Sounds like it’s high time to drench some much-needed sunshine onto their icy attitudes and whisk them away to a tropical paradise. Whether your clients choose to come back relaxed, come back adventurous, or come back full… They’ll unquestionably come back changed.

Limited-time savings

Save up to 40% off on South packages and up to 20% off South flights during our Come Back Changed promo. And get 3X BONBON, too!

If they only pretended to hold the doors open

At the Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana Resort & Spa, your clients won’t have to lift a finger. Except for sipping a cocktail, of course! Paint a picture for them: Basking in the lap of indulgence, surrounded by pristine beaches, while enjoying gourmet dining and lavish accommodations that will make them forget all about winter. From pampering spa treatments to lounging by the pool while the kids are busy in the water park, this resort has mastered the art of Unlimited Luxury® pampering.

If they’re wearing sunglasses to avoid eye contact

Here, they’ll want to keep those shades on even after dark! And why is that? Because your sun-starved clients won’t want to miss a moment of the dazzling show the sun puts on every evening as it sets over the Pacific. They’ll be soaking up the vibrant hues from the beach, from their private balcony, or while sipping cocktails by the saltwater pool. This intimate resort is known for its character and colonial charm, its gourmet dining, and its sunsets that are simply second to none. In fact, CC Beach Front Papagayo offers memorable moments – and a stylish excuse to wear sunglasses around the clock!

If someone’s breathing sets them off

Let’s put it this way: Hiking in Peru is like having the gym to yourself, but with way better views!

Your clients will be grateful to say goodbye to sweaty strangers on the treadmill and hello to a solo trek on some of the most breathtaking (literally) trails in Latin America. From the craggy beauty of the Andes to the quiet solitude of the Amazon jungle, the only sounds they’ll encounter are the twittering of birds and the whispering of the wind. So why not encourage them to try something a little different this year? Surely their hiking boots are still in perfect condition, awaiting their next exciting adventure.

If social media is as social as they get

Cozumel Island is where travellers can achieve their lifelong dream of being alone on an island, minus the castaway misadventures!

Whether your clients prefer to snorkel in solitude or sunbathe on the beach at Santa Pilar with only the iguanas for company, this is where peace and tranquility reign supreme. This quiet Mexican paradise is indeed their ticket to escape the crowds and revel in the blissful art of silence. All this is possible at the all-inclusive Melia Cozumel, especially with an upgrade to The Level. Not only will your clients receive personalized service, but they’ll also have access to exclusive areas. They’ll enjoy private check-in, breakfast in a members-only lounge, and private Bali beds on the beach. Complete and utter serenity guaranteed!

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

NEWS

A new joint currency will be launched this year for the Dutch Caribbean constituent countries of Curacao and St. Maarten more than a decade after they became autonomous within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Caribbean guilder will replace the Netherlands-Antillean guilder and the new currency will contain improved security features and will circulate alongside the current currency for three months after its introduction, according to a bank report. The current Netherlands-Antillean guilder will be transferrable to the new currency for a period of 30 years at an equal rate.

Bulgaria and Romania have received permission to join Europe’s passport- and visa-free Schengen Area starting in March, the governments of the two countries said. The move initially will apply only to travellers arriving by air and sea, while Austria has committed to continuing negotiations over the need for border checks when crossing from the two countries by land, Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov said.

Venice announced new limits on the size of tourist groups, the latest move to reduce the pressure of mass tourism on the popular canal city. Starting in June, groups will be limited to 25 people, or roughly half the capacity of a tourist bus.

BY THE NUMBERS

Jamaica is expecting its best winter season ever in 2023-24 with tourism minister Edmund Bartlett declaring that for the first time in the island’s history, there will be over one million stopover travellers for the season. In 2023, Bartlett said Jamaica will have welcomed more than 4.1 million visitors – an increase of 23.7% over the total number of visitors recorded in 2022.

AIR

It was back to the bargaining table last week for Air Transat and its flight attendants after the latter voted earlier in the week to reject a tentative deal with company. There are currently no strike or lock-out notices issued by either party and both say they are keen to reach a new agreement quickly.

Portuguese carrier Azores Airlines will begin flying between the Azores and the Algarve in 2024 with flights between Ponta Delgada and Faro operating twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays as of June 2.

DEALS

Silversea officially named Silver Nova during a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale Jan.  4, honouring maritime traditions to welcome the ‘Ship of Light’ to its fleet. The most environmentally conscious ultra-luxury ship ever built, the 728-guest Silver Nova strengthens Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to sustainability. Meanwhile, clients can save up to CDN$5,000 per suite ($2,500 p.p.) on a wide variety of voyages with the ‘$5,000 Reasons to Sail with Silversea Wave Season offer.’ Bookings must be made by Feb. 29.

Guests booking a 2024 cruise before Jan. 31 with Crystal will receive a complimentary suite upgrade, as well as an upgraded wardrobe valeting service with dry-cleaning and garment care also included free of charge.

TOURS

Starting April 1, Greece plans to offer exclusive guided tours of its most powerful tourist magnet – the Acropolis in Athens – outside normal opening hours. The new service will apply to a maximum four groups of up to five people each. It will cost 5,000 euros ($7,300) per group, although individuals prepared to cover the full group fee are welcome to visit on their own.

Customers holding a Eurail or Interrail pass and wanting to buy seat reservations are now able to do so via Rail Europe’s customer website. With this feature, customers can quickly determine whether an additional seat reservation purchase is required for specific journeys, and if so, the associated cost.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

Universal Orlando Resort announced the addition of two new hotel properties to the Universal Orlando hotels portfolio (image above). Co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort will each feature 750 guest rooms in the resort’s Prime Value category – bringing the total number of guest rooms across the destination to 10,500 – and are slated to open in early 2025.

HOTELS

Set to open in preview on Jan. 19, the Dew Drop Inn Hotel and Lounge, on Lasalle Street in Central City, New Orleans, will include 17 hotel rooms, a live music venue, and a resort-style pool. First opened in 1938 by Frank Painia, the Dew Drop was a hotel, music venue and barber shop. Legendary musicians played on its stage including Ray Charles, Little Richard, Deacon John, and Irma Thomas.

The French Riviera city of Cannes is now home to the very first Staybridge Suites property in the country. Staybridge Suites Cannes Centre represents the introduction of the all-suites hotel to the growing IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio in France, welcoming guests looking for a more spacious or extended stay experience.

RESORTS

Now open is Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort, an adults-only property in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

From April, Club Med will offer only offer: 1) premium, all-inclusive beach and mountain Club Med resorts and 2) Exclusive Collection spaces, resorts, yacht, villas and chalet. The last 3-Trident resorts – Club Med Serre-Chevalier, Club Med Djerba La Douce and Club Med Arcs Extrême – will transition into premium properties

CRUISE

Updated summer itineraries from MSC Cruises include an entirely new program for MSC Musica in the West Mediterranean, and an enhanced Greek Island itinerary for MSC Opera. From May 13 to Oct. 28, MSC Musica will offer seven-night sailings out of Civitavecchia for Rome to destinations in the West Mediterranean including Genoa (Italy), Cannes (France), Barcelona, Ibiza (Spain) and Cagliari (Italy) before returning to Civitavecchia. This new program has replaced the cancelled sailings that included Haifa, Israel, due to the ongoing geopolitical situation. MSC Opera’s existing seven-night sailings between May 12 and Oct. 5 have been enhanced with additional Greek Island destinations, the new itinerary includes Bari (Italy), Piraeus for Athens, Santorini, Katakolon, Corfu, and Kefalonia (Greece) before returning to Bari.

Quark Expeditions says guests will recieve complimentary Wi-Fi and alcohol on all voyages as of its Antarctic 2024/25 sailing season

FAMS & INCENTIVES

As part of its worldwide “You Belong with G Experience” campaign, agents from Canada will be invited to join G Adventures to see ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ live in Toronto this coming November. The tour company says the incentive is the biggest agent experience it has ever delivered, with top sellers from different countries around the world also heading to concerts in New Orleans and London. G’s top seller for each month earns ‘a space’ January through to July 31 based on wild card tickets to be announced in coming months. Tickets will be awarded via cumulative sales. Keep up on the initiative on G’s ‘Agents of Change’ Facebook page.

EVENTS

Mark your calendars, the next edition of the Destination France road show will roll out in four Canadian cities in February: Montreal on Feb.  19; Toronto Feb. 20; Calgary Feb. 21 and Vancouver, Feb.  22. Details to come.

 Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2024 will take place in Montego Bay, Jamaica from May 20-23, 2024. The 42nd annual show will include the return of the Caribbean Travel Forum on May 20, and the introduction of Marketplace Responsible Tourism Day on May 23, 2024.

