Travelweek - August 12th, 2021

Canada’s Travel Trade News August 12, 2020 travelweek.ca

WHY BEACHES IS THE ®

SAFEST AND BEST FAMILY VACATION.

B EACH E S ® R E SORTS :

MORE QUALITY INCLUSIONS THAN ANY OTHER RESORTS IN THE WORLD. ROOMS & SUITES

PIR ATES ISL AND WATERPARKS

Is the in-room experience still luxurious?

Are there added costs for the waterpark?

Other resorts boast about their waterparks, but don’t mention cost and time limits. Not us — our waterparks are among the largest in the Caribbean — with gigantic slides at each resort and an amazing surf simulator*— all-inclusive, all the time, anytime.

L AND AND WATER SPORTS

Are there lots of sports for my clients to enjoy?

Your clients’ whole family can enjoy every water sport* under the sun, like snorkeling, waterskiing, and more. On land , they can enjoy tennis, beach volleyball, hightech fi tness centers, and programs for all ages — no charges and no restrictions.

PLATINUM PROTOCOL OF

CLEANLINESS

TM

CLEANLINESS AND SAFETY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PRIORITY #1

With endless room categories, unrivaled in the Caribbean, Together Nest Suites® let your clients indulge in unparalleled luxurious accommodations.

Whether your clients have a large or small family, their ultimate vacation awaits, from sprawling beachfront family suites to expansive villas.Families of all sizes will discover a whole new level of paradise—togeher.

KIDS CAMP ACCREDITED NANNIES AND SESAME STREET CHAR AC TERS ®

How will my clients’ kids enjoy Beaches?

Endless fun and unrivaled creativity abound with age-appropriate activities and entertainment for all kids — toddlers to tweens. All-day, quality infant care and accredited nanny service is included for all accommodation levels *. Our latest, climate-controlled nurseries are luxurious, but our professional nannies are priceless.

Also, friendly and loveable, a renowned cast of Sesame Street ® characters entertain children of all ages.

VOT E D W O R L D’ S B E ST

23

Y E A R S I N A R OW AT T H E W O R LD T R AV E L A WA R D S

TEEN AC TIVITIES XBOX PL AY LOUNGE

RES TAUR ANTS FOR ALL AGES

Are there activities for teenagers?

Can guest still dine when and where they want?

No other family resort caters to teens like Beaches Resorts. There are water and land sports galore. There’s also unlimited free play of various games at the Xbox Play Lounge; the Trench Town Game Room, with air hockey, foosball, and a teens-only Club Liquid— all included and unlimited.

SCUBA & GOLF

Is scuba and golf included?

Unlike other all-inclusives, Beaches offers divers the Caribbean's most comprehensive dive program*, and top-of-theline equipment. When your clients are ready to come up for air, they can play multiple rounds of golf *— including all green fees in the Caribbean's most beautiful golf courses.

Up to 21 true gourmet restaurants and 14 bars per resort — included and unlimited, 24/7.

With world-class chefs at each resort, your clients can dine wherever and whenever they wish all day, every day.

FAMILY CELEBR ATIONS

Are there other fun activities I can tell my clients about?

No one knows how to throw a party like Beaches. Day into night festivities feature lavish family-friendly beach bonfi res, reggae music, fi re eaters, limbo dancers and an incredible spread of food and drink — unmatched in the Caribbean and all included.

BEACHES.COM • 1-800-545-8283 @beachesresorts

*

Visit www.beaches.com/disclaimers/travelweek081221 or call 1-800-BEACHES for important terms and conditions. Beaches is a registered trademark.

Unique Vacations, Inc. is an affiliate of Unique Travel Corp., the worldwide representative of Beaches Resorts. ®

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Canada’s Travel Trade News August 12, 2021 travelweek.ca

All aboard Experts weigh in on the challenges of having varying vaccination statuses on cruise ships pg. 3

Air Canada to launch new Florida flights from Quebec City

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Royal Caribbean’s full fleet to return by spring 2022 The Bahamas updates entry protocols

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9 11 17

Europe invites the curious

I am

#Naturally Curious

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#Creatively Curious

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#Historically Curious

TOP NEWS

Here’s what cruise experts and agents are saying about vaccinated and unvaccinated guests sailing together

by Cindy Sosroutomo TORONTO — Cruising has at long last returned, with a growing number of cruise lines celebrating their highly anticipated resumption from both nonU.S. and U.S. ports in recent weeks.

All have implemented new health and safety protocols in the midst of COVID-19, many have gone so far as to require COVID-19 vaccination for all guests and crew. But without a universal vaccination mandate in place, and with children under 12 still not eligible for a vaccine, both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated guests can find themselves sailing on the same ship at the same time, calling into question what the best way forward should be for cruise lines in order to keep all those onboard safe, healthy and happy with their cruise experience.

For those who are vaccinated, cruising will look and feel similar to how it did before Covid, with access to all facilities and onboard amenities. But for those who are not vaccinated, either by personal choice or not, or who have received mixed doses of COVID-19 vaccines that are not recognized by the CDC, they may face costly testing requirements, mandatory travel insurance, off-limit areas onboard and restrictions while on shore.

Royal Caribbean made headlines earlier this summer when it announced sailings with unvaccinated guests out of Florida, where earlier in May Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a controversial ‘vaccine passport ban’ that prohibits cruise lines from asking passengers for proof of vaccination.

Falling just shy of requiring guests to be vaccinated, Royal Caribbean instead said that guests are “strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible.” If they don't, they will be required to undergo additional COVID-19 testing at their own expense before and during their cruise and provide proof of a valid insurance policy. They will also be prohibited from the casino and My Time Dining, sit in designated areas in the Main Dining Room, bars and lounges, and access the fitness centre during certain hours,

among other restrictions.

It’s not a perfect system by any means, with some travellers and cruise experts expressing concerns over logistics and possible class distinction onboard. But for cruise lines sailing during these unprecedented times, it’s a system born out of necessity.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Vance Gulliksen tells Travelweek that even though the company is operating only vaccinated cruises, it has a process in place to provide a small number of exemptions for unvaccinated guests, as defined by the CDC, including children under 12.

These guests must apply for an exemption prior to their cruise. Carnival considers a guest to be fully vaccinated 14 days after completing a vaccine therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO). As per CDC guidelines, Carnival is also not recognizing guests with a combination of AstraZeneca and one dose of Pfizer or Moderna as fully vaccinated.

“Generally speaking, vaccinated and unvaccinated guests are together onboard although unvaccinated guests must adhere to a number of onboard protocols involving additional testing, travel insurance and other procedures,” he says, adding that more details can be found on Carnival’s ‘Have Fun. Be Safe.’ web page at carnival.com.

“There is no independent sightseeing in ports of call for unvaccinated guests,

who may only debark if booked on a Carnival-sponsored bubble tour. Unvaccinated youth and teenagers will also not be permitted to participate in supervised youth programs.”

When asked whether Carnival has received any backlash from unvaccinated guests who may not be able to enjoy the full breadth of services and amenities during their cruise, Gulliksen says that thus far, the response from these guests has been outstanding.

“We have consistently communicated with our guests and travel advisor partners to let them know what to expect during their cruise. This ongoing dialogue has been very well received by guests as they are happy to be sailing for the first time in many months,” he says.

Though Carnival may be experiencing little push-back from unvaccinated and mixed-dose guests, industry experts are still calling for a more streamlined approach to avoid confusion among all guest categories. While CLIA, the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, refers to vaccines as a “game changer,” it does not currently have a policy related to vaccines for its member cruise lines. It is, however, exploring a “workable approach for how to consider vaccinations, once widely available, as part of robust protocols.”

Vanessa Lee, President of Cruise Strategies Ltd., tells Travelweek that having both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests onboard is a “no-win,” August 12, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 3

TOP NEWS situation and that it will be difficult for cruise lines to manage.

“There may be conflict with guests cruising together who fall into both categories, and those unvaccinated may become unwell and need to return home. And will the unvaccinated be prepared to mask up constantly? I’m not so sure,” she says. “I’d prefer that every cruise line insists on vaccinated guests and crew over the age of 12. I would not cruise on a brand that does not have such safety and health protocols in place.”

“The issue here is that some brands are European-based and have to manage European and North American guests who have different levels of vaccine acceptance and take-up.”

