06 AUG 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
Award-winning Canadian Chef Antonio Park has been enlisted by Air Canada to design destination-inspired meals on select Air Canada flights to Asia and South America. Park’s designs will complement Chef David Hawksworth’s and will guide Air Canada’s flight caterers in creating a selection of meal options on international flights, starting with Montreal-Tokyo-Narita, a route that links two cities Park has called home.
Toronto service to Milan from Air Italy will return in 2020 with six times weekly service. The current seasonal service from the carrier ends in October. Seats, for flights operating March 29-Oct 24, can be booked now.
Starting in September, Air France Business customers, including those flying from Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, will be able to dine on three new Signature dishes created by Daniel Rose, an American Michelin-star chef with a love for French cuisine. Daniel is the chef and partner of Le Coucou in New York and the chef and owner of Chez La Vieille and La Bourse et La Vie in Paris.
DEALS
Through Aug. 31, Transat’s Cubamania sale invites Canadians to save up to $800 per couple when booking all-inclusive Cuba packages for next fall or winter. Destinations include Havana, Holguin, Varadero, Santiago de Cuba, Cayo Coco/Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Santa Maria, and Cayo Largo.
Latin America-bound clients of Contiki can save 10% when they book any of the operator’s tours for 18- to 35-year-olds by Aug. 12.
The Getaway Sale by Princess Cruises gives cruisers 50% off the second guest fare for passengers booked in the same stateroom. In addition, it also offers fares as low as $69 for a 3rd and 4th guests booked in the same stateroom. Available through Aug. 30, the sale includes select one-to five-day cruises sailing from to Mexico, California Coast, Canada & New England, and the Caribbean this winter-spring.
TOURS
G Adventures will introduce a sixth yacht to its Galapagos fleet for 2020. The custom-built Reina Silvia Voyager catamaran will be among the most comfortable passenger touring vessels of its size in the Galapagos, according to G, accommodating up to 16 passengers in 10 cabins on two decks. Eight of the cabins are designed for twin/double stays, and two are dedicated to solo travellers and all have panoramic windows for optimal ocean viewing. Free round-trip, international flights from four North American hubs including Toronto to Quito, Ecuador, are available when booked by Sept. 30 for 14 10-day departures throughout 2020. In total, 40 departures ranging from seven to 17 days will be offered.
Nine new trips highlight Trafalgar’s just-released 2020/21 Asia program. Among them are the “Saigon and Bangkok Explorer” and “Colourful India – Celebrate Holi.” In all, there are 32 trips offered across nine countries.
The new 2019/20 Sun Collection by Air Canada Vacations features a selection of packages in over 750 hotels – mostly all-inclusive – 63 of which are new to the tour operator’s line up, four resorts that are exclusive to Air Canada Vacations, 28 semi-exclusive resorts, and more than 100 cruises. Featuring options for short and long stays as well as enhanced program collections, including 175 new additions for the Spotlight Collection and 124 Play Collection resorts, the brochure provides vacation packages for all travel styles and budgets. Early booking bonuses are in effect through Sept. 2.
HOTELS
Raffles has re-opened. “The” Raffles – in Singapore (photo). The iconic hotel and home of the Singapore Sling has been undergoing renovations since Feb. 2017 and returns “refreshed, reimagined and revitalised.” First opened in 1887 and declared a National Monument a century later by the Singapore Government in 1987, Raffles Singapore has through the years gained recognition as an oasis for the well-travelled. It is a national treasure among Singaporeans who deeply value its historical significance and unique heritage. The last restoration was conducted from 1989 to 1991. “Raffles Singapore is one of the few remaining great 19th century hotels in the world and its restoration has been carefully designed to preserve its unique historic charm,” says hotel GM Christian Westbeld.
Reservations are now live for Virgin Hotels Dallas stays starting Dec. 15 and can be made directly on the hotel’s website. Located in the Dallas Design District on 1445 Turtle Creek Blvd, the new-build property will feature 268 Chambers, including two Penthouse Suites, multiple dining and drinking outlets, including Commons Club, the brand’s flagship food, beverage and social club concept space, and a rooftop terrace with a pool.
Open:
The 28-storey, 307-room Double Tree by Hilton Shanghai Jing’an is the second DoubleTree in the city, located in the vibrant and trendy Jing’an District, in close proximity to Shanghai’s People’s Square.
RESORTS
Calling all couples: The Four Seasons Resort Maui has introduced more special experiences this year to highlight its annual “Couples Season” at the resort, Sept. 1-Nov. 23. Guest have access to culinary masters, cultural ambassadors, artists, wellness experts and others with the intent of creating deeper connections to the destination, culture – and each other – through bespoke experiences such as classes on how to make the Hawaiian food, poke; rum sampling; massage and couples yoga; Hawaiian storey-telling under the stars, and more.
CRUISE
At Carnival Cruise Line’s (CCL) recent WUATA Party in Toronto, the line awarded a cruise to one lucky travel advisor in attendance. Heather Haynes of Nexion Canada won the prize and will get to embark on a seven-day cruise for two in a balcony cabin. The event was part of Carnival’s year-long WUATA program aimed at helping travel professionals attract new clients and deepen the loyalty of existing clients. Photo: (l-r) Mike Julius, CCL VP, North America Field Sales; Steven Schwartz, cruise director, Carnival Breeze; Heather Haynes of Nexion Canada; Justin French, CCL regional VP, Canada and the Northern US; and Adolfo Perez, CCL senior VP, global sales and trade marketing.