GOOD DEEDS

Park’N Fly’s presented the Salvation Army with a busload of toys during CTV Toronto’s annual Toy Mountain segment during the network’s nightly news broadcast on Dec. 16 (photo). Major donors, sponsors, and on-air hosts attended – including a merry band of elves from Park’N Fly Toronto. Along with partners and volunteers, the Park’N Fly team spent over a month “stuffing the Park’N Fly bus” with over 800 toys. “This year’s campaign donation is our best ever and looking forward to pushing that bar in the future,” said Frank DeCesare, Park’N Fly’s VP of Sales and Marketing.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Red Label Vacations, parent company of TravelBrands and other leading retail brands, reports that it has been certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ by the reputable Great Place to Work Institute, a global authority on workplace culture, employee experience. The award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at the company. RLV president and CEO Nathalie Tanious said, “This certification reflects our ongoing dedication to creating a workplace where our employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to contribute their best. Our success is not attributed to one individual’s efforts alone; rather, it is achieved through the synergy of all of us working seamlessly in tandem, each contributing our unique strengths to the greater whole…”

DESTINATIONS

Bermuda has a couple of value offers for visitors in early 2024. The island’s 11th annual Restaurant Weeks starts Jan. 18 and continues until Feb. 29 with diverse offerings and prix-fixe menus at various price points. Meanwhile, February is Spa Month, featuring 50% off treatments at top Bermuda spas.

 Belize is all about the festivals in 2024. The annual Chocolate Festival of Belize is celebrated every year over the Commonwealth weekend in May. The event is a perfect excuse to visit the diverse southern region of Belize, namely the town of Punta Gorda. Throughout the summer, the LobsterFest of Belize is celebrated around the country, namely, including the islands of Placencia and Caye Caulker. Belize’s International Music and Food Festival is a two-day summer festival that showcases local and international musical artists, with genres ranging from Reggae, Afro-Beats, Dancehall, Soca, Punta, and Latin beats, as well as exceptional local cuisine on Belize’s biggest island. In 2024, it’ll be the third year that the destination is hosting the event.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1965, the name change of Trans-Canada Airlines to Air Canada took effect.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

And many are seizing the day, keen to be first to go to bucket-list destinations before everyone else does, says A&K.

“We are seeing more and more travellers wanting to really push the limits in 2024 and take the long-haul trips of a lifetime they’ve been dreaming about for a long time,” says, Founder and Abercrombie & Kent founder Geoffrey Kent. “Australia is back in business, while Kenya, Costa Rica and Antarctica are proving hugely popular with families. In fact, cold climates are the surprise new trend. And at the top of everyone’s wish list for 2024 is Japan.”

But as Japan’s popularity soars, savvy travellers are heading away from the bright-light-big-cities to find the ‘real Japan’ in certain lesser-known regions (more on those below). Others are looking to beat the crowds by heading to remote islands and little-visited wildernesses for truly intrepid adventures – from the deserts of the Arctic and Antarctic to the Sahara Desert in Morocco.

Here is A&K’s curated list of insights, travel trends, and 18 top destinations to watch in 2024:

EUROPE

Norway: For all the recent Scandi obsession, Norway remains the least explored of the trio. But record temperatures causing more holidaymakers to look north, it won’t stay that way for long. Many come to see the dramatic fjords and beautiful landscapes from sustainably minded, architect-designed wilderness lodges (keep an eye on the futuristic, energy positive Six Senses Svart hotel under construction), others come to tap into Norway’s trendsetting, health-boosting ice bath and sauna culture. But there are plenty of curious new attractions in its cities as well.

For a start, the tiny Arctic Circle city of Bodø (jumping off point for the Lofoten Islands) has been marked out as European Capital of Culture for 2024, which means a gamut of light festivals and land art, a Sámi theatre trilogy, and a fish-themed opera. In the capital Oslo, design hotel Sommerro (Art Deco interiors; rooftop restaurant) added its ultra-private 11-suite Villa Inkognito in April. The Munch Museum – rising, rippling in glass and aluminum on the Bjørvika waterfront – slipped in equally quietly during the pandemic, housing 26,000 of the artist’s works (including versions of his most famous, The Scream). A progressive, always-surprising Scandinavian star.

Paros, Greece: Paros is the new Cyclades sensation. Although only a short ferry ride from Mykonos or Santorini, Paros feels a million miles from the pulsating beach clubs of its neighbours. The lack of an international airport will keep it that way, although a gentle ebb of chic new hotels are drawing more in-the-know Greek island hoppers alongside the established crowd of European villa owners. Chilled-out Cosme, a 10-minute walk from the buzzy fishing harbor of Naoussa, is the sister hotel to game-changing Parilio near the sandy coves of Kolymbithres beach, while Avant Mar brought Nobu-restaurant glamour to the island this summer. Windsurfers will love the Meltemi winds that sweep across the south-east coast; culture-seekers love the arty hilltop villages and ancient monasteries. And everyone loves those spectacular, soul-soothing sunsets. For an offbeat side-trip, hop on the boat across to lo-fi Antiparos.

Slovenia: Sandwiched between the holiday honeypots of Italy and Croatia, it’s a mystery how Slovenia has remained so defiantly under-the-radar. It’s not for lack of good looks, running from the stunning Soča Valley with its vivid aquamarine river to the soaring Julian Alps and ever-so-pretty Lake Bled; while the capital of Ljubljana is pursuing a bold sustainable vision. The country’s food, too, is increasingly on the agenda: Slovenia got its own Michelin guide in 2020, and chef Ana Roš and her two-star countryside restaurant Hiša Franko remain the standard bearers for the area’s micro-local, forager-to-table cooking. This is Europe’s best-kept secret.

Paris: Paris is always a good idea – and never more so than in summer 2024, for the Olympic Games. As the French capital limbers up to light the Olympic cauldron, its hotel scene has been on a sprint of high-vaulting openings: opulent Le Grand Mazarin, all tapestry bed canopies and leopard-print upholstery; whimsical floral-filled La Fantaisie; sleek Hôtel Dame des Arts on the Left Bank; Belle-Époque-style townhouse Maison Proust in the Marais. The Seine is at the heart of Paris’s Olympic plan: for the opening ceremony flotillas will cruise through the city along the river, while triathlon swimmers are set to dive in from the ornate Pont Alexander III. There’ll also be fencing at the glass-roofed Grand Palais, beach volleyball beside the Eiffel Tower and various horsey events out at Versailles. Athletics aside, there’s news for gourmands, too: 400-year-old Paris institution La Tour d’Argent is back, dishing out its famous pressed duck with golden Seine views.

Saint Helena: Known among history buffs as the site of Napoleon’s second exile following his final defeat in 1815, Saint Helena is going to spark much wider appreciation with the release of Ridley Scott’s epic historical drama Napoleon, starring Joaquin Phoenix. Interest in Saint Helena is sure to be strong, but difficult to visit, since this is one of the most remote islands on earth, located 2,100 km west of the coast of Namibia. It boasts a population of less than 4,500 people who have been slow to embrace modern technology – cellular service was only introduced in 2015.

ASIA

Japan: The reopening of Japan to travellers at the end of 2022 saw a flurry of fresh places: glassy Tokyo hotels, creative hideouts in Kyoto and even a Totoro-filled theme park from cult-filmmaker Studio Ghibli. But for a place so associated with high-speed trains and fast-paced megacities, the most compelling way to see the country right now is on foot or by sea. The Nakasendo Way, an ancient route linking Tokyo to Kyoto, winds through mountains, little-changed post towns, bamboo forests and past waterfalls and hot springs. Walking its full length is a demanding hike, but it’s easy to pick up a shorter stretch or visit highlights along the way – come in April to catch the cherry blossoms.

Depart the southern end of the route and today’s foodie pilgrims should hotfoot it to Osaka, where street food stalls dish up takoyaki (octopus fritters) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes). From there it’s the jumping off point to the Seto Inland Sea – best seen from floating ryokan guntû, which island hops to the temples of Miyajima and art island Naoshima (home to Yayoi Kusama’s Yellow Pumpkin, James Turrell installations and Tadao Ando-designed museums). Get off the beaten track and dive deeper into the real Japan.

China: With tourist visas and regular international flights returning for the first time since the pandemic, now is the chance to see the Land of the Dragon before everyone else. Walk through time in the Forbidden City, stroll the imposing Great Wall, stand guard with the Terracotta Army. Beyond the big sights and even bigger cities, however, the Chinese countryside is being rediscovered – in part thanks to the rural nostalgia of cottage core influencers leading to a boom in antique-filled village guesthouses and mountainside design hotels. Take a bamboo raft down the Yulong River or visit a Hani village to see life unchanged for thousands of years. Asia’s most beguiling and culturally rich giant is finally back.

Vietnam: Vietnam is one of Asia’s most exciting places to eat. So, it was no surprise when Michelin finally got the memo, releasing its first guide to foodie cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in June 2023. The first four stars were dished out to fashionable fine dining spots, such as Ho Chi Minh’s Anan Saigon and its bone-marrow Wagyu beef pho or Gia in Hanoi with its in-house fermentation lab. But to sample the country’s real finger-licking food culture, take to the streets, tucking into everything from duck congee to pork skin salad.