Lee, who earlier this month sailed with Silversea in the Greek Isles on the new Silver Moon, where everyone onboard was fully vaccinated and tested twice during the voyage, says that an industry-wide vaccination mandate will be difficult to implement, even though in her opinion most cruise lines are for it.

“The issue here is that some brands are European-based and have to manage European and North American guests who have different levels of vaccine acceptance and take-up,” she says. “Some came to the party early and others are still arriving at these decisions. Some have a lot of families in their guest mix so under-12s become an issue. And some have to cruise from Florida, which is a different kettle of fish due to the Governor’s stance. It is quite precarious right now and we will see cruise lines evolve in their thinking and mask guidance so they can better protect the health of their crew, their onshore providers and their guests.”

TRAVELWEEK

David Harris, CEO of Ensemble Travel Group, believes that cruise lines must implement a vaccination mandate to “protect their viability and sustainability,” otherwise confusion will ensue, which will ultimately deter consumer confidence.

"The lack of consistency from one line to the next will hinder meaningful recovery. But the larger issue here is consistent, globally accepted protocols. This is a huge matter that the cruise industry is not responsible for," said Harris.

Applauding CLIA for balancing health and safety issues and taking a science-based approach to restarting cruising, Harris added: “The industry’s commitment to requiring passengers and crew to be vaccinated, along with universal testing and multi-layered health and safety protocols is consistent with the CDC’s updated travel guidance and will provide confidence for consumers to travel again and ensure the safety of passengers and crew alike.”

AGENTS WEIGH IN: “SOMETIMES, BEING THE MESSENGER IS TOUGH” Travelweek checked in with two travel advisors to see what their cruise clients are saying about sailing with both vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers.

Valerie Murphy, an advisor based in Cambridge, ON, says that she’s already had a few unvaccinated clients challenge new cruise requirements, putting her in the middle of an already difficult situation.

“We’ve had a tough year and a half, with people upset about not getting refunds, then getting refunds and waiting for them to come through, and now with people not wanting the vaccine but still wanting to travel. Sometimes, being the messenger is tough!” said Murphy.

Ana P. Tremblay, Owner/Manager of Algonquin Travel Gloucester, says that any backlash will be from clients who are already booked and have assumed they were fully vaccinated according to the Canadian government.

“Passengers will know in advance of boarding what rules they will need to follow,” she says. “They will then make a decision whether to travel or not.”

When asked what challenges she

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foresees with having different protocols in place for vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers, Tremblay says staff will have a hard time policing the new rules.

“Once onboard a ship, the only way I see to distinguish between passengers is to have a note on their file attached to their cruise card. So every time someone swipes their card for a purchase or a drink, staff will be responsible for telling the passenger to put on a mask or step back six feet. If it’s apparent to everyone what group passengers fall into, this may cause issues onboard,” says Tremblay.

DIFFERENT VACCINATION STATUS, DIFFERENT PRICING? With varying restrictions in place for unvaccinated passengers, it can be argued that their cruise experience won’t be as fulfilling or as seamless as those who are vaccinated. So should cruise fares be adjusted if the unvaccinated are denied certain areas of the ship, activities and onshore excursions?

Murphy thinks those who are unvaccinated should enjoy all onboard amenities so long as they are being tested frequently throughout their cruise.

Tremblay says that itemizing amenities will be difficult to do as she equates cruising to an all-inclusive experience. “Whether you drink alcoholic beverages or not, the price remains the same,” she adds.

Lee is also in agreement, telling Travelweek that tying pricing into one’s vaccine status is problematic for cruise companies to navigate.

“If you think you won’t be able to enjoy all the amenities and cruise in comfort, then please don’t cruise at all – at least for the time being. Otherwise, guests will just have to cope with an environment that may not make them happy all the time,” she says. “But the joys of being back at sea and on vacation will likely supersede all that.”

Got a story idea? Questions or comments? Write to us at editorial@travelweek.ca

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4 | TRAVELWEEK | August 12, 2021

REDISCOVER ATLANTIC CITY

The Story Continues Excitement awaits in Atlantic City, including miles of sandy beaches, our world-famous Boardwalk and the thrilling Steel Pier. Enjoy tax-free shopping, award-winning dining, live entertainment and other great attractions.

Here you can experience the ultimate getaway and create a lifetime of memories.

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Meet AC received funding through a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

TourAtlanticCity.com

TOP NEWS

Where to marry, when to book and how to upsell: Romance Travel Xpo covers it all

By Cindy Sosroutomo TORONTO – The numbers are in for the Romance Travel Xpo: 2,110 registered travel advisors, 18 exhibitors, 6,684 breakout session views, 1,740 trainings completed and 230 average booth visits.

Combined with invaluable tips and content that focused on selling romance and destination weddings, it’s safe to say that the virtual event was a resounding success.

As the fourth of six shows in the 2021 PRO Show Series by XpoPRO Mobile Events, a division of TravPRO Mobile, the Romance Travel Xpo on Aug. 3 featured a comprehensive lineup of suppliers and destinations that all cater to the romance and weddings market, including the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada, Destination Wedding Magazine, Canlink Travel Representatives, WestJet Vacations and more.

For the over 2,000 registered advisors, one-on-one meetings with suppliers were available, as were breakout sessions, learning modules and a network lounge.

“We could not have asked for a better Xpo, with attendees already sharing how much they’ve learned and enjoyed the day’s events,” said Dean Jacobberger, VP XpoPRO. “The rollout of our new messenger tool allowed advisors to easily connect with exhibitors as they moved around the show. Plus, having wedding specialists present in the breakout sessions made it easy for travel advisors to learn more about the great opportunities to sell destination weddings, honeymoons and romantic escapes.”

Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. Dana Brown of Expedia Cruises said: “So many weddings cancelled over the last year, this is great information to present couples.” Valerie Cevallos of A-Plus Meetings also said, “Great tips and ideas from other industry professionals,” while Jo Wheeler of Travel Planners International shared that she was “planning my first destination wedding and super excited for today’s info.”

Here are some highlights from the day’s Breakout Sessions: 6 | TRAVELWEEK | August 12, 2021

Elaine Carnegie, President of Canlink Travel Representatives

SMALLER NUMBERS, BIGGER BUDGETS With much of the world closed to travel in 2020 due to the pandemic, couples are now excited to take their vows abroad once more, says the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada.

During its Breakout Session, Co-Founders Tracey Manailescu and Danielle Andrews highlighted the destinations that are now trending among couples that offer fewer crowds, beautiful venues and are slightly off the beaten path yet still easy to get to.

Andrews recommended Iceland for its natural hot springs, waterfalls and Northern Lights, as well as the Dolomites in Italy, a less-frequented alternative to big cities like Florence, Milan and Rome that’s equally enchanting and stunning. Cappadocia, Turkey was also given a shoutout for its cave hotels and hot air balloon rides, as well as Croatia for its seaside beauty, Thailand for its affordability and opulence, Romania for its real-life ‘Tunnel of Love’ and diverse landscapes. Antigua and Barbuda was also highlighted for its close-to-home location and beautiful boutique hotels.

As for what’s trending in terms of wedding amenities, there are several that agents should keep in mind when upselling, said Andrews.

“Couples are keeping their same

budget so we are seeing smaller numbers but with the same large budget, which is fantastic, or even a larger budget because they’ve had a little more time to save,” she said.

Micro weddings are really taking off, with couples looking for smaller, more intimate affairs with just their social bubble. Accommodating around 25 guests, couples are “going big” with the details, adding extra décor and upgrades. “Micro weddings are here to stay and there are lots of upsells for you,” Andrews told advisors.

Other wedding trends that are gaining in popularity are romantic elopements, epic photo sessions with a professional photographer, premium welcome bags and gift boxes for guests, as well as floating breakfasts, which Andrews said is available “everywhere” as an ultra-romantic, morning-after-the-wedding treat for couples.

But perhaps the quirkiest, most surprising wedding trend are llamas and alpacas, the “wedding animals of the year,” said Andrews. Guests are opting to rent these animals to take part in their nuptials, whether appearing at breakfast or roaming in the background during ceremonies, in places like the Dolomites in Italy.

TOP NEWS “IT’S MORE AFFORDABLE THAN YOU MIGHT THINK” For advisors with luxury wedding clients, Elaine Carnegie, President of Canlink Travel Representatives, had these wise words to share: book as soon as possible. Noting that availability will be the biggest challenge as the world returns to normal, Carnegie has been advising agents for months to get their clients booked as soon as possible, especially since weddings that were postponed in 2020 are now being rebooked for later this year and in 2022.

