Destinations
Travel Agent Appreciation 2022 Taps Into Luxury
Travel agents who promote luxury travel may rattle some prospective clients but that doesn't mean agents shouldn't do it, Baxter Media's Wednesday Travel Agent Appreciation 2022 panel discussion was told. Chris Nowrouzi of Toronto-based FlyGTA -- which has a fleet of planes that carry people to points in southern Ontario and outside this country as well -- said during the discussion on luxury travel that many consumers become "afraid" when upscale travel is raised, fearful they'll be looking at trips with hefty price tags. But Nowrouzi said that doesn't have to be the case. "I...
Air Transat Adds Montreal To LA Flights
Air Transat has launched non-stop service to Los Angeles from Montreal, marking the start of the carrier's operations in sunny California. The first TS240 flight to Los Angeles landed on May 16, with passengers and crew greeted with excitement by the airport team. Joseph Adamo, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Transat, said: “We are thrilled to be operating this route and flying passengers to a multifaceted city that is known for its many tourist attractions, but that also represents an excellent gateway to the rest of California.” Adamo added: “The new flight shows our...
The Bahamas Accepts Purchase Offer For Grand Lucayan
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) has announced that an offer has been accepted for the purchase of Grand Lucayan, a beachfront resort located in the bustling city of Freeport. Electra America Hospitality Group (EAHG), a real estate investment firm, has entered into an agreement with Lucayan Renewal Holdings to buy the resort for $100 million. The agreement is projected to be completed by summer 2022, with renovations and construction to follow. CEO and Principal of Electra America Hospitality Group Russell Urban said the company was very...
Tourist Boards Look To Cuisine For An Edge
With the travel industry’s recovery starting to gather pace, many tourist boards are looking to differentiate themselves from rival destinations by focusing on their cuisine rather than traditional natural hot spots, cities, or coastal locations. According to GlobalData’s Ads Database, Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) for Turkey, Malta, and Indonesia have focused on their national cuisine to entice new tourists. Marketing campaigns have included glossy images and short videos covering traditional cooking methods to boost cultural appeal. The development of these...
Tapping Into Luxury At Travel Agent Appreciation 2022
It’s Day Two of Travel Agent Appreciation 2022 and today is all about luxury travel. After two years of staying close to home, Canadian travellers are looking to get away from it all and more and more of them are willing to pay top dollar to get the trip that they want. Customers are booking higher room categories, splurging on bucket list getaways and upgrading where possible, which is good news for travel advisors. Christine Hogg, the Editor of OFFSHORE – Travel At Its Finest – that’s Baxter Media’s luxury travel consumer publication – will moderate today’s panel...
Time For A Little Golf With ACTA
Believe it or not, ACTA’s Annual Ontario Golf Tournament is only 8 weeks away. The association is expecting a big turnout this year and is asking the industry to register early for this fun event as space is limited. The ACTA 32nd Annual Ontario Golf Tournament will take place on Thurs., July 14, 2022 at Royal Ontario Golf Club in Milton, Ontario. The golf tournament title sponsor is Air Canada -- with Manulife and Globus Family of Brands joining as major sponsors. Antigua and Barbuda will be featured golf destination sponsor. This year’s tournament will be a best ball format...
Talking Cruise At Travel Agent Appreciation 2022
Cruise ships that had been idled by the COVID-19 pandemic are clearly weighing their anchors these days. Baxter Media's Travel Agent Appreciation 2022 featured two Tuesday cruise panel discussions, during which participants repeatedly noted that the days of cruise ship companies having to idle their entire fleets because of the pandemic are now behind them. "All 26 of our ships are back in the water, sailing with guests...We are delivering a remarkable experience with guests on board," said Royal Caribbean's Vicki Freed. Steve Smotrys of Seabourn in turn reported that all but...
Windstar Cancels Asia, Adds Tahiti Sailings
Windstar Cruises has cancelled its scheduled cruises in Asia for fall of 2022, citing the continued uncertainty regarding ports reopening in the region. The move will affect seven scheduled itineraries on the all-suite Star Breeze, including a crossing of the Pacific from Alaska to Japan, two Grand Japan sailings, Island Hopping through Japan, Windstar Crew Hometowns: Philippines and Indonesia, Hidden Indonesia & the Great Barrier Reef, and Edge of the Outback. Instead, Star Breeze will extend its Alaska season with an additional itinerary (Alaskan Splendors) in late August,...