As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to disrupt the world, travel entities offered condemnation, sanctions, and itinerary changes; meanwhile the Canadian travel industry last week was shaken by the bombshell news of WestJet plans to buy Sunwing and TravCorp announcing plans to consolidate operations in North America.
NEWS
WestJet and Sunwing announced on March 2 that they had reached a definitive agreement under which the WestJet Group of companies will acquire Sunwing Vacations (inclusive of SellOffVacations and Vacation Express) and Sunwing Airlines pending regulatory approval later this year. The deal will see a new tour operating business unit created under the WestJet Group, to include both Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations Inc., and will be led by Sunwing CEO Stephen Hunter.
The Travel Corporation (TTC) has announced the global reorganization of its tour brands including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold, Costsaver and Contiki, under a new division, TTC Tour Brands, which will serve as a single source for sales, marketing, and operations of the individual brands. As part of the realignment, the US and Canada will be combined to create a new North America sales and marketing region under the direction of Melissa da Silva, who is joined by Guy Young, who resumes and expands his role as Chief Trade Engagement Officer in the newly created region. In addition, two new roles have been created to support TTC Tour Brands, including an Account Manager for Canada and Vice President of National Accounts, North America (names not announced).
Despite the easing of some border protocols last week, medical professionals and travel industry group continued to demand that Ottawa end all COVID-19 border testing requirements for international travellers to Canada.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE
Canada joined the growing number of countries who announced they were closing their airspace to all Russian aircraft operators, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Canada is prohibiting the operation of Russian-owned, chartered or operated aircraft in Canadian airspace, including the airspace above Canada’s territorial waters. The closure will remain until further notice
Most cruise lines pulled Russian and Ukrainian ports from their Baltic and Black Sea cruise itineraries for the rest of the year due to the war, replacing them with other destinations.
RE-OPENING/RE-START
Large in-person events and festivals are set to return in Toronto after two years of limiting public gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 20, returning events will include Pride, Taste of the Danforth, Doors Open Toronto, Luminato, Toronto Salsa Festival, the Toronto Jazz Festival, Taste of the Danforth, and the Toronto International Film Festival.
BY THE NUMBERS
According to a new data from KAYAK, international searches for travellers wanting to come to Canada spiked in February after the announcement of eased border protocols. The US and Germany led the way with travel searches to Canada spiking 57%. Top search cities include Washington (20%), Munich (43%), San Diego (42%), Amsterdam (41%) and Hamburg (40%).
AIR
Porter Airlines’ service to Muskoka, Ont., will return June 24 and conclude Sept. 6. Service between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Muskoka Airport will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays.
Ultra-low fare airline Swoop will expand its presence in the US by adding non-stop flights to five new destinations this summer: New York, Chicago, Nashville, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. In addition, the airline will also extend its current seasonal services to San Diego, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, St. Pete-Clearwater, Orlando (Sanford) and Phoenix (Mesa) into the summer season. In total Swoop will serve 11 US destinations from its three main Canadian bases in Toronto, Hamilton, and Edmonton.
Lynx Air has announced the addition of Victoria, BC to its growing network and the expansion of its presence in Toronto and Winnipeg. The new gateway expands the ULCC’s network to six Canadian cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Kelowna, and Victoria. Passengers will now be able to fly between Winnipeg and Toronto twice weekly starting May 5, and on May 12 between Calgary and Victoria two times a week, increasing to thrice-weekly service on June 22.
RESORTS
Set to open in late 2022, Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, in Punta Mita, Mexico (photo) will offer a collection of 15 luxury tents nestled in the lush forests of the Riviera Nayarit with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Inspired by the idea of naturaleza viva, or “live naturally,” guests will be matched with a personal guide to create a bespoke itinerary based on their specific needs and desires, choosing from a range of experiences, or simply relaxing in their beautiful surroundings. The design aesthetic features butterfly-inspired guest tents perched on hillsides, each with private pools and expansive decks, and many with outdoor gardens. The resort – an expansion of Four Seasons Punta Mita – is located less than hour’s drive from Puerto Vallarta.
HOTELS
Cambria Hotels made its official debut in the Bluegrass State with the grand opening of the Cambria Hotel Louisville Downtown-Whiskey Row. Situated in the vibrant entertainment district of downtown Louisville at 120 South Floyd St., six-storey, 128-room property is close to Whiskey Row – once the epicentre of the Kentucky Bourbon industry and now home to a myriad of local restaurants and bars – and other attractions.