“You want to be able to get them the hotel they want, the date they want and the suite they want for the time of day and location that they want to be married,” she said. “You don’t want to do all this research and work only to find out later that it’s no longer available because they waited a couple of months to book.”

Carnegie also noted that after so much time apart, families are more eager to travel – and celebrate – together.

“Now there are families and friends who are really happy to be able to get together again so wedding groups may have grown a little. You’ll need a few more rooms than you might have before, which is another reason to book in advance,” added Carnegie.

For couples hoping for a larger wedding, villas are a good alternative to booking multiple rooms at a hotel or resort. Not only do they feature a tremendous amount of space, said Carnegie, many also come with a chef, housekeeper and a private pool.

“We’ve had some clients who booked a few of our villas and did a Dine Around each night where they had dinner at one villa with a customized menu, then the next day had a cocktail party at another villa by the pool.

It’s all very personal and customized, whether it be for a small wedding or a large group,” said Carnegie, adding that some of Canlink’s properties offer villas that accommodate up to 60-100 people. “And when you start dividing up the cost of a villa between the number of bedrooms and people, it’s more affordable than you might think.”

the “be all and end all” of travel.

“Couples don’t want to be dealing with the minutiae of details on their big day so they turn to the experts – travel agents,” said Bielby. “They know everything there is to know about travel and will point them in the right direction for their wedding or honeymoon. We look at the travel agent as another wedding planner – we know that it’s not their job but they can take care of all those details like room upgrades, blocking out rooms and even transportation.”

“THEY KNOW EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT TRAVEL” When asked how important of a role travel agents play in planning a wedding, Amy Bielby, Editor of Today’s Bride and Destination Wedding magazines, said they should be considered

WESTJET VACATIONS: THE LATEST UPDATES AND OFFERS WestJet Vacations, one of the event’s exhibitors, highlighted several new agent resources and offers that will help them better sell romance and weddings.

“You want to be able to get them the hotel they want, the date they want and the suite they want for the location they want. You don’t want to do all this research only to find out that it’s no longer available because they waited a couple of months to book.”

Bielby noted that outdoor weddings “are the brand new thing,” so much so that her publications just developed an outdoor wedding guide featuring tips on how to marry outdoors.

“We’re seeing a lot of people get married on mountaintops in B.C. and keeping it local within Canada,” she said. “But it’s still a destination, it still takes coordination and a lot of planning and expertise to make it all work seamlessly.”

To help clients achieve this seamless dream wedding, Bielby suggested having a backup plan – and even multiple plans, if possible.

“Get to know your client, find out what their personalities are and then offer them a few options,” she said.

“We like to say, offer a plan A, plan B and a plan C. Something will eventually stick and grab their attention.”

With its new price match, when agents book a WestJet Vacations package for their clients to Mexico or the Caribbean, WestJet Vacations will automatically match a competitor’s all-in package price up to $75 per adult. This offer is exclusive to WestJet Vacations bookings made by travel agents.

In addition, when agents book a group vacation package with WestJet Groups, they’ll earn 100 WestJet dollars for every 10 adult package guests. A minimum of 10 adult package guests are needed to qualify. A maximum of 500 WestJet dollars may be earned per booking, with a maximum of $3,000 WestJet dollars per calendar year. To book contact 1-844-213-5232 or email groupvacations@westjet.com.

Also for groups, WestJet Vacations Groups has a new instant quote tool that allows travel advisors to receive an immediate quote for new group bookings with many of its hotel partners. The tool can provide quotes for: bookings of 40 guests or less; bookings made a minimum of four months and a maximum of 320 days before departure; bookings to Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Costa Rica; bookings with up to two gateways; bookings with up to three room types per hotel; bookings with a minimum of five rooms; and bookings with up to two different hotels. To access the instant quote tool, go to www.westjettravelagents.com and click on the ‘WestJet Vacations Groups’ button at the top of the page.

Moreover, WestJet Vacations is offering $400 savings per room on a minimum seven-night stay in all room categories at select Barceló properties. Plus, for a limited time, clients can add its Travel Protection Plan for no additional charge to eligible sun destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico.

Booking window is July 21, 2021 – Aug. 14, 2021, for travel between Sept. 1, 2021 and April 30, 2022.

The show content including Exhibitor Booths, Breakout Sessions, Destination Spotlights and Learning Modules, is still available for 30 days by visiting www.romancetravelxpo.com. Next in the 2021 PRO Show Series are the Luxury Travel Xpo and Europe Travel Xpo. August 12, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 7

WORLD NEWS

CRUISE LINES A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Florida law that prevents cruise lines from requiring passengers to prove they're vaccinated against COVID-19, saying the law appears unconstitutional and won't likely hold up in court. The “vaccine passport” ban signed into law in May by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis fails to protect medical privacy or prevent discrimination against unvaccinated people, but it does appear to violate the First Amendment rights of Norwegian Cruise Line, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams wrote.

In a nearly 60-page ruling issued Aug. 8, the judge said Florida failed to “provide a valid evidentiary, factual, or legal predicate” for banning requirements that passengers prove they've been vaccinated. Norwegian has shown that suspending the requirement will jeopardize public health, potentially causing “super-spreader” events wherever passengers disembark, she wrote.

Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO of Silversea Cruises, Godmother Gaia Gaja, and Captain Chavdar Georgiev

Silversea christened its newest ship, Silver Moon, on July 28 with an official naming ceremony. With the christening, Silver Moon officially became the ninth ship in Silversea’s fleet.

It also became the first ultra-luxury cruise ship to set sail following the pandemic when it embarked upon its inaugural season from Athens on June 18, undertaking a series of 10day voyages in the Greek Isles. Silver Moon is Silversea’s second Muse-class ship and is the sister ship to Silver Muse.

Onboard, guests will find re-imagined public spaces, butler service in all suite categories and Silversea’s new culinary program, Sea and Land Taste (S.A.L.T.), featuring three new onboard venues and special shore excursions that allow guests to experience the food and drink of each destination firsthand.

AIRLINES The COVID-19 pandemic and all the travel restrictions resulted in a 60% decrease in airline passenger traffic, says IATA, making 2020 the worst year ever for the world’s airlines. Traffic dropped to 1.8 billion from a high of 4.5 billion in 2019, while air travel demand (measured in revenue passenger-kilometres, i.e. RPKs), was down by almost 66%.

Air connectivity more than halved, with the number of routes connecting the world’s airports down sharply in the early months of the pandemic, to a low point of more than 60% in April 2020. Total industry passenger revenues fell by 69% to US$189 billion in 2020. Net losses totalled $126.4 billion. All in all the decline in air passengers transported in 2020 was the largest recorded since global RPKs started being tracked around 1950.

8 | TRAVELWEEK | August 12, 2021

OWG is marking its first anniversary with the addition of its first B737-800 to its fleet. OWG launched last year with sun flights out of Quebec and is an offshoot of Nolinor Aviation, which has offered charter flights mainly to the Far North on Boeing 737s for the past 27 years. OWG acquired the B737800 from a special purpose corporation wholly-owned by Frank DeMarinis, who is CEO of Red Label Vacations. The aircraft is expected to be in service in 2022. "Our team spent the past year planning this moment and we look forward to flying again when it will be safe to do so. With this new 737-800 aircraft, OWG will offer the HIGH LOVE experience towards more destinations. It is the next logical step for us,” said Nolinor Aviation President, Marco Prud'Homme.

DESTINATIONS Riviera Nayarit is reporting a 20% increase in visitors in June, compared to the same month in 2019, a sure sign that travel to Mexico’s youngest tourism destination is back in high demand. Marc Murphy, managing director for the Riviera Nayarit Visitors and Conventions Bureau (CVB), credits the destination’s high numbers to the local government’s gradual approach to reopening, adjusting restrictions during peak periods. Riviera Nayarit is also reporting many developments that are underway, including a US$5 billion hotel investment that saw fall 2020 debuts of Conrad Punta de Mita and One & Only Mandarina. Other impressive brands set to open in 2023 and beyond include: the 130-room Rosewood Mandarina; a 500-room Mariott; a 400-room Westin; a 500-key Autograph Collection property; and a 240-room Ritz Carlton Resort.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines marked the start of its peak tourism season on Aug. 7 with the arrival of the destination’s first cruise ship since the start of the pandemic. The Seabourn Odyssey docked in Port Elizabeth, Bequia as the first of 224 cruise ships expected to call at various ports throughout the destination in the upcoming months. Air Canada is set to resume flights to St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Nov. 1, 2021. In preparation of the season, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has implemented several protocols for arriving passengers, including Tourism Approved ‘Safe Zones’ that are serviced by fully vaccinated tourism service providers. All fully vaccinated visitors arriving by air will only be required to quarantine for 48 hours in a Tourism Approved property, while quarantine periods for unvaccinated visitors range from 7-21 days, depending on the origin of the traveller.

