Besides talk, shock, and worry over hurricanes last week (first Fiona, then Ian), Canada dropped its remaining COVID protocols at the border, as did a host of other nations; and there was air news to spare as WestJet bought planes, Sunwing released a preliminary winter sked, and Lynx added service to the US.
NEWS
Effective Saturday, Canada removed all COVID-19 border restrictions including mandatory vaccination, testing and quarantine of international travellers, as well as the requirement for masks on planes and trains. Use of the ArriveCan app has become optional.
The US Travel Association applauded Canada’s removal of border restrictions and wants the US to do the same. “Ottawa is taking the right step by lifting its vaccine and testing requirement to enter Canada, which will give its economy a substantial boost,” said USTA exec Tori Emerson Barnes. “Washington should follow suit by immediately suspending proof of vaccination for qualified visitors from Canada and other nations, given the wide access to effective Covid boosters and therapies. Canada is the No. 1 source of international travellers to the United States, and we should take every action to accelerate recovery from this vital market.”
TICO has advised that Luxury Travel Centre Inc. located in Scarborough, Ont., had its registration under the Ontario Travel Industry Act, 2002 revoked effective Sept. 21, noting that the travel agency is no longer in business.
BORDERS
Incoming travellers to Hong Kong are no longer required to quarantine in designated hotels; they also no longer need a negative PCR test within 48 hours before boarding a plane to Hong Kong and instead may present a negative rapid antigen test conducted within 24 hours before the flight. Travellers will, however, have to undergo three days of home or hotel monitoring. They must also undergo several mandatory PCR tests, including one on arrival, as well as on their second, fourth and sixth days, coupled with daily antigen rapid tests every day for their first week.
The government of Thailand has lifted its emergency decree and from Oct. 1 no longer requires foreign visitors to show proof of being vaccinated; and people found to be infected will no longer need to quarantine.
Effective Oct. 1, travellers entering Korea no longer need to conduct the on-arrival PCR test. Those who show virus symptoms within three days of their arrival in Korea can undergo a free PCR test at public health centres across the country. However, travellers are still required to complete K-ETA and Q-CODE prior to departure.
Also, as of Oct. 1. Anguilla both vaccinated or unvaccinated visitors, are no longer required to present a COVID-19 Test to the airlines on check-in and on arrival at the ports of entry on Anguilla. Note: visitors travelling to Anguilla and transiting through St. Maarten are required to adhere to St. Maarten’s entry requirements.
On Sept. 23, the Kingdom of Bhutan officially re-opened its borders to international guests following the pandemic. The Himalayan nation intends to “reset” and reinforce its previous “high value, low volume” tourism strategy.
BY THE NUMBERS
Statistics Canada says Canadians made about six times more trips than a year ago. However, that number was still below July 2019 levels, with about 64% of that month’s volume. The figures include the period when random mandatory COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated travellers paused in June before resuming later in July for travellers arriving in Canada by air to the four major airports.
AIR
Lynx Air is expanding into the US with the addition of Orlando, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas to its network starting in early 2023. Orlando will be Lynx’s first US destination, with four times weekly flights taking off from Toronto starting on Jan. 27, 2023. The cross-border network will continue to expand over the following weeks, with the launch of services out of Calgary to Phoenix on Feb. 7 and Los Angeles on Feb. 16 (both 3x weekly), plus Las Vegas on Feb. 24 (4x weekly).
Increased daily to Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are meant to deepen Flair’s focus on its current routes, says the airline. The Edmonton-based carrier says it plans to expand its fleet to 30 aircraft, up from 20, by the end of next year, with planned service to 70 routes. Flair’s five-year plan is to reach 50 aircraft.
Air Canada has signed a deal to buy 30 electric-hybrid aircraft currently under development by a Swedish company. The Montreal-based carrier says the ES-30 regional aircraft, which will be able to carry 30 passengers, is expected to enter service in 2028.
DEALS
The ‘We’re Full of Ships’ campaign from TravelBrands Encore Cruises features incentive offers from top cruise lines through Oct. 12. For six-night or longer sailings in balcony staterooms and above with Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Disney, Holland America, Margaritaville at Sea, MSC, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean, travellers will receive a $50 gas gift card and a $200 air discount. And for a six-night or longer sailing in any category with Ama Waterways, Avalon Waterways, Hurtigruten, Quark Expeditions, and Silversea, travellers will receive a $100 gas gift card and a $400 air discount.
