Airlines
Sunwing Transforming Its Digital Presence
Sunwing has launched its re-platform for Sunwing.ca as part of its ongoing commitment to offering frictionless vacation experiences. The tour operator has used the past year as an opportunity to reimagine and transform its digital technology, and the website re-platform is just one of numerous technological advancements that will help elevate the customer and agent experience. The re-platform of the site took several months to complete and provides a faster and more dynamic digital experience from start to finish. Samantha Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer of Sunwing Travel Group,...
Air North Says Thanks To Agents
To celebrate Travel Agent Week, Air North will be giving one lucky travel agent a trip to the Yukon. The winner and a guest will fly round-trip from anywhere on Air North’s route network to Whitehorse, Yukon. Denis Parry, Air North’s Director of Tour, Agency & Group Sales explained what had inspired the contest: “The past year has been a very difficult one for all of us, as we have watched our industry experience immense setbacks in all the facets of travel and tourism. We want to give our partners and friends in the travel trade community something to look forward to as...
UNWTO, IATA Collaborate On Destination Tracker
In preparation for the restart of international travel, the UNWTO and IATA have unveiled details of a Destination Tracker. The new tracker is part the joint efforts of both organizations and has been developed to boost confidence and accelerate recovery of the tourism sector when borders reopen. The UNWTO-IATA Destination Tracker is a new free online tool for governments to provide information on COVID-19 requirements for travel and the measures in place at the destination. Available through the websites of both organizations, the tool provides information on: COVID-19...
Get (Travel) Revenge
As the travel industry begins to start up after essentially 13 months on pause, many travel advisors are witnessing another turning point with the resurgence of bookings and inquiries. Travel Courier caught up with several members of the trade to understand why they are optimistic about the future, get the scoop on some of their forward-thinking strategies, learn about their shift to charging professional fees and how they’re priming up for revenge travel. Hear from Ashley Doell, a travel consultant with TPI, Lindsay Schile with CM Travel, and Air Canada’s Executive Vice...
Sunwing Back In London In 2021-2022
Sunwing will be returning to London International Airport for the 2021-2022 season, beginning Dec. 15, 2021 until April 20, 2022, with weekly flights to Cancun, Punta Cana and Varadero. Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations for Sunwing Travel Group, said: “We’re delighted to be returning to London International Airport for the 15th year. Now more than ever, our customers value the ease and convenience of being able to depart from their regional airport, and we’re pleased to be offering London residents frictionless vacation experiences under our wing.” The flight...
Canada Puts 30-Day Ban On India, Pakistan Flights
Canada has suspended flights from India and Pakistan for the next 30 days. The suspension took effect at 11:30 pm on Thurs., April 22. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra made the announcement, pointing to the rapidly rising number of COVID-19 cases and the emergence of a new mutation of the virus. He also emphasized that now is not the time for Canadians to travel as the rules for travel can change at any time. All direct commercial and private jet flights to Canada will be banned for the next 30 days and Minister Alghabra said that passengers who travel to Canada by connecting...
IATA Partners With Unilabs
IATA and Unilabs have signed a deal that will incorporate Unilabs’ worldwide COVID-19 testing network into IATA Travel Pass. The agreement will make Unilabs one of the first major lab groups to be integrated into IATA’s Travel Pass app. Proof of a negative Covid-19 test is required by many governments as a condition of entry, and the app makes the process seamless, secure, and easy. Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, pointed out that: “COVID-19 testing will play a role in re-starting international travel. Travellers will need to understand test requirements, locate labs,...
Government Restrictions Continue To Dampen Demand
IATA is projecting net airline industry losses of $47.7 billion in 2021 (net profit margin of -10.4%); which is an improvement on the estimated net industry loss of $126.4 billion in 2020 (net profit margin of -33.9%). Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said that: “This crisis is longer and deeper than anyone could have expected. Losses will be reduced from 2020, but the pain of the crisis increases. There is optimism in domestic markets where aviation’s hallmark resilience is demonstrated by rebounds in markets without internal travel restrictions.” But Walsh points...