Canada’s Travel Trade News April 8, 2021 travelweek.ca
No deal Can Transat survive on its own without Air Canada?
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Can Transat survive without Air Canada? “The short answer is yes,” says aviation expert by Cindy Sosroutomo TORONTO — As with most travel news this past year, the termination of the planned merger between Air Canada and Transat came as a huge shock to the industry, despite warning signs in recent weeks that something was amiss. Both companies came to a mutual agreement last week to terminate the agreement after the European Commission (EC) – the final say in the regulatory process – indicated that it would not be giving it its stamp of approval due to competition concerns on transatlantic routes. This comes just a few weeks after Transat chief executive Jean-Marc Eustache announced that the Montreal-based company was working on securing financing in case the Air Canada deal fell through, a foretelling sign of what was to come. Despite the Government of Canada’s support of Air Canada’s $190 million takeover bid (it had previously granted approval on Feb. 12), the deal is now dead in the water without the EC’s go ahead. Air Canada has agreed to pay Transat a one-time termination fee of $12.5 million but beyond that, what’s next for Transat? Like all airlines, it has seen its profits plummet during the pandemic, with 2020 Q4 results showing just $28.4 million in revenues, a massive 95.9% decline ($664.8 million) compared with 2019. Plus, the federal government has yet to provide any details about its “package of assistance” for Canadian airlines, which was first announced on Nov. 8 by then Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau. Air Canada and Transat were steadfast in their desire to get the deal done. Transat rebuffed an offer from Group Mach in July 2019 and recommended that its shareholders support Air Canada’s offer. So now, without the deal, the question remains: can Transat survive this latest setback? The short answer, says one aviation expert, is yes. “Transat will need some bridging cash as well as some restructuring capital,” says John Gradek, Faculty Lecturer and Coordinator of McGill’s Aviation Management Program and member of the Transportation Appeal Tribunal
of Canada. “Estimates put bridging cash at $500 million from the federal government as well as $150 million in equity infusion to purchase the outstanding shares and replace the Board. Once done, the work begins to rebuild its relationship with customers and channels.” When asked how Transat will need to position itself in the months ahead, in anticipation of travel’s eventual recovery, Gradek told Travelweek that branding will be of the utmost importance.
“Transat has to leverage its brand in the leisure market as well as convince customers that it will maintain its value proposition.” “Assuming that current leadership looks to continue the organization and build its credibility in the Canadian marketplace, Transat has to leverage its brand in the leisure market, which will recover ahead of business travel, as well as convince customers that it will maintain its value proposition. This means pricing leadership as well as superior onboard service levels against the more established carriers, a tactic
that served them well in the past,” he says. As the smaller airline of the two, Transat will face a steeper climb in its recovery than the legacy carrier. But does this mean that Air Canada will emerge from the non-deal relatively unscathed? There’s certainly reason for the airline to be optimistic about the future, with the resumption of international flights to Mexico, the Caribbean and South America in May. But time will only tell if the failed acquisition will end up hurting Air Canada in the long run. “Air Canada pursued Air Transat to secure brand name but, more importantly, the excellent fleet that Air Transat operates,” adds Gradek. “Air Canada would have been able to retire less fuel efficient and less sustainable aircraft with Air Transat’s fleet, but the pandemic has aided Air Canada in this retirement strategy. “So Air Canada will do well without the acquisition but with the continued survival of Air Transat, there remains a formidable competitor on Atlantic and Southern routes.” Now free to consider other offers, it’s certainly in Transat’s best interest to remain competitive. Of course, a government bailout would be crucial to its survival, as would any qualified investor to pick it up. If there isn’t an investor, says Gradek, Transat’s existing management team will need the $500 million to get the airline to the point April 8, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 3
TOP NEWS where travellers will be permitted to move domestically as well as internationally. Hope still lies in a bid made by Pierre Karl Péladeau, the Canadian businessman and former politician who first expressed interest in buying Transat back in May 2019 for $5 a share. After his investment company, Gestion MTRHP Inc., made an unsolicited proposal on Dec. 22, which Transat said was not supported by binding, fully committed financing, Péladeau once again doubled down on his intent to acquire Transat as recently as last month, a move that was prompted by the passing of Air Canada’s Feb. 15 deadline date for the transaction. With Air Canada out of the picture, Transat said in an official statement that it is free to hold discussions with potential acquirers, including Péladeau. But according to Gradek, Péladeau may not be the best fit for Transat. “Péladeau’s interest in Air Transat is opportunistic at best, an entrepreneur looking for a low-cost investment with potential for a higher upside, which is known as arbitrage,” says Gradek. “His understanding of the airline and wholesale trade is minimal and he would need to bulk up with pros. “So is Péladeau the right ‘white knight' for Air Transat? Probably not if you are looking for experienced investors. But given the level of political interest in Quebec about the future of Air Transat, Péladeau might be the only viable saviour.” For now, Transat’s top priority is to get through the pandemic. Beyond that, Eustache remains “confident in the future of Transat” and looks forward to “building back stronger.” Just how strong remains to be seen, but as Eustache says, “Transat is well positioned to bounce back.” Got a story idea? Questions or comments? Write to us at editorial@travelweek.ca
TRAVELWEEK
Travel industry reacts to Air CanadaTransat news
TORONTO — With Air Canada and Transat as key supplier partners for so many retailers in the industry, agents have watched the deal from start to finish. Agents commenting on the Facebook page of Travelweek’s sister publication ProfessionVoyages.com, were in favour of anything that keeps the industry competitive. “Better for travellers to have more competition,” said one agent. Others cited their desire to keep Transat as its own Quebec-based entity, without ownership by a larger company like Air Canada. However some said the Air Canada deal would have brought better chances for survival. The federal government’s airline industry bailout, first announced in November 2020 but not yet finalized almost five months later, is critical, others say. “A disaster if no buyer and if no state aid. It is the end! Goodbye vouchers and refunds.” Over at The Travel Agent Door, company founder Flemming Friisdahl says TTAND has enjoyed “an amazing relationship with both Air Canada and ACV and Transat” from TTAND’s start seven years ago. Friisdahl says: “When originally we heard the news of the proposed deal
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two years ago, we could not have been happier for both companies. Now with the EC effectively putting a stop to the sale and, at the same time, an end in sight for our industry from the pandemic, the world of travel is very different from two years ago. “We are confident that both companies will bounce back when travel rebounds and I am 100% certain that with the leadership of both of these great companies, we will be working with both of them in the years to come and we wish them both all the best.” Meanwhile Zeina Gedeon, CEO of TPI, says that while the termination of the Air Canada - Transat wasn’t completely unexpected, it was nevertheless “very unfortunate and very disappointing.” Gedeon tells Travelweek: “Coming out of COVID-19 the merger would have created a solid new entity. Now we have two companies trying to rebuild themselves and with the financial situation of Transat, this will create a lot of uncertainty among travel agents.” She added: “We all need to focus on rebuilding our businesses, and look out to a positive future.”