Siem Reap: There’s much more to this lovely little town than Angkor Wat. A flourishing art and craft scene, burgeoning restaurant line-up spotlighting Khmer cooking and ever-growing gathering of design-led hotels (Angsana Siem Reap will soon become the latest) has made it a destination in its own right. One that in 2024 will become even more accessible via its new international airport (moving from the current site close to the famous temple complex). With tourists trickling back to Angkor Wat, explore lesser-known archaeological wonders such as the 12th-century temples at Banteay Chhmar, the still-being-uncovered site at Phnom Kulen or recently UNESCO-listed Koh Ker, home to Prasat Thom, Southeast Asia’s only seven-tiered pyramid.

LATIN AMERICA

Colombia: Colombia is one of the world’s rare ‘megadiverse’ countries: a staggering 10% of all the world’s flora and fauna can be found here. Look at its geography and you start to understand why; the natural contrasts are just astonishing: a dense Amazon jungle interior, coral white beaches along the Caribbean coast, isolated Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, coffee-carpeted highlands and wildly remote Guajira Peninsula, home to the Indigenous Wayuu people among salt flats and flamingo-lined lagoons. The once-troubled country is now investing heavily in sustainable travel, opening up some of these previously off-limits regions. But it’s not just about the like-nowhere-else nature – cosmopolitan cities are filled with salsa clubs and street art, shaking food and cocktail players and important social projects. The hottest spot in South America for intrepid travellers.

Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula: This big-thinking Central American nation is a pioneer of ecotourism – over a quarter of the country is now protected as national parks, marine reserves and conservation sanctuaries – and a favourite destination for those seeking high-drama, low-impact trips. With more direct flights connecting the capital San José, big brand hotels are landing at easy-to-reach Papagayo, gateway to the Nicoya Peninsula. A revamp at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo and nearby Waldorf Astoria Guanacaste both launch in 2024, with more in the works.

Meanwhile, at the remote tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, the salt-sprayed beach town of Santa Teresa is the go-to spot for surfers and yogis, and the barefoot nomads who follow in their wake. At the moment they stay in a clutch of independently owned guesthouses, where dawn kundalini sessions are mixed with beach clean-ups, surf lessons with helping with local community outreach. In March, equally progressive hotel group Habitas will land on these Pacific shores, with its plastic-free policies, farm-to-table restaurant and meditation classes. Go now, before everyone else gets there.

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST

 Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: Scientists predict that the glaciers at the top of Africa’s highest peak could disappear within the next two decades. Time is sadly running out to see Mount Kilimanjaro’s famous icefields and once-massive Furtwängler Glacier while trekking up the snow-capped volcano to its 5,895-m. peak. Would-be-climbers can do it in style, escorted by  A&K expert guides who choose the best route up the mountain, allowing time to acclimatize to the altitude during the seven-day climb. The real difference though? Little luxuries, like a cozy cot that keeps you off the ground for a good night’s sleep – after a tiring scramble up the Barranco Wall. A breathtaking, go-now adventure.

Kenya: Where it all began for Abercrombie & Kent and where Geoffrey Kent brought about the inspiration for the film The Lion King when he hosted DreamWorks cofounder Jeffrey Katzenberg on safari in the Masai Mara spot now known as Pride Rock. With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of The Lion King and the release of the new live action prequel, Mufasa, a renewed interest to the region is expected as a new generation is inspired to witness Kenya’s landscapes and wildlife for themselves.

Morocco: The travel world was shaken when an earthquake caused devastation in the High Atlas Mountains in September, its effects felt even in Marrakech’s Medina – but within days the country had pulled itself up by the bootstraps to welcome visitors again. The best way to support Morocco’s ongoing recovery is to visit, and there are plenty of fresh reasons to go in 2024. In Marrakech itself, the tremors didn’t stop a bubbling seam of exciting openings: architectural Maison Brummell Majorelle near the city’s famous botanical garden, riad Rosemary from artist Laurence Leenaert, equally art-filled retreat IZZA, blissed-out Farasha Farmhouse deep in an olive grove on the city’s fringes – as well as all-female-chef restaurant Sahbi Sahbi and hip nightspot Petanque Social Club.

The bohemian outpost of Tangier, too, is thrumming with fresh energy and new places to stay, from Jasper Conran (Villa Mabrouka) and El Fenn’s ex-GM William Smit (Villa Augustine) – don’t miss the locally-run art galleries and North Africa’s first arthouse cinema either. Resilient Morocco is still at its thrillingly creative best.

Saudi Arabia: It’s wild to think that until 2019 the only tourists to Saudi Arabia were religious pilgrims. Now, as part of the country’s Vision 2030 plan, this once-uncharted territory for travellers is marked with big-name hotels (from billowing tented camps to Red Sea resorts), ambitious cultural institutions (the first commissions in the ‘Valley of the Arts’ Wadi AlFann are to be unveiled in 2024) and futuristic developments (sustainable linear city The Line; sci-fi-esque ski resort Trojena Neom). But what is most awe-inspiring is still the most ancient: the carved tombs of Hegra deep in the AlUla desert, the towering sandstone columns of Wadi Al Disah, Jeddah’s 7th-century Al Balad neighborhood – while female guides leading the way show just how fast the country is reshaping itself to the outside world.

 AUSTRALASIA

South Australia: Kangaroo Island – Australia’s answer to the Galápagos – was wiped out by bushfires in 2019, destroying wildlife, burning habitats, and razing to the ground its pioneering luxury eco-hotel, Southern Ocean Lodge. In December, the much-loved lodge emerged from the ashes, the culmination of a miraculous nature recovery program on the island.

South Australia is as vast as it is varied: from ocean to outback; from up-close wildlife experiences and exciting wine regions (world-class Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale; emerging Adelaide Hills), to wild coastal peninsulas and a roster of brilliant art and food festivals. October’s Australian Voice referendum further highlighted the importance of connecting with the country’s Indigenous communities too.

Out in the outback of the Flinders Ranges learn about the area’s immense cultural significance to the Adnyamathanha people at Ikara – The Meeting Place, a public art space that shares their story, and explore ancient engravings at Arkaroo Rock. This is an incredible immersion in the best of Australia.

THE POLES

The North Polar: An off-the-grid alternative to all the Antarctic cruises nosing across the Drake Passage, A&K’s North Pole Expedition Cruise is its inaugural voyage to the top of the world. When it departs from Longyearbyen in Svalbard this July, eco-friendly icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot will venture far beyond the point that other Arctic cruises usually go, charting a course ever-northwards into seldom-seen sea ice to the geographic North Pole. Onboard, guests can watch as the ship cuts through the marginal ice zone, spotting blue, rorqual and beluga whales, polar bears, and high arctic gulls in the white vastness. Venture off board to hike over the ice, kayak through open leads or take an invigorating polar plunge. It’s the ultimate unexplored frontier.

Antarctica: Ernest Shackleton was an Irish-born British explorer who is best known for his expeditions to Antarctica in the early 20th century. Despite never achieving his ultimate goal of being the first to reach the South Pole, Shackleton led three major expeditions to the Antarctic region and made several groundbreaking journeys and discoveries. In 2024, it will be the 150th anniversary of Shackleton’s birth in February 1874. This milestone year honours his daring expeditions, leadership, and contributions to Antarctic exploration.

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

Curaçaoans use the word a lot, not unlike “irie” in Jamaica; they even sing songs about it, though it’s likely the only word a visitor will be able to pick out of the island’s language melange, which is made of African creole, Portuguese, Spanish, English, and, of course, the official language, Dutch.

But no matter the language, dushi captures Curaçao perfectly. Located in the Dutch Caribbean as part of the so-called “ABC” islands, which also include Aruba and Bonaire, and dropped into the Caribbean Sea about 65 km off the coast of Venezuela, Curaçao is recognized for its rich history, diverse culture, colourful architecture, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear turquoise waters – not to mention its signature Blue Curaçao liqueur.

Life on the island centres around the charming capital city Willemstadt, perhaps best described as mini-Amsterdam meets Miami in the Caribbean, and famous for its Dutch architecture seemingly inspired by Crayola; plus its street art and the massive Queen Emma pedestrian bridge that connects the two sides of the city and which uniquely swings open (rather than opens like a draw bridge), thereby leaving people (temporarily) stranded on either side during operation. (Small shuttle ferries run in the interim).

A great place to watch the theatrics and pass the time while waiting for the bridge to re-open, is along Handleskad, the face of the UNESCO-designated World Heritage City, in a St. Anna Bay waterfront café, where Dutch beer is literally sold by the bucket load. (Note: Cross the bridge for the best photo op.)

The story goes that Willemstad’s original white architecture was ordered to be coloured-up by an early governor who claimed to be going blind, only to be discovered in later years to be a principle in the island’s only paint factory.

Ruell Eisden, who leads visitors around town on Atlantis Adventures e-bike tours, laughs that the buildings are now always changing colours according to the whims of the women who reside in them.

