SEP 30 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
01 OCT 2018: Air Transat is sure Split will be a hit with Canadians, adding the Croatian coastal city to its transatlantic flight program. Flights to the city, known for its picturesque beaches on the Adriatic Sea, begin next summer.
Effective Oct. 2 for flights after April 1, 2019, Air Transat’s lowest-priced fare, Eco Budget, will no longer include a free checked bag or the possibility to make changes or cancellations. However, travellers can save up to 20% on airport check-in fees by paying in advance online.
For the third consecutive year, WestJet will think pink in October with staff uniforms featuring custom-designed pink neckwear and hats that have been made available to employees with 100% of the purchase price going to the Canadian Cancer Society in support of breast cancer awareness. Other initiatives will also take place including WestJetters taking part in the CIBC Run for the Cure.
First Air and Canadian North will merge by the end of the year subject to regulatory approval. The proposed Pan-Arctic airline, to be based in Ottawa, will operate under the name “Canadian North” with aircraft featuring a new First Air livery.
TOURS
From rhino tracking in southern Africa to exploring the ancient sites of Petra and the pyramids at Giza, Goway’s new 2019 Africa and Middle-East Travel Planner is filled with 250 travel ideas spanning 22 countries and multiple styles of travel. Goway notes that “exponential growth” in interest in the Middle East is reflected in the brochure, which also features a new Israel tour and expanded lodge offerings in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
To mark World Rhino Day on Sept. 22, Intrepid Travel launched a new trip, Wildlife Rangers Expedition in Kenya, designed to showcase one of the most dangerous jobs in the world – the life of a ranger. The eight-day excursion “invites wildlife lovers into the risky and at times fatal world of those who protect our wildlife and wild places,” including a visit to the rhino sector at Chyulu Hills, where just eight wild black rhinos reside, game drives and foot patrols with the rangers. The first two departures will take place in July and September, 2019, and cost $4,260 p.p. excluding air. (Intrepidtravel.com)
With the introduction of its new Small Group Adventures category, Busabout offers an even wider range of independent and guided travel styles in its just-released 2019-20 program. Tours are limited to a maximum of 20 travellers and utilize the company’s Hop-on Hop-off coach network. Meanwhile, clients booking the Unlimited Hop-on Hop-off pass by Nov. 16 can save up to 15% and another 10% off a selection of all other adventures.
DEALS & DISCOUNTS
Book a package or group to any Sandos Hotels & Resorts property with Air Canada Vacations by Oct. 7 to earn double ACV&Me loyalty points.
HOTELS
Promising “edgy personalities” and “colourful, imaginative lobbies,” Best Western Hotels & Resorts has introducing a pair of boutique brands – Sadie Hotel and Aiden Hotel, with the former competing in the upscale segment and the latter in the upper midscale segment. The promo video can be viewed HERE.
Hotel Talisa, a top luxury ski resort in Vail, Colorado, has joined The Luxury Collection, Marriott International’s ensemble of over 100 of the world’s finest hotels. Located on picture-perfect Gore Creek at the base of Vail Mountain, the 285-room property is The Luxury Collection’s first North American ski resort.
The JW Marriott Seoul has re-opened following an extensive eight-month renovation.
Hotel ZaZa, one of Texas’ most innovative and theatrical hotel brands, is set to bring its luxe boutique accommodations to downtown Austin. Set in a 24-story tower with 200 luxury apartments atop a 160-room hotel, the property will join locations in Dallas and Houston when it opens in the first quarter of 2019.
RESORTS
The newest elements of the “total transformation” of Sandals Montego Bay have been unveiled with the recent opening of a brand-new Jerk Shack and Latitudes Overwater Bar. Both additions come months after Sandals Montego Bay announced new luxury renovations and expansions, including completely redesigned rooms, refurbished lobby area and much more.
AMResorts is correcting previously listed dates for its Kids Stay Free promotion, which allows guests booking their next family vacation to bring one child free when staying in the same room as a paying adult for up to two children at any Dreams, Now, Reflect or Sunscape Resorts & Spas. The promotion is effect through Dec. 22; and again Jan. 01-Dec. 22, 2019, and Jan. 1-Dec. 22, 2020.
CRUISE
Colourful, crazy New Orleans will be a home-port for Disney Cruise Lines for the first time in 2020 when the Disney Wonder embarks on six cruises from the Louisiana city. Other highlights of the 2020 program include a return to Hawaii after five years away and a limited engagement in Puerto Rico. Of course, popular departures from Florida and California will also be back. Bookings open on Oct. 4.
THEME PARKS
Walt Disney World is set to streamline its flexible pricing system with park pricing determined by the actual day visited. A new online planning tool and calendar at DisneyWorld.com will help determine the rate. For more, click HERE.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
One of the world’s most amazing travel destinations – Vietnam – is the focus of a Royal Scenic and Philippines Airline fam in November. The eight-day, six-night (thank the International date line for the wonky math) goes Nov. 10-17 and includes Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hai Phong amongst the highlights. Prices range from $999 for certified Asia specialists to $1,199 (plus $300 tax) and the deadline to register is Oct. 10.
