Destinations
Open To The World
Greater Moncton International Airport reports that once again in 2013, it saw "healthy increases" in its passenger traffic. In 2013, the number of passengers at the airport rose to 647,682, a 5.3% increase over 2012 (615,085) and a nearly 12% increase over 2011 (579,329). These customers flew on the GMIA's main airline partners, including Air Canada Express, the airline offering the most frequency from Greater Moncton, as well as Porter, WestJet and United. A significant increase was also noticed coming from chartered aircraft (Flair and Canadian North) transporting mobile workers...
Going For The Gold
The Royal Canadian Air Force Flyers hockey team were the underdogs at the 1948 Winter Olympic Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and went on to win the Gold Medal. A jersey belonging to a member of this team will be on display in the Lobby of the Canadian War Museum starting today until March 16, 2014. Many of the RCAF Flyers were veterans of the Second World War, which had ended less than three years earlier. Formed at the last minute with 17 Air Force and ex-Air Force players, the team lost several exhibition games and was not expected to do well in the medal competitions. Defying the...
A Trade Dynamo
"Travel continues to be a trade dynamo. Travel exports increased by $0.7 billion to $15.9 billion in December 2013 -- an 11.8% increase from December 2012. The monthly increase was the largest since February 2012, and the largest December increase in the past 20 years," observed David Huether, senior vice-president of research and economics at the U.S. Travel Association, in providing analysis on newly released US Commerce Department figures for the December U.S. trade balance. Huether noted that: "The travel industry's trade surplus -- the third-largest of any industry -- was 8.5%...
Mexico Has Karisma
Karisma Hotels & Resorts reports that Generations Riviera Maya is now open. The latest addition to the newly launched Generations Resorts by Karisma brand, Generations Riviera Maya features 144 all-suite oceanfront accommodations -- the largest in the Riviera Maya at 1,200 square feet -- with unlimited butler service and personal attention, an Eko Kid's Club and Baby Beach Lounges, and swim-up infinity suites up from the first to fourth floors. As part of the Gourmet Inclusive concept, Generations Riviera Maya includes gourmet a la carte meals at its four beachfront restaurants and...
Interlining To Israel
A new interline agreement between Porter Airlines and EL AL Israel Airlines will provide new options for travel between Canada and Israel. The new deal takes advantage of the airlines' joint operations at Newark Liberty International Airport's Terminal B as a connecting point between Tel Aviv and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Numerous additional Canadian destinations are accessible via Toronto City. Itineraries can be purchased immediately through EL AL at http://www.elal.co.il , by calling 1-800-223-6700, or contacting your travel agent. Travellers can check baggage through to their...
Niagara’s Legend Sails On
Despite harsh winter weather conditions, Hornblower Niagara Cruises has completed assembly on half of its fleet in preparation for the tour operator's inaugural spring launch. At its dock on the Niagara River, Hornblower has assembled one of the two catamarans that will ferry visitors to the base of the Horseshoe Falls for a unique view from the base of the Niagara Falls. The second catamaran will complete assembly in the next two weeks before undergoing final preparations for the official launch. Terry MacRae, CEO and president of Hornblower, said that: "While battling record cold...
It’s The Last Day To Vote
Voting for the Product of the Year Award for Destination France 2014 will close at 6 pm on Feb. 12, 2014. The award will honour a tour operator programming innovative tours in France and featuring creative product. Travel agents are invited to vote for the Product of the Year Award and enter for the chance to win a bag from Le Tanneur Air France by visiting Destination France's website at http://www.destinationfrance.ca . The winner of Product of the Year Award (Canada) will be announced at an Awards Ceremony during the Destination France evening event in Toronto, Wed., Feb. 26,...
Back Where It Belongs
According to the latest US Department of Labour figures, the US travel industry has returned to its pre-Great Recession employment level, while most of the US economy continues to struggle to reach that mark. With an addition of 7,000 travel jobs in January, plus a substantial upward revision of previous data, the new labour report reveals that the travel industry actually reached the milestone in October, and now stands 11% above the pre-recession employment peak of February 2008. Since the recovery began, the travel industry has added jobs at a rate 19% faster than the rest of the...