If the exterior colours of buildings are negotiable, more focussed is the myriad street art and murals in Willemstadt, which intriguingly colour the winding streets of the historic quarter, filling space between boutique and art shops, patio-bars, coffee houses, and restaurants. Invariably featured are the island’s iconic, voluptuous chichi (older sister) figures.

Eiden calls Curaçao the most authentic – and the most “chill” – of the ABC islands, and there is nowhere better to watch Willemstad go (slowly) by than at the humble “World Best Mojito Bar,” an establishment so sublime it can afford to disregard English grammar entirely in its marquee (if not the accompanying chalkboard).

A tiny, perfect piece in an otherwise marvellous mosaic, the bar is squeezed in on pedestrian- protected Colombustraat (steps away from Wilhelminaplein square on the Punda side, where the giant Curaçao letters are).

Reportedly, one can purchase a drink and take it to go, but patrons are best to settle in at one of the small tables out front to try a “world best” mojito – the cool Cuban concoction made of rum, lime, mint, and sugar, which, when packed with ice, goes down just as well in the scorching Dutch Caribbean as it does further north.

Alcohol not your thing? Not to worry, attached to WBMB is a smoothie bar, with a seemingly endless array of fruity creations, but without the booze.

The beach

For all it’s colour and culture, what’s a Caribbean island without the beach? Fortunately, there’s close to three dozen to choose from – some tiny, some large – but most mainly sprinkled with the island’s majority Dutch tourists. Notable stretches of sand include Mambo, Cas Abao, and Playa Kenepa Grandi (also known as Grote Knip).

Another option is to head off-island (onto another island) ­– Klein (“little”) Curaçao, which is accessible via catamaran on party cruises that make a day of it, sailing and stopping for swimming, snorkelling (sometimes with friendly sea turtles if you’re lucky), and beach time on the secluded, uninhabited island. Barbecue lunch (and requisite drinks) are served, and cruisers can also hike across the desolate landscape to an abandoned “pink” lighthouse.

Count Sandals Resorts International executive chairman Adam Stewart as a Curaçao convert. Having unveiled the Jamaica-based all-inclusive chain’s 16^th Caribbean resort on the island in 2022, he’s a man who knows a thing or two about Caribbean islands.

“This island is amazing, the people are amazing,” he declared. “What you’re seeing here is about as damn good as it gets anywhere on the planet!”

Damn good, yes. Dushi? Definitely!

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

Excitement flew high on the Atlantic breeze as we stood on the top deck of Polaris, counting seconds for the meteorologist to untether the massive weather balloon. As the helium-filled bubble soared 30 kilometers into space and out of view, everyone cheered, thrilled to witness the scientific mission, synchronized with weather stations around the globe, to simultaneously launch balloons to gather crucial atmospheric data for predicting weather.

By now, we knew our Polaris cruise bestowed value beyond adventurous escapades and delicious meals. As one of Viking’s two 378-passenger expedition ships, Polaris and her identical twin, Octantis (launched months earlier in 2022), are purpose-built with Polar Class 6 technology and stabilizers to navigate through harsh icy waters in remote Arctic and Antarctic conditions. Meantime, both operate as fully equipped scientific research vessels with a 256-member crew, including about 30 scientists who happily engage passengers to participate in research along the way.

Arriving recently at Toronto Harbour to see Polaris’ jaunty prow facing the city skyline across sparkling Lake Ontario, my anticipation rose for the 16-day ‘Canada and Atlantic Coastline’ itinerary that would traverse the St. Lawrence Seaway enroute to Fort Lauderdale.

Mingling with passengers in the small cruise terminal, I was surprised to learn that several couples who hailed from Calgary, Mississauga, or Ontario towns – all who spend winters in Florida – had been inspired to book this itinerary by savvy travel advisors who recommended it as “a leisurely cruise alternative to flying south.” Two couples from New Zealand said their advisor suggested this as part of a North America tour – starting with flights to Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto “to see Niagara Falls” – that would continue inland from Fort Lauderdale.

Minutes after embarking, we were ushered to a safety briefing. An expedition crew member demonstrated the ease of donning the emergency life jacket. With its attached life preserver and protective, head-warming hood, the zip-up jacket is the most impressive emergency apparel afloat.

Home away from home at sea

On to my home at sea: Polaris staterooms run from 21 sq. m. to spacious 110. My minimalist room #3011 proved comfortable, cozy, and bright for the entire voyage. The corner seating area converts to a “Nordic balcony” with the press of a button that raises and lowers the window. A narrow observation shelf is handy for balancing a camera or supplied binoculars. Amenities include a stocked mini-fridge and Nespresso maker. The comfortable bed has fluffy goose down pillows, though hypo-allergenic bedding is available on request. The compact bathroom has heated floors and towel rail, double sink, stall shower, and Freyja toiletries.

A full-length drying closet holds expedition life preservers (lighter that emergency jackets) used for kayaks and Zodiac tours. On Arctic and Antarctic itineraries it conveniently airs out polar gear including the Viking-supplied keepsake parka, waterproof pants and loaner boots. I used it to dry small items rinsed in the sink. Incidentally, on this southern coastal route, I loved my starboard-facing location for landscape views.

Windows on the world

Exploring Viking Polaris’ six decks, it was evident the ship is architecturally crafted for viewing nature in any destination, any elements, as outdoor areas include protective. Facing forward on Deck 3, The Bow is perfect for viewing approaching ports, while The Shelter provides cover. Indoors, lofty views are visible from the panoramic Explorer’s Lounge. Overlooking the wake at aft or back-of ship, Finse Terrace seats are positioned around a lava stone fire pit. Aft views are also seen on Deck 5, from the al fresco Aquavit Terrace, or two small pools, including one with a retractable glass roof.

Interior spaces have vast windows, inviting the outdoors in. On Deck 5, Viking’s Nordic styling induces a sense of sumptuous comfort in The Living Room and The Library. Leather sofas draped with reindeer hides and Scandinavian wood chairs are artfully clustered with contemporary accents for congenial mingling. Cushy chaises piled with pillows in tactile fabrics invite serene repose for writing a journal, or reading one of Viking’s zillion books. Games tables with built-in technology promise endless fun. For all its restful environment, I imagine passengers jumping at the sight of breaching whales, grabbing cameras, and dashing to the outdoor promenade.

Lower decks showcase Viking’s dedication to enriching passengers’ environmental awareness with mindful experiential activities, and why the line is dubbed “the thinking person’s cruise.” Expedition Central has charts, maps, a model weather balloon, and computers to research the local biosphere. The Studio has life-size models of local birds to help identify species. The Lab – Polaris’ scientific research facility – is where passengers get hands-on experience analyzing specimens collected on tours.

Up on The Bow for the “Champagne sail-away” from Toronto Harbour, passengers raved about the city I take for granted. Mingling with people from Washington, New York, and Copenhagen, I learned they were among 33 who embarked in Duluth, Minnesota, for a Great Lakes cruise. Turns out, they’re on the second segment of Viking’s Longitudinal World Cruise, continuing beyond Fort Lauderdale, through the Panama Canal, along South America to the Galapagos and Chilean Fiords, enroute to Ushuaia for an Antarctica expedition.

Expedition briefing

After the CN Tower drifted from view, we headed to the first of daily briefings in The Aula. The beautiful, light-filled amphitheatre was inspired by the University of Oslo’s venue for the Nobel Peace Prize. Captain Xavier Mongin introduced the international crew including submarine pilots, kayak and Zodiac drivers, and mountain guides. They invited passengers to meet in The Hangar the next day.

Chief Scientist Dr. Brandi Revels gave our voyage environmental context when she said: “We are on the same journey as all the water in the Great Lakes that flows to the ocean. This cruise excites our scientists studying changes in the coastal biosphere. They are experts in marine biology, nuclear chemistry, meteorology, ornithology, whales, or Great Lakes ecology.”

Their ambitions include launching underwater video systems along the way to study fish migration and monitor the flow of microplastics; and gathering phytoplankton specimens to track changes in ecosystems. Interestingly, Viking partners with global research institutes, including NASA Global Cloud Watch, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) which receives atmospheric data from weather balloons. Dr. Revels said learning about nature and cultivating nature hobbies nurtures the mind.

Briefing over, passengers headed to dinner, most to buffets at World Café (for international dishes and seafood) or Mansen’s (for Scandinavian specialties). Polaris’ two restaurants require reservations. Manfredi’s serves Italian specialties, and The Restaurant, international cuisine. Tucked at a scenic window table in Manfredi’s, I relished every taste of my salad sprinkled with peanuts and pecorini cheese; fragrant porcini mushroom soup; tasty rack of lamb with truffle ragu polenta; and green tea sorbet. Dining solo, I appreciated the staff’s engaging attention, particularly the chef who greeted people at every table by name.

Thousand Islands cruising

Early next morning, beaming sunshine sparked a lively atmosphere as Polaris navigated eastward through the Thousand Islands. Passengers lining The Bow poised cameras and binoculars, ready to capture wildlife, eagles’ nests perched on trees, and flocks of sea birds nestling on shores of tiny islets. Others walked the promenade, exercised in the gym, indulged in the spa, or simply relaxed.

