18 minute read
6More bookings for bucket list trips, the latest post-pandemic travel trend
Interest in ‘bucket list trips’ surges as clients look to make up for lost time, and maybe spend some of their pandemic savings
By Kathryn Folliott
TORONTO — The term ‘revenge travel’ hasn’t taken off in Canada quite like it has in the U.S. But the desire for all-out, no-holdsbarred, trips of a lifetime is just as strong this side of the border, and maybe more, as Canadians endure some of the longest stretches of COVID-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions of any country in the world. Grand tours of Europe. Cruises of every duration and destination, and especially world cruises, which are fl ying off the proverbial shelves like never before. So-called ‘bucket list trips’ have been around for years but inquiries and bookings have been increasing as clients look to recoup their vacation time losses, and maybe spend some pandemic savings, after a year and a half of COVID-19. But the high tide isn’t raising all boats. Many travellers continue to shy away from long-haul trip bookings, and that’s reining in some bucket list dreams. There’s still a resistance to sitting on a plane for hours at a time, no matter what the airlines do to battle misconceptions about COVID safety onboard their aircraft. In this latest edition of Travelweek’s ongoing series of travel trends coming out of the pandemic, we speak to a tour operator and a travel agent about bucket list trip bookings. We also hear from a luxury cruise line that just had its most successful pre-sale in its history for its brand new 139-day world cruise. FIRDOSH BULSARA, VICTOURS Firdosh Bulsara, General Manager, Product & Marketing for Victours International, pulls no punches when asked about booking trends. “I am going to tell you exactly as it stands,” says Bulsara. “At the moment, consumer confi dence in long-haul travel has not grown to the level that we anticipated. Albeit I have several inquiries for African safaris, travel to Europe and even a couple of golf groups to Asia, travellers are defi nitely in a waitand-watch mode as far as deposit and other payments are concerned.” While Victours is best known for its Europe product, Bulsara’s arrival at the company several years ago, and his expertise in destinations including Africa and India, helped solidify the company’s expansion into longer-haul product.
“I have booked and confi rmed travel for all our clients who were to depart in 2020 but couldn’t. The good part (business-wise) is that these clients did not cancel outright but have waited patiently to travel and will do so from late 2022 and also into 2023,” he says. Here’s some more good news from Bulsara: bookings have come in for both Groups (another strong trend coming out of the pandemic) and FIT, for 2022, for Europe and for Africa. With those bookings, staying nimble is crucial, so fl exible booking and deposit terms are the default, he adds. “Some of them with a nominal deposit amount, at times, not due until 60-days out and with fi nal-payment dates no earlier than 30 days prior to departure, some even 21 days prior. We have learned to build bookings based on the diff erent requirements as stipulated by our various suppliers. Hence, in these days of post-COVID travel, each booking has a unique pattern. The days of regular terms & conditions and payment deadlines are long gone,” says Bulsara. While long-haul travel has been slow to recover, there’s a “defi nite momentum towards high-end travel. We have even had private jet travel for families on short-haul holidays!” He adds: “Not every one of our clients is looking to ‘splash’ on trips, but we are gradually succeeding in making agents realize the value of safer and healthier travel options which obviously come with a price tag. So far the response has been encouraging.” We asked Bulsara if he had any advice for agents with clients whose bucket list includes a trip of a lifetime
to Africa, potentially for a ‘Big 5’ safari. Bulsara says that for Victours, bookings to North & East Africa (Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda & Uganda) have been steadily gaining over destinations in Southern Africa. He says he believes that Botswana, Zambia, Namibia & Zimbabwe will recover faster than South Africa, as the delta variant throws a wrench in recovery plans. Here’s what Bulsara is telling agents: “Keep in constant touch with your clients. Off er your clients timely updates on developing stories related to destinations as well as transportation, without overdoing it. Create a comfort level for the client by being upfront with them when situations warrant that they should consider re-booking. It would serve you well in the coming months. And above all, stay positive!” And one more thing: “Since I have their attention, I wish to let agents know that I always look forward to their calls or e-mails, should they need assistance with their client’s customized travels to Africa, Asia or Europe.” LESLEY KEYTER, THE TRAVEL LADY AGENCY Lesley Keyter, CEO and founder of Calgary’s The Travel Lady Agency, says she’s seeing cruising come in very strong for bucket list travel, “even though COVID started off badly for the cruise lines.” Keyter’s clients are looking to make up for lost time. “Our demographic is 50+ and as one gentleman told me, he and his wife retired and planned to travel for 10 years while they were still healthy and now COVID has stolen two years from them - so they have to ‘make it up’ with future trips that are longer and better.” Just what every agent wants to hear! About the cruise lines, Keyter says “their protocols are strong and we are seeing people extending their cruise itineraries with back-to-back [sailings], going up to 50 days of cruising. We are
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also seeing more requests for that special stateroom, concierge or penthouse and are fi nding that those are becoming a rare commodity.”