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NCL is the latest cruise line to get onboard with sailings as CLIA slams CDC for mixed messages MIAMI — Another major cruise line has announced the re-start of cruises from non-U.S. ports as the CDC spells out additional measures for the cruise industry, and CLIA cries foul. NCL announced on April 6 that it plans to restart sailings on Norwegian Jade, Joy and Gem out of the Med and the Caribbean starting July 25, 2021. All passengers will be required to show proof of vaccination. The announcement follows restart updates in recent weeks from Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Crystal Cruises, all from non-U.S. ports as well, and all requiring proof of vaccination. With the CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO) still in place, cruise lines are increasingly looking beyond U.S. ports to restart their operations, after more than a year of suspended sailings due to the pandemic. On April 2 the CDC updated its CSO with new measures. CLIA says the new requirements are “unduly burdensome” and “largely unworkable” and has reiterated its call for the CDC to lift the CSO. The cruise industry is also accusing the CDC of mixed messaging. Also on April 2, the CDC updated its guidance for travel amid the pandemic. The CDC now says that fully vaccinated Americans can travel within the U.S. MIXED MESSAGES CLIA says the new CSO measures “seem to reflect a zero-risk objective rather than the mitigation approach to COVID that is the basis for every other U.S. sector of our society.” CLIA adds: “Moreover, the instructions are at odds with the approach the CDC and governments in other parts of the world apply to all other travel and tourism segments in mitigating the risk of COVID-19. On the same day CDC issued new onerous requirements for the cruise industry, five months after the original order, CDC issued relaxed guidance for domestic and international travel due to vaccination progress and recognition of the improved public health environment.” CLIA notes that nearly 400,000 passengers have already sailed from Europe and parts of Asia since last summer, following stringent, sci6 | TRAVELWEEK | April 8, 2021
Norwegian Joy
ence-based protocols that resulted in a far lower incident rate than on land. “The irony is that today an American can fly to any number of destinations to take a cruise, but cannot board a ship in the U.S. This deprives U.S. workers from participating in the economic recovery and does not recognize the public health advances that have been made over many months, including the ability to effectively mitigate risk on cruise ships,” says CLIA in its statement. As more major cruise lines look outside the U.S. to restart their operations, the effect will be crippling for the U.S.-based cruise industry and related businesses, adds CLIA. “With no discernable path forward or timeframe for resumption in the U.S., more sailings originating in the Caribbean and elsewhere are likely to be announced, effectively shutting American ports, closing thousands of American small businesses, and pushing an entire industry off-shore.” Businesses that depend on the cruise industry are speaking out as well. “For a year now, we have been working closely with our cruise partners and directly with the CDC to find a way forward for the return of cruising from Port Canaveral,” Capt John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral, the second-busiest cruise port in the world. “Just last week CDC announced vaccinated Americans could safely travel internationally,” said Murray. “We’re disappointed that this guidance for the
cruise industry appears to be nothing more than an incremental step in a far-reaching process to resume passenger sailings in the U.S. with no definitive or target start date.” CLIA’s statement includes an urgent call for the Biden administration “to consider the ample evidence that supports lifting the CSO this month to allow for the planning of a controlled return to service this summer. If anything, the announcement last Friday is a clarion call for closer cooperation and coordination among stakeholders to achieve the President’s goal of reaching a ‘new normal’ by the Fourth of July. Working together, we can avoid the negative consequences that come when cruising, and the workers who support it, are not afforded the same opportunities as other workers in industries with far fewer practices in place to provide for public health and well-being.” “THE TIME HAS FINALLY COME” Meanwhile, add NCL to the growing list of U.S-based cruise companies looking to restart their operations outside of the U.S. NCL President and CEO Harry Sommer says the cruise line will restart operations at a reduced capacity with Norwegian Jade, Joy and Gem as the first of its 17-ship fleet to welcome passengers back on board. Norwegian Jade’s new seven-day cruises to the Greek Isles will sail out of Athens (Piraeus) starting July 25, 2021. And week-long Caribbean itineraries
TOP NEWS will operate from Montego Bay starting Aug. 7, 2021 on Norwegian Joy, and from La Romana, D.R. starting Aug. 15, 2021 on Norwegian Gem. “Over a year after we initially suspended sailings, the time has finally come when we can provide our loyal guests with the news of our great cruise comeback,” says Sommer. “We have been working diligently towards our resumption of operations, focusing on the guest experience with health and safety at the forefront. The growing availability of the COVID-19 vaccine has been a game changer. The vaccine, combined with our science-backed health and safety protocols, will help us provide our guests with what we believe will be the healthiest and safest vacation at sea.” All passengers sailing aboard NCL cruises with embarkation dates through Oct. 31, 2021 will be required to be fully vaccinated and tested prior to boarding the ship. Sommer says the company will review that policy in the months ahead to determine the way forward for embarkation dates starting Nov. 1, 2021. NCL’s health and safety protocols can be found at NCL.com/ sail-safe. NCL has also extended its temporary Peace of Mind cancellation policy to passengers sailing on cruises booked by April 30, 2021 with embarkation dates through Oct. 31, 2021. These passengers have the flexibility to cancel their cruise 15 days prior to departure. Those who take advantage of the Peace of Mind policy will receive a full refund in the form of a future cruise credit which may be applied to any sailing through Dec. 31, 2022. In addition, final payment for all voyages with embarkations through Oct. 31, 2021, will require payment 60 days prior to embarkation versus the standard 120 days. On March 19, 2021 Royal Caribbean announced new Cozumel and Bahamas itineraries starting June 12. Celebrity Cruises will sail Caribbean itineraries out of St. Maarten starting June 5. And Crystal Cruises’ all-Bahamas itineraries are set to kick off July 3. Meanwhile the Canadian travel industry is still dealing with the suspension of sun flights until April 30 and potentially longer, plus the 14-day quarantine including the 3-day hotel quarantine, PCR test requirements and PHAC’s advisory against all non-essential travel.
Here’s what Transport Minister Alghabra told ACITA about travel after May 1 by Kathryn Folliott TORONTO — The plight of travel agents amid the pandemic, and the months and months of hard work and dedication by the retail travel sector, have not gone unnoticed by the federal government. That’s the good news. The bad news? It doesn’t sound as though the current travel restrictions will be dropped May 1. That’s the word from ACITA co-founder Judith Coates, who co-hosted ACITA’s Zoom call on March 30 with Transport Minister Omar Alghabra. Attendance on the Zoom call, with 100 travel advisors, maxed out Zoom’s limit. Another 40 were on a waiting list. As Coates tells Travelweek, ACITA didn’t ask Transport Minister Omar Alghabra point-blank what travel might look like on May 1, the day after the current suspension of winter sun flights is set to end. Says Coates: “In our presentation, I give a hypothetical: ‘Assuming, optimistically, that travel will open up on May 1 if the current travel restrictions are lifted, and if a client made a booking with us on May 1, we would not receive any revenue from that booking until as early as mid-October, or more realistically, as late as May 2022’.” Minister Alghabra tackled the May 1 issue right off the bat. “It was the first comment he made to us,” says Coates. “He said, ’Travel measures are temporary for sure but I don’t want you to think that by May 1 they will be lifted. The decisions about when to start to lift these measures will be guided by Public Health’.” He also said: “I know you want me to stop staying now is not the time to travel but I don’t think I can say that to you today.” Winter sun flights were suspended Jan. 31 after a Jan. 29 announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that all four of Canada’s major airlines - Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing and Transat - had agreed to a request from the federal government to temporarily halt the flights. The move was made just a month into winter in an effort to clamp
down on leisure travel to popular sun destinations. Meanwhile Canada’s 72-hour PCR test rule has been in place since Jan. 7, and the three-day hotel quarantine rule, also announced Jan. 29, came into effect Feb. 22. Coates says Minister Alghabra cited data that shows that the additional measures introduced since January have reduced COVID importation by 90%. However, she says the stats she saw indicated that as of January, cases due to travel were 1%, with 0.5% due to contact with someone else travelling. “So not much of a change due to travel restrictions,” she notes. Coates tells Travelweek that Minister Alghabra said the work done by ACITA and its members “should be ap-
“Travel measures are temporary for sure but I don’t want you to think that by May 1 they will be lifted.” plauded”, adding “your experience is understood by many.” Minister Alghabra also noted that “when COVID arrived it did not come with an instruction manual” and that “the travel industry has been an unfortunate victim.” The financial assistance package for Canada’s travel industry, said to be in its final phase of discussion, is now with the Ministry of Finance. For travel agents, reports from ACTA have indicated that the talks are now at the ‘how’, not ‘if’ stage in terms of commission protection for Canada’s travel agents. Coates says Minister Alghabra “seemed genuinely concerned when we showed him how Independent Travel Advisors are falling through the cracks with regards to federal and provincial funding programs, and he invited us to stay in touch and provide his office with information on an ongoing basis.” April 8, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 7
WORLD NEWS
TOURISM According to WTTC’s annual Economic Impact Report (EIR), the Travel & Tourism sector lost nearly US$4.5 trillion in 2020. Its contribution to GDP dropped a staggering 49.1%, this compared to the overall global economy, which dropped by just 3.7% last year. In 2019, when global Travel & Tourism was thriving and generating one in four of all new jobs around the world, the sector contributed 10.6% (344 million) jobs globally. However, as the global pandemic devastated the entire ecosystem of Travel & Tourism in 2020, more than 62 million jobs were lost, representing a drop of 18.5%, leaving just 272 million employed across the industry globally. But WTTC also predicts that if the global vaccine rollout continues at pace and travel restrictions are relaxed just before the summer season, the 62 million jobs lost in 2020 could return by 2022.