Along the way, a scientist detailed the importance of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River as an historic artery for exploration and trade long before Canada or the US achieved nationhood. Completed in 1959, construction of the 306-km. stretch of St. Lawrence Seaway between Montreal and Canada was considered one of the world’s most challenging engineering feats. Seven locks were built to raise vessels 75 m. from sea level at Montreal as they transit to Lake Ontario’s elevation. At its eastern point, The Seaway officially starts at Lake Erie where it links to Lake Ontario via the Welland Canal locks built in 1932. On our eastward path, the locks would lower Polaris’ elevation, starting at the US-owned Eisenhower and Snell locks enroute to five Canadian locks.

Stopping for lunch in the World Café, I found abundant choices including filet of beef, lamb chops, lobster, sea bass, pastas, salads, and tempting desserts. Figuring on tempering my appetite, I vowed to take steps instead of elevators.

Yellow submarines

 That afternoon, I visited the enclosed marina called The Hangar, eager to see the two yellow submarines, which I’d been hesitant to pre-book for excursions. My confidence revved up as 2nd Officer Submarine, Nikola Marinovic explained the submarine’s 270-degree spherical bubble virtually “disappears” as it descends, giving the six passengers seated on swivel chairs the sensation of total immersion. Standing beside the duo – named Ringo and George – Marinovic showed the submersion level when passengers board it from a Zodiac. Inspired, I ran to the excursion desk, only to make the wait list. Space was available on the SOBs, the two military-grade Special Operations Boats that seat 12 for scenic tours.

Next morning, while Captain Mongin navigated toward Trois-Rivieres, expedition photographer Molly Wallis gave tips on iPhone photography. She promised to take photos along the way, and post images on the ship’s app that passengers could download.

Viking includes guided tours in every port where possible. When Polaris berthed alongside Terrace Turcotte, passengers had various options. Active types joined kayak safaris, SOB jaunts or a rural hike. Others toured Trois Rivieres’ historic Old Town. Established in 1634 as a settlement of New France, it was strategically positioned for fur traders and explorers. Sites included Notre-Dame-du-Cap Sanctuary, the cobbled street of Ursuline Nuns, the infamous Old Prison now linked to the modern POP Gallery, and lively Rue de Forges, lined with shops and cafés.

Back on Polaris, we snacked on bowls of French-Canadian pea soup at Mamsen’s. At the daily briefing, the marine ecologist described how passengers helped deploy equipment to measure the transition of Great Lakes waters to Trois Rivieres’ marine environment. Later that evening, a lecture on Quebec City prepared us for the next day.

In Quebec City, Viking offered premium (extra cost) excursions to Montmorency Falls & Ile d’Orleans, and Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area. The included walking tour of Old Quebec City provided an excellent overview of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, plus the Saint-Louis Forts and Chateaux excavations led by engaging Parks Canada guide, Gabrielle Baltan.

Along the way, I met two, different solo passengers who became lovely ship-board friends. Both heading to Antarctica, one was on her third world cruise, the other on her eighth.

Atlantic Canada

Cruising into the Gulf of St. Lawrence next morning, we spotted the first of the string of Canada’s iconic lighthouses that lit the way for early sailors and fishermen. Lectures focused on the St. Lawrence River, third largest in North America. Historically, on the First Nations people who originally inhabited its shores, explorer Samuel de Champlain, and the evolution New France and Quebec City. Science buffs were enthralled by details and images of the river’s diverse ecosystems, its species of plants, fish, and birds.

I dedicated my afternoon to wellness in the spa, vacillating between the hot steam room, frosty snow room, and swimming against waves in the long therapeutic pool. Loving the sensation, this became part of my sea day routine.

Brilliant skies the next day enhanced thrilling jaunts around Iles-de-la-Madeleine. Actives exploring by kayaks, Zodiacs or SOBs came close to playful seals and sea birds nestled along rugged red cliffs. Others tendered to Cap-aux-Meules for a culinary hike of Belle-Anse to taste local seafood and cheese. Or enjoyed oyster tasting on a scenic tour with stops at the L’Etang-du-Nord lighthouse, famed fishermen statue, and early Acadian settlements, including precious La Verniere Church, North America’s second-oldest wood church, circa 1872-1891.

Excitement was palpable for submarine dives when Polaris anchored near Cape Breton, NS, near Canada’s oldest lighthouse guarding Fortress Louisbourg. Hopes fizzled when the sub team decided the combo of northerly winds with 1.5-metre southerly swells made boarding too risky. Instead, sub participants boarded watercraft, and returned with amazing shots of hawks and cormorants.

Submarine excitement rose again when Polaris anchored near Lunenburg, NS. When the sub team started their trial descent, they found the water too murky for visibility. Meantime, watercraft were ready, as were Lunenburg’s delightful options. The historic Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hailed as North America’s best surviving example of British colonial settlement. Eager to revisit Peggy’s Cove after many years, I joined the premium (extra cost) tour with lobster lunch. The lobster could have tasted better, but seeing the lighthouse perched on the stony cape was priceless, and I was pleased to see the new viewing platform for people with mobility issues.

Wildlife galore

Wildlife viewing was spectacular the next day, as we passed Halifax and entered the Atlantic Ocean. Pods of dolphins followed us for miles. Minke whales arched out of the ocean, and dove with flashing tails. Among flocks of seabirds, a pair of wide-winged Peregrine falcons followed Polaris. When the wide-winged male caught a small bird of prey, he perched on the ship’s rail, and squawked at nearby crew to stay away.

New York, New York

Everyone rose before dawn the next morning for the sensational approach to New York Harbour. Passengers lined The Bow in darkness – warmed by hot Baileys Cream coffees – as we passed the gleaming Statue of Liberty, entered the Hudson River, and cruised along the dazzling skyline to our Pier 88 berth in the heart of the city.

Viking’s included excursions included the 911 Memorial and Museum, the Museum of Natural History, plus an all-day complimentary shuttle. The premium “Evening City Lights” tour included a visit to the top of the Empire State Building.

Virginia and South Carolina

Leisurely sea days separated the next two ports of call. Norfolk, Virginia and Charleston, SC,  each gave wonderful opportunities for watercraft adventures, plus varieties of guided tours to historic and cultural sites, including pre-Civil War plantations.  As the world’s largest naval base and headquarters of the US Navy Atlantic fleet, Norfolk awed history buffs as we cruised past reams of massive battleships poised to deploy. Charleston charmed passengers with its elegant parks, wealth of meticulously preserved colonial architecture, and an intimate visit to a lavishly decorated antebellum mansion.

Bon voyage

By the last sea day enroute to Fort Lauderdale, Polaris’ atmosphere felt like a convivial community. As a solo cruiser, I’d met engaging couples along the way. On their first cruise, Americans Michel and Wayne Stuart – she an efficiency engineer professor, he an orthopaedic doctor who had set up medical school facilities in Peru, Tanzania, and India – told me they loved travelling to “dig deep into the culture of a place.” They “loved participating in Polaris’ science research” and “experiencing culture in places we can’t visit on our own.”

Charmian Kinner and Patrick O’Reilly – who’d met while travelling in Europe – were on their third world cruise together, this time to step on their fifth continent, Antarctica. Both active couples described “spectacular” submarine dives in the Great Lakes and planned future dives in Caribbean waters. As for the Polaris vessel itself, each couple described it as “perfect for us.” What they loved best? Polaris’ small size, casual ambience, abundant meals, and friendly crew. I agreed.

Details:

Viking’s “all inclusive” expedition cruises include dining in all buffets and restaurant; wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner only; use of all thermal spa facilities and fitness equipment; watercraft excursions by Zodiac, kayak and SOB (Special Operations Boat); and guided excursions in most ports. Submarine dives cost US$499 p.p..

Viking’s 16-day ‘Canada and Atlantic Coastline’ itinerary is a segment of the Longitudinal World Cruise that starts with a Great Lakes cruise and culminates in Ushuaia for an Antarctic expedition.

In 2024 and 2025, the 61-day Longitudinal World Cruise will depart from Milwaukee in the Great Lakes.

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

There were a billion reasons that 2023 was a great year for travel and tourism (ed note: not all listed here!). Other round-up highlights over the holidays included the return of Mexicana airline (in unique fashion), ongoing Boxing Week sales from tour companies, and the return of Disney product to the Air Canada Vacations portfolio.

NEWS

With almost a billion tourists having already travelled internationally in the first three-quarters of the year, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) says international tourism has almost completely recovered from the unprecedented crisis of COVID-19. According to data an estimated 975 million tourists travelled internationally between January and September 2023, an increase of 38% on the same months of 2022.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) has entered into agreements with several airlines for a new rebate program aimed at driving better performance and passenger experience at Canada’s busiest airport. Airlines representing approximately 90% of seats at Toronto Pearson are eligible to earn rebates by achieving certain passenger volume thresholds and meeting targets related to operational performance, including on-time departures and timely baggage delivery. The arrangement starts Jan. 1.