One luxury cruise line - and this booking pattern has quickly become the norm rather than the exception - sold out its newest world cruise in one day. Silversea Cruises shattered its bookings records with its new arts-inspired World Cruise 2023, ‘South Side Story - All the World's a Stage’. The 139day voyage fully sold out on the day of its general opening, following the most successful pre-sale in the cruise line’s history. The immersive voyage goes deep into the Southern Hemisphere, sailing from the South Seas to the Amazon Rainforest and beyond, calling in 66 destinations in 34 countries across fi ve continents. “We were delighted to have seen unprecedented demand for our World Cruise 2023, South Side Story, which sold out within hours of its general opening,” Roberto Martinoli, Silversea’s President & CEO, tells Travelweek. “The most successful World Cruise launch in the history of our cruise line, this triumph pays testament to the strong demand we are still seeing in the market for longer-duration voyages and bucketlist destinations, particularly from affl uent, sophisticated travellers.” While cruises are selling well for the bucket list crowd, they’re by no means the only option getting inquiries, at least for Keyter, who’s been asked about everything from trekking to see the gorillas in Rwanda, to a week in a beach front villa on the island resort in the Bahamas that featured on [HGTV’s] Island of Bryan.” After all, dream trips are only
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“Agency partners are why we do it”: Everyone’s a winner at the 2021 Air Canada Race in Basel, Switzerland
By Waheeda Harris
BASEL — Cheese, chocolate and mountains may be the hallmarks of selling Switzerland, but now a certain group of advisors have become experts on many more Swiss lures after competing in the 2021 Air Canada Race. Air Canada, Air Canada Vacations and Switzerland Tourism all collaborated on the memorable event, showcasing Basel, Switzerland. “Agency partners are why we do it,” explained Edna Ray, B.C. Regional Sales Manager for Air Canada, who together with Pascal Prinz, Director, Canada, Switzerland Tourism, led the planning team for this year’s race. Six teams comprised of 33 travel agents from across Canada (plus, for the first time, three agents from the U.S.), flew last month to Switzerland for this year’s competition, after qualifying in May-June 2021. It was just the latest in the popular series of Air Canada Races, which first launched in 2006 as a sales incentive. Over the year qualifying agents have raced in destinations like Whistler, Las Vegas, London, Edinburgh, San Francisco and most recently Kissimmee in 2018. This year’s teams were named for notable cultural aspects of Basel and given a six-destination schedule leading participants across the city in the day-long challenge, to complete tasks and find answers in order to gain points with each correct discovery. From Jakob’s Basler Lecklery (one of the city’s oldest bakeries) to the Dreilandereck (a monument marking the border meeting point of Switzerland with France and Germany) to the modern art gallery Kuntsmuseum Basel, Air Canada Race 2021 participants gained valuable knowledge of Basel’s history, art and culture. Agents also got to experience the benefits of a Swiss Travel Pass, which includes unlimited travel on Swiss trains, buses and boats, public transport in 90 Swiss cities, free museum admissions and discounts for attractions. Air Canada Race 2021 participants also noticed a city (and country) clearly feeling optimistic about the future, with the gradual return of visitors to Switzerland, including fellow Europeans, Americans and Canadians. Major events are returning too, like internationally-renowned Art Basel and the holiday season’s Christmas market, recently voted the best in Europe.