NEWS

Air Canada to launch new YQB-Florida routes, resumes Toronto-Dublin flights MONTREAL — Air Canada has announced two brand new Florida routes out of Quebec City: Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, both starting this winter.

Flights to Fort Lauderdale will kick off Nov. 19 out of Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) (4x/weekly), while service to Orlando will begin Dec. 17 (1x/weekly). Starting Dec. 4, Air Canada will also start offering more flights to Punta Cana (2x/weekly) and Cancun (2x/weekly).

"We're excited to be launching these two new routes to Florida from Quebec City, a first for Air Canada," said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada. "Punta Cana and Cancun are also among the most popular tropical destinations, and we are happy to be able to bring back these connections. These routes will not only provide more diverse flight options for Quebec City residents but will also strengthen our foothold in a growing market and better serve the Jean Lesage International Airport, our long– time partner. Now that restrictions are easing, it's time to start travelling again and book your escape to the sun. We can't wait to see you back on board."

Air Canada flights out of Quebec City will be operated by Rouge on Airbus A319 planes that can accommodate 136 passengers.

In other news, Air Canada’s nonstop service from Toronto (YYZ) to Dublin (DUB) resumed on Aug. 1 as part of its international schedule for summer 2021.

Flights are operated three times a week onboard Air Canada’s 787 Dreamliner.

The route relaunch coincides with Ireland’s recent announcement about eased travel measures for fully vaccinated Canadians, which include the elimination of travel-related testing or quarantine. Those who do not have valid proof of vaccination must present a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours prior to arrival, self-quarantine and undergo post-arrival testing.

Air Canada's new refund policy will apply to all tickets purchased. The airline offers a full refund based on the original form of payment, an Air Canada travel voucher or the equivalent

in Aeroplan points, plus an additional 65% if the airline has to cancel a flight or change the schedule by more than three hours.

Sunwing Airlines’ sun flights get strong restart from Toronto and Montreal TORONTO — The first Sunwing Airlines flights to the sun since January 2021 took off July 30 from Toronto and Montreal.

The inaugural flights marked Sunwing’s partial return to service amid Canada’s soaring vaccination rates, easing border measures and increasing demand for travel.

Weekly service will initially be offered from Toronto and Montreal, with additional routes expected to follow.

“After a long seven months, we’re thrilled to be returning to the skies and bringing our customers back to the tropics,” said Mark Williams, President, Sunwing Airlines. “Our team has been working hard to prepare for our partial return to service and we’re looking forward to making even more vacation dreams come true over the coming months with flights to some of our most popular destinations.”

Initial service is being offered from Toronto to Cancun, Punta Cana and Montego Bay, and from Montreal to

Cancun and Punta Cana.

Sunwing will be operating additional gateways and destinations for the fall and winter season, with departures from numerous other Canadian cities beginning in October 2021.

The company is reporting strong bookings particularly with group bookings, as travellers seek to reconnect with friends and family.

“With vaccination rates continuing to climb nationwide, we’re seeing more pent-up demand for travel as Canadians plan their much-anticipated getaways,” said Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations at Sunwing.

“Following more than a year of uncertainty and stress, customers are seeking out the kind of seamless vacation experiences that we provide more than ever before, and we’re already seeing unprecedented bookings for the most popular resorts. We’re looking forward to offering customers frictionless travel every step of the way.”

The resumption of flights follows on the heels of a recent survey commissioned by Sunwing, which uncovered that more than half of Canadians (58%) are interested in returning to travel within the next 12 months, with over two-thirds (68%) expressing a desire to plan an all-inclusive vacation. With demand for travel quickly outpacing availability, customers interested in headed south over the next few months should book now to reserve their spot at their preferred resort.

August 12, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 9

NEWS be delivered by 2023.

These new generation aircraft have the lowest environmental impact in their class, reinforcing Air Transat’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

WestJet’s new Calgary-Seattle service to launch in November

Air Transat back in the sky, summer program now underway MONTREAL — At long last, Air Transat has returned to the skies today following a six-month pause in operations due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Three flights departed July 30 to mark the airline’s resumption of operations and kick off its summer program: Montreal-Punta Cana, Punta Cana-Montreal, and Montreal-Vancouver. At the height of the summer program, a total of 24 routes to 16 destinations in Canada, the United States, the South and Europe will be available.

On resuming operations, Annick Guérard, President and CEO of Transat said: “We are thrilled to finally reunite with our travellers and allow them to reconnect with their favourite destinations through our world-renowned travel experience. In preparation for our return, our teams have been working hard to ensure the safety of travellers and facilitate their planning by continuously adjusting our Traveller Care health and safety program and our practical guide on travel requirements.”

Vancouver. This includes brand new service between Quebec City and Vancouver, a first for the airline.

The program also allows Canadians to travel to more international destinations via connecting flights from Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City.

Direct flights will gradually operate to the following destinations: MONTREAL: Cuba (Holguin and Varadero), Dominican Republic (Punta Cana), France (Paris), Haiti (Port-au-Prince), Mexico (Cancun), Portugal (Lisbon) and the United States (Fort Lauderdale and Orlando) TORONTO: Cuba (Holguin and Varadero), Dominican Republic (Punta Cana), England (London), Mexico (Cancun), Portugal (Porto) and the United States (Fort Lauderdale and Orlando) QUEBEC CITY: United States (Fort Lauderdale) In addition, the company will offer a selection of South packages featuring 160 properties and four collections: Luxury, Out of Office, Family and Solo.

Due to evolving travel restrictions, Air Transat may need to modify its flight schedule though travellers can rest assured that they will be eligible for a refund if their travel plans are impacted by major changes. Go to www. airtransat.co/en-CA/refunds for more details.

SUMMER 2021 PROGRAM & NEW DOMESTIC ROUTE To meet travel demand, Air Transat is offering an extensive program of domestic flights between Calgary, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto and

MORE AIRBUS AIRCRAFT ADDED TO FLEET Three new Airbus A321neoLRs have been welcomed to the Air Transat fleet, bringing the total number of these aircraft to 10. Seven ore are expected to

10 | TRAVELWEEK | August 12, 2021

CALGARY — WestJet has announced new nonstop service between Calgary and Seattle, beginning this November.

Operating four times weekly from Nov. 4, 2021, the new service will fly on WestJet Encore’s Q400 aircraft. Starting May 19, 2022, it will increase to twotimes daily.

Seattle will mark the airline’s 12th nonstop option to the United States from its Calgary hub by November.

“This route provides guests in Western Canada and across the Pacific Northwest with new convenient and affordable options to connect for business or leisure.”

“We are delighted to add Calgary-Seattle service to our network, providing our first nonstop service between these two incredible cities,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer. “Whether planning to visit the Emerald City to catch a favourite sports team, or to explore the Canadian Rockies, this route provides guests in Western Canada and across the Pacific Northwest with new convenient and affordable options to connect for business or leisure.”

Guests will also benefit from the addition of Seattle to WestJet’s network with new convenient connections via Seattle’s Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to U.S. destinations. More details on connectivity options will be released at a later date.

NEWS

Royal Caribbean’s full fleet to return by spring 2022

ing on cruises from Florida, the line is strongly recommending that all eligible guests be vaccinated. Children younger than the eligible age on any cruise must undergo testing.

All 2021 and 2022 cruises are open MIAMI — Royal Caribbean International will be fully back on stream by spring for booking.

Upcoming 2021-2022 sailings will in2022 with a complete lineup of ships clude the following: that will span the globe.

• Oasis of the Seas – 7-night Bahamas After successfully resuming cruises cruises from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, across Alaska, Asia, The Bahamas, the starting Sept. 5; and 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Europe in the past few and Western Caribbean itineraries months, the company’s next group of refrom Miami, beginning November turning ships and itineraries will set sail on • Liberty of the Seas – 7-night Western Sept. 5 with Oasis of the Seas’ first sailing Caribbean cruises from Galveston, from the New York area – a seven-night Texas, starting Oct. 3 itinerary to its private island destination, • Serenade of the Seas – 4- and 5-night Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas.