In 2020, Crystal will celebrate its 30th anniversary with 30 special sailings spanning its four luxury brands – Crystal Cruises, Crystal River Cruises, Crystal Yacht Cruises and Crystal Expedition Cruises – on which guests will experience events marking the milestone and receive gifts including Crystal’s 30th Anniversary Cookbook; a commemorative 30th Anniversary pin; a wine stopper; and personalized luggage tags.
New Orleans will be the new homeport for RCI’S Majesty of the Seas starting in January, which will sail year-round seven-night cruises to The Bahamas, calling in Royal Caribbean’s newly reimagined private island CocoCay.
THEME PARKS
A new fourth theme park at Universal Orlando Resort is destined to “forever change theme park entertainment,” vows Comcast NBCUniversal, which adds that Universal’s Epic Universe will represent the company’s single-largest investment in its theme park business and in Florida overall. To be built south of Sand Lake Road and east of Universal Boulevard, Epic will set on a 300-hectare site that will double Universal’s total available acreage in Central Florida. More details about the park will be revealed over time.
EVENTS
Certified Sandals Specialist workshops are continuing across the country August to October. Upcoming dates include: Aug. 6 – Ajax/Oshawa, Ont.; Aug. 7 – Peterborough, Ont.; Aug. 14 – Markham, Ont.; Sept. 5 – Toronto; Sept. 11 – Edmonton; Sept. 12 – Calgary; Sept. 18 – Windsor, Ont.; Sept. 19 – London, Ont.; Sept. 20 – Ottawa; Sept. 24 – Dartmouth, NS; Sept. 25 – Moncton, NB; Sept. 25 –Cambridge/ Kitchener, Ont.; Sept. 26 – Saint John, NB; Sept. 26 – Mississauga, Ont.; Oct. 24 – St. John’s, Nfld. Contact Sandals for details. Meanwhile, upcoming “Let’s Talk” webinar dates include Aug. 9 – Sandals Grenada; Aug. 14 (French) Beaches Turks & Caicos; Aug. 16 – Sandals Ochi Beach Resort; Aug. 22 – Groups; Aug. 23 – Beaches Negril. To register, e-mail webinars@uvisandals.ca in order to receive further details and log-in instructions.
FAMS/INCENTIVES
Between Aug. 1 and 31 agents can earn 4X Sunwing STAR Agent Reward Points on Blue Diamonds Resorts bookings for client travelling by April 30, 2020. Various consumer perks are also on offer and each time an agent makes a booking at a participating resort they’ll be entered into a weekly draw for a chance to win a vacation for two to a select Blue Diamond Resorts property. Prizes include stays at Planet Hollywood, Costa Rica; and Royaltons in Punta Cana, Negril and Montego Bay.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
With Oben Sert on mat leave for six months, Xenia Slosarcikova takes over as Trafalgar’s sales manager for British Columbia & Yukon. She can be reached at xenia.slosarcikova@trafalgar.com or 1-800-834-5677 ext. 8497435.
UNIGLOBE Travel (Eastern Canada) has announced that Voyages Concierge Deluxe Travel & Voyages Westmount Travel in Montreal has joined UNIGLOBE Travel as its newest partner agency. In addition, McTavish Travel, the first agency to join the UNIGLOBE Partner Program in April 2004 has signed multi-year renewals of their agency agreement.
NEWS
Vail Resorts, Inc. has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire 100% of the outstanding stock of Peak Resorts, Inc. subject to certain conditions, including regulatory review and Peak Resorts’ shareholder approval. Through the acquisition, Vail Resorts will add 17 ski areas located near major metropolitan areas in the eastern and midwestern US to its roster.
BY THE NUMBERS
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,200 hotels globally, is continuing to significantly expand its hotel network across the Asia-Pacific with more than 173,000 rooms and 86 openings this year. In Greater China alone, Wyndham Hotels expects to open 500 hotels over the next three years, adding to its total of 1,500 properties and 149,000 rooms. Wyndham is also growing rapidly in the Southeast Asia and Pacific Rim (SEAPR) region, which expanded by 22% year-over-year through the second quarter and includes more than 24,000 rooms.
DESTINATIONS
For the second year in a row, nearly two dozen hotels and resorts on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia are participating in an expansive Hurricane Guarantee program ensuring that consumers can book vacations with confidence any time of the year, particularly during the traditional hurricane season (June 1-Nov. 30). Hotels participating in the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) Hurricane Guarantee include: Anse Chastanet, Bay Gardens Resorts (five properties), Bel Jou Hotel, Calabash Cove, Hotel Chocolat, Jade Mountain, The Landings Resort & Spa, Marigot Bay Resort and Marina, Royalton Saint Lucia Resort & Spa, St. James Club Morgan Bay, Ti Kaye Resort & Spa and Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort. For full details, check HERE.
Visit Tampa Bay has released Visit Tampa Gay, a comprehensive guide for LGBTQ visitors that provides visitors with an in-depth view of the region’s thriving LGBTQ community through interviews with key figures, including newly elected Tampa mayor Jane Castor – the city’s first LGBTQ mayor. The Tampa area boasts two Pride festivals (Ybor City and St. Petersburg), a dozen TAG-approved hotels, and a vibrant LGBTQ community.
Inspired by the 500th anniversary of the start of the Renaissance this year, 42 different restaurants throughout France’s Loire Valley are offering special menus and dishes inspired by the Renaissance in order to transport guests back to da Vinci’s time. Dishes include fried eggs with rosemary, lemon chicken fricassee, and poached pears in a red wine sauce. The Loire Valley region, in partnership with the European Institute of History and Food Cultures, has also published a book of 25 recipes and dishes from the period to help travellers understand French cuisine during the Renaissance.