Passengers got new rights in Canada, airlines got blamed for the border brouhaha, travellers hoping to get high got a warning, and people didn’t get their passports – all last week in travel.
NEWS
Canada’s transport regulator is beefing up its passenger rights charter, placing more stringent rules around reimbursement by airlines. Effective Sept. 8, the Canadian Transportation Agency says new regulations will require carriers to either refund passengers or rebook them, at the traveller’s choice, if a flight is cancelled or significantly delayed.
Canada’s transport minister says that airlines must take ownership of the travel turbulence playing out at airports across the country – a problem the aviation industry has blamed on a shortage of federal security and customs officers. But Omar Alghabra says that “airlines have a duty as well,” and must “keep their end of the bargain” on flight cancellations and missing baggage.
The federal minister responsible for Passport Canada called the situation at a Montreal passport office unacceptable after police were called to the downtown passport office Wednesday due to a large crowd waiting for passport appointments. More than 150 people were waiting at the office shortly after noon, with some saying they’d arrived the night before. Quebec’s minister responsible for Canadian relations, Sonia LeBel, said it’s ridiculous that people are camping out to get a passport and she called for immediate action from Ottawa to handle the demand.
BORDERS
With all the focus on vaccinations and customs times, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is reminding Canadians that although cannabis has been legalized and regulated in Canada, it remains illegal to bring cannabis (and cannabis products) into or out of Canada – whether as a gift or for personal use. Also, when shopping online, be sure to buy from a licensed Canadian cannabis retailer to avoid potential delays, an enforcement action, or even criminal prosecution.
BY THE NUMBERS
Between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, Service Canada issued 363,000 passports as services were limited to urgent travel cases. But as the world has reopened, demand has skyrocketed. Between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, nearly 1.3 million passports were issued. Since April, more than 317,000 passports have been handed out, and the federal forecast for 2022-23 is between 3.6 million and 4.3 million applications.
AIR
Air Canada announced the expansion of its international network with the addition of Bangkok, Thailand, the carrier’s first non-stop service to South-East Asia, plus the resumption of flights to Mumbai, its second destination in the strategic India market. Pending government approval, the Bangkok flights will operate from Vancouver starting Dec. 1, while Mumbai will fly daily from Oct. 21 from Toronto via London-Heathrow.
Inaugural flights by Swoop departed Toronto’s Pearson last week bound for Deer Lake, Nfld., and, for the first time, the Big Apple, at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport
FLYGTA Airlines, which offers private charter flights from Toronto Pearson Airport and Billy Bishop Airport, has already restarted regular flights to Niagara, Kingston, and Muskoka. It will also begin offering flights to more than 20 other destinations in the US and Caribbean. The new destinations from YYZ include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Naples, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Bahamas, and Turks & Caicos. New destinations from YTZ: Ottawa, Quebec City, New York (Teterboro, NJ), the Hamptons (Suffolk County), Chicago, and Nashville. The carrier has also announced that it can now be booked through Travelport and Amadeus.
DEALS
A “3rd Night on Us” promotion designed to encourage visitors to visit and stay longer and in the nation’s capital is now available: for those who book a three or more night stay at a participating Ottawa hotel before Oct. 10, the third night is on Ottawa Tourism.
The all-inclusive Discovery Cove in Orlando, Fla., has launched a summer sale offering savings up to 30% off 2022 reservations. The sale runs until July 4
TOURS
African Travel Inc. has recently launched a series of personalized journeys and safaris for the LGBTQ+ community. Detailed in its new “Pride Guide,” (available online) itineraries are designed range from art and culture lovers to clients looking to explore Africa with friends, family or that special person, while also ticking off the Big 5, the Marine Big 5 and iconic landscapes. Each safari features Africa’s renowned wildlife and rich culture and is customized by a dedicated safari team – many of whom are LGBTQ+ – and includes lodges and camps that focus on inclusion and sensitivity. ATI has also created a suite of content for advisors to use including a customizable version of the Pride Guide, flyers, and social content. Advisors can also invite clients to view this dedicated WEBINAR.
A new itinerary has been added to Globus and Cosmos’ faith-based program for 20232. “Camino de Santiago: The Portuguese Route” invites travellers to “rediscover the wonders of nature and the stillness of the mind on a scenic blend of Portuguese landscapes and the spiritual routes of the Camino de Santiago.” The small group Discovery (created for 20 travellers or less) walk will cover a total of approximately 120 km, giving travellers ample opportunity to reflect, contemplate, meditate, pray, or simply meet like-minded people.
HOTELS
A new hotel has opened in Vancouver. The Paradox Hotel Vancouver (photo) is located in the downtown Coal Harbour neighbourhood close to shopping and Stanley Park. Marketed as “playfully refined and curiously unconventional,” the hotel feature fine-dining at Mott 32, plus a lounge and nightclub, pool land rooftop patio.
Caesars Casino in Atlantic City will renovate its casino floor, lobby, valet area and outdoor pool this year as part of a $200-million makeover – part of a $400-million investment the company is making in its three Atlantic City properties, which also include Harrah’s and the Tropicana.