Ibis Styles London Gloucester Road
AIRLINES
HOTELS & RESORTS
Approximately 200 furloughed WestJetters are being called back to work to assist at mass vaccination clinics in Greater Vancouver. As part of WestJet’s new partnership with the Government of British Columbia, the first confirmed clinic opened on March 29 at the University of British Columbia with Vancouver Coastal Health. Plans for additional clinics are underway in the coming weeks, including one at the Guildford Recreation centre in Surrey with Fraser Health. While the Care Team will not be involved in the medical side of the operation, it will be conducting arrivals greeting, check in, data entry and patient observation after receiving the shot. Clinics will run approximately 12 hours per day through Oct. 31, 2021 and are expected to vaccinate more than 200,000 eligible residents.
Accor has announced its first fully digital hotel, providing a fully digital experience with contactless solutions at each step of the guest’s stay. Ibis Styles London Gloucester Road in Northern Europe boasts a digital ecosystem that includes online and mobile check-in, in-hotel payment, and the ‘Accor Key,’ which provides a digital key solution, digital F&B services and guest relations via Whatsapp. Other highlights include en-suite rooms with free Wi-Fi, a lobby bar and spacious dining room. The London hotel is the first step in an ambitious rollout plan that will impact at least 50% of hotels across all brand segments in North & Central America in the next five years.
Roger Federer
DESTINATIONS Switzerland Tourism (ST) has announced tennis great Roger Federer as its official brand ambassador. The Swiss champion is entering into a long-term partnership with the tourism board to develop initiatives that will promote the destination on a global scale. A series of visuals and short clips will roll out throughout the month of April with a focus on European cities, followed by the U.S. and Asia Pacific. In addition, travellers can discover Federer’s preferred places and hidden gems on MySwitzerland.com. Federer’s compensation for official appearances as ST ambassador will go to the Roger Federer Foundation, which supports disadvantaged children in Switzerland. 8 | TRAVELWEEK | April 8, 2021
AMResorts has broken ground on the new Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán, a US$70 million investment featuring 350 beachfront suites and an 18-hole professional golf course. Located just 5.5 miles from Mazatlán’s International Airport in the private gated golf and residential community of Estrella del Mar, the new resort will be the 20th Dreams Resort & Spas branded property in the AMResorts portfolio. Upon completion, it will offer five gourmet restaurants, multiple pools, an aquatic park and a lazy river, plus a theatre, a convention centre for up to 700 people, and a state-of-theart Spa and Wellness Centre. For golf enthusiasts, there’ll also be an 18-hole, 7,015-yard, par-72 golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Meliá Hotels International Cuba has announced that six of its hotels have been nominated for the 28th annual World Travel Awards. Meliá Cayo Coco and Meliá Cohiba, located in Jardines del Rey and Havana City, respectively, are both nominated in the Cuba’s Leading Hotel category. In the Cuba’s Leading Hotel Suite category is The Level Mater Suite Room from Meliá Cohiba, while Meliá Las Dunas, Paradisus Princesa del Mar Resort & Spa, Paradisus Río de Oro Resort & Spa and Paradisus Varadero Resort & Spa are all in the running for Cuba’s Leading Resort. The winners will be announced at the Gala Ceremony in Dubai on Oct. 12.
NEWS COVID-19,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO. “Along with vaccines, testing will play a critical role in giving governments the confidence to reopen their borders to travellers. For governments, the top priority is accuracy. But travellers will also need tests to be convenient and affordable. The OXERA-Edge Health report tells us that the best-in-class antigen tests can tick all these boxes. It’s important for governments to consider these findings as they make plans for a restart.”
Hajdu says G7 countries agree on need for vax passport collaboration OTTAWA — Health Minister Patty Hajdu says the G7 countries, including Canada, have made a commitment to stay connected and collaborate on the issue of vaccination passports. As reported on iPolitics,ca, Canada along with France, Germany, Italy, the U.S., Japan and the UK, took part in a meeting of health ministers on March 30, 2021. “The G7 partners agreed that there needs to be some consistency and some collaboration among the countries, so we have some kind of system that would be recognizable, no matter where a person was travelling,” Hajdu said. After some initial reluctance, in recent weeks the federal government has come around to the idea of vaccination passports. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been careful to distinguish between vaccination passports for international travel, and proof of vaccination for use domestically. When it comes to certification of vaccinations for international travel, “that’s something that has existed for a long time,” said Trudeau earlier this month. “This is a well-established practice. This is something countries are actively exploring. And we are among those countries.” In recent days Japan announced that it will pursue vaccination passports, joining other countries including Den-
mark, Sweden, Iceland and Israel. The UK is said to be considering vaccination passports. And the European Commission has laid out its proposal for issuing Digital Green Pass certificates that would allow EU residents to travel freely across the 27-nation bloc by summer 2021, as long as they have been vaccinated, tested negative for COVID-19 or have recovered from the disease. Meanwhile the IATA Travel Pass took flight on March 15 with Singapore Airlines’ London-Singapore flights.