TOUR OPERATORS
Sunwing’s ‘Best of the Best’ list has returned for the 2022-23 season, featuring a curated selection of the best vacation experiences with Sunwing as determined by a combination of travel expert recommendations, star ratings and customer feedback. In all, Sunwing will be unveiling four collections of curated content, featuring 25 categories and more than 100 all inclusive resorts, destinations, and local hotspots for unforgettable travel experiences. Check it out HERE.
The Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) has unveiled a new website at cato.ca and members’ hub as part of the organization’s continued rebranding efforts. Apart from the public site, there is a robust members’ private site with chat rooms and open forums for existing and emerging issues and ongoing discussions. Members can also set up private chats with other members. Another important feature is the on-demand polling of members with real-time results.
HOTELS
The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Oct. 5, 2012, opening the doors to its Yorkville location with month-long programming consisting of exclusive offers, dining experiences, a commemorative black-tie affair, and a sweepstakes from Oct. 22 to 31 on Instagram in which $40,000 worth of prizes, including overnight stays in Dubai, London, New York, Orlando, Maui, Paris, Montreal and Whistler, and a grand prize Four Seasons Signature Sleep Set with a mattress and mattress topper, a sheet set, duvet, duvet cover set and down feather pillows.
RESORTS
Club Med Val d’Isère is undergoing a complete transformation and will reopen in December as the brand’s first Exclusive Collection (5-star) mountain resort. Located in the French Alps, the resort will provide guests with personalized service and elevated experiences including a dedicated onsite team, nightly Champagne service, and 216 brand-new spacious rooms designed with luxury fixtures and finishes. Located in the Tarentaise Valley at an altitude of 1,830 m., the authentic village is home to an internationally recognized ski mecca and will feature ski-in/ski-out access, gourmet dining, immersive and engaging childcare programs starting at age four, and a welcoming spa and yoga program.
CRUISE
Avalon Waterways will make its debut on the Douro River with a new itinerary and Suite Ship – the Avalon Alegria – in 2024. The new vessel, built exclusively to sail the Douro, will have a total of 14 Deluxe Staterooms and 37 Panorama Suites (photo), accommodating 102 guests and 33 crew members. It will sail a new, eight-day cruise that begins and ends in Porto and is filled with included “Classic,” “Discovery” and “Active” excursion choices.
MSC Cruises reports that its entire fleet has achieved ISO 21070:2017 certification for marine environmental protection. This specifies procedures for the shipboard management of waste, including handling, collection, separation, marking, treatment, and storage. It also describes the ship-to-shore interface and the delivery of waste from the ship to port reception facilities. All future ships built for MSC Cruises will receive this certification as they enter service.
INCENTIVES
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, Saint Lucia is celebrating the return of non-stop flights from Canada starting in October and November (Air Canada, WestJet and Sunwing) by offering Double Rewards and free nights for Canadian travel agents as part of its CBAYREWARD$ program. Agents will earn one free night plus up to $84 in rewards for each seven-night booking in the Deluxe Ocean view or higher room category. Bookings must be made through Oct. 31 for travel through Dec. 20 and registered at CBAYRewards.com.
EVENTS
On Nov. 22-23 at The Westin Ottawa, members of the travel trade are invited to share their voice at The Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s Tourism Congress. Themed “Reimagining Canadian Tourism,” the two-day, in-person event will host over 400 delegates from across the country, feature 11 thought-provoking sessions, and offer valuable networking opportunities. Registration is now open via TIAC’s web site.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
The Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) has named Jacqueline Sybrandy-Held as Regional Manager North America. She will oversee development and implementation of sales and branding efforts for the CTB within the North American market and is responsible for growth in tourism arrivals, management of the region’s team and provision of (statistical) management information. Sybrandy-Held was previously general manager at Blue Bay Hotel and Services.
DESTINATIONS
What does the Swiss city of St. Gallen have to do with the catwalks of Paris, London, Milan, and New York? A new exhibit tracing the development of lace from its 16th century origins to present, “Threads of Power: Lace from the Textilmuseum St. Gallen” reveals several iconic fashion designs with Swiss origins as well as new innovations in the age-old textile trade that will shape the industry’s future. The exhibit runs through Jan. 1, 2023.
In 2023, Vienna will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its World Fair in 1873, which is considered a transformative in event in its history and coming out as a global city. A series of exhibitions, concerts, and other events will mark the milestone as the Austrian capital celebrates its past, present, and future “in the spirit of great urban visions” – all conducted “in grand style.”
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1967, the transatlantic British liner “Queen Mary” docked – for the last time –at Long Beach, Ca., and became a floating hotel and museum.
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