In this week’s round-up of last week’s news, we detail a plethora of agent incentives, reveal Allianz’s data on the ‘bizcation’ trend, reveal what’s cooking at Air Canada, check in for a significant hotel development in Bangkok, and see what’s new at SeaWorld Orlando, plus lots more.

NEWS

Canadian professionals aged 18-34 are leading the rise in the ‘bizcation’ trend with a growing desire to blend remote work and vacations, according to a new study by Allianz Global Assistance, which found that almost half (47%) of young professionals plan to work remotely while travelling in 2024. Key findings of the report include: Many Canadians will tie-in a vacation with work responsibilities either by working remotely from a vacation destination (30%) or by adding vacation time to a business trip (24%); Canadians with children (43%) are also likely to blend work and vacation in the same trip.

Leading Indigenous tourism representatives from three countries – Canada, United States and New Zealand – announced that a new collective, Destination Original International Tourism (DO-IT), will soon be formed. The announcement was made during a presentation at the recent International Indigenous Tourism Conference in Ottawa. The goal of the DO-IT association is to help develop and market authentic Indigenous tourism destinations around the world.

JetBlue and Spirit Airlines ended their proposed US$3.8 billion combination after a court ruling blocked their merger. The announcement was a win for consumers dependent on lower fares, but a disappointment for the carriers who, together, hoped to challenge the U.S. ‘Big 4’ airlines.

BY THE NUMBERS

A record 17.15 million international tourists visited Dubai in 2023, the most visitors the city has encountered to date, with 7% of these visitors arriving from the Americas. Representing a 19.4% YoY growth over the 14.36 million tourist arrivals in 2022, last year’s figure also exceeded the previous record of 16.73 million visitors registered in 2019, signalling a strong return post-pandemic.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

Throughout March and April, Goway is rewarding travel advisors who book trips to Australia and New Zealand with an extra $100 bonus rewards on their GowayPro Visa rewards card. This is on top of regular rewards. Meanwhile, travellers can also save up to $250 p.p. on select trips to Australia and New Zealand. Visit Goway Agent for more details.

Through March 31, the Jamaica Tourist Board’s ‘Kingston: Roots, Rock, and Reggae’ themed trivia tests knowledge of the island’s capital city and iconic music history for a chance to win a trip for two to Kingston, including flights with Flair, a three-night stay at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, two passes on the new Kingston City Guided Tour, and VIP departure service with Club Kingston. Enter at visitjamaica.com/canada/contest.

Agents will earn an extra $100 in bonus cash from Collette for each booking they make in March (regardless of if travellers choose to cancel their trip). Any booking made for tours departing through March 31, 2025, qualify and there is no limit to how much extra cash advisors can earn with this offer. On top of this, advisors can earn up to an additional $200 with Collette’s Advanced Commission Program and it applies to all five of the company’s travel styles.

A limited-time Double Bonus Offer for Canadian travel agents is now on offer from luxe St. Lucian resort Serenity at Coconut Bay. The promotion offers agents the opportunity to earn up to US$300 for direct bookings, in addition to receiving 15% commission. The Double Bonus Offer is valid for seven-night stays booked through March 29, with travel dates through Dec. 31, 2024. Agents can also extend significant savings to their clients, with up to 65% off the resort’s unlimited all-inclusive rates.

During the Expedia TAAP Spring Sale, bookings earn agents an entry into a raffle, offering them the opportunity to win one of give prizes ranging from CA$200 to $1,000 in a gift card. In addition, agents can join the Florida Booking Challenge. To win a package trip for two, agents have to book the highest combined total value of eligible hotel bookings, including taxes and fees, in Florida. The trip includes round-trip airline tickets, a four-night stay at the Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor in Florida, and a rental car for the length of stay. The incentives apply to bookings made through March 25 and valid for travel until May 31.

AIR

Air Canada is cooking up a comprehensive upgrade of its onboard menus for all customers, with 100-plus new rotating seasonal recipes. The new menu additions (photo) join the largest in-flight bar offering from any North American airline. The airline’s new and upgraded culinary program spotlights the influence of Air Canada’s long-standing award-winning culinary partners Chef David Hawksworth, Chef Vikram Vij, and Chef Jérôme Ferrer, complemented by wine selections from award-winning Air Canada sommelier Véronique Rivest.

Porter Airlines inaugurated of daily roundtrip flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) on March 5.

Icelandair and Emirates have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a strategic partnership. Under the terms of the MoU, the airlines will work towards a Codeshare Agreement that will allow customers to seamlessly travel across the two airlines’ networks opening up new and exciting travel corridors.

TOURS

TTC Tour Brands has added Celtic specialist Brendan Vacations, to its Travel Advisor Portal (TAP) in time for the busy travel season. Advisors can now book all guided itineraries across the TTC Tour Brands portfolio using one portal including Trafalgar, Contiki, Costsaver, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold and now Brendan Vacations.

A new Australia tour package program has been released by Air Canada Vacations featuring direct daily flights departing from Vancouver. There are six year-round packages in key destinations such as Sydney and Brisbane, with additional offerings planned for Melbourne, Adelaide, and Kangaroo Island. Featuring a variety of durations and activities, the fully guided and self-guided tours in Australia are curated to cater to most travel styles, featuring 4-star accommodations located in key areas, and domestic flights between cities (where applicable).