IATA urges governments to accept best-in-class rapid antigen tests instead of PCR tests GENEVA — Testing will play a critical role as travel reopens post-pandemic and with that in mind IATA is urging governments to accept rapid antigen tests, rather than the most costly and far less convenient PCR tests, for COVID-19 testing requirements. A new IATA-commissioned report from OXERA-Edge Health found that antigen tests are accurate, convenient and cost-effective. With some countries, including Canada, currently insisting on PCR tests, IATA is calling on all governments to green-light best-in-class rapid antigen tests instead, with an eye to restarting international travel and the economy. “Restarting international aviation will energize the economic recovery from
Antigen tests are, on average, 60% cheaper than PCR tests. If rapid tests are not an option for travelers, significant cost and convenience barriers are created. The report notes that the best antigen tests provide broadly comparable results to PCR tests in accurately identifying infected travellers. The BinaxNOW antigen test, for example, misses just one positive case in 1000 travellers (based on an infection rate of 1% among travellers). And it has similarly comparable performance to PCR tests in levels of false negatives. Processing times for antigen tests are also 100 times faster than for PCR testing. In addition, the report also pointed to the scarcity of PCR tests, which could cause bottlenecks as and when passenger numbers rebound. Lastly, antigen tests are, on average, 60% cheaper than PCR tests. If rapid tests are not an option for travellers, significant cost and convenience barriers are created. For example, a family of four traveling from the UK to the Canary Islands will take a total of 16 tests at a total cost of around GBP1,600 or EUR1,850 - a premium of 160% on top of the average airfare. De Juniac says financial barriers will dampen traveller sentiment which already displays some weakness. In a February 2021 poll of travellers, 58% said that they will travel less for leisure once the pandemic is contained. The same poll saw 62% of business travellers say they would be traveling less. April 8, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 9
NEWS
WestJet hedges its bets with strong domestic program, adding more flights in the West CALGARY — Banking on another summer of domestic travel amid the pandemic, WestJet says it will restore more service to its Canadian network with 11 new routes across the West and Ontario. The routes include new connectivity between the prairie provinces and tourism destinations in B.C. The news comes two days after WestJet said it will bring back flights to Atlantic Canada and Quebec City. Flights to Charlottetown, Fredericton, Moncton, Sydney and Quebec City will be restored starting in June 2021 after service had been suspended indefinitely in November 2020. Flights to Deer Lake and Gander will also be restored, at the end of June. In Western Canada, WestJet announced it will offer nonstop service to 15 communities across Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. The new routes include flights between Toronto (YYZ) and Comox (YQQ); between Ottawa (YOW) and Victoria (YYJ); and eight new routes connecting the Prairies to top tourism destinations in B.C., such as Regina (YQR) to Kelowna (YLW). "As we look to the coming months with cautious optimism, we know our restart agenda will be pivotal to Canada's economic recovery," said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. "Stimulating air travel benefits all Canadians and supports those hardest hit; with one in every 10 Canadian jobs tied to travel and tourism, the ripple effect benefits our whole country.” "We are at an inflection point, one that is buoyed by the rollout of vaccines, months of learning how to take appropriate precautions, and a view to Canada's beautiful summer months that allows us to spend more time outdoors," added Sims. "If Canadians were to shift two-thirds of their planned international-leisure travel spend towards domestic tourism, it would help sustain 150,000 jobs and accelerate recovery by one year, all while seeing what Canada has to offer." 10 | TRAVELWEEK | April 8, 2021
Transat is days away from finalizing its summer 2021/winter 2022 schedule MONTREAL — With an eye to resuming flights by mid-June 2021, Transat is currently finalizing its summer 2021/ winter 2022 program. Transat’s Public Relations and Marketing Advisor, Marie-Eve Vallieres, told Travelweek Group’s ProfessionVoyages.com that Transat’s summer 2021/winter 2022 offering “will mainly focus on the top destinations that Canadian travellers already enjoy and are eager to find, in Europe and the South, and also in Canada. We expect this to resonate particularly strongly with our passengers.”
“The reservation systems will be updated by the end of the month.” On March 12 Transat announced that its flights would resume June 14. Canada’s four major airlines - Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing and Transat - agreed to the federal government’s request to halt all winter sun flights Jan. 31-April 30, 2021 amid the pandemic. Says Vallieres: “Although it is still too early to reveal the content of this program, we can already confirm that some destinations will not be operated in 2021. The reservation systems will be updated by the end of the month for the Summer 2021 program, and within the next few months for the Winter 2022 program." Passengers who had a scheduled flight will receive all the necessary information over the next few weeks, in chronological order of departure, added Vallieres.
Are Ontario travel agencies eligible for one-time grants worth $10K - $20K with 2021 Ontario Budget? We sure hope so TORONTO — Unless the Ontario government has mixed up its travel industry jargon, it looks as though Ontario travel agencies could be eligible for one-time grants worth between $10,000 and $20,000 through the province’s Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant program. The brand new program was announced on March 25 by the province’s Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy, as part of the 2021 Ontario Budget. According to the budget, Ontario will provide an estimated $100 million in one-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector. The wording goes: “Examples of eligible businesses include: Hotels, Motels, Travel Agencies, Amusement and Water Parks, Hunting and Fishing Camps and Recreational and Vacation Camps.” It adds: “Application details, including a full list of eligible businesses, will be available soon.” It also notes that any small businesses that received the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will not be eligible for the new grant. As he outlined the details of the Ontario budget, titled ‘Protecting People’s Health and our Economy’, at Queen’s Park today, Bethlenfalvy noted that tourism and hospitality have been particularly hard hit during the pandemic. “Some 140,000 tourism and hospitality jobs were lost between February 2020 and February 2021,” said Bethlenfalvy.
NEWS
TAP to resume Toronto, Montreal service by August NEW YORK — TAP Air Portugal has set its sights on operating 879 flights per week, including those from Toronto and Montreal, by August. The Portuguese airline has announced that 51 flights per week will operate from North America, with service to Lisbon from Toronto, Montreal, Boston, Newark, Chicago, Washington D.C. and San Francisco. It is also adding eight new routes to Europe and Africa this summer, including: Fuerteventura, Ibiza and Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Zabreg, Croatia; Djerba and Monastir, Tunisia; and Oujda and Agadir, Morocco. In total, TAP will operate 555 flights each week to Europe in August as well as 83 flights each week to Africa. These will include six flights each week to Luanda, three to Maputo three to Bissau,
four to São Tomé, 10 to Praia, three to Sal and seven to São Vicente. Come August, the airline will add even more flights throughout Portugal with 126 weekly flights on eight domestic routes. Over the coming months, it will increase its service to Madeira, operating five daily flights from Lisbon to Funchal by August, as well as two daily flights between Porto and Funchal. Service will also restart to Porto Santo with five flights per week from June. By August, TAP will operate 22 weekly flights to the Azores, including 12 flights per week from Lisbon and three per week from Porto to Ponta Delgada. There will be one flight each day on the Lisbon-Terceira route. Between Lisbon and Porto, TAP will operate four flights per day. In August, it will operate three flights per day between Lisbon and Faro. Tickets purchased by May 31 for travel by Dec. 31, 2021 can be changed free of charge.
PEOPLE Winners announced for Tourism Malaysia’s ‘Book Now Travel Later’ contest Three winners have been announced for Tourism Malaysia’s ‘Book Now Travel Later, Malaysia Awaits You’ contest. Claire Babineau of Voyages Granby in Granby, QC has won the third-place prize of an Amazon gift card valued at $200. Derek Paquette of Marlin Travel in Saskatoon, SK, the second-place prize winner, has won a $500 Amazon e-gift card. The grand prize winner, Christine Cameron of TPI in Belleville, ON, has won a $1,000 Amazon e-gift card. All three winners successfully answered weekly questions about Malaysia and its top selling points during the contest’s run from Feb. 4 to March 21. They also learned about package specials being offered by Malaysia’s travel partners like GOWAY Travel, Canada One Travel, SITA World Tours and Royal Scenic Holidays.
To provide added convenience to passengers, TAP, in partnership with UCS, the Group’s Health Care Unit, is now offering COVID-19 testing service at Lisbon airport at a discounted rate. Depending on the destination, UCS performs a rapid antigen test for 21 euros, a PCR test for 85 euros, and a PCR test plus rapid antigen test for 106 euros. TAP customers also benefit from priority access to this service. Test results are sent directly to passengers via email within 30 minutes of a rapid antigen test, and between 6-8 hours of a PCR test. For now, this service is available in the UCS building, located at the Rua B building 8 next to Lisbon Airport. From April 19, UCS services will also be available at the departures area of the airport. The testing service can be scheduled directly on the UCS website here.
Another month’s pause for Carnival Cruise Line MIAMI — Carnival Cruise Line is extending its pause in all operations from U.S. ports by an additional month, from May 31 to June 30, 2021. Booked guests and travel advisors are being notified directly of the cancellations and the options for a future cruise credit plus onboard credit package, or a full refund. For guests booked on July itineraries that remain in the schedule, Carnival is extending final payment deadlines for all July sailings to May 31, 2021, with the ability to cancel without penalty. “We know that this is very disappointing to our guests who continue to be eager to sail, and we remain committed to working with the Administration and the CDC to find a workable solution that best serves the interest of public health. We are asking that the cruise industry be treated on par with the approach being taken with other travel and tourism sectors, as well as U.S. society at large,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “While we have not made plans to move Carnival Cruise Line ships outside of our U.S. homeports, we may have no choice but to do so in order to resume our operations which have been on ‘pause’ for over a year.” April 8, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 11
NEWS
CEWS and CERS support must be extended through 2021 for hardest-hit sectors: ACTA OTTAWA — ACTA is supporting the call from The Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses urging the federal government to provide enhanced aid for hardest hit sectors, including travel, through 2021. The coalition, which includes ACTA, released a survey March 24 on Parliament Hill showing that 60% of Canada’s hardest hit businesses will not survive if the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) are not extended beyond the June 5, 2021 deadline to the end of the year. Backed by those survey results, the coalition is formally appealing to the federal government to extend its CEWS and CERS supports to the end of the year, as part of the April 19, 2021 budget. Airlines including Air Canada and WestJet have said they’re hoping travel restrictions, including the three-day hotel quarantine requirement, will be phased out this spring, potentially replaced by more standard quarantine and/or testing, if needed. The hotel quarantine was announced Jan. 29, 2021, at the same time that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau an-
nounced that all four of Canada’s major airlines – Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing and Transat – had agreed to suspend winter sun flights until April 30, 2021. While there was never any end-date given for the hotel quarantine rule, the federal government has consistently said throughout the pandemic that any travel measures will remain in place for as long as is necessary. The coalition is also hoping for an easing of restrictions and a modest return of leisure travel for summer 2021.