Western Caribbean cruises from Tampa, All 26 ships are anticipated to resume Florida, starting Oct. 16; and 7-night Caoperations by next spring, and will inribbean itineraries, beginning December clude previously announced milestones • Explorer of the Seas – 7-night Southfor Royal Caribbean that include its reern Caribbean sailings from San Juan, turn to California and the start of the first Puerto Rico, starting Nov. 7 full winter season from Barbados.

• Navigator of the Seas – 3-, 4- and 5-night Each ship now returning will cruise Catalina Island, California, and Ensenawith health measures in place, with da and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico cruises all crew members and guests of eligifrom Los Angeles, beginning Nov. 19 ble age required to be fully vaccinated • Grandeur of the Seas – 7- and 14-night Travelweek 2020 ads:TravelWeek 2016sail2021-07-05 8:29 AM Caribbean Page 1 against COVID-19.

For travellers Southern sailings from

Bridgetown, Barbados, starting Dec. 5 • Ovation of the Seas – 2- to 10-night domestic itineraries in Australia from Sydney, beginning Dec. 13 • Brilliance of the Seas – 4- and 5-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean cruises from Tampa, starting Dec. 16 • Enchantment of the Seas – 8-night Bahamas sailings, and select 12-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean from Baltimore, starting Dec. 23 • Vision of the Seas – 10- and 11-night Southern Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, beginning Jan. 24, 2022 • Voyager of the Seas – 7- and 9-night cruises in Northern Europe from Barcelona, Spain, starting April 15, 2022 • Radiance of the Seas – 7-night Alaska sailings from Vancouver, Canada, beginning April 29, 2022 • Rhapsody of the Seas – 7-night Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries, sailing from Rome starting May 23, 2022 Serenade and Explorer of the Seas’ 2021 cruises are existing itineraries for the following ships: Brilliance, Rhapsody and Vision of the Seas, respectively.

Guests booked on these ships will be automatically transferred to the new ship.

Agent DecAthlon chAllenge This month’s tips:

Know the rules & regs Everything about cruising Review all systems Who’s flying where?

LEARN MORE™ August 12, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 11

AmaWaterways announces new vaccination policy TORONTO — AmaWaterways has updated its travel policy to include a new vaccination requirement for all guests.

Effective immediately, the river cruise line will require all guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to their river cruise. For those who’ve received the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca shots, they must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to their sailing date. Those who’ve received Johnson & Johnson must be fully vaccinated at least 28 days prior to their departure.

AmaWaterways is also recommending all guests take a PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure, and bring documentation of a negative result with them on their sailing as a precautionary measure.

According to the company, the decision was made following recent changes in certain European countries that now require up to a 10-day quarantine period for unvaccinated travellers upon entry. Many countries have implemented procedures that strongly encourage travellers to be vaccinated and, in some cases, restrict access to certain venues unless they are vaccinated or can provide a negative COVID-19 test result valid for 24 hours.

“AmaWaterways acknowledges that vaccination is an important tool in mitigating the health risks associated with COVID-19 worldwide,” said AmaWaterways President and Co-founder Rudi Schreiner. “In order to support this effort and safeguard the onboard experience, we will now only be allowing vaccinated guests onboard our ships.

The vast majority of our guests are already vaccinated and they, along with our travel advisor partners, have expressed support of this new policy as an added layer of protection to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests and crew onboard.”

Guests who may be affected by this new policy change are asked to contact their travel advisor for options.

For more details about the change, go to www.amawaterways.ca/travel updates.

12 | TRAVELWEEK | August 12, 2021

Credit: Sandals

NEWS

Beaches® Negril, a family-friendly paradise

NEGRIL — There’s non-stop family fun to be had at Beaches Negril, now elevated with new rooms and suites and a sweeping array of enhancements from end to end.

Located on Negril’s famed SevenMile Beach, the popular resort was named Jamaica’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort in 2020 by the World Travel Awards for its wide array of family-friendly amenities and services. Notable enhancements include the refurbishment of Santa Cruz Villages and Savannah Village, now boasting all-new furnishings and walkout features for a more luxurious and unique suite experience. Large and multi-generational families can also take advantage of expansive two- and three-bedroom Together Nest Butler Suites® featuring all the comforts of home.

Other top-notch family offerings include three freshwater pools and three whirlpools, day and night tennis courts and live shows. Not to be missed is Pirates Island, an 18,000 square-foot water park where kids can meander a 650-foot lazy river and enjoy eight slides, swim up to a soda bar and make use of water cannons and pirate bucket drops. Plus, little ones will get the chance to meet Oscar the Grouch during themed activities, parades and stage shows, all part of the Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street® program. It’s also worth noting that Beaches Negril is home to the Caribbean’s first Advanced Certified Autism Center, which offers specialized service, engaging activities and custom dining options so that all families can enjoy a memorable experience.

There’s also a Kids Camp & Nursery with a wide range of supervised

activities and certified nannies, the interactive Teens Program featuring coordinated teen activities, the Club Liquid at Beaches for teens, Yoyos, the only frozen yogurt restaurant at Beaches, and the hugely popular Xbox Play Lounge where young guests can ‘game’ to their hearts content on plasma screens.

The ocean will be the entire family's personal playground with a wide array of water sports and scuba diving* available. Aside from Hobie® Cats, paddle boards and kayaks, Beaches Negril offers a three-hour, on-resort PADI®-certified scuba diving course for a nominal fee. Plus daily scuba diving is included for certified divers; twice daily dives with one tank, or once with two tanks.

As for dining, food lovers of all ages will enjoy nine 5-Star Global Gourmet™ dining options on site featuring the distinctive flavours of Italy, Asia, America, France, the Caribbean and more. Adult guests can enjoy an elevated dining experience by pairing their meals with Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks® wines at no extra cost.

There are six varietals to choose from. And if guests wish to end the day with a nightcap, there are seven bars to choose from on site, all serving unlimited premium liquors. *Visit www.beaches.com/disclaimers/travelweek 081221 or call 1.800.BEACHES for important terms and conditions. Beaches® is a registered trademark. Unique Vacations Inc. is an affiliate of Unique Travel Corp., the worldwide representative of Beaches Resorts.

NEWS Jane Clementino, Director, Discover the World Canada

“Believe in your value and stand up for what you need”: Clementino’s message to travel agents TORONTO — Great things await when a well-known and respected industry veteran joins forces with an equally wellknown and respected industry brand.

Case in point: Jane Clementino and Discover the World Canada.

With 30 years of industry experience, Clementino is best known for her time at WestJet and WestJet Vacations, where she was Global Director of Indirect Sales. At trade events for WestJet, Clementino’s enthusiasm, energy and natural rapport with the retail travel community helped forge WestJet’s connections with the trade.

When Clementino joined Discover the World Canada in May 2021, her appointment took the company from strength to strength, after 28 years with Joanne Lundy at the helm. Lundy continues to contribute to Discover the World Canada on a part-time project basis.

We caught up with Clementino to see how she’s settling into her new post, and to get her take on what post-pandemic travel will look like.

Discover the World has offices all over the world, and it’s been in business for 40 years, since 1981. The company specializes in outsourcing sales and marketing services. Clementino says that with the pandemic, Discover the World Canada has expanded its offering to tap new opportunities.

“Building on the strength of our core business, and being cognizant of the current market conditions, we are expanding our service offerings and leveraging our capabilities to provide additional sales and service solutions,” says Clementino.

“We understand how difficult it will be for suppliers to have the desired sales coverage and resource allocation post the pandemic, so our roaster of seasoned professionals are available to support any long and short term

supplier needs by providing consulting services, package sales services, which create specific custom solutions for market suppliers, and tactical services offering BDM support, and inside sales support,” she adds.

We asked Clementino how will travel change post-pandemic. And what will never change?

"Travel post-pandemic will be more complex and I believe travellers will look for more professional travel advice, be extremely conscious of the travel requirements and conditions of the destination, and be aware of the terms and conditions provided by the travel supplier selected,” she says. “What will stand the test of time is that people want to deal with people and brands they trust. They want reliability and clarity around the rules and regulations, and they want to feel that their travel booking matters and that there is a high level of care about their wellbeing.”

