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WestJet and ITAC supporting Indigenous tourism businesses
WestJet and ITAC award grants to support Indigenous tourism businesses
CALGARY — WestJet is doing its part to support Canada’s Indigenous community through a grant program launched in collaboration with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC).
Together, the airline and ITAC will provide a total of nine grants valued at $10,000 each to Indigenous tourism businesses across Canada that have been devastated by the shutdown of the tourism industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The recipients of these grants were given the news in March 2021 and their reactions were captured in a new WestJet/ITAC video, which can be viewed WestJet’s YouTube channel. Recipients will be spotlighted on WestJet’s social channels and its newsroom over the next year.
“We are pleased to be able to support these Indigenous businesses as they work their way to recovery,” said Angela Avery, WestJet Executive Vice President. “WestJet is a proud partner of ITAC and is committed to advancing reconciliation by growing opportunities for indigenous entrepreneurs and sharing with the global travel industry the importance of Indigenous tourism, a unique, important and developing sector of Canadian tourism.”
The grants were originally earmarked through the WestJet/ITAC strategic national partnership, which was signed in November 2019 as a three-
year commitment that outlines how the airline will foster opportunities for Indigenous tourism by showcasing Indigenous People’s culture and history and bringing global audiences to take part in Indigenous tourism experiences.
This summer, WestJet and ITAC are encouraging Canadians to support local tourism organizations, including local Indigenous tourism businesses from coast to coast to coast, while following all public health and safety guidelines. Destination Canada has stated that if Canadians shift two-thirds of their planned spend on international leisure travel towards domestic tourism, it will make up for the estimated $19 billion shortfall currently facing our visitor economy and will help sustain 150,000 jobs while accelerating recovery by one year.
“The situation facing the travel and tourism industry overall has been devastating,“ continued Avery. “We encourage Canadians to support Indigenous businesses in their communities and across the country when it is safe to do so.”
Recipients of the 2020/2021 WestJet/ ITAC grants are: • Feast Café Bistro: Winnipeg, Manitoba • Moonstone Creation: Calgary, Alberta • Talaysay Tours: Vancouver, British
Columbia • Moccasin Trails: Kamloops, British
Columbia • Indigenous World Winery: Kelowna, British Columbia • North Star Adventures: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories • Aurora Village: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories • Indigenous Experiences: Gatineau,
Quebec • Miqmak Catering Indigenous Kitchen:
Roxboro, Quebec
For more information about indigenous experiences across the country visit www.DestinationIndigenous.ca.
AQSC unveils new 2022 Ohio River itineraries
NEW ALBANY — For the first time in its history, American Queen Steamboat Company will be operating a full season in the U.S. Midwest, with 30 Ohio River sailings scheduled to sail in 2022.
As the only overnight operator on the Ohio River, and in response to increased demand for less-travelled routes, the American Queen, American Duchess and the new American Countess will sail through the U.S. heartland, from Kentucky to Ohio to Pennsylvania.
Plus, with the Spring Sale, guests can save up to US$2,000 per stateroom on select 2022 sailings, including Ohio River itineraries, when booked by June 30, 2021 using the code ‘SPRING.’ Fares start at US$1,799 per person, plus port fees, taxes and gratuities.
AQSC resumed operations in March 2021 with enhanced health and safety policies including, but not limited to, pre-cruise COVID-19 testing of all guests and crew and a mask mandate in all public areas where social distancing is not possible. Its COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all guests and crew will go into effect for all sailings beginning July 1, 2021.
Here is a sampling of AQSC’s 2022 itineraries featuring the Ohio River: LOUISVILLE TO PITTSBURGH (OR REVERSE)
The nine-day ‘Ohio River Exploration’ sailing includes visits to Heinze History Center and the Duquesne Incline, the Ohio River Museum in Marietta, Ohio and the oldest commercial estate winery in America at the Baker-Bird Winery in Augusta, Ky. Ports of call on ‘Ohio River Exploration’ include: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Wheeling, W.Va.; Marietta, Ohio; Huntington, W.Va.; Augusta, Ky.; Cincinnati; Madison, Ind.; and Louisville, Ky. MEMPHIS TO LOUISVILLE (OR REVERSE)
This nine-day sailing takes guests along the Ohio River with ports of call that include Louisville, Ky.; Brandenburg, Ky.; Owensboro, Ky.; Henderson, Ky.; Columbus, Ky.; and Memphis, Tn. Highlights include a visit to Paducah, Ky., a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, and an option to visit the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park, tour the Lincoln Museum and explore Fort Knox in Brandenburg, Ky.