“The industry will be in a holding pattern until we see a fully developed ‘Roadmap to Recovery’ from the federal government.” But conventions for fall 2021 have already been cancelled and business travel will not recover in the short term. The coalition includes 100+ stakeholders representing a variety of sectors including tourism, travel, arts and culture, events and festivals, accommodation and hospitality. ACTA President Wendy Paradis says: “As a member of the Coalition, we support the Coalition’s request for the extension and enhancement of vital programs such as the wage and rent subsidy through to the end of 2021.” Ahead of the release of the federal budget on April 19, Paradis says ACTA
PEOPLE Eric Bacon is Celestyal’s new BDM for Western U.S. & Canada Celestyal Cruises has announced Eric Bacon as its new Business Development Manager for the Western U.S. and Canada. Based in Los Angeles, Bacon will be responsible for cultivating relationships with Celestyal’s travel advisors and growing the company’s key distribution channels. He will report to Gordon Dirker, vice president, business development-North America. Prior to joining Celestyal, Bacon served as business development consultant at Atlas Ocean Voyages and also spent four years as BDM-Southwest for Hurtigruten. In addition, he worked for four years as the regional sales director, Canada for Rail Europe and has also worked for several Canadian travel agencies. 12 | TRAVELWEEK | April 8, 2021
has also intensified lobbying efforts for the extension of other programs of critical importance to travel agencies, travel agents and independent contractors, including the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) and Employment Insurance (EI) until the end of 2021. And, of course, unique to the travel industry sector, funding to protect travel agencies and independent travel agents from recall commission when the government announces mandatory consumer refunds by airlines. “The travel industry will be in a holding pattern until we see a fully developed ‘Roadmap to Recovery’ from the federal government that includes the conditions and metrics required to start easing restrictions such as the mandatory hotel stopover program, the 14-day quarantine, the travel advisories and other measures,” said Paradis.
Sunwing unveils 2022 cruises onboard the new MSC Seashore TORONTO — Sunwing has opened bookings for 2022 cruises onboard the brand new MSC Seashore. Sailings will be available between Jan. 8, 2022 and April 23, 2022, with flight departures from Toronto, Quebec City and Montreal. Travellers who book their cruise onboard MSC Seashore by April 20, 2021 will receive a free upgrade from an Oceanview to a Balcony stateroom. Considered one of MSC Cruises’ most innovative ships to date, MSC Seashore will offer four different itineraries across the Eastern and Western Caribbean, with ports of call that include the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and MSC’s private-island destination in The Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. All Sunwing cruise packages on MSC Seashore include roundtrip flights onboard Sunwing Airlines, roundtrip transfers from the airport to PortMiami, and seven nights of cruise accommodations and meals. Exclusive pricing is also available for groups of eight or more who book together. Moreover, Sunwing customers will receive the MSC Fantastica Experience at no additional cost. The Fantastica Experience includes preferred stateroom locations, free room service delivery
NEWS and preferred dining times (subject to availability). Also included at no additional cost is a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks with the Easy Drink Beverage Package and 24-hour Wi-Fi access. MSC Cruises’ ‘MSC Safe Bubble’ measures allow clients to sail with peace of mind. These include health screenings for all guests including a COVID-19 swab test before boarding, regulated occupancy in public areas and venues, use of face masks, enhanced sanitation measures and stringent cleaning methods including the use of hospital-grade disinfectants and electrostatic sprayers, daily contactless temperature checks for all guests, comprehensive crew training and more.
Flair Airlines adds Montreal flights starting July 1 EDMONTON — Looking to make the most of what many predict will be another summer of domestic travel for Canadians, Flair Airlines has added another gateway to its network. Flair announced on March 30 that it is expanding service to include Montreal, with direct flights between Montreal-Trudeau International Airport to Toronto, Vancouver, Abbotsford and Halifax, starting July 1. Billing itself as ‘Canada’s only independent ultra low-cost carrier’, Flair had already indicated last month that it planned to expand its network starting May 1 with service being added to Ottawa, Kitchener-Waterloo, Halifax and Saint John, plus service in June to Thunder Bay and Charlottetown. Service to Victoria is set to begin in July, and to Abbotsford in August. “We are excited to bring ULCC service to Montreal and to provide our low fares to a region where Canadians have been paying far too much for far too long,” said Flair’s President and CEO, Stephen Jones. “Providing affordable air travel within Canada is an essential first step in restarting travel and tourism. We know there is a need for ULCC service in Montreal and are thrilled to bring our low fares to the area.” Jones says Flair was one of the first airlines to focus its network exclusively on essential domestic travel during the pandemic. Flair continues to operate
only essential service through April and will begin increasing service in May.
Here’s what one Nova Scotia agent did to keep Caribbean vacations top of mind with her clients LOWER SACKVILLE, NS — The rollout of vaccinations and the spring weather have many in the industry feeling a bit more optimistic about restarting travel in the months ahead. But it can still be tough for travel agents to strike the right tone when promoting vacations to their clients, when there’s still so much uncertainty. Getting creative helps. Kim Hartlen with Kim Hartlen Travel TPI in Lower Sackville, NS had good results from an online event she hosted recently with Beaches Resorts. Hartlen is a Certified Sandals Specialist and has been named to the elite Chairman’s Royal Club, which recognizes the top-tier retail partners for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. Hartlen’s ‘Follow Me to the Beach’ online event showcasing Beaches Turks & Caicos took place March 13 “and it was a huge success,” said Hartlen. Hartlen is hosting a group to Beaches Turks & Caicos in October 2021. The March 13 virtual tour was led
by Beaches Turks & Caicos’ GM, Jamie McAnally, and sales manager Tanya Swann, with a special appearance by none other than Sesame Street’s Elmo. “We toured a few rooms in Key West Village,” says Hartlen. “Chef Colin did some wonderful samples to show us from the Sky Lounge and they even made Nanaimo bars for us Canadians. We had Bishop, one of their best bartenders, do a ‘Bishop Special’ and he made us a drink with Canada’s colours, white and red.” The Beaches Turks & Caicos team ended the event with staff holding up a Canadian flag, “and on their t-shirts it said ‘We Love Canada’.” Says Hartlen: “My phone and emails were blowing up after the event, with clients asking for information on rates.” Hartlen had reached out to her contact at Unique Vacations Canada to get the ball rolling on setting up the virtual event. “This was my vision and I called my contact at Sandals and discussed it and they were onboard right away,” she says. Even in these challenging times, it can be worth it to get creative and give clients ideas, and inspiration, she says, adding that she recommends online events like this for every agent. “I had such great feedback and bookings from this event, and it was so nice to feel like I was back in the travel game again,” says Hartlen. “I found it so rewarding even just for myself.”
