News nuggets, airlines, hotels/resorts, cruising, tours, events, FAMS/incentives, deals, destinations and more are covered in our weekly round-up of travel industry news you may have missed.
NEWS
Canada and Greece have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote tourism between the two countries, a type of agreement one tourism expert says will become more common as Canada strengthens its bonds with European Union nations and looks for tourism markets beyond the US. “Key areas of focus include institutional co-operation, the exchange of information and data related to travel and tourism, and the sharing of best practices on climate action in tourism,” the federal department said in a release.
According to the new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), cost and quality remain the dominant priorities for travellers, outweighing sustainability considerations. Across all consumer segments, more than 50% say cost is the most important factor influencing purchasing decisions, while around 30% prioritize quality. In stark contrast, sustainability is a primary factor for only a small minority, ranging from 7% to 11%, even among the most environmentally conscious groups.
Applications are now open for this year’s ACTA-Avalon European River Cruise Summit. Interested ACTA members have until March 31 to register their interest for the ‘Christmas Market Cruise’ on the Rhine River, which sails round-trip from Basel, Switzerland from Nov. 22 to 29. The exclusive educational and experiential opportunity is designed to help Canadian travel advisors expand their river cruise expertise while experiencing the festive atmosphere of Europe’s renowned Christmas markets. Register by March 31 HERE.
BY THE NUMBERS
The union representing workers at the Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel says staff have ratified a new collective agreement, ending a nearly four-year-long strike. Unite Here Local 40 says the 1,411-day strike was the longest in Canadian history and the agreement provides a pathway back to work for 143 workers terminated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the hotel was called Pacific Gateway.
AIR
Continuing the evolution of its La Première experience, Air France will introduce four suites (photo), each nearly 3.5 sq. m., on a selection of its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, with the first in-flight experience available beginning this Spring. Featuring five windows – an Air France exclusive – as well as a seat and a chaise longue that converts to a true two-metre-long bed, the airline’s new La Première cabin also provides passengers personalized service and a three-star gourmet offering. Each suite is enclosed by a thick, floor-to-ceiling curtain for complete privacy and a peaceful ambiance.
After a thorough design and development process between Transat and Softvoyage, Tripbook now includes several self-service group booking features. Travel agents can now select seats for all occupants in the same room, add luggage, generate electronic documents, and make payments for their group bookings. A second phase of development is planned to add even more self-service features to Tripbook and will be presented in the coming months.
Porter Airlines is expanding its VIPorter loyalty program, giving members more ways to earn and redeem points for travel. For the first time, members can redeem VIPorter points for flights with partner airlines, starting with Air Transat and Alaska Airlines. Over 2,000 routes are now available for reward travel.
Discount carrier Spirit Airlines has emerged from bankruptcy protection. The budget airline – known for its no-frills, low-cost flights on a fleet of yellow planes – said that its parent, Spirit Aviation Holdings, exited Chapter 11 after finalizing debt restructuring. The reorganization plan, which received the court greenlight last month, aims to bring the carrier back to profitability and boost resources to compete with rivals.
DEALS
Through the end of March, Transat is offering deals on all-inclusive packages to the South and Europe from $969. In addition to reduced fares for clients, all Transat packages include both a carry-on and a checked bag and travel advisors can also take advantage of the 2X BONBON offer, earning $10 per package booking. The travel window for ‘Summer Deals’ is until Oct. 31. Meanwhile, Transat has it has selected Farenexus as its technology partner to enhance its New Distribution Capability (NDC) strategy and integration.
Collette’s ‘Bon Voyage Sale’ concludes March 24, offering clients up to 15% off savings for European departures through April 30, 2026, when they pay in full by 15 April 2025. Offer code EUROPE25 must be used at the time of booking.
TOURS
Thirty new trips have beebn added by G Adventures to its 18-to-Thirtysomethings collection. Featuring over 160 itineraries in all, with more to come later this year, trips are geared towards younger, cost-conscious travellers who crave authentic interactions, social-worthy content and off-the-beaten path destinations, while treading the fine line of feeling independent but also connecting with fellow travellers. The new options include trips in South Korea, Bosnia, Albania, Jordan, Colombia, and more.
