24 SEP 2018: In case you missed it, and even if you didn’t, here’s a quick look at some of last week’s need-to-know travel news:
AIR
To celebrate 85 years in business, Turkish Airlines has unveiled new uniforms for its cabin crew (photo), which will debut next month following of opening Istanbul New Airport, which will be the largest airport in the world. Meanwhile, the airline achieved the highest monthly load factor (LF) in its history in August at 85.6%.
Cute kids are the stars in a behind-the-scenes look at a Transat hangar in the airline’s new “future experts” web series, comprised of three short webisodes posted on YouTube. The series joins Transat’s vacation expert series with the goal of providing playful content that reveals fun facts about the aviation industry. Check it out HERE.
Toronto is one of a handful of cities in both North America and Europe slated to get a second “bank” of flights from Icelandair, in addition to regular existing service, starting in May, 2019. The flights will arrive at approximately 9:30 a.m., making for convenient connections to Europe, and then leave Reykjavik around 8:30 p.m.
In a bid to boost its boarding experience and “create a less stressful environment,” United Airlines is making a number of enhancements at its gates around the world, including reducing the number of boarding lanes from five to two and giving customers added space. United app users will also receive a new alert when boarding has begun for their flight, making it easier to know when to make their way to the gate.
At the same time, United’s MileagePlus Premier 1K customers who previously boarded in group one, will now be invited to pre-board, and United’s MileagePlus Premier Gold customers will also move up in the boarding process from group two to group one.
TOURS
Sunwing is offering 10,000 premium all inclusive vacations for only $1,295 per person, taxes included. Canadians who book by September 28th can enjoy savings on premium vacation packages to over 45 of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America with convenient departures from 33 airports coast to coast. Savings are also available on selected cruise packages with sailings across the Caribbean from various ports.
Included in the sale are popular resorts perfect for family, adult and luxury vacations. Grand Sunset Princess All Suites and Spa Resort in Riviera Maya and the Riu Montego Bay in Jamaica, a beautiful property that features spacious rooms designed to accommodate families of five or more. Couples might prefer Riu Republica; a lively adults only resort in Punta Cana, and the only one of its kind to offer an adults only water park in the Caribbean. For a peaceful adults only escape couples could also opt to stay at Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero in Cuba where guests can enjoy personalized butler service, an adults only pool, specialty restaurants and access to neighboring Grand Memories Varadero.
The number of vacations priced at $1,295 are limited, so those eager to book their ideal vacation for the best price should act quickly. Ten adults travelling together can receive special prices, added values and reduced deposits.
Globus family of brand’s “Undiscovered Britain” program for 2019 includes several new tours dedicated to “the cobblestones less travelled – the undiscovered places that tell the stories and secrets of Great Britain’s green hills and seaside village.” Globus, Cosmos and new Cosmos Lite are all getting in on the action with six new tours ranging from six to 14 days between them, adding to existing options. “Of course, Canadians love Britain for its famous icons such as Big Ben and Stonehenge, but we’re suggesting that there’s so much to see…” says Globus exec Stéphanie Bishop. The Britain program follows last year’s successful launch of Undiscovered Italy.
To kick off the fourth year of a successful partnership, National Geographic Expeditions and G Adventures are introducing new destinations and tours for 2019 that expand the lineup of small group tours in South America and Europe. Highlights include Bolivia, Peru, Romania and Portugal. A detailed list of new and updated tours, on sale now, can be found HERE.
Contiki’s newly released Europe 2019-20 program boasts 21 new European adventures including an inaugural 20-day London-to-London ‘European Dream’ trip, along with new adventures in Israel, Jordan and Africa. Other highlights include simplified travel styles designed to make it easier for travel agents to book 18- to 35-year-old clients, along with furthering its sustainability initiatives through Contiki Cares powered by TreadRight.
HOTELS
Two new hotels to consider in London, UK: The Kimpton Fitzroy London, opening on Russell Square at the end of October, and a little further down the road, Riu has announced that it will open its first UK hotel beside Victoria Station by the end of 2020.
The new Intercontinental San Diego has opened its doors in the southern California city. The 400-room new-build overlooks the scenic San Diego bayfront.
Stays at Best Western this fall will result is double rewards points for loyalty members through Nov. 18.
Choice Hotels loyalty plan members who book two separate qualifying stays this fall will earn enough loyalty points to redeem a future free night at more than 1,000 Choice Hotel properties worldwide. The Stay Twice, Earn a Free Night promotion is in effect through Nov. 9. To qualify, members must book online, while corporate travellers can make reservations in their online booking tool, through the GDS, or with a travel agent. For full details go to ChoiceHotels.com/freenight. Meanwhile, Choice Privileges Platinum and Diamond members can now take advantage of reciprocity benefits with Avis.