The US Department of Transportation is investigating possible deceptive practices in airline loyalty programs after federal lawmakers raised concerns about how companies are calculating points and rewards. DOT says it is planning “to carefully review complaints regarding loyalty programs and exercise our authority to investigate airlines for unfair and deceptive practices that hurt travellers as warranted.”

AIR

Mexico launched its army-run airline Dec. 26, when the first Mexicana airline flight took off from Mexico City bound for the Caribbean resort of Tulum. The airline’s military-run holding company now also operates about a dozen airports, hotels, trains, the country’s customs service and tourist parks.

On Dec. 21, Air Transat kicked off the 2023-2024 sun season from Moncton with its first direct flight from Moncton to Cancun. Service is weekly every Thursday, and with weekly flights to Punta Cana every Friday. In February, a weekly flight to Varadero will start, as well as flights to Orlando, now offered twice weekly. Air Transat departures to sun destinations from YQM will be offered until May 2024 this season.

An expanded international air agreement between Canada and Panama will enable Copa Airlines to increase frequencies between the countries in 2024, culminating in daily service between both Toronto and Montreal starting May 20 and 21 respectively. Increased service will to Panama City will begin in March with connections to more than 60 Central America, South America, and Caribbean destinations beyond the carrier’s hub.

Fares for new Maltese national carrier KM Malta Airlines are now on sale for flights commencing on March 31, 2024. Seventeen routes include 17 routes include Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Catania, Dusseldorf, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Lyon, Madrid, Munich,

DEALS

Sunwing is continuing Boxing Day week deals into the New Year with savings on vacations to Mexico, the Caribbean (including Cuba), Central America and the United States available when booked by Jan. 7, 2024. Customers can get up to $1,500 off per couple on vacation packages at over 200 hotels and resorts.

TravelBrands New Year offers continue across its multiple brands as follows: Sunquest ­– 10X Loyalty Rewards Points on bookings made between by January 2, 2024. Valid on hotel-only, add-ons, as well as Sunquest and TravelGenie packages; Cars – 3X Loyalty Rewards Points, a $25 gas card for every three cars booked, and three chances to win your rental back (through Jan. 3); Exotik Journeys –$200 off per couple, valid through Jan. 8; Encore Cruises – For any sailing on select cruise lines departing on or before July 31, each child will receive a US$50 Fun credit and a CDN$100 air credit (for bookings by Jan. 8). Info on www.travelbrandsaccess.com.

Travellers can save up to CDN$750 when booking the Feb. 4, 2024, departure on Collette’s 22-day “Australia & New Zealand Uncovered” Explorations tour.

HOTELS

The Omni Homestead Resort in in Hot Springs, (southwestern) Virginia (photo), has celebrated its official Grand Reopening after completing a US$150-million property-wide renovation project. Situated in the Allegheny Mountains, the 930-hectacre property is America’s first resort, with a history spanning 250 years and has hosted many US president and other dignitaries over the years. The resort’s iconic Warm Springs Pools underwent a meticulous 14-month, $4.6 million rehabilitation, preserving historic structures dating back to 1761.  

Banff’s newest hotel, Moxy Banff, is slated to open in January. Marketed as “a playful hotel brand for the young at heart,” Moxy is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 brands. Originating in Europe in 2014 with the launch of Moxy Milan, Moxy now has over 125 locations across the globe.

CRUISE

MSC Cruises continued to advance its commitment to environmental sustainability by successfully connecting MSC World Europa to shore power in the port of Valetta, Malta – the first operational shore power facility in the Mediterranean. The line says it is committed to the use of shore power wherever it is available as part of its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emission operations by 2050

Margaritaville at Sea is introducing three-night weekend sails from Palm Beach, Fla. to the Bahamas, including new “Saturdays at Sea” experiences, for August through December. Departing Friday and returning Monday, the three-night itinerary includes a full Saturday at sea, which will feature new dining, entertainment, and other experiences, such as a “Bottoms Up Party Brunch” with live music, special menus, and drinks. Other Saturday programming will include “Tropic Like It’s Hot” island night with suggested themed attire for passengers; new, complimentary dinner menu at the Fins main dining room; a “Sail Yeah” deck party; pickleball competitions; spa specials; casino promotions; and more.

TOURS

Air Canada Vacations is again offering Disney vacation packages to its portfolio with a choice of 29 resorts in Florida, California, and Hawaii, and packages that include flight, hotel, and theme park tickets.

Due to the conflict in the Middle East, Collette has announced that all travellers who were booked on departures to Israel through the June 30 will be refunded in full. The price paid for the tour, flights, and insurance will be refunded to any traveller who was booked on tour travelling during that timeframe, at the time of cancelation. Any travel advisor who booked travellers during this period will keep all advanced commissions paid from those bookings.

RESORTS

 Set to open in April, the adults-only Royalton CHIC Antigua is located on the northwest coast of Antigua on Dickinson Bay Beach, 20 minutes from the airport. The brand-new resort will feature 235 rooms and suites, seven restaurants, five bars and dining entertainment, sports and fitness facilities and The Royal Spa. Royalton Chic Antigua offers guests 15% off their stay when booking (available now) before the opening.

In 2024, RIU Hotels & Resorts will add two new hotels to its portfolio with the opening of Riu Palace Aquarelle, its seventh hotel in Jamaica and first in the Trelawny area of Jamaica. The 24-hour, all inclusive resort will open to travellers with 753 rooms and a wide gastronomic offering with a main buffet and five specialty restaurants – “Krystal” for fusion cuisine, “Napoli” serving Italian food; Kyoto, a Japanese restaurant; a steakhouse; and a Jerk station. Chicago will also be added to the RIU Plaza roster of urban hotels.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto will celebrate its official Grand Opening with Gwen Stefani performing on Friday, May 3 and Blake Shelton performing on Saturday, May 4. Both performances will take place in a new, 5,000-person theatre.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

During January, Riviera River Cruises will offer wave season discounts of up to $700 p.p. on 2024 and 2025 European river cruise departures, as well as a gift card incentive for travel advisors. A $400 p.p. discount will be available on eight-day cruises, including exclusive departures for solo travellers, and a $700 p.p. discount will be available on 11- to 15-day cruises. And for every cabin booked, travel advisors will receive a $100 gift card.

Travel Advisors who book groups on American Queen Voyages have the potential to earn 10% enhanced commission on premium shore excursions, pre- or post-stay city stays and travel insurance.

EVENTS

The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) hosts free educational webinars for registrants to address common compliance questions. New webinar dates in 2024 have been added for sessions covering advertising, disclosure and invoicing, trust accounting, and preparing the verification statement. For information, click HERE.

US Travel has revealed its cities and dates for its signature IPW travel trade conference through to the end of the decade. Following previously announced Los Angeles (May 3-7, 2024) and Chicago (June 14-18, 2025), the next shows will be held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – May 18-22, 2026; New Orleans – May 3-7, 2027; Detroit – June 10-14, 2028; Denver – May 19-23, 2029; and Anaheim, Ca. June 1-5, 2020.

DESTINATIONS

Canada’s largest food and drink celebration is returning with more restaurants than ever. Dine Out Vancouver Festival kicks off Jan. 17 for 19 days of feasting fun, showing over the city’s culinary scene through Feb. 4.

The twin-island destination of Antigua and Barbuda has revealed plans for Antigua and Barbuda Wellness Month with visitors and residents invited to immerse themselves in the destination’s enriching wellness experiences as they start anew in January. Hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Antigua and Barbuda Wellness Month offers those seeking to enhance their quality of life a selection of carefully curated activities in resorts and in local communities, ranging from wellness retreats, spa experiences, hiking trail exploration, off-shore island excursions with yoga on secluded beaches, culturally immersive experiences and healthy eating options.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1986, the first non-stop flight around the world without refuelling was completed as the airplane “Voyager” landed safely in the Mojave Desert after nine days, three minutes and 44 seconds in the air. The pilot was US Air Force Col. Dick Ruton and the co-pilot was Jeana Yeager.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

We get hundreds of news notifications and press releases every day, which means thousands each week and, well, you get the idea… That means that all the news that’s fit to print (or post these days) doesn’t always make it. Here’s a wrap for 2023 of our inbox, with some worthy news bites that we missed the first time around – and maybe you did too!

CANADA

The Montreal Holocaust Museum has started construction of its new home at 3535 Saint-Laurent Boulevard in the Plateau Mont-Royal borough. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2025, followed by an official public opening of the museum by June 2026.

The relocation and expansion project addresses growing public interest in Holocaust history and human rights. In November 2023, the museum recorded the highest number of visitors in its history.

With the closing of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023, the flag for the next Games was handed over to Canada, which will host event in 2025. The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will bring together more than 500 competitors from up to 25 nations to compete in adaptive sports, including the new winter sports: alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling, in addition to the core sports of indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.

