and earn commission at the start of the year. They can even also take advantage of free eye-catching marketing assets designed to grab the customer’s attention.
G Adventures’ annual incentive is back and bigger than before with up to $75k in cash and prizes up for grabs by travel advisors, including an $11k grand prize to celebrate the 11th year of G-Normous. Agents will also compete for monthly and weekly prizes, as well as rewards for individual challenges to be announced throughout the campaign. The more trips agents sell, the greater their chances are of winning. All agents with a G Adventures Sherpa account are automatically registered for G-Normous. Agents without a Sherpa account must register through their agency manager at www.gadventures.com/agents/register/. Regardless of travel date, agents will receive an entry for every new booking made on a G Adventures tour from Jan. 1 to April 30, 2024.
EVENTS
The Jamaica Tourist Board is inviting Canadian travel advisors to kick off 2024 with a virtual destination refresher and orientation event on Friday, Jan. 19 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. ET.
The free Jamaica ‘Come Feel The Vibe Virtual Showcase’ will give agents the opportunity to build connections with Jamaican resort and villa partners, attractions representatives, ground transportation operators, and JTB sales team members in an intimate online setting. Thirty suppliers and more than 300 Canadian travel advisors from across the country are expected to attend the event, which will be hosted on Zoom. Those who attend the live presentation will also have the chance to win a number of prizes, including a 2024 FAM seat, gift cards and more. Click HERE for details.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
ACTA’s reports that its advocacy efforts will be taken up by Avery Campbell later this month, following the resignation of Steve Olmstead, who is leaving for personal reasons. Campbell, who first joined ACTA in 2021, returns after a short hiatus.
The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) has announced the appointment of Andrew Siegwart as its new President & CEO, effective Jan. 21. In his new role, Siegwart will guide the organization in promoting and advancing Ontario’s tourism industry while ensuring its growth, sustainability, and alignment with important societal goals.
DESTINATIONS
Atout France is extending its call until Jan. 18 for tour operators planning travel products to France and its overseas regions in 2024 to submit their applications. Bids received by this date will be selected by a panel of judges, then posted on the Destination France website for a vote by travel agents, which will take place from Jan. 22 to Feb. 5, with the top entry earning Product of the Year Award status, to be unveiled at Destination France events in Montreal on Feb. 19, Toronto on Feb. 20, Calgary on Feb. 21, and Vancouver on Feb. 22.
To help traffic flow, Jamaica’s Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA) is installing and testing new automated passport kiosks at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport and Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport. The kiosks use biometric technology to authenticate the identity of passengers and will serve as an alternative to using desks staffed by immigration officers, thereby allowing passengers to move through passport control more quickly.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1969, the Boeing 747 jumbo jet made its first trans-Atlantic flight to London from New York.
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