PEOPLE Club Med promotes Brouhard and Giraud Club Med has announced new advancements among its senior team in North America. Amélie Brouhard, formerly Vice President, Managing Director of Club Med Canada, is now Vice President Sales USA and Omnichannel Marketing for Club Med North America. After working in sales and marketing in both France and Canada for over 10 years, Brouhard will join the brand’s head office in Miami to lead the North American division’s commercial and marketing strategies. Vincent Giraud will take over Brouhard’s former role as Vice President of Club Med Canada in addition to his North America Sales Operations role. He will lead the implementation of Club Med’s worldwide digital tools to increase sales, contact centre conversion rates and customer satisfaction and engagement, and will also co-create with other North American teams to establish training programs to ensure global sales alignment. April 8, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 13
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Windstar to require proof of vaccination upon June restart SEATTLE — Windstar is the latest cruise line to make proof of vaccination a requirement for all guests. Saying that the decision was made in the best health and wellness interests of its guests, crew and the places it visits, the cruise line will require proof of a current COVID-19 vaccination for all guests sailing aboard its yachts, until further notice. Crew members will also be required to be vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is made available to them.
Windstar is scheduled to restart operations in June 2021 in a phased manner. “Vaccination is another layer of safety for all of us and it’s the responsible course of action as our yachts resume cruising and our guests travel the world,” said Christopher Prelog, President of Windstar Cruises. When arriving at the cruise terminal prior to embarkation, guests will be required to provide proof of a completed current vaccine course (one or two shots, depending on the brand) finished at least 14 days prior to the
embarkation date. Negative COVID-19 test results will also be required prior to embarkation. Windstar is scheduled to restart operations in June 2021 in a phased manner, with initial cruises at a reduced guest occupancy, some modified itineraries, all with enhanced health and safety protocols. Star Breeze and Wind Star will still resume sailing on June 19 while its four other yachts have been moved back to later dates. The resumption dates are as follows: • Star Breeze: June 19, 2021, Caribbean • Wind Star: June 19, 2021, Mediterranean • Wind Spirit: July 15, 2021, Tahiti • Wind Surf: Aug. 8, 2021, Mediterranean • Star Legend: Sept. 4, 2021, Northern Europe • Star Pride: Nov. 3, 2021, Caribbean Guests booked on a cancelled cruise are being offered a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) valued at 125% of monies paid to Windstar Cruises. They will have 24 months from the issue date of the FCC to sail with their FCC. Guests may also request a cash refund once the FCC certificate is received. To provide added flexibility, Windstar has also moved the final payment date from 120 days to 60 days prior to cruise departure. Last month, Crystal also announced proof of vaccination for all guests, making it the first large cruise line to do so. Britain-based Saga Cruises was the first to announce the requirement in January, followed by American Queen Steamboat Company and sister line Victory Cruise Lines in early February.
PEOPLE Costa Cruises appoints new President and Chief Commercial Officer Costa Cruises has made key changes to its executive team in preparation of its resumption of cruises on May 1. Mario Zanetti has been promoted from Chief Commercial Officer of Costa Cruises Europe to President of Costa Cruises, a role that had been temporarily filled by Michael Thamm, Group CEO of Costa Group & Carnival Asia. As President, Zanetti will oversee Costa’s branding around the world, with the aim of ensuring profitable and sustainable growth in the long term in Europe, South America and Asia. Meanwhile, Roberto Alberti has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer of Costa Cruises, which was previously held by Zanetti. Alberti will be responsible for overall commercial operations, including Sales, Revenue Management and Marketing worldwide, reporting to Zanetti. Both Zanetti and Alberti will be based in Costa Cruises’ headquarters in Genoa.
CBSA reports 30 cases of suspected fraudulent documentation for PCR tests OTTAWA — New stats from the Canada Border Services Agency show that 30 people entering Canada in recent weeks had what appeared to be faked COVID-19 test results. Both the CBC and CTV are reporting that the latest numbers sent by the CBSA indicate that potentially faked results were submitted by 10 travellers entering Canada from international flights, between Jan. 7-March 24, 2021. Another 20 suspected fake results were flagged at the Canada-U.S. land border, Feb. 15-March 24, 2021. The requirement for proof of a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours pre-boarding has been in place for international air travellers since Jan. 7, 2021. The requirement was extended to the land border effective Feb. 15, 2021. The 30 suspected faked tests are a drop in the bucket, however, compared to overwhelming compliance with the PCR test requirement. CBSA stats indicate a compliance rate of 99.8% for air travellers entering Canada between March 22-29, and 99.74% at the land border.
Charged and convicted: Michael Shane Adams MISSISSAUGA — After being charged by TICO, Michael Shane Adams has plead guilty to operating a travel agency and offering short-term rentals without TICO registration. In addition, Adams plead guilty to operating a website offering for sale the arrangement of short-term rentals of various properties. He was found guilty on March 26 of contravening section 4(1) of the Travel Industry Act, 2002 and was fined $3,000 plus Victim Fine Surcharge. Adams had previously indicated that he would be submitting an application to register with TICO but did not follow through with completing the application process. To date, he has never been registered with TICO as a Travel Agent. April 8, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 15
NEWS
Mystique Holbox by Royalton to join Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio
Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas
Royal Caribbean announces summer sailings from Bermuda MIAMI — Royal Caribbean is sailing full steam ahead towards a summer restart, with new seven-night cruises onboard Vision of the Seas from the first-time homeport of Bermuda. Seven-night itineraries on Vision will sail from June through August and include an overnight in Bermuda as well as a full day at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s top-rated private island destination in The Bahamas that’s home to Thrill Waterpark, Up, Up & Away (a helium balloon that floats up to 450 feet in the air) and the first floating cabanas in The Bahamas at Coco Beach Club. Bookings for the new Bermuda itineraries are already open and depart as early as June 26. At this time, the cruises
will be available to adult guests who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Those under the age of 18 must have negative test results. Last month, the cruise line announced its resumption of operations with seven-night cruise getaways onboard Adventure of the Seas to Cozumel and The Bahamas. Details about health and safety measures will be announced at a later date but guests can rest assured that a multi-layered approach will be led by science and leverage expert guidance from the Healthy Sail Panel, Royal Caribbean Group’s Head of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer, and local government and health authorities. In addition, travellers must meet the travel requirements of Bermuda, which currently include a negative PCR test result before travelling, testing upon arrival in to the country, and filling out appropriate entry forms.
PEOPLE Liz Scull joins DWHSA as new GM in Canada Destination Wedding & Honeymoons Specialists Association (DWHSA) has appointed Liz Scull as its new general manager in Canada. A well-known figure in the Canadian travel industry, Scull will help build DWHSA’s membership in Canada and offer romance travel training programs for Canadian travel advisors. Currently, 15% of the association’s members reside and work in Canada. Scull began her career in the product and marketing departments at various tour operators and eventually landed at Ensemble Travel Group as marketing manager in 2010. There, she helped grow the company’s DestinationVows program by adding dedicated training options, marketing tools, a destination wedding magazine, exclusive wedding shows and conferences for Ensemble members. At the same time, she became managing editor and creative director of ‘Vacations’, Ensemble’s premier travel magazine. She now works as a travel advisor herself based in Toronto with Romantic Planet Vacations. 16 | TRAVELWEEK | April 8, 2021
TORONTO — A month after announcing a new long-term agreement between Marriott International and its resort division, Blue Diamond Resorts, Sunwing Travel Group is adding another property in Mexico to Marriott’s portfolio. Mystique Holbox by Royalton, located in Mexico’s Yum Balam Nature Reserve and featuring 38 suites and two on-site restaurants, will be aligned with Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio brand later this year. The Tribute Portfolio is Marriott’s growing global family of inde-
“We are thrilled to add Mystique Holbox by Royalton to the Marriott portfolio. This exquisite boutique beachfront resort is a perfect fit for our Tribute Portfolio brand.” pendent hotels known for their unique design and vibrant social experiences. Mystique Holbox will join 19 other Blue Diamond Resorts properties slated to be part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, which comprises hand-selected hotels based on design and hospitality. “We are thrilled to add Mystique Holbox by Royalton, the twentieth Blue Diamond Resorts property, to the Marriott portfolio,” said Laurent de Kousemaeker, Chief Development Officer of Marriott International, Caribbean and Latin America. “This exquisite boutique beachfront resort, which is located on the exotic island of Holbox, is a perfect fit for our Tribute Portfolio brand.” As part of the monumental agreement with Marriott, Sunwing Travel Group will benefit from worldwide distribution in addition to the award-winning Marriott Bonvoy travel program with 147 million members worldwide.