INTERNATIONAL

The Hawaii Tourism Authority will undertake a six-month action plan for 2024 to help address the aftermath of wildfire damage including increasing visibility and call-to-action for travel to Hawaii targeting high-potential travel markets in the US and Canada.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation announced a historic achievement in tourism, with the country welcoming a record-breaking eight million annual visitors in 2023.

AIR

 Air Canada announced a partnership with the new Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) ahead of its inaugural season opener on January 1, 2024. The deal sees Air Canada become an Inaugural Premier Partner of the PWHL and Official Airline for the league’s first six teams, reflecting its deep passion for hockey and sharing the best of Canada with the world.

In late November, Emirates became the world’s first airline to operate an A380 demonstration flight using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Departing from Dubai International Airport, this historic flight underscores Emirates’ ongoing commitment to sustainable aviation practices.

Travelport launched Lufthansa Group airlines’ NDC content and servicing capabilities in the Travelport+ platform. Agents using Travelport+ will be able to easily search and compare NDC offers from the Lufthansa Group airlines, which include Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS and Air Dolomiti. Travelport also announced a renewed agreement with Virgin Atlantic.

Travel agents will soon have more ways to access to Qantas’ New Distribution Capability (NDC) content through a new portal the airline is launching in 2024. From February, the portal will give agents who may not access Qantas NDC content via an Approved Technology Partner the ability to shop, book and service flights using the capabilities of the Qantas Distribution Platform.

TOUR COMPANIES

Transat A.T. Inc. entered into a sale and purchase agreement for its 50% equity interest in the Armony Luxury Resort & Spa, Marival Collection (previously known as Rancho Banderas All Suites Resort), located near Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific coast of Mexico (the “Hotel”), to its co-shareholder, the owner of the Marival Group. The transaction in the amount of US$15.5 million is expected to close during Transat’s 2024 first quarter. The divestiture of Transat in the hotel is aligned with the Corporation’s strategic plan to refocus on its airline activities.

Intrepid Travel reported that it achieved record sales month globally in November and recorded its highest sales day in company history thanks to its annual Cyber Sale. This year’s record numbers also included the biggest day for North American sales ever, topping the previous record by 32%. Top selling destinations for North Americans included Ecuador, Morocco, Peru, Vietnam and Croatia, with Ecuador climbing a notable six spots in the rankings from last year to claim the top booked in the 2023 sale.

CRUISE

On Dec. 4, Carnival Cruise Line welcomed Carnival Jubilee (photo), its third Excel-class ship and 26^th vessel in the fleet and immediately began departures from Galveston, Texas.

Royal Caribbean International’s revealed that sports “icon” Lionel Messi will be the official Icon of Icon of the Seas, which debuts in January. The most decorated football (soccer) player in history, Messi will welcome the new ship at an exclusive naming celebration in Miami.

Viking announced it’s bringing an additional 10 Viking Longships to its river fleet in the coming years. To meet strong demand for European river voyages, eight of the new vessels will sail Viking’s popular itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, while two additional Viking Longships will join the fleet on the Seine River. The total order is also inclusive of one Viking Longship for the Seine River that was announced in February 2023. Five of the new vessels will be delivered in 2025, with the remaining five to be delivered in 2026.

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, unveiled sailings for EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II through to April 2026. The carefully curated journeys offer an array of different length sailings ranging from shorter journeys of between six to eight nights, through to longer voyages of 19 to 21 nights and offer accessible homeports such as Barcelona, Civitavecchia/ Rome, Miami, or Bridgetown. The journeys are designed to allow for a slower pace of travel, and to give travellers the opportunity to spend more time in each destination with overnight stays.

A full summer season in French Polynesia will be a first for Silversea, which opened a pre-sale on 17 voyages between April and September 2026 aboard Silver Whisper.  The ultra-luxury travel brand will operate two itineraries in rotation, offering deep immersion into 11 of some of the world’s most remote destinations in three of the region’s five archipelagos — the Society, Tuamotu, and Marquesas Islands.

Also open for booking:

• Cunard’s Alaska 2025 season, featuring roundtrip sailings from Seattle ranging from 7 to 11 nights, from June 12 until Sept 25.
• Bookings are now open for Holland America Line‘s 2025-2026 South America and Antarctica season, featuring a series of longer cruises up to 22 days aboard the Oosterdam.
• MSC World Cruise 2026 on the MSC Magnifica will include embarkation options from four European ports – Civitavecchia for Rome, Genoa (Italy), Marseille (France), and Barcelona (Spain) on Jan. 4, 5, 6 and 7, 2026 respectively. The new 119-day route will visit 47 destinations in 32 countries, with seven overnight stays and full day stays in all other calls along the way.

HOTELS & RESORTS

The Sheraton Gateway, attached to Terminal 3 at Pearson Toronto International Airport, now has day passes for guest rooms and club lounge access. Day Passes are available from 9 am to 5 p.m. and cost from $225. Club Lounge Passes are available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and cost $129.

Warwick Hotels & Resorts opened its first property in Canada. Warwick Le Crystal – Montréal features 131 rooms and suites and follows WHR’s core strategy, namely, having hotels located in the centre of commercial, cultural, and gastronomic activities of international gateway cities.

Elite Island Resorts’ first-ever loyalty program offers discounted rates and value-added perks for its regular clientele at its eight properties located in Antigua, Barbados, the Grenadines and Panama. Highlights of the program include 15% off when booked nine months or more in advance; 10% off when booked six months or more in advance; 5% for less than six months in advance; plus, the privilege of extending VIP discounts to up to two additional rooms, accommodating friends or family traveling on the same dates. Discounts applicable year-round across all room categories and resorts.

The members of Relais & Châteaux‘s World Culinary Council voted to remove eel from their own menus and are sending a call to action to the rest of the group’s 580 hotels and restaurants to do the same. The European eel, which is featured in menus all over the world – and revered in certain French, Spanish, Belgian, Dutch and Japanese culinary cultures – is considered critically endangered and features on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

Aqua-Aston Hospitality completed the shift to bulk bathroom amenities across its Hawaii properties, which has eliminated 5.5 million pieces of single-use plastic waste from its operations. The brand seeks to help further limit single-use plastic in Hawaii by providing complimentary tote bags and reusable water bottles to A-List subscribers.

The non-profit Iberostar Foundation and Planeterra have launched an ambitious program to promote community tourism initiatives by nearly a million potential travellers in 35 communities where the hotel group operates by 2030.The initiative has been piloted in Mexico and the Dominican Republic where Iberostar has 18 hotels and resorts.

Anticipated to open in 2027, the Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai will soar 44 storeys high with 160 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites in the Chinese city.

Margaritaville and Karisma Hotels & Resorts are planning an new resort under all-inclusive Island Reserve Inclusive Collection banner in Roatan, Honduras. The new-build is expected to completed in 2025.

DESTINATIONS

More than 30 years in the making, the new Louisiana Civil Rights Museum in New Orleans (image above) honours Louisiana’s unique place in the national Civil Rights movement as well as its heroes, demonstrating their impact and significance today. The museum is part of the ongoing Civil Rights Trail, which since spring 2021, has unveiled 13 markers around the state.

Located in Geneva, Switzerland, the renowned European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) inaugurated its groundbreaking Science Gateway, designed to be a visionary hub for science education and outreach. The state-of-the-art facility represents a significant milestone in scientific engagement and welcomes curious minds from the age of five and above. The attraction is open Tues-Thurs with with exhibitions and activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Better still, it’s free.

The tiny Caribbean island of Dominica is creating the world’s first marine protected area for one of earth’s largest animals: the endangered sperm whale. Nearly 800 sq. km. of royal blue waters on the western side of the island nation that serve as key nursing and feeding grounds will be designated as a reserve, the government announced.

Michelin recently recognized 26 Denver restaurants in their inaugural Colorado-based Guide. The famously anonymous MICHELIN Guide inspectors selected a diverse range of restaurants across the city that exude culinary excellence. More info about the venues is available on the Visit Denver website.

New York’s Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum has sent its Concorde supersonic jet away for a facelift. The British Airways Concorde that still holds the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing by a passenger aircraft: 2 hours, 52 minutes and 59 seconds from Heathrow to JFK. The plane will be out of commission until the spring of 2024.

More than 50 works by Hans Holbein the Younger from the Royal Collection, including drawings, paintings, and miniatures, are on display at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace in London in the largest UK exhibition of the artist’s work in over 15 years. Running through April, ‘Holbein at the Tudor Court’ brings together more than 100 objects to chart the career and legacy of the great Renaissance artist at Henry VIII’s court. At the heart of the exhibition are more than 40 of Holbein’s intimate portrait drawings of the royal family and the Tudor nobility, particularly Henry VIII.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

There’s nothing like Christmas in a castle, and this year, Windsor Castle outside London will see Christmas displays celebrating the 675th anniversary of the Order of the Garter, the oldest order of chivalry in Britain which was founded in Windsor in 1348.

A magnificent 8-metre-high Nordmann Fir tree in St George’s Hall, grown and felled nearby in Windsor Great Park, is the highlight of the Christmas display. Illuminated with 33,500 sparkling lights, it is topped by a specially commissioned Garter Star to commemorate the anniversary.