Switzerland’s borders reopened to fully vaccinated Canadian travellers on June 26. Switzerland is also now fully integrated with the EU’s Digital COVID Certification system. And travel restrictions from Canada have eased in recent months with the elimination of the quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated Canadians returning to Canada. For Ian Henderson, Senior Travel Advisor for Peerless Travel, this was his first Air Canada Race - but hopefully not his last. “It was planned so that there were fun activities mixed with learning and educational elements,” said Henderson. “The passion and knowledge of all of the Swiss suppliers created a desire for me to return in the near future to see much more of their beautiful country.” Henderson added that he is optimistic for the future: “When opportunity presents itself once again, I feel there will be a strong resurgence of leisure travel and tourism worldwide.” Team Waggis (named for a Basel carnival theme) were the winners of the Air Canada Race 2021 with team members Roger Villiers of Maritime Travel Victoria, Serge Coutu of Voyages Laurier Du Vallon Montreal, Colleen Maxwell of The Travel Group Vancouver, Malisa Miletich of Omega Travel Vancouver, Anne Buchnea of CWT Victor Travel Vaughan in Ontario and Stacy Gargin of CAA Atlantic Halifax. The completion of the race was cele-
Switzerland Tourism's Pascal Prinz, Air Canada's Lisa Pierce, Ambassador of Canada to Switzerland and Leichtenstein, Susan Bincoletto and Martin Nydegger, CEO, Switzerland Tourism
brated at Basel’s Safran Zunft, a historic meeting place steps from the heart of the city’s Marktplatz, where Air Canada Race 2021 competitors were feted amid a joyful crowd of 150 - another sign of normality returning - including Swiss suppliers and colleagues from Switzerland Tourism, Basel Tourismus, Air Canada and ACV.
“This is the first international event we’ve hosted since the beginning of the pandemic,” proudly stated Martin Nydegger, CEO of Switzerland Tourism. “We’ve been committed to the Canadian market and stayed visible.” As travel resumes, Nydegger said he believes there is opportunity for travel advisors. “People will be seeking expertise, wanting reliable information on how to navigate the world again.” For Air Canada, currently offering three times a week flights to Zurich, Switzerland is an important destination. “We’ve been flying to Switzerland for a very long time,” explained Lisa Pierce, Senior VP Air Canada. “Our network was significant and it’s been downsized, but we have every intention of returning our international network to where it was before, working with our partners like at Lufthansa Group.” After workshops with Swiss suppliers, advisors had one last celebratory dinner at Basel’s Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, located on the banks of the Rhine, and one of the oldest operating hotels in Europe. Two post-fam trips were offered to Gstaad or to Lucerne/Engleberg. For those who chose Engleberg, after two days of alpine explorations, a family-style dinner in the mountains ended with lengthy cheers and applause for Ursula Beamish-Mader, who retires this month from her post as North American media relations manager for Switzerland Tourism. Here are some more Switzerland highlights from the Air Canada Race 2021 … BASEL Air Canada Race 2021 participants benefitted with being the inaugural guests of the Movenpick Hotel Basel, a 230 room / 34 suite five-star boutique property officially opened Sept. 1. It’s part of the Accor group. ENGELBERG Engelberg is one of the top 10 ski regions of Switzerland. It’s also home to 500+ kilometres of hiking trails, and offers easy access to iconic Mount Titlis, at 10,000 feet above sea level, via cable cars and gondola. The recently-opened Kempinski Palace Engelberg Hotel features 129 contemporary rooms and an expansive spa. GSTAAD Access to this well-known town is via GoldenPass route, included for visitors who have purchased a Swiss Travel Pass or a Eurail Pass. Another memorable tour option is the Glacier 3000, offering hiking, climbing and winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, alpine coaster and dog sledding.
