A new report last week confirmed that domestic airfares have been rising, and will continue to do so this summer, while another said the number of Canadians planning on using a travel advisors is on the up. Meanwhile, Pearson airport is preparing for higher-than-normal traffic this summer, and ACTA announced that registration is open for its three September cross-country summits.
NEWS
A new report said travellers are paying significantly more to fly within Canada during peak tourism season compared with last year, as limited capacity and competition outweigh easing demand to push up ticket costs. Prices for domestic flights in July through September rose 14% on average over the past 12 months, according to figures from the Flight Centre Travel Group.
Four in 10 Canadians travellers (40%) – and even more in Quebec (45%) – plan to plan to book their next vacation with the help of a travel professional, according to new research by Transat Distribution Canada. The survey, conducted by Ipsos, shows a significant increase over 2023, when 31% of Canadian and 38% of Quebec customers registered similar sentiment.
Transat has pledged its support to Flash Forest, a Canadian aerial reforestation company whose mission is to rebuild healthy resilient forests at scale through a data-driven, biodiversity-centric, and community-led approach. By 2025, Transat says it will have helped finance the replanting of a forest devastated by wildfires, with over 70,000 trees or 48 hectares. This will allow for the sequestration of nearly 29,411 tonnes of CO2 over the course of the trees’ lifetime.
BY THE NUMBERS
Toronto Pearson is expecting more than 160,000 passengers per day this summer on peak travel days, an increase of 8% from 2023 volume. There will be more than 1,100 flights on the busiest summer days, an increase of 3% from last year. While peak summer travel months for Toronto Pearson are July and August, the airport has already seen an uptick in travellers in June, and higher-than-normal passenger volumes are forecast to continue into September.
AIR
WestJet and its airplane mechanics agreed to resume negotiations, removing the strike threat that had been set to take place Thursday – a possibility that had resulted in the carrier cancelling nearly 50 flights in the days preceding in preparation.
Service between Toronto and Istanbul have been boosted by Turkish Airlines for the upcoming summer season. Through Sept. 28, the airline has introduced a flight every Saturday, giving travellers increased flexibility and convenience during the peak summer travel period.
Air Greenland and Canadian North are teaming up to offer direct flights every Wednesday between Nuuk and Iqaluit starting this week (June 26). Air Greenland will be operating the once-weekly flight on its Dash 8 aircraft with Canadian North providing flights on its Boeing 737 aircraft for passengers from Montreal, Ottawa, and Kuujjuaq to meet up with the flight heading to Nuuk.
The Porter Pass program is expanding with six new and expanded options for Porter Airlines passengers. The are based primarily from the Eastern Canada Triangle of Toronto (Billy Bishop and Pearson), Ottawa and Montreal. A complete description of cities included with each Porter Pass and pricing is available at www.flyporter.com/book-travel/porter-pass.
DEALS
To mark its third anniversary of flight operations on June 24, PLAY airline is offering a special flash sale on flights to select European destinations from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport. Available for booking by June 27, Canadian travellers will get discounts of up to 33% off destinations including the carrier’s hub, Reykjavík, Iceland, plus London, Paris, Athens, and a dozen more. Travel dates are July to May 2025. Check flyplay.com/canada-offers.
Emerald Cruises is celebrating Canada Day with savings on upcoming river and yacht cruises. The offers, available for bookings made by July 12 apply to Europe, Caribbean, and Southeast Asia river and yacht cruises departing in 2024 and 2025. A sample deal is $1,000 off per on a select Europe or Southeast Asia river cruises.
TOURS
Air Canada Vacations has launched a new Dubai guided tours program, featuring a total of 10 year-round packages with private transportation in key destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Kaimah. The year-round tours are designed to feature immersive experiences while highlighting the flamboyant city’s modern architecture, luxurious lifestyle, premium shopping, and rich cultural heritage. The new touring options compliment Air Canada’s year-round direct daily flights from Toronto and four weekly flights from Vancouver, available from Oct. 28 through March 27, 2025.
Citing popular demand, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has announced the addition of various sailing dates on three of its most in-demand itineraries. Guests can now book the S.S. Joie de Vivre on the Seine River in France (Nov. 10 – “Paris & Normandy), the S.S. Maria Theresa on the Danube River in Central Europe (Nov. 10 – “Enchanting Danube”), and the Mekong Jewel on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia (March 20 and 31, 2025 – “Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong”).