She adds: “What will never change is people want to explore. They want to feel the excitement of travel and they want to create memorable travel experiences and feel the joy of meeting people face to face.”

We wondered what lessons Clementino learned from working at WestJet,

PEOPLE Virtuoso’s McCarthy and Belles promoted to leadership positions

Misty Belles

Karyn McCarthy

Virtuoso has promoted two longstanding executives to key leadership positions: Karyn McCarthy and Misty Belles.

McCarthy, now vice president, Member and Partner Development, will oversee the group’s efforts in establishing strategic partnerships, fostering targeted network growth and increasing preferred partner and agency/advisor engagement with network products and programs. She first joined Virtuoso in 2015 as Director, Product Development where she managed the qualification and vetting process for travel suppliers joining the network’s Preferred Partner programs. Since then, her role has evolved within the Global Partnerships team.

Belles has assumed the title of vice president, Global Public Relations and will continue to drive Virtuoso’s public relations strategy. Part of the Virtuoso team since 1999, Belles has held various roles that included cruise and tour direct marketing as well a director of the Hotels & Resorts program before taking the lead on public relations in 2005.

McCarthy will continue to work from Virtuoso’s New York City office while Belles offices from her home in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

August 12, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 13

NEWS that she’s carried through to this next phase in her career?

“I loved my time at WestJet,” says Clementino. “The role was diverse and the span of responsibility significant.

Three of the greatest lessons she learned during her time with WestJet, she says, “which drove our team’s success,” were: “Listen and learn. Truly understand the agents and agencies perspectives and viewpoints.”

“Deliver what you promised, and do not promise something you can not deliver.”

“Surround yourself with talented, passionate, driven team members."

We also asked Clementino if she had any message for agents and the travel industry during this extremely challenging time, more than 16 months into the pandemic.

“I have the highest respect for travel agents, and the travel trade,” she said.

“My message to them is to remain resilient, continue to educate yourself, believe in your value and stand up for what you need.”

And one more: “Thank you for all you do in supporting the travel economy and contributing to the success of the recovery.”

“We hope to see all suppliers change their policies”: ACTA applauds commission moves TORONTO — The need for upfront commission payment and commission protection has never been greater, as travel agencies struggle to stay solvent more than 16 months into the pandemic.

ACTA is applauding the decision by many suppliers to pay commission at time of booking / deposit, and to protect commissions on cancelled files.

Both approaches are in line with ACTA’s recommended Best Practices, says ACTA President Wendy Paradis.

“The pandemic has illustrated the vulnerabilities for travel agencies and travel agents with regard to former policies on commission recall and commissions paid only when clients travel,” she says.

Paradis adds: “Going forward, we 14 | TRAVELWEEK | August 12, 2021

hope to see all suppliers change their policies. Travel agents have been without revenue now for months despite taking bookings – this model cannot continue.”

Here’s ACTA’s ask, as per its recommended Best Practices put forth last year: • Pay commission at the time of deposit and/or when the file is paid in full, regardless of travel date • Protect commission if the travel is rebooked, cancelled or refunded (especially if the supplier has retained partial payment) • Pay commission on any prepaid or pre-booked add-on’s, upgrades and excursions and so on.

Consortiums are onboard too. Says Christine James, Vice President, Canada, TL Network: “Clearly it’s been an extremely challenging year financially for all travel retailers over the past 16 months. Recognizing the overwhelming cash flow hurdles that travel advisors were faced with, it was a relief to see that the majority of suppliers stepped up to protect commissions on any existing bookings. At the very least, it removed the initial burden of advisors scrambling to deal with commission recalls for their clients that accepted the future travel credits!”

David Harris, CEO of Ensemble Travel Group says positive moves from many

suppliers “who have stepped up and demonstrated an understanding of how critical advisors are to the entire travel system and recognizing the need to pay commissions in a timely manner upon final payment of trip and protecting them against refunds, has been a bright spot in an unimaginable year and I truly believe that those suppliers will be rewarded in the long term.”

And Cathie Lewis-Hardy, VP, Strategic Partnerships, TRAVELSAVERS Inc. says: “TRAVELSAVERS continues to advocate with suppliers for updated commission policies where commission is paid at deposit and/or at final payment, as well as commission protection. We believe these changes are fair and reasonable and will greatly assist advisors with much needed monthly cash flow.”

Suppliers who look out for their retail partners will see results, she adds.

“It is important that preferred partners understand the value of a travel advisor’s role in the sale of their products and services. And during the last 16 months, the multiple reselling of their products and services as products shifted and policies changed. We commend and thank those partners that have already made this change. As a result of these policy changes, we have seen a growth in future sales and a loyalty shift to these partners.”

‘Tastes of Travel,’ a culinary fundraiser hosted by PEI-based travel agency Stewart Travel Group last month, was a huge success, raising a grand total of $13,186 for Hospice PEI. Hosted in partnership with The Culinary Institute of Canada,’ the evening was held earlier this month at The Dining Room where chefs and culinary students prepared an eight-course meal of international dishes, each representing a destination Stewart Travel Group will visit in 2022. The agency is gearing up for its week-long Jim Cuddy (of Blue Rodeo fame) Danube River cruise, scheduled for October with stops in Budapest, Hungary and Nuremberg, Germany. For more information about its upcoming tours for 2022 go to www.stewartravelgroup.ca.

NEWS Dos Awa infinity pool at Sandals Royal Curaçao

Bookings now available for Sandals Royal Curaçao, set to open April 14, 2022 MONTEGO BAY — Bookings for the new Sandals Royal Curaçao are now open and Sandals Resorts International is marking the occasion with new details about the property.

There’s also news of a special Grand Opening Offer with savings of up to US$1,000.

Sandals Royal Curaçao is scheduled to open on April 14, 2022.

The new property, the 16th Sandals Resort, is the first for the brand on Curaçao. Formerly the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort, the property is being ‘Sandalized’ in true company fashion.

Says SRI’s Executive Chairman, Adam Stewart: “We have invested an additional US$72 million in enhancements and improvements to complete the ‘Sandalization’ process of this already stunning property, and we can’t wait for our guests to be in awe.”

SRI first announced its intentions for the Curaçao property in December 2020, however many more details about the newly renamed resort are included in today’s announcement…

• Sandals Royal Curaçao will connect the island’s natural world wonders – desert, ocean, mountains, and shoreline – with the resort experience, thanks to its positioning on 44 acres within the Santa Barbara private estate, an exclusive 3,000acre protected preserve. Couples will discover the beauty and geographic diversity of Curaçao, known for its adventurous terrain, pristine beaches,

limestone caves and capital city Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while still indulging in the Luxury Included Vacation experience Sandals Resorts is renowned for, says the company.

• The resort will offer 351 luxurious rooms and suites in 24 room categories. Two new signature suite categories, the Awa Seaside Butler Bungalows and Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalows, come complete with Tranquility Soaking Tubs, private pools, butler service, and convertible MINI Coopers compli-

“We are thrilled to make this truly remarkable resort available for bookings and introduce Curaçao to new audiences.” mentary for guests to drive while exploring the island. The resort is also conveniently located just 15 miles from the airport, with a west-facing position showcasing the Caribbean’s spectacular sunsets.

• Sandals Royal Curaçao will be home to the brand’s first Dos Awa infinity pool with views overlooking the sea and the rugged mountain landscape, and The Duchess, Sandals’ first-ever floating restaurant and bar, constructed from a 92-foot authentic Dutch ship.

• The resort will feature nine on-site 5-Star Global Gourmet restaurants - and eight of them are new and exclusive to Sandals Royal Curaçao.

Offerings include an authentic wine and Dutch cheese bar. Couples can

also dine on-the-go at three new beachside gourmet food trucks offering traditional Curaçao fare, Spanish tapas, and Asian fusion, or grab a drink at any of the resort’s 10 unique bars.

• For brides and grooms, Sandals Royal Curaçao will showcase three oceanfront wedding venues.

• The resort will also feature a luxurious Red Lane Spa with six outdoor spa cabanas and treatment rooms; expansive pools; access to the neighbouring 18-hole Pete Dye championship golf course; 38,000-square-feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, the largest on the island; two on-site marinas and 70 dive sites, ideally suited for guests looking to join the more than 100,000 divers who have earned PADI-certification through the resort company already.