LOUISVILLE TO NASHVILLE (CLARKSVILLE) (OR REVERSE)
Highlights on this nine-day itinerary include stops at famed Kentucky river towns like Paducah, Henderson, Owensboro, Brandenburg and Louisville, plus visits to the Tennessee port towns of Dover and Clarksville. Guests can select from a number of excursions throughout the sailing, including a visit to Fort Knox and a private tour of the Churchill Downs back-stretch in Louisville.
Flair’s winter 2021/22 schedule now on sale
TORONTO — Flair Airlines has released its Winter 2021/2022 schedule featuring fares starting at just $19.
Now on sale until March 2022, the expanded schedule – considered Flair’s biggest-ever winter program – includes 24 routes and over 650,000 seats.
The winter schedule is part of Flair’s expansion of service to bring low-fare air travel to more Canadians. Flair has 13 new aircraft on order joining its fleet in 2021 and 2022.
“We understand how keen Canadians are to travel again and our winter schedule will provide affordable air travel options to help connect the many families and friends who have been apart for the past year,” said Garth Lund, Chief Commercial Officer. “With fares available from as low as $19 and new aircraft joining the fleet, Flair will continue its expansion into the winter season.”
Bookings are now available or travel through March 26, 2022. Go to flyflair. com/where-we-flyfor more details.
Earlier this year Flair announced that it will by flying to 18 cities by August, including Ottawa, Kitchener-Waterloo, Halifax and Saint John, all of which began on May 1. The airline will also add service in June to Thunder Bay, Charlottetown, to Victoria in July, and to Abbotsford in August. To ramp up its domestic summer program, Flair also announced direct flights between Montreal and Toronto, Vancouver, Abbotsford and Halifax starting July 1, and a new nonstop route between Ottawa and Kelowna starting in August.
Crystal River Cruises
Crystal River Cruises’ Senior VP confirms return to Europe on Aug. 29
TORONTO — In a letter to travel agents, Crystal River Cruises’ Walter Littlejohn confirmed that plans are well underway to resume Europe operations starting Aug. 29, 2021.
Littlejohn, Crystal River Cruises’ Senior Vice President & Managing Director, said that the company is “cautiously optimistic” about the European Union’s imminent plans to allow entry for vaccinated travellers. The EU also announced last week that it’s targeting a July 1 start date for its new digital green pass, which will allow EU citizens to travel freely across the bloc’s 27 nations.
In his letter, Littlejohn writes:
“The European Union’s recently-approved protocol allowing leisure travel by vaccinated travellers was a necessary and welcome step toward the resumption of unfettered European river cruising. It is important to note the adoption of these protocols by the individual EU member states that impact our multi-country itineraries is a critical next step, as the member states ultimately control the borders.
“We are currently assessing our final ship deployment for Fall/Winter 2021 and will communicate further details when completed. In the meantime, we are readying the fleet as well as our devoted crew members in advance of resuming service to refresh their skills, ensuring the six-star standards for which our award-winning river ships are known.
“We have worked tirelessly in developing new health and safety protocols that address the unique challenges of COVID-19 with the greatest care for both our guests and our crew. Our stringent Crystal Clean+ measures include mandatory vaccination for guests and crew; COVID-19 testing at embarkation; suites set aside for isolation, if needed; HEPA filters; and more. As a reminder, our protocols are under continual review based on scientific data and evolving recommendations from local and global authorities.
On behalf of everyone at Crystal River Cruises, I want to thank all of you for your understanding during this transitionary time in travel. We are looking forward to welcoming your clients back onboard our beautiful river ships on the Danube and Rhine rivers to experience the unrivaled personal care, service and luxury of the World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line.”