DEALS

“The ‘Dream Big Sales Event’ from the Globus family of brands offers savings of nearly 25% on select 2024 Globus Europe and North America tours, including a $300 air credit. Additionally, clients can save $700 plus receive free air on select Avalon Europe river cruises and benefit from single supplement savings on select Cosmos tours and Avalon cruises. Meanwhile, past Globus family of brands’ guests will receive up to $250 more savings when they apply their Welcome Back Credit to their booking. Travel advisors who make new bookings in March can also earn an extra $100 per booking with the “March Madness” bonus incentive.

For bookings made through March 19, clients can save up to 50% off cruise fares and receive onboard credits of $50 p.p. with Holland America’s Spring Sale. As a bonus, guests who book a suite can double their onboard credit for a total of $100 p.p. The Spring Sale is combinable with Holland America Line’s ‘Have it All’ premium fare.  Departures are March 30 through May.

HOTELS

Arizona visitors seeking fine dining and a convenient luxury shopping experience can now book their next vacation at Caesars Republic Scottsdale, the first non-gaming hotel from Caesars Entertainment in the US. Located near Scottsdale Fashion Square, the 11-storey lifestyle hotel offers two new dining concepts created by famous television chef, Giada De Laurentiis, that will serve American and Italian-inspired cuisine.

The Red Carnation Hotel Collection will open its first Scottish hotel this spring, 100 Princes Street in Edinburgh. Inspired by the adventures and tales of Scottish explorers who once called the building their home away from home, 100 Princes Street is set within the historic former Overseas League, nestled in Edinburgh’s cultural heart.

RESORTS

Dusit Hotels and Resorts, says it will reopen its newly rebuilt flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel (photo) in September with reservations due to open on May 1. Situated in the same prime location as the original property, which graced the Bangkok skyline from 1970 to 2019, the reimagined version of the luxury property promises to deliver a fresh take on its predecessor’s heritage and Thai-inspired hospitality. The landmark hotel has been meticulously reconstructed to offer an opulent accommodation with fewer rooms (257 versus the original’s 517), as well as signature elements from the original property that were removed and preserved for use as part of the new building, including the original property’s signature golden spire.

RIU Hotels and Resorts newest Jamaican property is set to open its doors May 4.  Located in the Falmouth, Trelawny, 15 minutes from the airport in Montego Bay, the five-star all-inclusive Riu Palace Aquarelle is exclusive to Sunwing Vacations and boasts a beachfront location, water park on site, and international dining options. It is RIU’s seventh property in Jamaica.

CRUISE

MSC Cruises reports that two thirds of its ships are now equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink onboard connectivity and that the fleet roll out program will be completed by May. The low earth orbit solution provides faster internet speeds, improved wi-fi in cabins and public spaces, reduced latency levels and lower operational costs. MSC Cruises’ ships currently equipped with Starlink are MSC Divina, MSC Euribia, MSC Fantasia, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Lirica, MSC Magnifica, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Seascape, MSC Seashore, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview and MSC Virtuosa.

 Holland America Line‘s Westerdam is heading to Asia, where it will explore 11 countries from September 2025 through April 2026. The itineraries have a strong focus on Japan with 24 different ports around the country, as well as visits to Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

SeaWorld Orlando will introduce “Penguin Trek,” a new immersive family coaster, this Spring. Guests will hop on a “snowmobile” through an expedition in the Antarctic wilderness with two launches. The 900-m track traverses both indoors and outside with a grand finale arrival at the penguin habitat, where riders can experience the world of these remarkable animals.

EVENTS

‘In the Loop’ is the new online training series from G Adventures. Hosted via Zoom on the first Wednesday of every month, the 30-minute ‘In the Loop’ webinars are designed to be interactive, as the community tourism pioneer spills the ‘G’ on a different topic each month, with the chance also to win prizes. Sign up by joining the ‘Agents of Change’ Facebook group HERE.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Adventure Canada reports that its Director and Expedition Leader Jason Edmunds has been inducted to The Explorers Club 50, a prestigious designation recognizing 50 people changing the world but who remain under the radar, as a member of the Class of 2024. Adventure Canada also announced the appointment of long-time expedition leader, seafarer, and sustainability thought leader Scott McDougall to the position of Director, Sustainable and Regenerative Travel.

DESTINATIONS

Continuing through March 24, the 52nd Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF) features more than 1,400 outstanding international and local artists in over 150 performances covering music, musical, Chinese opera, dance, and theatre.

The second annual Antigua & Barbuda Restaurant Week (ABRW) kicks off May 4 with two week’s of discounted dining and event experiences designed to showcase the twin-island nation’s delicious and diverse food, restaurants, art, and culture. A key feature is Prix Fixe menus and discounted dining packages (US$25- $75) inclusive of lunch, dinner, wine, and cocktails from more than 20 restaurants. For info and the latest schedule, click HERE.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1953, the world’s first commercial jet crash took place. Eleven people died when a Canadian Pacific Comet jet crashed in Karachi, Pakistan.

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