• Apart from the new destination, the sheer size of the private preserve surrounding Sandals Royal Curaçao will allow for new guest adventures, says Stewart. “At Sandals Royal Curaçao, guests will also be able to hike, bike and pick-up a picnic basket to fuel days of discovery and exploration. Pure romance. And they can continue this adventurous spirit beyond our gates where they will find a world-class destination of great restaurants, fascinating locals, fine art, and visitors from all over the world."

GRAND OPENING OFFER ON NOW Guests who book a stay at Sandals Royal Curaçao now through Nov. 2, 2021, will receive a special Grand Opening Offer with savings of up to US$1,000.

Gary Sadler, Executive Vice President, Global Sales & Industry Relations for Unique Vacations Inc. (UVI), an affiliate of the worldwide representative of Sandals Resorts, says: “We are thrilled to make this truly remarkable resort available for bookings and to introduce Curaçao to new audiences that we know will be captivated by its beauty, the warmth of its people and the destination’s irrepressible energy.”

Adds Sadler: “We are certain our partners will love selling this hotel.”

Introductory rates start at US$341 per person, per night, and butler category rates start at US$538 per person, per night, based on double occupancy and a seven-night stay.

August 12, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 15

NEWS

Introducing AMR Collection by AMResorts NEWTON SQUARE, PA — To celebrate its 20th anniversary, AMResorts has launched a new collection that brings six resort brands under one name.

Called the AMR Collection, the new master brand was envisioned to help agents and their clients easily select the resort that best fits their needs.

Featuring the new tagline “Celebrate Every Moment,’ it includes the following brands: Secrets, Dreams and Breathless Resorts & Spas, Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Alua Hotels & resorts, and Sunscape Resorts & Spas.

“Celebrate Ever Moment captures the feeling we aim to create for every guest through the memories made at AMR Collection resorts – it reflects what vacation means for travellers today more than ever,” said Erica Doyne, SVP of Marketing and Communications for AMResorts. “Throughout our history and during this past year especially, we have learned that everyday moments are worth celebrating, and AMR Collection offers the ideal backdrop to do just that.”

Doyne added that the new collection ties the company’s portfolio together for “enhanced recognition” and will help guests connect multiple brands under one name. From a business perspective, it will also help cultivate strong branding and drive revenue through strategic marketing efforts.

Looking ahead, AMR Collection will include new product line extensions to accommodate market segment preferences and further differentiate the adults-only resorts from family-friendly.

16 | TRAVELWEEK | August 12, 2021

By focusing on lifestyle, Doyne said there is unlimited growth potential for the collection.

In addition to AMR Collection, AMResorts is introducing four- and five-star collection tiers as part of its repositioning. These categories will further define the level of luxury of each of its brands, providing guests with multiple entry points for a luxury travel experience.

AMResorts launched as a company 20 years ago with an all-inclusive concept that focused on luxury. It has since grown to become one of the largest portfolios of all-inclusive branded luxury resorts in the Americas, tripling in size in the last decade. It is currently experiencing a massive expansion in Europe, and was the first brand to introduce the all-inclusive experience to such locales as St. Martin and Macao Beach in the Dominican Republic. In total, the portfolio features 102 properties across 36 beachfront destinations and eight countries.

For more information on the AMR Collection, go to www.AMRCollection.com.

ACV unveils winter 2021/2022 sun routes from Quebec MONTREAL — The rollout continues for Air Canada Vacations, which has just unveiled its latest round of winter sun flights, this time out of Quebec.

A brand new nonstop route from Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale, Florida will kick off in November 2021 and increase in peak season, with an additional nonstop route from Quebec City to Orlando, Florida beginning in

December 2021. These flights will be operated on a Rouge narrow body aircraft featuring Premium Rouge and Economy Class.

The roster also boasts a full flying program from Montreal and new flights from Quebec City to destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.

The addition of these new routes gives our customers in La Belle Province more options for their beach escapes,” said Nino Montagnese, Vice President, Air Canada Vacations. “Florida has always been a popular destination for many in the province and we’re excited to make it easier than ever for them to visit our neighbours to the south.

By adding more flights to Mexico and the Caribbean, we’re giving customers in Quebec the chance to finally experience the tropical getaway they’ve been dreaming of and get some well-deserved time under the sun.”

Non-stop flights from Montreal and Quebec in winter 2021/2022 are as follows: MONTREAL • Barbados: 3x/week • Cancun: Daily • Cayo Coco: 3x/week • Cayo Santa Maria: 1x/week • Cozumel: 2x/week • Curacao: 2x/week starting December • Guadeloupe: 5x/week • Holguin: 1x/week • Ixtapa-Zihuatenejo: 2x/week starting December • Liberia: 3x/week • Martinique: 5x/week • Montego Bay: 1x/week • Nassau: 2x/week starting December, and 3x/week starting March • Puerto Plata: 3x/week • Puerto Vallarta: 5x/week • Punta Cana: Daily

NEWS • Samana: 2x/week • San Jose: 4x/week • San Juan: 2x/week starting December • Turks & Caicos: 2x/week • Varadero: Daily QUEBEC CITY • Cancun: 2x/week starting December • Punta Cana: 2x/week starting December Last month, Air Canada Vacations unveiled its winter 2021/2022 lineups from Ontario & the Maritimes as well as from Western Canada.

all travellers applying for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa from Aug. 6, 2021 and onward. These protocols will be waived for any person with imminent travel who has already applied for and obtained a Bahamas Travel Health Visa. For full details see Bahamas.com/ travelupdates.

The Bahamas updates entry protocols with new testing requirements

ENTERING THE BAHAMAS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES All fully vaccinated travellers, as well as children ages 2-11, will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test (either a rapid antigen test or PCR test) taken no more than five days prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas.

Unvaccinated travellers ages 12 and older must still obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 5 days prior to the date of arrival.

All children under the age of 2 are exempt from any testing requirements.

NASSAU — The Bahamas has updated its COVID-19 entry protocols, with new testing requirements for travellers applying for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa to enter The Bahamas, or travel inter-islandHKS_7x4-875in_EN_062021_op.pdf within The Bahamas. 1 8/6/2021 The new testing protocols are for

TRAVELLING INTER-ISLAND WITHIN THE BAHAMAS The same protocols as above apply for inter-island travel (i.e. Nassau & Paradise Island, Grand Bahama, Bimini, Exuma, Abaco and North and South Eleuthera, 14:15:59 including Harbour Island). Tests must be

taken within five days of travel.

CRUISE PASSENGERS Cruise passengers on sailings that originate in and return to The Bahamas must still apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa and follow the new testing requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

Vaccinated persons must provide a negative PCR test OR rapid antigen test taken no more than five days prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas.

Unvaccinated persons are required to obtain a negative PCR test taken no more than five days prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas.

All travellers entering The Bahamas on cruises that originate in the U.S. will be subjected to the testing requirements mandated by the cruise line and approved by the Government of The Bahamas. The Bahamas notes that cruise lines may have different requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated guests, and advises travellers to check with their cruise line.

More information is at Bahamas. com/travelupdates.

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August 12, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 17

NEWS

Intrepid mandates vaccinations for travellers and tour leaders TORONTO — Intrepid Travel is mandating full vaccinations for all travellers and tour leaders.

The new policy, in line with what many cruise lines and an increasing number of escorted tour companies are doing, is part of Intrepid’s pandemic-response initiative that also includes increasing on-the-ground resources in support of vaccine access and education, and committing AUD$100,000 towards improving global equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

“We are introducing a global vaccine mandate to not only ensure the safety of our travellers but the safety of our tour leaders, their families and the communities that we visit,” says James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel.

“Unfortunately, the reality is that access to vaccines is not equal globally, and we cannot responsibly require leaders to be vaccinated if we don’t also help to advocate and improve their access to them.”

The mandatory vaccination policy for all Intrepid travellers and tour leaders is effective Sept. 1, 2021.

Until now, Intrepid required either proof of vaccination or a negative test within 72 hours.

Porters in Calca Peru

Even with those requirements, 94% of travellers on Intrepid trips since May 2021 have been fully vaccinated, which will now be a requirement, says the company.

Intrepid says it has been clear that moving to a vaccine mandate for trips would only be possible with additional commitments to ensure tour leaders and the communities they visit are given equal access to vaccines. The vaccine mandate excludes limited local travel in Australia & New Zealand due to strict government lockdowns and international border closures.