Another glistening Christmas tree decorated with smaller Garter Stars can be seen in the Crimson Drawing Room – one of the most elaborate rooms in the Castle. Part of the Semi-State Rooms created as private apartments for George IV, these rooms on the east side of the Castle are still used by members of the Royal Family for official entertaining and are open to visitors over the winter months.

In the Waterloo Chamber, the 49-metre-long dining table has been laid with porcelain from the Garter Service, featuring a design inspired by the Garter Star and the Order’s motto ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense (Shame on him who thinks evil of it)’. Three smaller trees feature decorations embroidered with the King’s cypher in a nod to the Coronation earlier this year.

Impressive garlands on the Grand Staircase greet visitors as they enter the State Apartments, while outside, festive wreaths and foliage adorn gates and lampposts in the Castle grounds.

On select dates in December, local school and community choirs will perform carols beneath the Christmas tree in St George’s Hall and families can participate in craft and activity workshops exploring how the Victorians celebrated Christmas. Christmas at the castle continues until Jan. 1, 2024.

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

TRAVELSAVERS members enjoyed an elite retreat, while in other round-up news, Trevello was cruising to success, Flight Centre embraced AI, while TDC said ‘bravo’ to 25 top agencies, and Direct Travel hosted its first-ever leisure conference.

TRAVELSAVERS

Fifty top TRAVELSAVERS’ 50 advisors were whisked away recently on an Elite Retreat with Avalon Waterways, cruising the Danube from Budapest to Vienna. The trip gave participants a chance to check out a trending destination and a popular travel style (river cruising) that is showing increasing sales.

Highlights of the trip included visiting celebrated Christmas markets, decorating their own creations at a glass factory, learning creative techniques in a painting workshop, and a Champagne reception and an exclusive evening tour of the magnificent Baroque Belvedere Palace in Vienna.

“The TRAVELSAVERS Elite Retreat is our chance to celebrate our outstanding advisors and their sales achievements,” said Jane Clementino, Sr. VP. and GM of TRAVELSAVERS Canada. “During the event, consultants gain firsthand knowledge of these destinations and travel styles, helping them continue to deliver next-level travel experiences for their clients. Our top advisors are dedicated to providing the same distinctive experiences they enjoyed on this reward trip.”

Trevello

Trevello Travel Group has introduced a new platform for advisors, Cruise Central, culminating a successful year of cruise sales, along with initiatives such as regular cruise chats, targeted marketing efforts, and specialized cruise training.

Caroline Hay, General Manager of Cruise at Trevello, says, “The roll-out of Cruise Central is a milestone event for us. It’s more than just a booking tool – it symbolizes our deep commitment to our advisors and our ambition to expand our cruise segment. This platform is customized to refine booking processes, boost cruise sales, and arm our advisors with the necessary resources to excel.”

Hay touts the platform’s user-friendly design and cutting-edge features, which integrates the offerings of over 35 cruise lines into one seamless interface. There are features for both B2B and B2C needs, customizable branding for advisors, and comprehensive management tools for team leaders, including unique functions like secondary phone fields. It’s also equipped to handle bookings for Consortia, Headquarters, and Advisor groups.

“The platform’s versatility and tailor-made options are exactly what our advisors need,” adds Hay, who notes the new tech has arrived just in time for Wave Season.

TDC

Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) has recognized 25 Marlin Travel, Affiliate, Club Voyages and Voyages en Liberté agencies with a spot on its Bravo Club Excellence list. The agencies, which have distinguished themselves by their outstanding sales performance during the 2022-23 fiscal year, will see a few of their owners take part in a celebratory cruise aboard the Seabourn Encore in the Eastern Mediterranean in June.

“Looking closely at this group of 25 deserving agencies, it’s impressive to see that the vast majority of owners are long-standing members of the TDC network, with 10, 20, 25 years, even up to 30 and 35 years of loyalty. Year after year, many of these owners find themselves in this select group,” says Karine Gagnon, General Manager of TDC. “What’s even more gratifying,” she adds, “is that new members who have joined us in the last two or three years have also earned their place in this prestigious group, testifying to the dynamism and constant renewal of our network.”

Flight Centre

The ‘AI Center of Excellence’ has been launched as a new global division of Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG), focussing on promoting, adopting, and integrating artificial intelligence technologies into the company’s corporate divisions.

The company says the Centre will strategically harness the power of AI to revolutionize FCTG’s flagship business travel divisions, Corporate Traveller and FCM, by enriching customer experiences, boosting employee productivity and more.

As part of the launch, Adrian Lopez will step into a newly created role as Head of AI for Corporate, where he will lead a dedicated team of technical experts responsible for laying out the shared corporate vision for AI within the organization. He most recently served as Global Chief Technology Officer for FCM Digital.

“In today’s ever-changing digital world, we recognize the tremendous potential with AI and ways it can transform our work,” said John Morhous, Global Chief Experience Officer of FCTG’s Corporate Brands, adding that FCTG will aim to strengthen the relationship between the human workforce and hands-on AI applications.

Direct Travel

Direct Travel advisors, management and the majority of its strategic suppliers convened in November at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile to network, learn and foster relationships. This was the first North American leisure conference for Direct Travel and the event saw over 300 attendees, with fully half from Canada.

“This has been a huge success and a real win for both our team and our suppliers,” said Stephen Smith, Sr. VP, Leisure Strategy & Marketing, adding that top partners present included Oceania, Silversea, and Allianz. “Human connection is a big part of our business, and it was great to get everyone in one place, with over 3,500 face-to-face meetings facilitated over the span of two days.” There were also professional development sessions focused on simplification, efficiency, and growth as travel advisors.

At the Awards Gala on Wednesday night, Direct Travel launched its expanded GEM recognition program which distinguishes top leisure producers. “Of the nearly 1,000 Direct advisors across North America, 130 were awarded GEM status for 2022-23 – an impressive achievement,” said Gerard Bellino, EVP Leisure at Direct Travel.

The conference wrapped with a Give Back event at Project C.U.R.E to help fill a shipping container with supplies for a medical facility in Africa. “We were so delighted to partner with A&K Philanthropy to facilitate this opportunity to help those in need. Project C.U.R.E. does some incredible work and it was so great to see everyone contributing and working together,” said Rene Schneeberger, SVP, Supplier Relations at Direct Travel, who also sits on the DEI committee.

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

Brazil’s Embratur has joined the Canadian association of tour operators (CATO), an unusual arrangement for a tourist board, but one that reflects the South American country’s keen interest in the Canadian tourism market.

And vice versa, says Embratur’s head of international marketing, Carolina Stolf, who told Travel Industry Today in a recent interview at WTM London that the number of Canadian visitors to Brazil is continuing to grow, and has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels this year.

The high watermark was 78,000 arrivals in 2014, with this year’s arrivals expected to be just short of 77,000.

And while Canadians will be subject to new visa requirements to visit Brazil starting Jan. 10, Stolf assures that the process will be available online and easy to obtain, removing difficulty in getting documents as a deterrent to interest.

Stolf says Canadian visitors to Brazil are both corporate and leisure travellers, who benefit from 10 weekly Air Canada flights from Toronto and Montreal to Sao Paulo, as well as connections through Miami. Onward flights to other cities are plentiful due to the country’s extensive domestic air network with LATAM, Gol and Azul airlines (driving in most cases is not recommended and, in some cases, not possible.)

Top destinations for Canadians, according to Stolf, are Sao Paulo (the New York of South America), Rio de Janeiro, and Manaus, capital of the country’s Amazon region.

But Stolf says Embratur is eager to promote the other areas of the country, including Salvador and the northwest, known for great beaches but also Afro Brazilian culture, including axe music.

Promoting “Afro tourism” and other aspects of Brazilian culture are part of Embratur’s “new perspective,” says Stolf, noting its synergies with community-based tourism approach, which includes the native indigenous population of the Amazon, and a focus on sustainability.

“We want to offer more than sun and beaches,” she says.

Such as the Pantanal, a natural area of wetlands and wildlife less known than the Amazon; and the “Route of Emotions” – a breathtaking 500-km tourist route that encompasses beautiful beaches of the state of Ceará, through the unique landscapes of the Lençóis Maranhenses national park (including sand dunes), and the Parnaíba river delta.

Activities along the route include kite surfing, which illustrates the opportunity for travellers to combine unique activities and experiences with the destinations they visit, says Stolf.

Travel advisors

Part of Embratur’s motive for joining CATO Is to help engage the Canadian travel trade. It follows the election of a new government in Brazil in 2023, which has led to a “new approach” to tourism, says Stolf.

“We rely on travel agents,” she says, “and we really want to keep in touch. Our message to travel agents is, ‘We want to reconnect.”

Besides its membership in CATO, Embratur will also launch a Brazil Travel Academy (available online and by app) in January.

Stolf also invites trade inquiries directly at Carolina.stolf@embratur.com.

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source