16 JUL 2018: Our new feature ‘Last Week This Morning’ will appear Mondays and provide a quick look at some of the previous week’s need-to-know travel news. So, for the first time – in case you missed it, and even if you didn’t, here’s last week’s round up of what happened in various travel sectors.
AIR
Porter Airlines is introducing an entry-level fare to appeal to price-conscious travellers. The new Basic fare delivers the lowest available price on select flights booked at least 21 days prior to departure, though some restrictions apply. The fare is available on Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins and Windsor routes, with additional cities expected to be added soon.
Air Canada will open a redesigned Maple Leaf Lounge in St. John’s International Airport’s (YYT) new terminal East expansion area this fall, featuring 77 per cent more square footage, 46 additional seats, and a panoramic view of Signal Hill and the ocean.
Turkish Airlines has taken delivery of the first of 92 Airbus A321neo aircraft, a step in the airline’s plans to expand its route network, reduce fuel consumption and provide a quiet flight experience.
A new dynamic package service from ANA combines domestic hotels and flights in Japan exclusively for foreign visitors, with the aim of promoting the country beyond Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. The discounted rates, which can be cheaper than flying (even over short distances), are available through H.I.S International Tours, which has offices in Toronto and Vancouver.
ACCOMMODATION
Riu Tequila, a favourite family-friendly resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, has re-opened with modernized accommodations, new restaurants, entertainment and much more. The resort is exclusive to the Signature Collection by Sunwing.
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, Fujita Kanko’s iconic five-star flagship property, reopened its upscale soba (Japanese buckwheat noodles) restaurant, Mucha-an, with enhanced menus after a renovation. Soba is one of Japan’s favourite traditional foods, which can be traced back to the eighth century.
TOUR OPERATORS
Looking to trade on the popularity of its global brand, Intrepid will launch Intrepid Travel’s 18 to 29s, featuring more than 80 trips designed exclusively for millennials, in October. At the same time, Intrepid will say goodbye to Geckos Adventures, which the company says is limited mainly to the Australian market.
SELL SHEET
Sunwing is touting last-minute savings on a selection of value-added vacation packages to its top-rated five-star resorts in prime beach destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. The promotion, available through July 20, includes Kids Stay, Play, and Eat FREE deals, unlimited reservation-free specialty dining, discounted spa treatments, and more. Partner resorts include the Riu Palace Punta Cana, Jewel Paradise Cove Resort and Spa, and Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa.
Early Booking Bonuses on 2018 and 2019 Avalon Waterways river cruises are set to expire July 24. They include a waived single supplement on Europe and Irrawaddy and Mekong river cruises; up to $3,000 per couple on Europe cruises ($500 on select air-inclusive Europe cruises) and, for select 2018 sailings, $900 air from select cities across Canada and $299 air on Irawaddy cruises. And for select 2019 cruises, up to $2,600 per couple off select Irrawaddy and Mekong cruises and $1,300 per couple off all India and Galapagos cruises.
Serenity at Coconut Bay, Saint Lucia’s newest adults-only luxury all-inclusive resort, and Air Canada Vacations have extended a 10,000 bonus Aeroplan Miles promotion (per couple) for members booking a flight and seven night’s accommodation by Oct. 31 for stays before Dec. 20.
Clients can save 10 per cent on Globus 2019 Europe tours, including “Undiscovered Italy” vacations, when they book by Nov. 27. And couples will save $100 on Cosmos Europe vacations when they book by Oct. 23.
CRUISE
Crystal River Cruises’ newest ship, the Crystal Ravel, was officially unveiled last week in Budapest. It’s the fifth vessel introduced by the two-year-old division of Crystal Cruises.
If you build it, it will take eight years: Norwegian Cruise Line has ordered two new Project Leonardo Class ships, the fifth and sixth vessels for the fleet, which will be ready in 2026-27.
AmaWaterways hopes that couples dreaming of the perfect way to reaffirm their vows and reignite their spark will say “I do” to the “Renewal of Vows” package offered on the river cruise line’s new ship, AmaMagna. Priced at C$599, the package includes a host of romantic amenities, from symbolic ceremony and certificate to bottle of champagne, salon and spa gift certificates, and more. The ship will debut in May, 2019.
PEOPLE
Afra Davis is TravelBrands’ new BC BDM, taking over for the retiring Tracy Poole. Davis has previously worked at WestJet and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Charmaine Singh’s Reach Global Marketing is the new agency of record in Canada for the Maryland Office of Tourism.