Air Canada Vacations’ annual mega fam series is back with agents able to choose between Santa Clara and Cayo Coco from Montreal (three nights), Puerto Vallarta from Calgary (two nights), Saint Lucia from Toronto (two nights) or Puerto Plata and Samana also from Toronto (three nights). Prices range from $329 to $359, double, including taxes and other fees. Connector flights will be available. Dates are in October and November; contact the tour operator for details.
EVENTS
Oct. 5 is the deadline to RSVP for a Celebrity Cruises agent training double header to be held at Toronto’s Bayview Golf and Country on Oct. 23. Running from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the concurrent sessions – one for “new travel advisors” and the other for “experienced Celebrity agents” – will feature the latest brand and incentive news, selling tips and strategies, guest speakers, as well as buffet breakfast and prizes. In the evening, Celebrity will host another event specifically for consumers. RSVP for the event HERE, but note that space is limited.
PEOPLE
Transat Distribution Canada was recently awarded the Top Canadian Agent Partner 2017, by Collette.
InterContinental Toronto Centre Executive Chef Shawn Whalen has received the prestigious Certified Master Chef (CMC) designation, the highest attainable culinary designation in Canada.
Cathay Pacific has donated $35,000 to Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland to commemorate the airline’s 35 years of flying between Vancouver and Hong Kong. The airline had invited BC charities to submit a video showcasing how they would use the money to help their communities. Also acknowledged were the Alzheimer Society of BC and Ovarian Cancer Canada, which were both awarded two Premium Economy Class tickets from Vancouver to New York in support of their charitable fundraising efforts.
Sherri Bourne is Transat’s new Business Development Manager for Atlantic Canada. She can be reached at sherri.bourne@transat.com .
WORLD TOURISM DAY
Tourism organizations around the world celebrated World Tourism Day on Sept. 27. Statistic Canada used the occasion to note that tourism supports 1.8 million jobs in this country and that in the first half of 2018, Canada welcomed a record 8.6 million international tourists, an increase of 1.6% over the same period in 2017.
BY THE NUMBERS
Toronto is the top city for international visitors in North America, according to the Mastercard 2018 Global Destination Cities index, released last week. More than five million visitors stayed overnight in the city and average stay was 8.2 nights. Vancouver placed 8th and Montreal 10th. Other survey insights included:
• The US was the top origin country (58%) for international overnight arrivals to Toronto.
• Montreal and Toronto are two of the fastest growing destination cities in North America
• Canada is the top origin country of international travel to Washington (45.2%), Las Vegas (28.5%) San Francisco (15.3%) and Miami (9.4%).
• Top world cities are Bangkok (#1), London (#2) and Paris (#3).
China is Canada‘s second largest source of tourists. In the first half of 2018, Canada welcomed 300,800 tourists from China, an increase of 9.1% over the same period last year. China is the world’s largest outbound tourism market, with 142.7 million trips in 2017. In 2016, Chinese travellers contributed $1.48 billion to Canada’s tourism sector.
The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands (including Trafalgar, Insight, Contiki and Uniworld) marked World Tourism Day 2018 by releasing a new video celebrating the 10th anniversary of The TreadRight Foundation, the not-for-profit organization at the heart of TTC’s commitment to making tourism a force for positive change around the world. Check it out this LINK.
DESTINATIONS
San José del Cabo, Mexico, is set to serve up its first annual restaurant week. Visitors and locals will be able to indulge in special fixed-price menus of $600 MXN p.p. (approximately C$40), designed exclusively by the area’s top chefs to showcase the unique gastronomy Los Cabos has to offer.
Peru-bound visitors with a passion for Pre-Columbian art will be delighted to hear that a museum devoted to the niche has re-opened its doors after a renovation and expansion. The Museum of Pre-Columbian Art in Cusco features close to 400 pre-Inca and Inca pieces, which are part of Lima’s Larco Museum collection.
Japan is synonymous with sumo wrestling, but the country’s favourite sport is baseball. For a stadium road trip with a twist, visitors can check out the 2018 Nippon Professional Baseball Series, which starts Oct. 27 in Tokyo. Schedules and details will be released at npb.jp . Japan is also preparing to host the Olympics in 2020.
The world’s largest and highest open-top aerial tramway is set to open in Tignes, Switzerland. Located at an altitude of 3,032 metres on the Grande Motte Glacier at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park, the new Tignes aerial tramway has two open-top cabins that offer passengers a unique 360-degree view of one of the most beautiful panoramas of the French Alps. Skiers will be able to use the tram this winter while the public can join in next May. Each cabin can accommodate 100 people, while the deck can take 20.
Send your news to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com