ACTA and Avalon Waterways are combining for a 2024 cruise summit and TTAND turned 10; in other news highlights, there were glad tidings for all-inclusives, and plenty of cruise happenings – not least a name for Disney’s newest ship, a date for the MSC World America debut, and release of NCL’S latest agent tool.
NEWS
Avalon Waterways and ACTA are reprising their successful European River Cruise Summit for a second year during which 130 Canadian travel advisors will be selected to sail the Danube River aboard the Avalon Illumination from Budapest to Germany on Oct. 28. The summit will include tours, special events, and networking. The cost for the cruise is $1,300 (based on double occupancy) and deadline to apply is April 8. Click HERE to apply.
The Travel Agent Next Door celebrated its 10th anniversary last week, March 19. The host agency has grown in a decade to 1,300 member agents and expects to reach a half billion dollars in sales this year.
BY THE NUMBERS
Canadian arrivals numbers to the Caribbean reached 88.1% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023. And with an estimated three million tourist visits by the end of the year, the performance of Canada represented a whopping 46.1% increase over 2022, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
AIR
The Air France KLM Group will offer a total of 98 flights per week from Canada in 2024 compared to 95 in 2023. The number of peak summer season flights on Air France include four daily flights from Montreal; two daily flights from Toronto; the Ottawa-Paris route, launched with five flights per week in 2023, will become daily starting on June 17 with an Airbus A 350; the Quebec-Paris direct flight returns for a third season; and the Vancouver-Paris flight will be daily between July 1 and Sept. 1. In total, Air France will offer 59 flights per week for summer 2024. Additionally, KLM will offer a total of 39 flights per week: two daily flights from Toronto; daily flights from Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver; and four flights per week from Edmonton.
WestJet says it achieved an 11% reduction in its fuel emissions intensity in 2023, compared to (pre-pandemic) 2019, aligning with its ongoing commitment to responsible growth and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) goal for achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The airline attributes the lower aircraft emissions intensity to strategic initiatives including fleet modernization and a responsible shift in network planning. That includes more fuel-efficient aircraft and optimizing flight routes.
Air Transat is expanding its virtual interlining service with the addition of two new airline partners. The association with Pegasus Airlines through the connectair by Air Transat platform opens up travel opportunities for Transat passengers to multiple Turkish coastal hotspots such as Istanbul and Antalya, while Spanish carrier Volotea flies to an array of destinations across Europe and Africa, such as Olbia in Italy, Oran in Algeria, and Strasbourg in France.
DEALS
The Irie Sale from Playa Hotels & Resorts Jamaica is effect through March 28, with travellers able to save up to 30% off at any of Playa Hotels & Resorts properties on the island.
Air New Zealand has introduced discounted fares to Melbourne, Australia. Passengers can travel from Vancouver to Melbourne (via Auckland) starting from CDN$1,498.
TOURS
With Air Canada starting direct flights from Toronto to Tulum every Friday and Sunday from May 3, and from Montreal to Tulum every Saturday from May 4, Air Canada Vacations says travellers can now choose from a variety of 36 vacation packages in the destination. And, until April 7, customers can take advantage of savings up to $300 per couple on packages arriving at Tulum International Airport through Oct. 31. In addition, customers can maximize their benefits by earning up to 12,000 extra Aeroplan points per member when booking seven nights at select resorts.
Insight Vacations has launched small group, women-only tours – designed by women – for travel in 2025. There are 11 different tours across Europe, the Americas, India, and Africa. For a limited time, female travellers will receive 8% percent off the new itineraries when booked by May 31.
HOTELS
Six Senses Kyoto (photo), set in the cultural heart of Japan, marks the brand’s entry into the country with reservations open effective April 23. Located in a prime location in the city, the hotel has 81 rooms and suites, ranging from 42 to 238 sq. m. that are arranged to offer views of a peaceful central courtyard, the gardens of the neighbouring Toyokuni Shrine, or a city panorama of treetops, temples, tea shops, and rooftops. The hotel also features cutting-edge wellness and spa facilities, and innovative dining concept.