Europe invites the curious
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NEWS Willie Walsh, Director General IATA
Former CEO of British Airways and IAG takes helm at IATA; Travel Pass app ready by mid-April GENEVA — IATA is known for its strong leadership and the next airline executive taking the top spot is no exception. Willie Walsh, former CEO of British Airways’ parent company IAG, is now IATA’s Director General. As announced in November 2020, Walsh succeeds Alexandre de Juniac, the former Chairman and CEO of Air France-KLM who served as IATA’s Director General from September 2016 to March 2021. In 1979 Walsh got his start in the airline industry as a cadet pilot at Aer Lingus, at the age of 18. Rising through the ranks Walsh was CEO at Aer Lingus from 2001 to 2005, overseeing the airline’s transformation into a low-cost airline amid rising competition from Europe’s LCCs and ULCCs, Ryanair in particular.
From 2005 to 2011 he was CEO of British Airways, strengthening its position amid even more intense competition. Walsh also secured BA’s joint venture with American Airlines. In 2011, with the creation of IAG, Walsh was appointed CEO, overseeing the group’s carriers which by then included British Airways, Iberia, BMI and more. He also served on the IATA Board of Governors for almost 13 years between 2005 to 2018, including serving as Chair (2016-2017). “I am passionate about our industry and about the critical work that IATA does on behalf of its members, never more so than during the COVID-19 crisis,” says Walsh. He notes that IATA “has been at the forefront of efforts to restart global connectivity, including developing the IATA Travel Pass.” According to new reports, the IATA Travel Pass will be available as a downloadable app for iOS from Apple by April 15, with availability via Google Play coming soon. And airlines continue to rely on IATA’s financial settlement systems, Timatic
PEOPLE Former G Adventures executive lands at Tourism Ireland Tourism Ireland has appointed Ernie Balint as its new Trade Promotions and CRM Executive in Canada. Balint, who previously served as Senior Sales Executive at G Adventures, will be tasked with planning and implementing a targeted program of trade marketing activities with key Canadian travel partners, tour operators and airlines. He will also manage digital communications, which is key to the development of new recovery strategies to restart tourism from Canada to Ireland. 18 | TRAVELWEEK | April 8, 2021
and other vital services to support their day-to-day operations, he says. “I am grateful to Alexandre for leaving behind a strong organization and a motivated team. Together, the IATA team is absolutely focused on restoring the freedom of movement that airlines provide to billions of people around the world. That means your freedom to visit friends and family, to meet critical business partners, to secure and retain vital contracts, and to explore our wonderful planet,” said Walsh. Walsh adds: “In normal times over four billion travellers depend on aviation each year and the distribution of vaccines has put the value of efficient air cargo in the spotlight. Airlines are committed to delivering safe, efficient, and sustainable services. My goal is to ensure that IATA is a forceful voice supporting the success of global air transport. We will work with supporters and critics alike to deliver on our commitments to an environmentally sustainable airline industry. It’s my job to make sure that governments, which rely on the economic and social benefits our industry generates, also understand the policies we need to deliver those benefits.” Walsh was confirmed as IATA’s 8th Director General by the 76th IATA Annual General Meeting on Nov. 24, 2020.
Air Canada further extends Aeroplan Elite Status MONTREAL — There’s good news for Aeroplan Elite Status members: Air Canada is extending their current status and providing greater ease and flexibility. Saying that “loyalty is a two-way street,” Mark Nasr, Senior Vice President, Products, Marketing and eCommerce at Air Canada announced several updates for Elite members, including the extension of current Elite Status until the end of 2022, in addition to a previous extension through 2021, as well as the possibility to accelerate their status qualification in the years ahead. “We understand and appreciate why so many of your travel plans are interrupted this year. For that reason, we are automatically extending Aeroplan Elite Status for an additional year,
NEWS
Air Canada is marking its 70th anniversary on its Montreal - Paris route, a route that has never been suspended, not even for the pandemic. On April 1, 1951, a four-engine, 40-passenger Canadair North Star, registered as CF-TFO and operated by Trans-Canada Air Lines (now Air Canada), touched down for the first time at Orly airport. While the route initially included a London layover, it soon went nonstop, with weekly flights. These days Air Canada's Montreal-Paris route serves Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport on a year-round basis. The regular schedule consists of two daily flights in summer season and one daily flight in winter season. Air Canada is the longest-serving North American airline in France.
through to the end of 2022,” he said. “These changes are some of the many ways we’re recognizing our members and demonstrating our commitment to welcoming them back onboard, whenever it’s the right time for them to travel again.” This is the second year Air Canada has extended the status of its Aeroplan Elite members. Changes include the following: • Automatic extension of 2021 Aeroplan Elite Status: All Aeroplan Elite Status for 2021 will automatically be extended through to the end of 2022. • Extension of Priority Reward Vouchers:
Air Canada is also extending the validity of all unused Priority Reward vouchers issued in 2020 by one full year, making them valid for use until October 2022. • Elite Status Qualification Jumpstart for 2022: For Aeroplan members who earn any Elite Status through their 2021 flight activity, the Status Qualifying Miles, Segments, and Dollars earned in 2021 will be honoured the next year, jumpstarting their status qualification in the years to come. The following improvements come in addition to other changes for all Aeroplan members: • Change or cancel Flight Rewards,
PEOPLE Condé Nast Traveler honours 3 Vision Travel advisors Three top advisors with Vision Travel have been named to Condé Nast Traveler’s Travel Specialists list. Ariane Henry of Vancouver and sister duo Lisa and Nancy Zupancic of Toronto are now on the list, which includes just 435 travel advisors from all around the world. Vision Travel is the leisure arm of Direct Travel in Canada. American travel agent Jennifer Fried of Direct Travel from Cleveland, OH is also on the list. Condé Nast Traveler says that the travel specialists who made the list this year were selected based on their expertise, ability to assemble elaborate itineraries and cope with the shifting protocols brought on by COVID 19.
free of charge: Aeroplan flight rewards booked through April 30, 2021, for travel through April 2022, can be changed or cancelled free of charge, at any time. Members who opt to cancel will receive all of their Aeroplan points back in their account, plus a full refund of any associated taxes, fees and sur-charges on the unused value of their travel. • Temporary pause to expiration of Aeroplan points: Air Canada has further paused expiry of Aeroplan points until Jan. 31, 2022, meaning that between now and Jan. 30, 2022, any points that would have expired will not. Effective Jan. 31, 2022, its recently improved expiration policy will apply, meaning points will expire if an eligible transaction has not been completed prior to this date.
