NEWS
Carnival Corp’s North American brands to maintain commission tiers through 2023 MIAMI — To wish travel advisors a very merry holiday season, Carnival Corporation has announced that it will maintain current commission tiers earned through 2023. The offer applies to the company’s five North American brands: Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn. All five lines had previously announced that commission tiers would be maintained through 2022. Commissions are typically commensurate with sailed booking volumes per line. With this new announcement, the five brands are ensuring that travel advisors continue to earn commission at their current rates for the next two years, without their commission percentage changing. “The Carnival Corporation family of great cruise lines stands together in our commitment to support our travel advisor partners as our industry progresses to the full return to guest service,” said Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation. “In honour of the holiday season where we take the opportunity to think about
all that we’re grateful for, I speak on behalf of each of our entire team when I say that we truly appreciate our continued partnership with the travel advisor community. “We are maintaining commission tiers through 2023 as one more way to thank them for their support over this last year, by providing peace of mind and confidence knowing their efforts will be compensated at the rate they have worked so hard to earn.”
WestJet’s new Calgary-London (Heathrow) route starts March 26, 2022 CALGARY — WestJet has more route details about its new nonstop service to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) from Calgary. Flights on the new route, first announced last month, are set to operate four times weekly starting March 26, 2022. Tickets are now available for sale. Heathrow-bound flights from Calgary will operate Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from March 26 - Oct. 28, 2022. On the return leg, flights will depart Heathrow on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, from March 27 - Oct. 29, 2022.
Katina Athanasiou is Silversea’s new Senior VP of Sales Silversea Cruises has announced Katina Athanasiou as its new Senior Vice President of Sales, effective Dec. 1. With cruise industry experience that spans 21 years, Athanasiou most recently served as Chief Sales Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line where she developed, implemented and led profitable business development strategies. At Silversea, she will report directly to Mark Conroy, Managing Director, The Americas. “I am delighted to join Silversea Cruises during this exciting period as we optimize all channels towards te company’s long-term growth,” says Athanasiou. “With its aggressive shipbuilding program and leadership position in luxury and expedition cruising, this is an incredible time for our guests and travel advisor partners. I am thrilled to return to the luxury cruise space and look forward to engaging with all internal and external stakeholders to deliver and unlock deep, meaningful experiences in luxury travel.” 16 | TRAVELWEEK | December 9, 2021
With the addition of Heathrow to WestJet’s network this spring, WestJet will connect Calgary to 77 nonstop destinations throughout the year. WestJet will also continue to offer nonstop flights between Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto and Halifax to London, Gatwick.
“We continue to strengthen our network, offering more options for business and leisure travellers and these investments will expedite our industry’s recovery while ensuring Western Canada builds back from the pandemic more connected than ever before.” “As the airline with the most flights from Alberta, this is an important recovery milestone as we forge new connections between Canada and one of the world’s most sought-after global hubs,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer. “We continue to strengthen our network, offering more options for business and leisure travellers and these investments will expedite our industry’s recovery while ensuring Western Canada builds back from the pandemic more connected than ever before,” he added. The route will operate on the airline’s 787 Dreamliner. WestJet’s 787 service features the airline’s Business Cabin including lie-flat pods, dining on demand and elevated Premium and Economy Cabin options.
SVG welcomes back Canadians TORONTO — St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has welcomed back Canadians with the resumption of nonstop flights from Toronto with Air Canada. The flight service, which kicked off Dec. 6, will operate weekly and depart Mondays onboard Air Canada’s mainline 737Max.
