A short week due to Easter, but plenty of news nonetheless, including a major purchase by Amex GBT; a much-anticipated Sandals opening; a TICO reminder; promising Air Canada and Toronto Pearson passenger barometers; a Viking float-out; and a big reveal from G Adventures/Planeterra.
NEWS
American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) is buying CWT. Subject to customary conditions, the “definitive agreement” between the two business travel giants is valued at approximately US$570 million, with a closing date expected in the second half of the year.
During the pandemic, the Ontario government implemented several measures to help reduce the burden on Ontario’s registered travel agencies and tour operators and to assist certain travellers impacted by the pandemic. While some of the changes were permanent, others were time limited. Now, TICO is reminding that the final two temporary amendments are set to expire this year, one of them April 1. For more information and a summary of financial filing requirements, contact TICO at tico@tico.ca or 1-888-451-TICO (8426).
More than half of travellers surveyed by Virtuoso say global developments in 2023 have encouraged them to travel more responsibly, citing geopolitical conflicts, overtourism, and the effects of climate change, such as natural disasters, pollution, and rising temperatures. Additionally, 45% of respondents agree that travelling sustainably enhances their vacation experience – a nine-point increase compared to 2023’s survey.
BY THE NUMBERS
Passenger activity at Toronto Pearson airport increased by 9.2 million, or 25.8%, from 35.6 million to 44.8 million in 2023, when compared to 2022, according to The Greater Toronto Airports Authority. The GTAA cites strong travel demand and travel industry partners’ ability to deliver “more consistent levels of service following recovery challenges in 2022.” During 2023, passenger activity recovered to 88.9% compared to 2019 passenger activity. During the month of December 2023, passenger activity recovered to 93.7% of December 2019 passenger activity.
AIR
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today the expansion of its TSA PreCheck program with the addition several airlines, including Air Transat. TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening program enabling low-risk travellers a quicker screening experience at more than 200 US state and territory airports, including at the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas. TSA PreCheck passengers travel can also keep their shoes, belts and light jackets on and are not required to remove laptops, 3-1-1 liquids and food items from their carry-on bags. About 99% of TSA PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes in dedicated lanes at airport checkpoints nationwide.
Citing strong financial results– including record annual revenue – Air Canada issued its 2023 Annual Report highlighting the carrier’s achievements for the year, including progress made on several key strategic initiatives. Air Canada says it safely carried 46 million passengers and earned full year operating income of $2.3 billion on record operating revenue of $21.8 billion. It also launched 14 new routes to serve 188 direct destinations.
Sales are now open for Avianca’s new route between Montreal with San Salvador, El Salvador. Starting June 1, flights will operate three times weekly Tues-Thurs-Sat. The new direct route is Avianca’s second Latin American destination from Montreal, along with Bogota, Colombia, which started March 31. Avianca also offers flights from Toronto to San Salvador and Colombia, with daily flights to each city.
DEALS
Hong Kong Tourism Board and Air Canada have launched the ‘Home Away from Home Flight Pass,’ which allows Canadian Aeroplan members to lock in their flight prices to Hong Kong. The Pass is available until April 12 for flights between Canada and Hong Kong. Flight Passes are prepaid packages of one-way flight credits that allow travellers to secure the price right away and travel when they want in the following 12 months, providing peace of mind and flexibility when planning trips.
Holland America Line is celebrating its 151st Anniversary with a special “Anniversary Sale” running through April 30. The offer features up to 45% off cruise fares, onboard credits up to $300 per stateroom, 50% reduced deposits, and free third and fourth guests when travelling in the same stateroom. The Anniversary Sale includes cruises on all 11 ships, with itineraries ranging from four to 56 days in length.
TOURS
With the new print-on-demand “Collette Connection” service, travel advisors can send their clients Collette’s Explorations brochure with a personalized letter attached. All client information is confidential, and the service is free of charge for advisors. The brochure features 43 small-group tours designed by travellers for travellers. Collette says the Exploration tours have become increasingly popular, offering travellers experiences that go beyond the guidebook and closer to the culture.
Goway has booked 500 group vacations worldwide in the past year – a milestone the tour company says marks its Groups Only division’s most profitable period to date and showcases the burgeoning demand for custom group travel experiences. To celebrate its groups milestone, Goway is offering a complimentary Welcome Reception in destination to all new groups who book before April 30.
HOTELS
In London, the Beaumont Hotel is putting the finishing touches on a three-year refurbishment and expansion, envisioned by late designer Thierry Despont. Guests can look forward to an extension of the adjacent building on Providence Court with 29 additional rooms and suites and two new private dining rooms, as well as the refurbishment of The Roosevelt, the hotel’s top suite. Accommodations in the expanded section of the property are now available.
