Is travel demand softening? And other headlines from last week: The Israel-Hamas war is having a global effect; Air Canada and WestJet are both boosting international flights; Sunwing is flying high at the start of the winter season; ACTA is urging a last call in its fight for TICO reform; G Adventure has a new luxe line of tours; and meet Canada’s new Canadian director for VisitBritain.
NEWS
Demand for air travel may be levelling off after soaring to pre-pandemic levels over the summer, says FlightHub’s CEO. Christopher Cave said airline ticket sales dropped from September to October, when they typically rise ahead of the holiday season.
ACTA says it is meeting with Ontario government officials on Nov. 30 to make its case for reform of the funding framework for TICO, and member fees in the province. But in the meantime, the association is urging members to make their voices heard – no later than Mon. Nov. 27 (deadline for submissions to government members) – over changes to a model it says is inherently broken. The association encourages members to write a letter to their MPP or use the following online template, linked at https://www.acta.ca/letter-writing-campaign .
The Israel-Hamas war has not only had a negative impact on aviation to and from the Middle East – the effect is global, says leading travel analytics firm, ForwardKeys. Overall, the report says the world’s aviation market had dropped by five percent in the three weeks since the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 due to in a dent in consumer confidence to travel. According to the Spain-based company, outbound flight bookings (based on tickets issued) from the Middle Eastern countries have fallen by 9% (comparative to 2019) since the outbreak of war, however, from the Americas, they slowed by 10%. In other markets, Europe (including Israel), Asia-Pacific, and Africa each slowed by two percentage points.
BY THE NUMBERS
Tourisme Montréal reports that its summer season surpassed it pre-pandemic performance in 2019, with an increase of 15% in international visitations. Among the positive trends was an
average hotel occupancy rate of 80% and overall revenues higher than those of 2022. Business conferences were also on the upswing with major events experiencing an in-person participation rate of 72%, 2% more than last year.
AIR
WestJet is planning reintroduction of service connecting Eastern Canada and Europe in 2024. The carrier will connect Toronto to Dublin (March 1) and Edinburgh (May 14); Halifax to Dublin, Edinburgh (June 19 and 20), and London Gatwick (April 28); and St. John’s to London (May 1), all with multiple flights per week. Other key international enhancements include the launch of new service to Reykjavik (Keflavik) beginning May 15, and new daily service to Tokyo from Calgary from April 3.
Air Canada says it is boosting its Asia-Pacific network beginning in mid-December, through to the end of summer 2024. The airline and will feature up to 57 flights per week between Canada and Asia, and up to 64 flights per week next summer. Highlights include: Vancouver-Hong Kong operates up to 11 weekly flights beginning mid-Dec.; capacity nearly doubles between Canada and Japan this winter; Vancouver-Bangkok flights operates daily during peak winter months, season extended to early May 2024; new route to Singapore launches April, 2024; and early seasonal resumption of Osaka service starting May 2024.
Sunwing is reporting strong results early in its winter season (starting Nov. 1), in part reflecting key measures designed to “bolster operational readiness” for the peak season to come. The airline says it has already carried nearly 100,000 customers on 600 flights to destinations throughout the tropics – and all of them “successfully completed.”
Inaugural Lynx service from Montreal to Tampa Bay took flight Friday. The carrier will operate four flights per week between Montreal and Tampa, flying brand-new Boeing 737 aircraft. The low-cost carrier also flew to Orlando from Vancouver for the first time on Saturday.
DEALS
Each December, Oakville, Ont. transforms into a festive wonderland, offering a host of activities and sights that add to its unique charm. An ongoing staycation promotion in the city half an hour from Toronto is offering visitors a free $50 Mastercard gift card at check-in at participating hotels, and another for a second consecutive night. The offer valid is valid in December (subject to terms and conditions). More info HERE.
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts has announced the first-ever Food & Slime Festival at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya, Mexico. Guests who book their stay by Nov. 23 and travel in November can cave to 60%.
TOURS
Collette has launched its 2023 Holiday Gift Guide; it profiles 12 different travel styles designed to provide inspiration for a wide range of travellers, from foodies to history buffs, and railway fans to cruisers. The guide is available on the tour company’s website.
With the goal of showing that community and adventure do not have to be sacrificed for comfort, G Adventures’ new Geluxe Collection will feature 28 trips that focus on being physically active, with one-of-a-kind accommodation, elevated dining, and a heavy focus on community and culture in destination. Set to launch next May, the new travel style is unlike any other program of trips it offers, says the Toronto-based tour operator. G says the tours will be handcrafted to provide “the ultimate experience for travellers” while also ensuring that as much money as possible stays in the hands of local people, every step of the way.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Canadian travellers can look forward to the grand opening of the Pixar Place Hotel (photo) on Jan. 30 at the Disneyland Resort, making it the first fully Pixar-themed hotel in the United States. Pixar Place Hotel will evoke the inspiration and humour that goes into every Pixar film, while celebrating the artistic process. Additionally, the ultimate Disney fan event, D23 will be celebrating over 100 years of magic from brands including Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel when it returns to the Anaheim Convention Center Aug. 9-11, 2024. The event promises exhibits, shows, entertainment, shopping and lots more.