RESORTS
TradeWinds Island Resorts in St. Pete Beach, Fla. – the Island Grand and RumFish Beach Resort – has added 141 guestrooms to its portfolio, along with a new zip line on the beach, and a new Mexican restaurant concept at the Island Grand. The 141 rooms were part of the property formerly known as the Alden Suites, which was acquired by TradeWinds last March and incorporated into the RumFish Beach Resort. The expansion brings the RumFish Beach Resort room count to 353, for a total of 899 guest rooms at TradeWinds Island Resorts.
Adults-only, all-inclusive Meliá Punta Cana Beach Resort is transforming into a fully immersive wellness property with new amenities and services to elevate its “Wellbeing 360 Experience.” Its ‘360 wellness’ platform is a collection of activities and rituals designed to connect guests with their physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, and environmental development through the resort’s five wellness spaces: Social, Silent, Sensory, Culinary and Personal. Now, this wellness experience will be boosted with new daily programming, revamped social areas, and refreshed culinary offerings.
RE-OPENING/RE-START
Silversea reports that its entire 10-ship fleet has now re-entered service. Moreover, with the addition of three new ships, it’s the first time the luxury cruises has had 10 ships on offer.
CRUISE
MSC Cruises Canada is offering winter 2022-23 ‘Fly & Cruise’ packages to the Caribbean aboard the all new MSC Seaside with charter flights on Air Transat every Saturday to Fort de France, Martinique, and Sunday to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, starting Dec. 22. Also included are one checked bag, transfers between the airport and MSC ports in Miami.
American Queen Voyages has a new Risk-Free Booking program to give guests added flexibility for 2022 bookings. Guests booking by June 23 for travel through Dec. 31 have the flexibility to move to another 2023 voyage penalty-free up to 14 days prior to departure.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Halloween Horror Nights will kick off this fall at Universal Orlando Resort Sept. 2 and Sept. 8 at Universal Studios Hollywood. Featured will be John Carpenter’s classic 1978 slasher film “Halloween,” which returns with terrifying haunted houses where park guests will come face-to-face with the merciless Michael Myers. Events on both coasts continue until Oct. 31, with more haunted houses to be announced soon.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
The National Canada Day Contest presented by VIA Rail Canada (photo) in partnership with Canadian Heritage is offering offer two grand prizes of a train trip for four to a Canadian destination of the winner’s choice. No purchase is necessary, simply enter online HERE. The contest closes July 3.
Expedia Group’s “Summer Sale,” enables TAAP advisors in the Canada to offer travellers 15% or more in savings on thousands of hotels worldwide for bookings made between July 6 and Aug. 7. On top of that advisors will receive an additional compensation boost for bookings on Premium Plus properties, a selection of properties where advisors can already earn enhanced compensation. The offer is valid on bookings made through Expedia TAAP through July 4.
EVENTS
2023 dates have been announced for TravelBrands Encore Cruises’ annual SeaU conference. Taking place aboard the new Celebrity Beyond, SeaU will depart Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on March 26 for a seven-night Western Caribbean sailing with stops in the Bahamas, Mexico, and Grand Cayman. The event will be filled with training sessions by multiple cruise lines, workshops, and seminars designed to give travel agents all the tools necessary to make the best cruise sale. Register HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Hotel industry stalwart Raymond St-Pierre has retired after 25 years at Atlific Hotels. Prior to joining Atlific in 1997, St. Pierre was general manager of Montreal’s Chateau Champlain, leading the transition of the property as it rebranded to Marriott. St-Pierre was named Hotelier of the Year by the Quebec Hotel Association and was elected President of the Montreal Hotel Association in 1998, the same year he was appointed VP, Operations for Atlific Hotels. In 2010, he took on the additional role of GM at Le Westin Montreal, while continuing to oversee the operation of numerous hotels in the Atlific portfolio.
The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) has named Tracy Berkeley as interim CEO, following the departure of Charles Jeffers, who served in the position for a little over a year. Berkeley, who served previously as Chief Administration Officer, has more than 20 years of diverse global, strategic, HR and operational experience in the reinsurance, tourism, health care and international business sectors.
DESTINATIONS
After a two-year hiatus, Saguenay, Quebec’s renowned stage show La Fabuleuse histoire d’un Royaume returns for its 35th anniversary season from July 13 to Aug. 20. A long-standing tradition in the region, the immersive multimedia extravaganza at La Baie Municipal Theatre takes spectators on a two-hour journey through the history of Québec and the notable events of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. The beloved theatrical show includes more than 100 volunteer actors depicting 1,600 characters, impressive light displays, dazzling special effects, and live animals.
The contemporary Rubell Museum in Miami will open a new venue in Washington, DC in October. Located less than a mile from the National Mall in former school Rubell Museum DC will feature exhibitions of works by American and international artists drawn from the Rubells’ collection of paintings, sculptures, videos, and photographs. The museum will house more than 7,400 works by more than 1,000 artists as well as galleries, a bookstore, and a café.
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