Uniworld launches ‘MAKE TRAVEL MATTER’ Experiences for 2021 TORONTO — Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and U River Cruises are doing their part to make travel matter with a range of new experiences for 2021 through India, Europe and the Middle East. Implemented directly into itineraries, the ‘MAKE TRAVEL MATTER’ Experiences aim to directly advance Uniworld’s long-standing commitment to have a positive impact on the people and communities visited on sailings. Uniworld and U River Cruises, part of The Travel Corporation umbrella, are founding partners of The TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit that works to make a positive impact on the planet, communities and wildlife. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experiences are offered across TTC brands and are chosen for the ways in which they directly advance the United Nations 17 Global Goals, which were developed by world leaders to create a better future for people and the planet by 2030. The MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experiences for 2021 and 2022 include the following: INDIA While on the ‘India’s Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges’ itinerary, guests will have the chance to board a pedalApril 8, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 19
NEWS powered Trishaw in the ‘Temple City’ of Kalna to explore the Rajbari temple complex, which dates back to 1739. They will also get have the opportunity to support local artisans who have been making ornamental brass objects for centuries through attending various brass workshops in Matari. Other highlights include a visit to Mother Theresa’s home and tomb or the local NGO Calcutta Rescue in Kolkata. EUROPE Uniworld’s MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experiences in Europe include a day on a ‘Dutch Cheese Trail’ at a sustainable dairy farm while on the ‘Tulips & Windmills’ itinerary, as well as a saffron tasting and a visit to a typical ‘Mostheurigen Farm’ in Linz while on the ‘Enchanting Danube’ itinerary. While on the ‘Holland & Belgium’ itinerary, guests will learn how Belgian chocolate is made at the sustainable company Neuhof, and on the ‘Castles Along the Rhine’ tour, they’ll visit the Doktorenhof Estate to learn about the generations-old traditions used to make vinegar. MIDDLE EAST In Jordan, while on the ‘Splendors of Egypt & the Nile’ Jordan extension, Uniworld clients can visit the Iraq Al Amir women’s cooperative Association, which aims to provide meaningful employment for local village women. Guests will visit the workshop and explore the women’s handmade paper, pottery and fabrics as well as fresh produce.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Silversea’s World Cruise 2023 “sold out within hours” MIAMI — Silversea’s new arts-inspired World Cruise 2023 sold out on the day of its general opening, “shattering” booking records after the most successful pre-sale in the company’s history. The 139-day voyage will take guests deep into the Southern Hemisphere, sailing from the South Seas to the Amazon Rainforest and beyond, calling in 66 destinations in 34 countries across five continents. Recently previewed through Silversea’s largest-ever creative production, this exceptional
PEOPLE Two TPI agents named to Condé Nast Top Travel Specialists list TPI is celebrating two of its advisors who’ve been named to Condé Nast’s 2021 Top Travel Specialists list. Both Donna Flanigan and Shari Tucker were chosen based on their expertise, specialization and excellence in customer service. Zeina Gedeon, CEO of TPI, says the entire team is proud of their accomplishments. While Donna and Shari have very different business specialties, they share a few similarities: they both go above and beyond for their clients by providing a high touch level of service and are laser-focused on ensuring that they are doing all they can to stay relevant and move their business forward,” she says. 20 | TRAVELWEEK | April 8, 2021
world cruise will sail about the all-suite Silver Shadow, which will depart Sydney on Jan. 10, 2023 and arrive in Fort Lauderdale on May 28. “We are delighted to have seen unprecedented demand for our World Cruise 2023, South Side Story, which sold out within hours of its general opening,” says Roberto Martinoli, Silversea’s President & CEO. “The most successful World Cruise launch in the history of our cruise line, this triumph pays testament to the strong demand we are seeing in the market, particularly from affluent, sophisticated travellers. “I strongly advise our travel partners to be quick in adding their interested clients to the voyage’s waitlist, as Silver Shadow is sure to embark upon this remarkable itinerary at capacity.” In another first for Silversea, each guest will enjoy private executive transfers to/from their local airport and benefit from private assistance to their gate/lounge as well as access to designated airline lounges. They will then enjoy a superior flight experience in Qantas Business Class from select U.S. and U.K. gateways to Sydney, Australia. Once in Sydney, travellers will experience VIP arrival assistance, private executive transfers and priority embarkation. Once aboard Silver Shadow, butlers will be available to assist guests in unpacking, should they wish. Fares for World Cruise 2023 range from US$74,000 to $278,000 per guest, based on double occupancy.
NEWS
Italy looks ready to follow through on cruise ship ban in Venice’s Guidecca Canal VENICE — After years of protests and pushback the Italian government appears ready to follow through on efforts to ban large cruise ships from entering Guidecca Canal, which leads to the iconic St. Mark’s Square. Large cruise ships sailing the canal has been a hot-button issue for decades, amid charges of water pollution and erosion to Venice’s centuries-old infrastructure. Protests in the city ramped up after the MSC Opera’s crash on the canal in June 2019. The Italian Cabinet passed a decree this week calling for a public tender of ideas to create a new docking port “outside the protected waters of the lagoon.” Culture Minister Dario Franceschini said the decree addresses longstanding UNESCO concerns and establishes that cargo and cruise ships bigger than 40,000 tons must dock outside the lagoon. While it's not articulated in the decree, the temporary plan would have big ships use the Marghera Port on the Italian mainland until a definitive solution is found and implemented, a potentially years-long process. “Whoever has been to Venice in recent years, either an Italian or foreigner, has been upset seeing these ships — hundreds of meters long and high as a condo — pass by such fragile places as the Giudecca Canal or in front of St. Mark's Square,” Franceschini said. He called the decree a “very important” way to come up with a definitive new solution. Activists opposed to cruise ships in Venice say the latest proposal to reroute big ships away from St. Mark's Square doesn't go far enough to address environmental concerns about the Venetian lagoon. They argue that the Marghera Port is still part of the Venetian lagoon and therefore must be rejected even as a temporary solution. The new route envisaged would take ships past the tail of the Lido and then hug the Italian mainland via the Oil Canal, away from Venice's historic centre but still into the lagoon and up to Marghera.
Sunwing cancels all sun flights until June 23 TORONTO — Sunwing has announced the cancellation of all southbound flights to sun destinations between May 1 and June 23, 2021. The move essentially extends the previous suspension of all winter sun flights between Jan. 31 and April 30, 2021, a directive announced by Prime Minister Trudeau in January for all of Canada’s major airlines – Sunwing, Air Canada, WestJet and Transat. In addition to sun flights, Sunwing has also announced the cancellation of domestic flights to/from British Columbia and Newfoundland, also from May 1 to June 23, 2021. The decision to cancel, though difficult, was necessary as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing travel restrictions, says Sunwing. Customers or their travel agents impacted by cancelled flights are being contacted by Sunwing directly to review their options. For more information contact the Sunwing Sales Centre at 1-877-786-9464.
Singapore accepts IATA Travel Pass, coming into effect May 1 GENEVA — Following successful trials by Singapore Airlines, IATA has welcomed the airline’s acceptance of pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test results on the IATA Travel Pass. From May 1, 2021, passengers travelling to Singapore will be able to use the Pass to share their pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test results upon check-in with their airline, as well as on arrival at im-
migration checkpoints at Changi Airport. The digital health pass, first announced in late 2020, was designed to manage and verify the flow of testing or vaccine information among governments, airlines, laboratories and travellers. In addition to Singapore Airlines, early adopters that were the first to trial the pass include Emirates, Etihad, Copa and Air New Zealand. To date, more than 20 airlines have announced trials of the IATA Travel Pass. With Singapore Airlines’ trials now completed, the Singapore health and border control authorities will accept the IATA Travel Pass as a valid form of presentation of COVID-19 pre-departure test results for entry into Singapore. The information presented on the Pass will be in a format that satisfied Singapore’s prevailing COVID-19 pre-departure test requirements for entry into Singapore. “Having the confidence of an aviation leader like Singapore accept IATA Travel Pass is hugely significant,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “Ongoing trials put us on track for IATA Travel Pass to be a critical tool for the industry’s restart by delivering verified travel health credentials to governments. And travellers can have complete confidence that their personal data is secure and under their own control. “The success of our joint efforts will make IATA’s partnership with the government of Singapore a model for others to follow.” According to IATA, digital health certificates will be a key feature in air travel moving forward. Establishing trusted, secure solutions to verify the health credentials of travellers will be critical in facilitating smooth air travel and safeguarding public health. Travellers to Singapore intending to use the IATA Travel Pass should check with the airline they are travelling with for eligibility to use the Pass. April 8, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 21
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