Destinations
Canadian Agents Invited To Take 10 With Sandals
Sandals Resorts is launching a new series of live, virtual training sessions that will debut on Fri., Sept. 17, 2021 with its highly-anticipated new resort in Curaçao (opening April 2022) as the first featured topic. Created exclusively for the Canadian market, “Sandals and Beaches Resorts….in 10 Minutes” will be led by Lorna Richards, national training manager, Unique Vacations Canada Inc. Travel advisors from across the country are invited to join her as she tackles a different subject every Friday in just 10 minutes – and no, that’s not a typo! Maureen Barnes-Smith,...
Air Transat Ups Lift On Key Routes
Air Transat is ramping up its flight schedule in the next couple of months in order to meet the sustained demand from travellers. The company intends to increase its overall capacity on certain routes, improving its international offering from Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto as well as its domestic program. Joseph Adamo, Transat's chief sales and marketing officer, said that: “Last July, we resumed operations in a gradual manner, stating that we would study the evolution of demand very closely. As anticipated, the latent demand for travel is there, which now allows us to expand...
ACTA Panels Talk Trends And More At Summit
ACTA has released details of some of the panels that will be featured at its upcoming virtual Summit, set for Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. The association’s president, Wendy Paradis will facilitate panel discussions with travel industry leaders and focus on anticipated trends and challenges that they should pay attention to and what key opportunities and actions currently exist for action in rebuilding the industry to be better than ever. Flemming Friisdahl, president and founder at The Travel Agent Next Door, will lead a panel of travel agents who will explore why there has never been a...
Air Canada Expands Travel Ready Hub
Air Canada has unveiled its expanded Travel Ready hub, an interactive online tool to help customers plan and prepare for upcoming trips. Customers can use it to easily and conveniently obtain such information as necessary travel documentation, COVID-19 test requirements and country travel restrictions for any global destination. Lucie Guillemette, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Air Canada, said: “We continue to develop practical solutions to help our customers be travel-ready, wherever they want to go. This includes assisting them in navigating the changing...
Take A Walk With Helping Hands
Take a walk with the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation (HHJF) on Sept. 26 in Toronto. HHJF is gearing up to safely welcome approximately 50 of its supporters to participate in its annual 5KM physically distanced walk - Jam-walk just before September ends. The outdoor tented Courtyard Patio of Toronto’s Palais Royale will once again provide the backdrop for participants who attend within their social bubbles to enjoy the outdoors and stroll along the Lakeshore. To participate, individuals must fundraise online to support HHJF’s goal of building its 24th school in Jamaica which...
The 2021 Air Canada Race In Switzerland Signals Hope For The Industry
Although there have been multiple Air Canada Races held since its inception in 2006, arguably the most monumental is the 2021 edition which just wrapped up in Switzerland from August 28-Sept. 2. The competition signalled a restart of travel as it marked the first international trip for the majority of the 36 travel advisors who participated since the pandemic had a detrimental impact on the industry. “While this is the eighth Air Canada Race, this particular one is very special in my view,” Lisa Pierce, Vice President, Canada & USA Sales at Air Canada, told Canadian Travel...
Explore Costa Rica With Star Clippers
Beginning in November 2022, Star Clippers’ tall ships will be setting a course to Costa Rica, featuring ports of call along the Pacific coast as well as in Nicaragua and Panama. And for passengers who book their Costa Rican sailing now, Star Clippers is offering an air credit discount of $1,200 off per cabin on select seven night sailings departing November 2022 through March 2023. The discount is based on double occupancy cabins and sailings must be booked by Sept. 20, 2021. Offer is valid for residents of North, Central and South America only. Star Clippers offers sailings...
Restaurants Canada Wants To Hear About Support
Restaurants Canada is calling for sector-specific commitments from all parties seeking to form the next federal government to return foodservice employment to pre-pandemic levels and prevent a long-term labour crisis. According to the latest Restaurants Canada survey: 80% of respondents said they were finding it difficult to hire back-of-house staff and 67% were having trouble filling front-of-house positions. 42% of respondents said they expect the number of unfilled positions in their establishments to increase over the next year, while 38% said they are unsure if the number...