Blue Diamond Resorts reopens Saint Lucia properties ahead of schedule
TORONTO — Sunwing Travel Group is celebrating the early reopening of two Blue Diamond Resorts properties in Saint Lucia.
In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and the Saint Lucia Ministry of Health, both the Royalton Saint Lucia and Hideaway at Royalton Saint Lucia have reopened their doors earlier than planned and welcomed their first guests back to the island.
Along with those arriving on TUI Airways’ first flight back to the region, guests received a warm welcome at reopening celebrations featuring gourmet food and drink, morning-to-night entertainment and workshops that both parents and kids enjoyed.
Staff conducted the highest degree
of health and safety vigilance as part of ‘Safety-Assured Vacations’ protocols. Plus, travellers who book directly via the Blue Diamond Resorts website automatically qualify for All-In Medical Assistance, provided by MAS Servicios, which covers expenses for accidents or illnesses incurred while on vacation, including COVID-19-related medical needs. Viral antigen testing is also available to guests arriving in Saint Lucia, on property, at an extra cost.
“Our teams in Saint Lucia worked tirelessly to ensure we were ready to reopen our doors ahead of schedule,” said Anderson Howard, Regional Director, Eastern Caribbean of Blue Diamond Hotels & Resorts. “We are all very excited to have our guests return to Saint Lucia and our properties with confidence and peace of mind. We are here at your service and look forward to seeing everyone soon!”
Tourism Cares expands membership to individual travel professionals
TORONTO — Tourism Cares has expanded its membership categories to allow individual travel professionals to join.
The non-profit has been around for nearly 20 years, uniting the travel industry and mobilizing it to create needed change. Tourism Cares has furthered not only sustainability goals, but direct economic benefits for communities around the world.
The organization has also rebranded. and developed a new logo to complement its renewed positioning.
Tourism Cares' decision to expand its membership categories to allow individual travel professionals to join dovetails with its role as a catalyst for cross-sector cooperation within the travel industry, says chairwoman Robin Tauck. "It’s a powerful new direction. We know that a large population of travel professionals are fueled by their passion to work in this industry and by the opportunity to use their work to make a positive change in the world. By uniting this great industry around sustainability, we deliver on a collective mission for meaningful and responsible action by corporations, foundations, businesses, and individuals. We welcome all to join us,” says Tauck.
Travel professionals can join Tourism Cares by making an annual US$99 donation, which provides access to education platforms, professional development, consulting, and registration to Tourism Cares signature programs. More information is at tourismcares. org/professional-membership.
Tourism Cares CEO Greg Takehara says the organization’s focus on sustainability has expanded from assembling volunteer opportunities domestically to include models for global involvement and investment in social and environmental impact organizations.
“As a result, we launch and participate in initiatives that support meaningful and responsible practices while also providing direct economic benefits, through tourism, for local communities around the world. In addition to fostering collaboration, we provide tools and resources that are creating the foundation for new models of tourism,” says Takehara.
He adds: “Our legacy has evolved to create positive social, environmental, and economic impact for the people and places of travel. Our updated branding reflects a refreshed vision for the future and a renewed and strengthened commitment to come together as a global community.”
For more information see tourism cares.org.
All 42 RIU resorts in the Americas are now open
MADRID — RIU Hotels has completed the reopening of all its hotels in the Americas, becoming the first Spanish hotel chain to reach the milestone.
The June 1 reopening of the Riu Tequila in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the Riu Palace Macao in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the Riu Negril in Negril, Jamaica, and the Riu Plaza Panama in Panama completes the company’s reactivation process of all 42 hotels in the region. Fully opened at 20 hotels in Mexico, six in Jamaica, six in the D.R., three in the United States, two in Costa Rica, two in Panama and one in the Bahamas.
Following these openings in the Americas and additional ones in Europe in the coming days, RIU will have 76 of its 100 hotels open worldwide.