RESORTS
Viva Resorts by Wyndham, a collection of all-inclusive vacation resorts in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas, has launched Viva Vibe, a lively repertoire of parties and productions at each resort, designed to celebrate “the essence of fun in paradise.” Each resort will have multiple parties, performers, and events simultaneously that are unique to their destinations. Some of the new Viva Vibe entertainment highlights are live top performances, DJ nights, Latin Parties, Neon Parties, Silent Parties, White Parties, Candy Shop Parties, Foam Parties (photo above), and a gala Beach Party. In addition to nightly entertainment, Viva Vibe will also feature special events and activities throughout the year. Guests can connect with the lively spirit of the destination while enjoying the convenience and excitement of an all-inclusive resort experience.
HOTELS
Dromoland Castle, in County Clare, Ireland has opened a new luxury lodge. The five-bedroom accommodation is perfect for family vacations, corporate retreats, golf getaways, and more, with a state-of-the-art kitchen, hotel services (housekeeping and daily breakfast) and views over the property’s 200 hectares grounds and 18-hole golf course.
Every hilltop in Umbria, Italy, may have a castle, but no place is quite like Tenuta di Murlo, a collection of villas and hotel suites in the Tiber River Valley. Owner Carlotta Carabba Tettamanti and her husband, Alessio, have spent nearly two decades transforming the rambling estate – which has been in Alessio’s family for some 700 years – into a chic hideaway with unique accommodations such as the two-bedroom Villa Molinella. Set inside the vault of a restored 13th-century mill, the two-bedroom villa features a private underground Jacuzzi accessed via a hidden door in the floor of the living room, sauna, outdoor pool and hot tub overlooking the river.
CRUISE
Seabourn Pursuit, Seabourn’s newest ultra-luxury, purpose-built expedition vessel, entered Australian waters for the first time this month, sailing into Darwin in the Northern Territory. The arrival of the vessel marks the start of Seabourn’s inaugural season in the Kimberley region, during which the ship is sailing six 10-day voyages between Darwin and Broome during the summer.
Setting sail on her inaugural voyage, the newly designed Margaritaville at Sea Islander departed from Port Tampa Bay to Cozumel, Mexico. Under the blessing of Godmother Savannah Buffett, Jimmy’s daughter at the ship’s christening, the vessel began a series of four- and five-night cruises to Key West and Mexico. In 2025, the ship will add the additional island hot spots of Belize, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman, on extended six- and seven-night itineraries.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
American Ninja Warrior Adventure Park, based on the hit TV show, has opened its newest location in Denver, The adventure park boasts 3,400 sq. m. of American Ninja Warrior fan’s favourite truss obstacles, such as Monkey Swings, Spider Walls, Tilting Logs, Floating Bridges, and the signature Warped Wall. In addition to the truss obstacles, there will also be a 930 sq. m. inflatable obstacle course, a soft play area, an arcade, and a merchandise store.
EVENTS
Registration is now open for the three ACTA Travel Industry Summit events to be held in September. The events feature top motivational speakers, entrepreneur panels, peer-to-peer learning and a day of professional development and networking. There will also be a trade show with over 100 suppliers for Toronto, 70 suppliers in BC, and over 50 for Quebec.
Sept. 12 – ACTA Eastern Canada Travel Industry Summit (Toronto)
Sept. 19 – ACTA Western Canada Travel Industry Summit (Richmond, BC)
Sept. 25 – ACTA Québec Travel Industry Summit (Montreal)
For an agenda and information about our summits visit: actaevents.ca
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
The trade bid farewell to Israel Consul of Tourism to Canada for the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) Gal Hana at an event at the Boulevard Club in Toronto last week. Hana is leaving IMOT after five years in Canada for a role in the private sector.
DESTINATIONS
Designed to help tourists in Japan who do not speak Japanese but wish to enjoy traditional Edomae sushi in Tokyo, Sushi University is available online and offers a wealth of information in English, French and other languages. Various styles of sushi are explored, along with such categories as basis sushi knowledge, sushi etiquette and restaurants to try it. More details courses (at a cost) are also offered. Visit HERE.
With the first stages having arrived this spring, a new multipurpose tourism, leisure and entertainment resort development, Queen’s Wharf, is set to transform the soul of Brisbane, Australia ahead of the 2032 Summer Olympics. The 12-hectare riverside space will be home to world class gaming facilities, four hotels including The Star Grand, Dorsett and Rosewood Hotel, plus 50 restaurants, cafés and bars, 2000 residential apartments and 12 football fields of public green space.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman in space as she and four colleagues blasted off aboard the shuttle “Challenger.” The mission included the deployment of Canada’s “Anik C2” communications satellite.
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