FIRE, FIRE, GO AWAY
Tourism industry struggles with perception the whole country is burning
Remember SARS? When misleading news coverage by CNN and other media seemingly convinced the entire world that the entire city of Toronto, and Canada by extension, in 2003 was afflicted and warranted aversion by travellers. Now it’s western wildfires. MORE
COLLETTE COMES CALLING
Tour op in Toronto for gala trade event
Having operated for 106 years, Collette has stuck it’s toe into Canadian waters on plenty of occasions. But Wednesday’s visit seemed special as the Rhode Island-based tour operator gathered with close to 100 key members of the travel trade members in Toronto for the first time since the pandemic, and to be formally introduced to the company’s new CEO Jaclyn Leibl-Cote. MORE
FIRE AND ICE
WestJet inaugurates Iceland service
WestJet celebrated the takeoff of service between Calgary and Reykjavik (Keflavik) Thursday, adding another option from Western Canada and the airline’s hub to Europe. Flights will operate four times weekly through Oct. 13 on 737 MAX aircraft, departing Calgary at 8:25 a.m. MORE
NOT IF BUT WHEN
Forecasters say hurricane will hit Florida
With the start of the hurricane season less than a month away and 2024 expected to be busier than average, US officials who predict, prepare for, and respond to natural disasters have a message: It’s not a matter of if a hurricane will hit Florida, but when. Even for those not on the coast, the officials said people need to know the potential danger hurricanes pose, such as flooding; and put together an emergency plan that includes a supply kit. MORE
CRUISE CONTROL
Can victory be snatched from Great Lakes defeat?
Here we go again. Cruise entrepreneur John Waggoner is reported to be relaunching Victory Cruise Lines to start cruising the Great Lakes in 2025. He scooped up two 190-passenger ships that have come and gone a number of times from the lakes over the past couple of decades in an auction of the assets of the bankrupt American Queen Voyages. MORE
AN UTTERLY BRAINLESS EXERCISE
Where to go when the zombies take over
If you don’t survive the zombie apocalypse you can’t gamble, we suppose. With this evidently in mind, the good folks at CasinoHunters have curated a list of which Canadian provinces we should travel to (or not) to survive such an occurrence were it to happen in 2024. MORE
LISTENING IN
‘Love Shack’ with an terrific Ted Lasso twist
Of all the covers of “Love Shack” one might expect, a version by Brendan Hunt and Hannah Waddingham wouldn’t be among them. That’s because (for the uninitiated) the duo are better known as the beloved characters Coach Beard and Rebecca from the Ted Lasso TV show. But don’t be dissuaded, the talented pair absolutely nail the B52s’ classic. MORE
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THE END OF REVENGE
Canadians shift to reflective, meaningful travel in 2024
If 2023 was the year for “revenge travel,” then 2024 is shaping up to be the year for intentional exploration. A recent Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) survey conducted by YouGov reveals that 61% of Canadians are planning to pack their bags within the next year – but this time with a purpose. Canadians are trading impulsive getaways for mindful travel choices, seeking meaningful experiences that align with their values, aspirations – and tighter budgets. MORE
LIVING THE DREAM
WestJet rides 787s to more overseas routes
WestJet has announced enhancements to its winter 787 schedule, including expanded year-round service between Calgary and Tokyo, as well as increased daily flights between Calgary and Paris Charles-de-Gaulle International (CDG) and London Heathrow International (LHR) Airports. The airline is also enhancing its presence on popular leisure routes with service between Canada, Mexico, and Hawaii. MORE
ON THE ROAD TO OMAN
Club Med plans first Middle East resort
All-inclusive pioneer Club Med is planning its first property in the Middle East: Club Med Musandam, a luxurious beach resort set to open in 2028 in Oman. The 300-room, Exclusive Collection resort will incorporate the culture of Oman in its design, entertainment, food & beverage, and provide guests with access to a private beach with incredible scenery. MORE
WILD AT HEART
Irish touring route thriving 10 years on
Offering cinematic beauty, off-the-beaten-track experiences and transcendently beautiful coastal scenery, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way – the world's longest-defined coastal touring route – has been one of the island of Ireland's most successful tourism stories. MORE
Royalton CHIC Antigua has officially opened its doors, marking a new all-inclusive addition to the Blue Diamond Resorts’ portfolio. Featuring 225 rooms, the brand’s first property on the island designed exclusively for adults also notably introduces the innovative ‘Party Your Way’ concept. MORE
EMIRATES FLYING HIGH AFTER PANDEMIC
Emirates has announced record profits of US$4.7 billion for 2023 as the airline fully took flight after the turbulent years of the coronavirus pandemic disrupted its operations. The airline carried 51.9 million passengers in its 2023 financial year, as compared to 43.6 million the year prior. MORE
DIGITAL DIGEST
How to go beyond Google with AI search sites (and is it worth it?)
It’s not just you. A lot of people think Google searches are getting worse. And the rise of generative AI chatbots is giving people new and different ways to look up information. While Google has been the one-stop shop for decades – after all, we commonly call searches “googling” – its longtime dominance has attracted a flood of sponsored or spammy links and junk content fueled by “search engine optimization” techniques. That pushes down genuinely useful results. MORE