Contiki has announced three brand new trips to Indonesia: “Bali Island Hopping,” “Komodo & Flores Sail,” and “Indonesia Island Hopping.” Departures are scheduled to kick off in July 2025.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Now open in Egypt is the Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi. With spectacular views overlooking the River Nile, the 255-room property is situated in the urban Maadi district of Cairo, close to The Museum of Civilization and boasts inspiring design, modern amenities and multiple dining and bar offerings.
Set on Newman Street in Fitzrovia in central London, UK, The Newman offers 81 Art Deco-inspired guest rooms, suites, and apartments – some with private balconies – a spa, European brasseries, cocktail bar, and a rooftop level that can be booked as a private four-bedroom space and comprises a signature suite with a terrace.
CRUISE
Norwegian AquaThe first guests boarded the Norwegian Aqua (photo) on Friday ahead of the NCL vessel’s maiden voyage from Lisbon to Southampton, England. The journey is the first of a five-part inaugural series, before concluding in Miami with the official christening voyage in April. The Aqua will homeport in Miami, Port Canaveral (Orlando), Fla., and New York City, offering Caribbean itineraries through March 2027.
Princess Cruises is expanding its Alaska cruisetours catalog. The new itineraries give guests more opportunities to discover national parks including Glacier Bay, Denali, Wrangell St. Elias, Kenai Fjords, and Katmai. Following the launch of the 15-night National Parks Expedition cruisetour in 2024, the cruise line is offering new variations, visiting from three to five national parks, all of which combine the “Voyage of the Glaciers” seven-day cruise with scenic rail travel, and multiple days on land, featuring stays at four Princess-owned wilderness lodges.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
In San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas has unveiled the largest DC Universe themed area at any amusement park in the US. The expansion features feature three all-new rides ranging from family-friendly to pulse-pounding thrills: CYBORG Cyber Revolution, SHAZAM! Tower of Eternity, and METROPOLIS Transit Authority. Plus, updates to several existing rides.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
The Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program’s (TAAP) 2025 Spring Sale gives travel advisors exclusive offerings with at least 25% off hotel bookings that enable agents to pass on big savings to their clients. The offer features discounts of at least 25% on thousands of hotels in top global destinations and is valid for bookings through March 31 for travel through Sept. 8.
To celebrate the growth of its cruise program, Kensington is offering an incentive program for travel advisors: For all new bookings made through Dec. 30, 2025, advisors can earn Visa gift cards as a token of appreciation paid at the time of booking with rewards ranging from $50 for bookings between $7,500–$9,999 to $250 for bookings from $50,000–$99,999.
EVENTS
Collette will hold a live virtual event for travel advisors on March 27 at 3 p.m. ET. President and CEO, Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, and Executive VP of Global Sales Christian Leibl-Cote will identify the nuances between luxury and premium travel and position the differences for advisors to find a unique and specialized product. Travel Advisors will have the chance to ask questions in real-time in a relaxed and interactive format. Those who register will be able to access an on-demand version of the virtual event if they are unable to attend. Register HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Anja Brokjans has assumed the role of Director of Public Relations for VoX International, responsible for leading public relations strategies and initiatives for Visit Florida and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She formerly served as Director of Marketing and Sales for the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), represented in Canada by VoX, until it closed late last year.
AIC Hotel Group announced the appointment of Donna Smith as the new Director of Luxury Sales, USA & Canada. In her new role, Donna will lead luxury sales strategies across the US and Canada for some of the most regarded properties within AIC Hotel Group’s portfolio, including Nobu Hotels Los Cabos, Miami, and Chicago, as well as Unico 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya and UNICO 20º105º Hotel Vallarta.
DESTINATIONS
After years of preparation, the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) will officially and fully open on July 3. Located at the foot of the Pyramids on the outskirts of Cairo, it is the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization. Featuring impressive architecture, innovative exhibition concepts, and the first-ever complete display of the Tutankhamun treasures ensure, visitors can look forward to over 100,000 artifacts spanning Egypt’s history from the earliest periods to the Greco-Roman era.
Bahrain International Airport is installing a major stained-glass artwork by internationally acclaimed artist Sir Brian Clarke. When complete, “Concordia” will measure 17 metres in height and 34 m. in width (578 sqm.) and stand as one of the largest stained-glass installations of its kind in the region.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1944, the International Air Transport Authority was created to regulate air traffic among nations.
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