Westin Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its footprint in India with the opening of The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake. Embracing the brand’s foundational pillars of Eat Well, Move Well and Sleep Well, the hotel features signature brand programs that empower guest to regain control and maintain their holistic well-being while they are on the road. Set on the scenic shore of Lake Powai in Mumbai, the hotel features 600 guestrooms with spectacular views of the Hiranandani skyline overlooking the lake.
TOURS
In celebration of International Women’s Day (March 8), Insight Vacations is launching a new 10-day itinerary, “Inspiring Iceland, A Women’s-Only Tour” as part of its Wander Women series of journeys created for women, by women. The trip will take place in July 2023 offering immersive experiences curated to the interests of female clients, departing from Reykjavik and including visits to the plains of Thingellvir, black sand beaches, glacier lakes, waterfalls and floating thermal pools.
CRUISE
Holland America Line is modifying six cruise itineraries that were originally scheduled to visit Russian ports this year. Replacement ports vary by itinerary, and the five sailings that would have visited St. Petersburg, Russia, will instead call on Baltic ports such as Riga, Latvia; Klaipeda, Lithuania; and Visby, Sweden, while also adding an overnight stay in Stockholm, Sweden. The cruise that was scheduled to visit Vladivostok, Russia, will instead visit Busan (Pusan), South Korea. The cruise line says booked guests and their travel advisors will receive notice of the changes as soon as the process is complete.
DEALS
The new ‘More to Love’ sale from AmaWaterways celebrates the start of the luxury cruise line’s 2022 sailing season in Europe. Available for new FIT reservations on over 60 cruises departing between March and the end of December, seven-night itineraries include French balcony stateroom, round-trip airfare, transfers, a pre- or post-cruise land package, port charges and Travel Waiver Plus, start at US$5,499 p.p. Two alternative packages are also available for clients that may have their own air or land arrangements.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will open to the general public on March 11. The much-anticipated roller coaster is the world’s fastest and steepest hybrid coaster and North America’s tallest hybrid coaster.
Disney Vacation Club announced that the new villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at Walt Disney World Resort will go on sale to the public on March 31. The expansion of The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa includes 200 proposed resort studios, a Disney Vacation Club room type unique to this property. The proposed new resort studio accommodations, which are expected to open in late June 2022, feature 1890s Victorian style on the Seven Seas Lagoon, a stroll away from Magic Kingdom Park in the heart of Walt Disney World Resort. Existing deluxe studios, one- and two-bedroom villas, and spacious three-bedroom grand villas have also been enhanced.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Travel agents can earn double STAR Agent Reward Points on all sun package bookings made during Sunwing’s March Madness Sale, on until March 13 (for travel by Oct. 31).
EVENTS
Travel trade partners are invited to save the dates June 8-10 for the return of Showcase Antigua and Barbuda, hosted by the Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association, in collaboration with the islands’ tourism authority. The 7th installment of the travel trade business-to-business destination event takes place after a two-year pandemic pause, focussing on one-on-one meetings with Tourism related businesses, but also presenting the destination’s offerings of Culture & Heritage, Wellness, Romance, as well as Yachting & Sailing. More details are to come.
Caribbean Travel Marketplace, the region’s largest travel trade event, is set to take place in person in Puerto Rico Oct. 3-5. Hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the 40th annual event is typically held in January, and this year had been set to take place in spring.
EDUCATION
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has added a new 2022 course to Uniworld University, the brand’s online travel advisor education program. The course, titled New for 2022, will give advisors a sense of what their clients can expect onboard Uniworld cruises this year. After completing the course, advisors will receive a special discounted rate of up to 60% off 2022 cruises. Register for the course HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Unique Vacations Canada announced the promotion of C.J. Smith to Director of Sales. An indispensable member of the Canadian sales team for Sandals and Beaches Resorts since 2008, Smith was most recently Senior National Sales Manager.
Canadian travel industry pioneer Ron Harding died Feb. 28, 2022, at the age of 84 at Collingwood, Ont., hospital after an accident at his home. In 1966, Harding and business partner Terry Whalen, began a tour operation aptly named Great Places, which subsequently led to a long, distinguished career at Sunquest.
DESTINATIONS
The Government of The Bahamas has relaxed its after-arrival COVID-19 testing mandate, as a result of declining cases and international protocol adjustments.
Effective immediately, all persons travelling to The Bahamas are no longer required to take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test on the fifth day of travel regardless of vaccination status. However, visitors must follow the COVID testing requirements for return to their respective countries. Pre-arrival testing protocols still apply.
The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) has launched a new voluntourism program for visitors seeking to engage with the local community and culture while making a tangible impact. Opportunities are available year-round in Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique, in a variety of sectors, such as agriculture, environment, education, and health. More details HERE.
Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com