RESORTS
Sandals guests use nearly 2.15 million plastic straws and stirrers a year. The resort chain says it will eliminate all of them at its resorts on seven Caribbean islands by Nov. 1. Paper straws will be offered instead – upon request. See STRAW VOTE.
Hard Rock International is going pink for the brand’s 19th Annual PINKTOBER campaign. Having started in September and continuing throughout October, select Hard Rock Hotel and Café properties will host events that support breast cancer charities focused in their communities. Guests can also purchase a 2018 PINKTOBER collector’s edition pin, a guitar-themed pink breast cancer awareness ribbon ($14) with a portion of the retail price of each pin sold donated to the Hard Rock Heals Foundation to support breast cancer awareness worldwide. Other fundraising efforts will be specific to individual hotels. (www.hardrock.com/pinktober)
CRUISE
Norwegian Cruise Line has opened for sale summer 2020 itineraries for 11 of its 17 vessels, including upcoming voyages for Norwegian Encore, the company’s newest ship, which will set in 2019. The cruise line also opened summer 2021 through spring 2022 sailings on its Pride of America ship. The summer 2020 schedule includes three ships cruising to Alaska, four ships voyaging in Europe and two sailing to Bermuda from New York City and Boston.
Luxury cruise line Cunard has announced the most extensive deployment of its ships – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria –for the remainder of 2020, including new voyages to the Norwegian Fjords, Japan and Australia. Cunard will continue many of its classic voyages, including its signature Transatlantic Crossing between New York and London, while adding new itineraries in Western Europe and Southeast Asia. Guests who book launch fares by Nov. 30 will receive exclusive benefits including: free drinks and gratuities in Princess Grill and Queens Grill Suites; up to $1,000 Onboard Credit based on cabin category and voyage length, and upgrades in select Britannia cabin categories. The promotion can be booked by World Club Members starting Sept. 24 and first-time guests the following day.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Through Oct. 3, Air Canada Vacations is offering 2% bonus commission on bookings of the Celebrity Equinox, valid on select sailings from June to September, 2019, on oceanview category staterooms or higher booked under a non-refundable deposit promotion code EQ4P NO REF DEP.
Agents booking the Fall into Paradise package at the Warwick Paradise Island-Bahamas resort will earn 15% commission. The package gives guests a third night free for every two (consecutive) booked through Dec. 10 for travel by Dec. 31, 2019. Book HERE.
EVENTS
It’ll be all things Orlando as Visit Orlando and a host of supplier partners will roll into Toronto, Montreal and St. John’s in October for the 2018 Canada Mission. Among those on hand for the agent training event will be reps from Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, who, along with other Canadian and in-state partners, plus Visit Orlando’s Canadian staff, will share information and tips to help agents sell the central Florida destination, along with providing the latest news on attractions, theme parks, accommodations, shopping, and dining. There will also be prizes. Dates and venues are as follows, all from 5 to 8:30 p.m.: Oct. 15, St. John’s, Delta Hotel; Oct. 16, Montreal, Centre Mont-Royal; Oct. 17, Toronto, Four Points Toronto Airport. RSVP by Oct. 2 to Travel.Industry.SalesandMarketing@visitorlando.com
BY THE NUMBERS
Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger! Ten thousand of them were served up for free at Holiday Inn Burger Theory restaurants across Canada and the US to celebrate National Cheeseburger Day on Sept. 18.
DESTINATIONS
Visitors can now enjoy a “security blanket” when staying at 22 properties on Saint Lucia thanks to a holiday guarantee for visitors from hotels associated with the island’s hotel and tourism association. The Holiday Guarantee program waives cancellation penalties and offers an opportunity to rebook the trip when a cancellation is made prior to arrival if a vacation is cut short because of a hurricane (based on a hurricane warning issued by the Saint Lucia Meteorological Service).
We’re so happy we could scream: San Francisco’s Museum of Ice Cream celebrated its one-year anniversary with the news that it will remain open indefinitely due to its immense popularity since opening in Fall, 2017. The venue is open Wednesday-Monday and (advance-only) tickets cost US$38 including ice cream tasting.
Washington DC has 20 hotels and over 4,500 rooms in the pipeline. The new Eaton Hotel is in its soft-opening stages and several brands including The Moxy Washington, DC Downtown and Conrad Washington, DC are expected to make their debuts in the next six months.