RESORTS
Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines officially opened last week, welcoming its first guests. Sandals’ 8th all-inclusive resort and first in the eastern Caribbean has 301 rooms and suites across 20 lush hectares with built-in programming celebrating the island’s renowned botanical gardens to the introduction of new dining concepts like Buccan, a large-format style dining experience that designed to encourage conversation and connection over locally harvested food roasted in an open hearth. The centerpiece of the resort is 90-m linear pool (photo) dotted by cabanas and flanked by the Caribbean beach.
CRUISE
Viking “floated out” its newest ship for the Nile River – the 82-guest Viking Hathor last week, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in August, the Viking Hathor will join the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships for the Nile River and will sail Viking’s popular 12-day ‘Pharaohs & Pyramids’ itinerary.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises “super ship,” the S.S. Emilie, will debut in Europe in 2026. The five-star vessel will join other new Super Ships including the S.S. Victoria, debuting on the Rhine and Moselle rivers in 2024 and the S.S. Elisabeth, debuting on the Rhine in 2025. In addition, Uniworld has added five other Super Ships to its fleet since 2020, including the Mekong Jewel on the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia; Aria Amazon on the Maranon and Ucayali rivers in Peru; S.S. São Gabriel on the Douro in Portugal; S.S. La Venezia on the Venetian Lagoon; and S.S. Sphinx on the Nile in Egypt.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Universal Studios Hollywood’s famed Behind-the-Scenes Studio Tour Attraction is celebrating its 60th anniversary summer with the promise of new tour features to mark the occasion. The attraction has welcomed more than 200 million guests since inception in 1964.
EVENTS
The Discover America Canada committee (photo) hosted its annual general meeting in Toronto last week, recounting a successful 2023 and detailing marketing and promotional plans for the remainder of 2024, including organization of the Canadian contingent for the upcoming IPW US travel trade show in Los Angeles in May. Currently more than 100 members of the Canadian trade have registered to attend the event.
G Adventures and its non-profit partner, Planeterra, have confirmed that the second annual GX Community Tourism Summit will be held in India this fall. The destination has been a closely guarded secret by G since last year’s inaugural event in Cusco, Peru. Running from Sept. 24 to 29, the second GX Summit will again incorporate the Change Makers agent event, which brings “agents of change” from around the world together, with the trip culminating in an all-day World Community Tourism celebration on World Tourism Day, Sept. 27. Visit: https://gx.gadventures.com/.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Travel agents have the opportunity to earn boosted commissions of up to US$10,000 with luxury villa provider Lujure Villas. The limited-time ‘Loyalty Pays’ promotion, for bookings through April 12 (based on travel until Jan. 11, 2025, offers standard commission on villa bookings, plus a bonus based on the value. The offer extends to all properties available through Lujure. For promotion details, email reservations@lujurevillas.com or call 1-855-585-8731.
Canadian agents have a chance to share in $450,000 worth of incentives in the 2024 Crystal Grand Challenge, which consists of two races: the Crystal Sprint Race and the long-distance Crystal Ocean Race. The former is for those who have booked a Crystal sailing since its relaunch; the agent who books 15 2024 cruises by May 31, 2024, will win $150,000 with subsequent prizes of $100,000 and $50,000 for two runners up. Agents who have not yet booked a cruise can enter the Crystal Ocean Race with the first agent making 10 bookings for 2024 by Dec. 16, earning $75,000, with subsequent prizes of $50,000 and $25,000 for runners up. To to enter, log in or register as a travel advisor by visiting www.crystalcruises.com to access the MyAccount portal; and https://crystalcruises.com/travel-advisors.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
President & CEO of British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) Ingrid Jarrett was recognized as the ‘Business Woman of the Year’ at the BC Tourism Industry Conference earlier this month. The first-ever female President and CEO of the BCHA, Jarrett was described as “an industry powerhouse who has spent the past three decades directly contributing to the tourism sector across BC and Canada – indisputably making a positive impact through her leadership, ingenuity and drive.” The award honours the accomplishments, professional expertise, and leadership of exceptional women who make indispensable contributions to the tourism sector.
DESTINATIONS
Following recent amendments to the Marriage (Amendment) Act, there will be a renewed effort to promote St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a premier wedding destination in the region. Regulations now facilitate applications electronically with an online payment portal in place. Visitors will no longer need to travel to mainland from the Grenadines or visit to High Court Registry to lodge and pay for their marriage license. Year-round Air Canada service from Toronto to St. Vincent and the Grenadines begins April 7. The year-round service builds on seasonal service that was suspended during the summer the last two years.
Canadian-icon and top-selling female country artist of all-time Shania Twain is returning to the Las Vegas Strip, bringing her ‘Come on Over’ residency to Planet Hollywood beginning in May, with tickets on sale now.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1977, in the world’s worst airplane disaster, 582 people died when two jumbo jets collided and burned on a runway at Tenerife in the Canary Islands. (The worst single-plane disaster was the 1985 crash of a Japan Air Lines jet, which killed 520.)
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