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VISIT FLORIDA launches Florida Guide
WestJet’s new Toronto-Dublin nonstops set to take off May 15, 2022
CALGARY — WestJet has announced new flights connecting Toronto and Dublin starting in spring 2022. The new nonstop seasonal flights are set to operate four times weekly, starting May 15, 2022. Service will increase to daily by June 2, 2022 before reverting back to four times weekly Oct. 1 - 28, 2022. The last flight departs Dublin on Oct. 29, 2022.
“As demand increases, we know travellers are looking for convenient and affordable options for travel between Canada and Europe,” said John Weatherill, WestJet’s Chief Commercial Officer. “As we continue to focus on expanding our network from our Toronto hub where we offer 33 international destinations, these flights will further strengthen business and leisure ties between Canada and Ireland and will increase connectivity between two key markets.” • From Montreal: La Romana, Puerto
Plata, Punta Cana, Samana • From Quebec City: Puerto Plata, Punta Cana • From Ottawa: Punta Cana • From Toronto: Puerto Plata, Punta
Cana, Samana • From Halifax: Punta Cana • From Hamilton: Punta Cana • From Moncton: Punta Cana In other news, Air Transat has unveiled a brand new reference tool for its Practical Guide specifically designed for planning trips abroad. The tool gives travellers instant access to the most up-to-date information about travel requirements for destinations in Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe, complementing what’s already available on governments’ and aviation authorities’ websites. Travellers will find such information as screening tests, mandatory documentation, vaccination passports and quarantine requirements. According to Air Transat, while the easing of some travel restrictions and vaccination rates have made it possible to start planning vacations again, health and safety measures as well as entry requirements continue to vary from country to country. For more information, travel agents and their clients can check out the Entry Requirements by Destination section of the Practical Guide on airtransat.com.
Flights depart Toronto at 9:10 p.m., arriving in Dublin at 8:45 a.m. the next day. On the return, flights depart Dublin at 10:05 a.m. and arrive in Toronto at 12:40 p.m. All-in introductory fares start at $272 one-way and $499 roundtrip. Flights will operate on WestJet’s B737 MAX aircraft featuring the airline’s newly redesigned Premium cabin offering new levels of privacy and comfort, including an enhanced inflight dining experience and wider 2X2 seat configuration.
Air Transat returns to Puerto Plata, launches new reference tool
MONTREAL — Air Transat is back in sunny Puerto Plata following months of forced suspension due to COVID-19. The airline operated its first flight on Oct. 14 from Montreal to Puerto Plata’s Gregorio-Luperón International Airport. At the height of the season, three direct flights per week will be offered between the two cities. Elsewhere in the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is currently being served from Montreal with three direct flights per week, and from Toronto with two direct flights per week. Over the next few months, Air Transat will be ramping up its offerings to the Dominican Republic, including:
TORONTO — The winter forecast looks sunny indeed with the new Florida Guide for travel professionals, out now. Launched in collaboration with Travelweek and available in both English and French in digital format, VISIT FLORIDA’s Florida Guide features 24 high-impact pages designed specifically with travel advisors in mind. A total of 17 worldclass destinations across the state are featured, with details like ‘Popular Activities’ and ‘Top 3 reasons to visit’ highlighted for each. Also included are helpful resources, contact information and use-
ful weblinks where travel advisors can go to for more information about each destination, agent training and more. Perfectly timed ahead of the United States’ reopening to international visitors next month, and the reopening of the U.S. land border on Nov. 8, the online tool will prove to be a valuable resource for Canadian travel advisors. “While other destinations are just now re-entering the market, Florida has been fully open and welcoming visitors since last spring,” says Dana Young, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA. “The leadership of our Governor and strategic marketing efforts of our team at VISIT FLORIDA have been crucial for these gains, and have positioned us as role models for the entire travel industry. “With the return of our Canadian friends and other international visitors, we’ll be able to bring it back better than ever.” To read the Florida Guide go to travelweek.ca/digital-editions.
TICO Board approves $125,321 in Comp Fund claims
MISSISSAUGA — TICO’s board of directors has approved 45 claims totalling $125,321.39 to assist 97 consumers who did not receive the travel services for which they had paid. Here’s the list of approved claims: • Albarkah Travel and Tours Inc.: 32 claims to assist 77 consumers, totalling $105,101.99 • Fly Jamaica Airways: 2 claims to assist 4 consumers, totalling $1,924.99 • Jet Airways: 11 claims to assist 16 consumers, totalling $18,294.41 The following claims, totalling $16,548.02, were denied: • Tucan Travel Inc.: 2 claims for 3 consumers totalling $6,592.30 as the travel services were purchased from a non-registrant • Albarkah Travel and Tours Inc.: 2 claims for 3 consumers, totalling $ 3,823 as the claims were received beyond the filing deadline; and 1 claim for 4 consumers totalling $4,456 as the services were available to have been received • Fly Jamaica Airways: 1 claim for 2 consumers totalling $1,676.72, as the services were available to have been received TORONTO — If there was any doubt that Germany is one of Europe’s top cultural destinations, just ask the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which has recognized even more of the country’s landmarks and attractions in 2021. “With this year’s new additions, 51 natural and cultural heritage sites in Germany now bear the UNESCO World Heritage seal of quality,” said Petra Hedorfer, CEO of the Board of Directors of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). “UNESCO World Heritage Sites are an important facet in the brand essence of Germany as a travel destination.” Included in this year’s list is the Mathildenhöhe artist colony in Darmstadt, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 1899 by the Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig, it was considered an important center of modern art and architecture up until the beginning of World War I. The colony’s buildings were created by artist members and were expanded in the early 1900s during international exhibitions. Today the property comprises 23 elements, including the Wedding Tower and the Exhibition Hall, both built in 1908. Europe’s health resorts, which reached their pinnacle between 1700 and the 1930s, are also being recognized by UNESCO. A total of 11 European locations in seven countries have been listed as ‘Important spa towns in Europe,” of which Germany has contributed three: Baden-Baden, Bad Ems and Bad Kissingen. In total, Germany has more than 350 spa and medicinal baths. In 2019, the country recorded 8.4 million international overnight stays at its health resorts. In addition, the ShUM cities of Mainz, Worms and Speyer, considered to be the cradle of Europe’s Jewish community, have been added to the World Heritage Sites list. ShUM is an acronym comprising the first letters of each city’s Hebrew names. ShUM sites that have been recognized by UNESCO include the Speyer Jewish Court, the Worms synagogue district, and the old Jewish cemeteries in Worms and Mainz. The history of these places reflects Jewish life over the centuries, from persecution and genocide to present day faith and traditions. This year also saw the addition of the Lower Germanic Limes to the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the set of ‘Frontiers of the Roman Empire’ World Heritage Sites. The 249-mile-long river border separated the Roman province of Lower Germania from free Germania for about 450 years, starting around 15 BCE. Today, a large part of the remains still offers a fascinating glimpse into Roman military power and architecture. Finally, the western segment of the Danube-Limes, which runs approximately 373 miles from Bad Gögging in Babaria through Austria to Slovakia, have been added to the World Heritage Sites list. Contrary to popular belief, the Limes was not an insurmountable wall but rather a network of military fortifications and civil buildings. Parts of the earlier facilities are still visible today and are accessible to tourists, including the ‘Porta Praetoria’ in Regensburg. For more information on travel to Germany go to www.germany.travel.
Germany celebrates new additions to UNESCO World Heritage Sites list
Darmstadt: Russian chapel St. Mary Magdalene
Credit: ©GNTB/Francesco Carovillano