Basel’s Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois hosted the celebratory farewell dinner
Switzerland Tourism's Pascal Prinz, Air Canada's Lisa Pierce, Ambassador of Canada to Switzerland and Leichtenstein, Susan Bincoletto, and Martin Nydegger, CEO, Switzerland
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Porter Airlines is back, almost 18 months after it suspended all flights due to COVID-19 public health and travel restrictions. The airline took to the skies Sept. 8 with service to Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Thunder Bay. Over the next 10 days Porter will resume flights to Halifax, Quebec City, St. John’s and Moncton. Effective Sept. 17 Porter will add back several U.S. destinations including Boston, Chicago, New York and Washington. And flights to other year-round destinations are set to resume Oct. 6. All routes are currently available for booking. The initial flight schedule is at flyporter.com.
Air Canada’s expanded Travel Ready Hub now includes a search widget so that users can access information specific to their situation and itinerary. Travel Ready Hub is an online tool that helps streamline all necessary travel documentation, COVID-19 testing requirements and country travel restrictions for customers. Using the tool agents and passengers can review entry requirements for every country on an itinerary (including if they are connecting via another country or travelling with an Air Canada airline partner), check testing requirements and get travel advice, particularly related to airport arrival times. See aircanada. com/travelready.
Alitalia’s last flights will operate on Oct. 14. Taking its place is ITA, with tickets on sale now, for flights starting Oct. 15. ITA stands for Italia Trasporto Aereo, or Italy Air Transport. There will be public bidding for the brand “Alitalia,” which ITA has said it will compete for. ITA also said it is adopting a policy in which all ITA employees will be required to obtain Italy’s Green Pass, in line with the anti-COVID procedures and to safeguard the health of employees and customers.
HOTELS
Bill Gates’ private investment company has signed a deal to increase its stake in Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts so that it will hold a controlling interest. Cascade Investment LLC will pay US$2.21 billion in cash for half of the 47.5 per cent stake owned by an affiliate of its long-term investment partner, Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding Co. The deal will increase Cascade’s stake in Four Seasons to 71.25% from 47.5%. Four Seasons founder and chairman Isadore Sharp will retain his 5% stake. The deal is expected to close in January, pending regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Four Seasons manages 121 hotels and resorts and 46 residential properties in 47 countries.
CRUISING
Celestyal Cruises has sold one of its ships, the Experience, due to current market conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally Celestyal had targeted March 2022 for its first sailings on the Experience, which joined the fleet in 2020 as the flagship. The decision to sell the Experience will provide the company with enhanced liquidity, which in combination with zero third-party debt forms the continued solid financial foundation to ensure a successful restart in March 2022. Celestyal will continue operating the Celestyal Crystal and the Celestyal Olympia. Passengers currently holding bookings on the Experience will be contacted by Celestyal and re-accommodated on future sailings on Celestyal Crystal.
DESTINATIONS
Anguilla has lifted all quarantine requirements for international leisure visitors staying at hotels or villas, regardless of their length of stay, according to an update from the Anguilla Tourist Board. Visitors will be tested on arrival and must stay in place at their hotel or villa while awaiting their arrival test results, usually delivered within 12 hours. Once they receive a negative test result, they are free to leave the property and explore the island. There is no longer a 4-day quarantine, but all visitors will be tested on day 4 of their stay. A single testing fee of US$200 will be charged as of Oct. 1, 2021. Only fully vaccinated adult travellers are allowed entry to Anguilla. Children 17 years and younger and women who are pregnant are exempt.