Hilton has opened its first South American property in Cusco, Peru under the Motto by Hilton brand. Like other Motto properties, the new 58-room Cusco hotel offers compact rooms with flexible sleeping set-ups (including wall beds and bunk beds) as well as a range of connecting room options that will appeal to groups travelling together.
RESORTS
Club Med reported record-breaking figures of over $2 billion internationally in business volume for the first time in its history. Specific to North America, data showed that stays in 2023 were up 50% compared to 2019 (surpassing pre-pandemic levels). This, coupled with the rise of “do nothing” vacations, said the company, “shows that guests are hungrier than ever before for the type of hassle-free vacation that all-inclusives offer.”
Luxury resort Park Hyatt St. Kitts recently unveiled a range of new facilities including the Topgolf Swing Suite, which combines sport and dining in an intimate space. Without the square footage required to house an actual golf course, the stylish resort decided to launch the suite, currently the only Topgolf Swing Suite in the Eastern Caribbean, to offer guests the next best thing.
CRUISE
Disney Cruise Line revealed the first details about its next ship, including its name – Disney Destiny – as the ship marked a construction milestone last week with a keel laying ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. With the ship beginning to take shape, Disney says that the design theme of the Destiny, sister to the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, will be “Heroes and Villains,” drawing on the legacy of beloved Disney stories, characters, and theme park attractions. The ship will sail in 2025.
MSC Cruises, the world’s third largest cruise line, will host the naming ceremony for its newest flagship – MSC World America – on April 9, 2025, at the company’s new PortMiami terminal.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s NCL Connect is a new marketing solution designed to boost the sales and marketing efforts of the travel partners through the use of co-brandable “content experiences.” NCL says it is the first contemporary cruise line to do so. The launch comes off the program’s launch on sister brand Regent Seven Seas Cruises last fall –with the platform eliciting great feedback for its personalization and ease of use, according to NCL.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Until the end of March, agents who book their clients one of the select Palladium Hotel Group vacation packages with Sunwing for travel by Dec. 15 will earn 4X the STAR Points on all eligible bookings. Plus, they will automatically be entered to win one of two seven-night hotel stays at either Grand Palladium Colonial Resort & Spa or Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton. Booking incentives are also available for clients.
EVENTS
ACTA has listed its networking and education events for 2024:
- July 11 – Travel Industry Golf Event – Royal Ontario Golf Club, Milton
- 12 – Eastern Canada Travel Industry Summit, Toronto Congress Centre
- 19 – Western Canada Travel Industry Summit – River Rock Casino Resort
- 25 – Quebec Travel Industry Summit – Plaza Antique
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
VoX International has announced the return of Colin Wood as Senior Account & Business Strategy Director to lead the Hawaii Tourism account and support overall client strategy and business development for the Toronto-based marketing and PR firm. He can be reached at colin@voxinternational.com.
Rocky Mountaineer is looking to the second generation as Tristan Armstrong, son of Founder Peter Armstrong, steps into the role of chief executive officer. The Vancouver-based luxury train company is the largest privately-owned premium tourist train in the world and has hosted 2.3 million guests since it was founded in 1990.
DESTINATIONS
The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace in London is open now to visitors until Nov. 3. The facility is responsible for all road travel arrangements for the king and members of the royal family and is one of the finest working stables in the world. A highlight is Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee stagecoach (photo). Tickets can be booked at Royal Collection Trust website.
The German National Tourist Board is continuing to position Germany as a cosmopolitan and sustainable cultural travel destination in 2024. Starting in April, the “Cultureland Germany” inspiration campaign will showcase the cosmopolitan culture and art scene, emphasizing modern aspects, including cultural hotspots, public art, the contemporary spirit of winegrowers in traditional cultural landscapes, and internationally acclaimed music events. Simultaneously, the GNTB’s campaign “52 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Germany” will emphasize monument protection, the preservation of customs and traditions, and sustainable experiences of culture and nature. In line with the GNTB’s Stay Longer initiative, eight itineraries also incentivise longer sustainable stays in Germany.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1907, the first cabs with taxi meters began operating in London.
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