HOTELS
Returning for its third year, NYC Hotel Week will run from Jan. 3 to Feb. 4, 2024, offering a 24% savings on standard room rates at 150 hotels across New York City, including Ace Hotel Brooklyn, Conrad New York Midtown, Hotel Indigo Flushing, Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at Resorts World, Le Meridien New York Fifth Avenue, Luma Hotel Times Square, Margaritaville Resort Times Square, Moxy Williamsburg, New York Marriott Marquis, Opera House Hotel, Penny Williamsburg, The Wall Street Hotel, Walker Hotel Greenwich Village, Wingate by Wyndham Bronx Haven Park and more. Bookings are available at nyctourism.com/hotelweek.
The landmark Fairmont Royal York in Toronto has received the Canada Green Building Council’s (CAGBC’s) Zero Carbon Building – Performance Standard certification. This $65-million project was completed after close to five years of detailed planning and execution. It will reduce over 7,000 tonnes of carbon annually or 80% of the hotel’s annual carbon emissions, the equivalent of taking 1,558 cars off the road.
RESORTS
To celebrate the start of ski season, Club Med Québec Charlevoix will be hosting a special event featuring Canadian Olympic freestyle skier Justine Dufour-Lapointe on Dec. 2 and 3. Resort guests will have a unique opportunity to join Dufour-Lapointe on the slopes and ski with a pro. The opportunity is complimentary for guests staying at the property and suited for intermediate and expert skiers.
Jamaica’s tourism sector is preparing for the official opening of the recently renovated US$30-million Royalton White Sands resort in Trelawny next month. And two more major resorts are on the way before summer next year – the first phase 1,000 rooms of the new Princess Resort in Hanover and the over 753-room new RIU Palace Aquarelle resort in Trelawny.
CRUISE
EXPLORA I recently arrived in PortMiami marking the ship’s debut in South Florida. The ship is the first of a fleet of six for the luxury ocean travel brand of the MSC Group. Through March, the luxury ship will explore the Caribbean and Central America, calling on ports like Samana/Dominican Republic and Bridgetown/Barbados, with stops in Antigua and Barbuda, Turks and Caicos, Cartagena, Saint Barthélemy and the Grenadines, among others, before heading to the US West Coast.
Ultra-luxury cruise line Silversea is promising the “most diverse and immersive voyage” in its history when ‘Silver Dawn’ sets sail from Fort Lauderdale a 140-day world cruise on Jan. 6, 2026. Dubbed ‘The Curious and the Sea,’” the cruise will visit 70 destinations in 37 countries – the most ever on a Silversea World Cruise. Among the ports are 26 that are new for a Silversea World Cruise or unvisited since 2020, plus nine overnights. General sales are now open.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Travel advisors can get 5X BONBON per booking, which means $5 per flight and $25 per package, on individual bookings with Transat made by Nov. 26 for travel before June 30, 2024,
Travel advisors can now register for a chance to take part in Brand USA’s first Canada MegaFam, April 12-29, 2024. Sixty agents will qualify for the six varied US itineraries. To qualify, agents must log their Air Canada bookings through Dec. 4 for travel between Oct. 22 to March 30, 2024 as well as to complete certain components of the Brand USA Discovery Program. Click here.
EVENTS
Visit Anaheim recently conducted its Western Canada Roadshow 2023 with calls in Calgary, Edmonton, Langley, BC, and Vancouver. Close to 18 delegates representing hotels, attractions, transportation companies, and destinations were on hand to engage with travel advisors and partners to an update all that is new in the destination, which includes Disneyland. Representatives from neighbouring cities like Los Angeles (Universal Studios Hollywood) and San Diego were also part of the group.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
VisitBritain has created a new director position in the country, naming veteran staff member Cathy Stapells to the role. Stapells was previously Senior Marketing & Communications Manager Canada. The well-known Lynda Falcone continues as National Travel Trade Manager Canada. Based in VisitBritain’s Toronto office, Stapells, as Director, Canada, will lead the implementation of the national tourism’s agency trade and communications strategy in this country. The role is also a key interface for cross-government activities with the British High Commission in Ottawa and Consulates in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary.
DESTINATIONS
Visit Detroit has launched the Detroit Pizza Passport, a unique digital pass designed to help locals and visitors explore what it promises is “the best pizza city in the United States.” From authentic Detroit-style pizzas to inventive flavour fusions and classic hand-tossed creations, the passport offers a comprehensive experience of the mosaic of pizza in the Motor City. The passport simplifies the exploration of Detroit’s renowned pizza scene without the need for downloading an app. Users simply sign up through their mobile browsers and bookmark the pass page for access to participating pizzerias. And passport holders can earn points by checking in at participating pizza joints and redeem them for prizes (Detroit pizza hats, aprons, shirts, and stickers) in the rewards store. Go to https://visitdetroit.com/digitalpasses/
2024 dates for the Québec City’s annual winter carnival have been announced. From Feb. 2 to 11, the 70th annual event will conduct its lively winter celebrations that pay tribute to Québécois traditions and embrace the cherished snowman ambassador, Bonhomme. Though the detailed schedule is yet to be announced, attendees can expect inventive experiences for this unique edition as well as authentic French-Canadian cuisine, colourful nighttime parades, streets adorned with luminous lights, and artistic ice sculptures as well as the iconic Bonhomme’s Ice Palace.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1980, the U.S. space probe “Voyager One” came within 124,000 km. of Saturn, sailing beneath the planet’s rings while transmitting data to Earth.
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