Riu Hotels previously announced that all RIU guests from countries that require a negative antibody test prior to returning home can get the test free of charge at its Caribbean destinations. Plus, all hotels have applied the 17 safety protocols included in the company’s manual for post-COVID hotels, created in collaboration with Preverisk, an international leader in food safety, hygiene and health.
TICO approves Fund claims against Gideon Travel & Tours
MISSISSAUGA — TICO’s Board of Directors has approved four claims made against Gideon Travel & Tours Ltd.
Approved on May 25, the claims protect five consumers against the company for a total amount of $2,250. The consumers did not receive the travel services for they paid.
Gideon Travel & Tours’ registration was terminated on Oct. 5, 2020.
The Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund is wholly financed by the industry to protect consumers who do not receive the travel services for which they paid, due to the insolvency or bankruptcy of an Ontario-registered travel agency or travel wholesaler, or due to the cessation of an end supplier airline or cruise line. The Fund only covers consumers who have booked through an Ontario-registered travel agent, and is administered by TICO.
Saint Lucia announces more freedoms for vaccinated guests
TORONTO — Fully vaccinated travellers can now enjoy more freedoms while visiting Saint Lucia, including book rental cars, dine at local restaurants and take part in additional activities like beach hopping.
According to the Government of Saint Lucia, as of May 31, 2021, vaccinated visitors now have increased access to all parts of the island from the day of arrival, without restrictions. For example, they can explore shops, markets, restaurants and activities in popular areas like Castries, Rodney Bay, Soufrière and more.
All visitors can stay at a range of COVID-certified accommodations that include hotels, villas and Airbnb. For vaccinated visitors, they can now stay at more than two properties if preferred.
“While all visitors to Saint Lucia can currently experience a wonderful vacation as well as approved tours and attractions, fully vaccinated travellers are now invited to explore the entire destination at their leisure while following our protocols,” said Prime Minister Allen Chastanet. “We’ve successfully and safely managed tourism since reopening our borders in June 2020, with no need to close because of our protocols and the bubble we created for our visitors and frontline tourism workers.”
To qualify as fully vaccinated, travellers must have had the last dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or a onedose vaccine at least two weeks prior to travel. Travellers must indicate that they are fully vaccinated when filling out the pre-arrival Travel Authorization form, and upload proof of vaccination. They must also travel with their vaccination card or documentation.
Upon arrival in Saint Lucia, pre-registered fully vaccinated visitors will be expedited via a dedicated Health Screening line and will be provided with a non-electronic identification wristband for the duration of their stay. This wristband must be worn throughout their stay, only to be removed when departing Saint Lucia.
Non-vaccinated travellers will continue to be permitted to stay at up to two certified properties for the first 14 days, while non-vaccinated returning nationals will be required to apply for quarantine for the same period.
Regardless of vaccination status, no changes have been made to pre-arrival protocols for travellers, including: all arrivals to Saint Lucia (five years or older) must obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken no more than five (5) days before arrival; submit the online Travel Registration form; and must adhere to all safety protocols in place, including wearing a mask in public places. Detailed information on the latest travel COVID-19 protocols for all visitors, plus Frequently Asked Questions for vaccinated travelers can be found at www.stlucia.org/covid-19.
Saint Lucia
Transat now owns 100% of inbound tour operator TraficTours
MONTREAL — Transat has acquired the remaining minority interest in inbound tour operator TraficTours Canada Inc.
Transat was already a 70% shareholder in the company. It has now purchased the company outright, acquiring the remaining 30%.
Transat says the purchase price is for an amount lower than the amount booked in Transat's financial statements on account of the option to purchase such minority interest.
The minority shareholder had the option to require Transat to purchase the minority interest since 2019. The manager of TraficTours and its subsidiaries remains in place to ensure the operations run regularly.
TraficTours offers excursions and other services to vacationers in Mexico, the D.R. and Jamaica.
“By becoming sole shareholder, Transat is strengthening its inbound services in three of these key markets,” says Transat.
On April 29, 2021 Transat announced its financial assistance package from the federal government, allowing Transat to borrow up to $700 million in additional liquidity through the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF).
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