Destinations
American Airlines Celebrating 80 To Canada
American Airlines is celebrating 80 years of service to Canada. The airline’s first-ever international passenger flight operated from Buffalo, New York, to Toronto, Canada. The aircraft operating this historic flight was a Douglas DC-3 aircraft with 21 customers onboard. Eighty years later, and despite the toughest year on record for the aviation industry due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), Canada remains an integral part of American's international network. The carrier has provided critical service during the pandemic from four airports: Calgary (YYC), Montreal (YUL), Toronto...
Sailing Into The Comeback
“It’s a whole new world right now,” says Ealeen Wong, Director, Strategy and Business Development at Expedia Group. “The great news is with pent up demand for travel like never before people are eager to make up for missed moments.” In fact, the travel company is witnessing a surge of interest that’s translating into longer trips, booking upgrades and more diverse destinations across the board. “At Expedia Cruises, we’ve seen a shift towards higher spend per cabin and modern trips. In Q1 of this year we saw the average length of a booking jump up from nine to 11...
It’s Time For New York City
NYC & Company has launched the first phase of “It’s Time for New York City,” and is billing it as the largest-ever, multi-phased global tourism marketing and advertising campaign to promote New York City. The $30 million tourism recovery campaign is being rolled out as restrictions are lifted, more people are vaccinated and as travel resumes in the United States and beyond. The new investment is made possible through American Rescue Plan Act funds secured and awarded by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Mayor Bill de Blasio. “It’s Time for New York...
Pent Up Demand Is There, But Industry Still Faces Hurdles
The president of TripCentral.ca is warning that there are still dark days ahead for a travel industry that's already been badly battered by the coronavirus pandemic. Richard Vanderlubbe told a recent Discover America Canada webinar that the federal government is preparing to wind down subsidies for businesses that have been struggling during the pandemic, subsidies many businesses say they've needed to stay afloat financially. The travel industry is “coming into a very ominous period,” Vanderlubbe said. Vanderlubbe also said that “there are a lot of good people leaving”...
Islands Of Tahiti Say Welcome Back To Canadians
The Islands of Tahiti has designated Canada as a Green Zone, meaning that Canadians are now being welcomed in the destination. And beginning July 5, Canadian travellers are exempt from quarantine to enter / re-enter Canada if vaccinated (though do need to test and upload their vaccination card to ArriveCAN app). The Islands of Tahiti’s requirements for vaccinated travellers include: * The registration receipt from the ETIS* platform (please complete this application 30-6 days prior to departure) * A negative laboratory RT-PCR test performed less than 72h before...
Air Canada Has A Solution
Air Canada is launching a trial of a new digital solution available through its mobile app for customers to securely scan, upload and verify their COVID-19 test results. The new app will help travellers conveniently validate compliance with government health travel requirements prior to arriving at the airport. Air Canada developed the new solution with the support of Amadeus and it will initially be available beginning June 29 for flights from Frankfurt to Toronto and Montreal. The carrier plans to roll-out the solution across its network later this summer pending results of the...
Ontario Extends Support Grant Deadline
The Ontario Government has extended the application deadline for the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant until July 9, 2021. That grant provides one-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses in the tourism and travel sector. To be eligible for this grant, your business: Did not receive the Ontario Small Business Support Grant Operates a tourism or travel business in Ontario that: opened before 2021 was still in operation on April 30, 2021 Had 99 or fewer employees on April 30, 2021. Has experienced a revenue decline...
Swoop Adds Vegas, Puerto Vallarta Lift From Victoria
Swoop is launching non-stop service from Victoria, B.C. to Las Vegas and Puerto Vallarta. The carrier, as part of its commitment to supporting the economic recovery of the Greater Victoria Region with access to affordable air travel, is already offering point-to-point service to Toronto and Edmonton and will now provide sun-Vancouver Islanders two new destinations to explore this winter. Bert van der Stege, Head of Commercial and Finance, Swoop, said that: “The introduction of Las Vegas and Puerto Vallarta are the perfect additions to our route offerings from Victoria for those...