Meanwhile Intrepid’s commitment to increasing on-the-ground resources in support of vaccine access and education has seen the company mobilize its 23 operational offices across five continents to offer on-the-ground support ranging from logistical and transportation resources to training and

WestJet is still flying high following the launch of its new route between Calgary (YYC) and Charlottetown (YYG). The July 29 departure and arrival of flight 630 and flight 631 marked the debut of the new service between the two communities, which the airline says marks a positive sign for both region’s travel and tourism markets. WestJet’s new twice-weekly, nonstop service between Charlottetown and Calgary operates on Thursdays and Sundays. The service was previously set to begin in June 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic.

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education.

In Cuzco, Peru, Intrepid started offering free transportation to a vaccination hub for trekking porters and their families, as well as accommodation.

Intrepid’s Deputy Operations Manager, Maritza Chacacanta, also began advocating for a new site to be opened closer to the porters’ communities. At the start of July 2021, Intrepid had 0% of porters vaccinated. When the new site opened in Calca, that number jumped to 80% by August 1, 2021.

In Sri Lanka, to help address vaccine hesitancy, Intrepid’s Regional General Manager of Asia, Anu Karunatilaka, who is based in Colombo, hosted an information and Q&A session with Professor Neelika Malavige, a member of the World Health Organization’s technical advisory committee and the International Society of Infectious Diseases, to provide tour guides with access to quality information and education about COVID-19 vaccines.

Globally, Intrepid says it has also offered paid vaccination leave to make it easier for all staff to receive vaccinations as soon as they are eligible.

Intrepid’s philanthropic arm, The Intrepid Foundation, has committed to raise AUD$100,000 for UNICEF Australia, including an upfront kickstart donation of AUD $50,000 to their ‘Give the World a Shot’ fundraising appeal.

UNICEF is leading the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation ever on behalf of the Global COVAX Facility, which will see two billion vaccine doses delivered in 190 countries to those who need them most by the end of 2022. One hundred percent of donations will go towards universal access to COVID-19 vaccines, supporting COVAX in their mission to vaccinate 30 percent of the global population by the end of 2021.

NEWS

Air Transat celebrates its first nonstop flight from YVR and YQB VANCOUVER — Air Transat has inaugurated its brand new direct service between Vancouver and Quebec City, becoming the first and only airline to operate this route.

Flights will be offered once a week on Mondays from Vancouver and on Sundays from Quebec City, until Oct. 25. The route will be operated by next-generation Airbus A321neoLR aircraft featuring state-of-the-art in-set entertainment systems and the lowest fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in their class.

According to Joseph Adamo, Transat’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, it was “only natural” for the airline to add the new route to its summer schedule.

“As we predicted, travellers are showing a strong interest in domestic destinations so we are pleased to offer them this new route linking two of Canada’s

most important tourist hubs,” he said.

To mark the inauguration of the new route, 163 passengers on the very first TS969 departed Vancouver on Aug. 2 and were warmly welcomed at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). This

“Travellers are showing a strong interest in domestic destinations so we are pleased to offer them this new route.” flight came just one day after 185 passengers boarded the inaugural TS968 flight from Quebec City’s Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB).

This summer, Air Transat will also offer direct flights from Vancouver to Montreal and Toronto. Last month, the airline celebrated its official resumption of commercial operations and the start of its summer program with flights more Montreal to Punta Cana and Vancouver.

Belize now requiring negative COVID-19 test results from all travellers BELIZE CITY — Anyone looking to travel to Belize must now show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

As of Aug. 9, all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, must present a negative COVID-19 test when arriving at Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA). PCR tests must be taken within 96 hours of travel, while a negative result from any approved antigen rapid test must be taken within 48 hours of travel.

If no test is presented, a COVID-19 test will be administered at the airport for a fee of US$50 per passenger.

Children under five years old are not required to present a negative test.

Children five and up will be required to present a negative test.

All travellers entering Belize through the Northern and Western borders will be administered a rapid test for COVID-19 by the Ministry of Health and

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August 12, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 19

NEWS Wellness, at their own expense. No external COVID-19 PCR or rapid test will be accepted at these points of entry.

According to the Belize government, these measures are being put in place in response to new variants of the COVID-19 virus and in an effort to protect both international visitors and the local population.

American Queen Steamboat Company’s flagship back in the water

Credit: American Queen Steamboat Company

NEW ALBANY — American Queen Steamboat Company’s flagship vessel, American Queen, is back in the water, welcoming back its first revenue guests in 18 months on Aug. 9.

As the fourth vessel in its fleet to return to service, the American Queen, the world’s largest and grandest paddlewheeler, set sail from New Orleans to resume its 2021 season on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

The milestone moment held extra significance since it came nearly a decade to the day since the company closed on the purchase of the American Queen.

“The purchase and restoration of the American Queen ushered in a new renaissance of U.S. river cruising 10 years ago,” said John Waggoner, founder and chairman of American Queen Steamboat Company. “Our close-to-home American Queen

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cruise experience resonates more than ever, and I feel such pride seeing how far our offerings have expanded.”

According to Waggoner, American Queen Steamboat Company bookings for 2021, 2022 and 2023 continue to reflect pent-up demand for cruising close to home. The cruise line reported over 10 record-breaking individual booking days in 2021, and the current sailing season is almost sold out, with limited availability on remaining 2021 Thanksgiving- and holiday-themed voyages.

American Queen Steamboat Company is also offering the FREEDOM sale, a bonus savings of up to $2,000 on select 2022 bookings made by Aug. 31, 2021.

The U.S.-flagged cruise line began a phased restart in March under SafeCruise protocols and became the only fully vaccinated U.S. river cruise line for both guests and crew on July 1. As part of its 100% vaccination policy, all guests must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination with their vaccination card prior to pre-cruise hotel check-in.

Rendez-vous Canada to be both in-person and virtual in 2022 TORONTO — Rendez-vous Canada (RVC+), Canada’s premier marketplace for the tourism industry, will return next year with a new hybrid format.

Scheduled for next May and hosted

by Destination Canada , RVC+ 2022 will

bring back in-person attendance while also incorporating a virtual component, allowing more opportunities for international buyers, travel trade media and Destination Marketing Companies (DMCs) to engage and network.

“We are creating an opportunity to welcome international buyers back to Canada and showcase the beauty of this country.”

The in-person portion of the annual event will take place in Toronto from May 23-27, 2022. Additional details will be available at rendezvouscanada.ca in September.

“With RVC+ 2022, we are creating an exciting opportunity to welcome international buyers back to Canada and showcase the beauty of this country, as well as the truly meaningful travel experiences on offer across each province and territory,” said Destination Canada.

“As such, we will be encouraging all provinces and territories to host pre- and post-fams for our international buyers.”

Reconnection travel, not revenge travel, is a key motivator, says G Adventures TORONTO — Think ‘reconnection travel’, not revenge travel, says G Adventures in an analysis of its latest consumer survey results.

‘Reconnection travel’ was the top reason for travelling at 41%, with revitalization travel – a desire for their next holiday to be about personal wellbeing – next at 18%. So-called revenge travel, a term that’s gained popularity especially in the U.S. as the country headed into its current travel boom - came in third in G Adventures’ survey, at 9%.

Overall 94% of Canadian travellers said travel is important to their wellbeing and mental health. More than 1,500 Canadian travellers took part in the survey.

“What this new survey demonstrates is that travellers are being much more intentional with how they select their

Credit: G Adeventures

NEWS

Costa Rica La Fortuna

holidays - it’s clear people want to reconnect with each other, and with the planet, when they travel again, and to ensure personal wellness is a focus as they do so,” says Bruce Poon Tip, founder, G Adventures.

“The term ‘revenge travel’ conjures up a negative sentiment which is maybe why it didn’t land as it was intended to. I don’t disagree with the concept of people fighting to reclaim something they have lost, I just think there is so much opportunity for tourism to be a positive force for change in the world, and it seems travellers agree,” he added.

Other insights from G Adventures’ latest survey include: • When it comes to reconnecting with people, 55% want to take time out from their devices and social media, and a further 23% say socializing and meeting new people is their top wellbeing priority when booking their next holiday.

• 66% of travellers polled said their physical and mental wellbeing is a top consideration when booking a holiday, with 50% citing that they need a holiday to help alleviate pandemic-related stress or burnout from work.

• 71% of Canadians say they want to be physically active on their next holiday, and 40% also prioritize rest and relaxation.

Clients can save 10% trips booked by Aug. 31, 2021, for travel Nov. 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022, including: the 9-day Costa Rica Quest (from $1,259 per person, down from $1,399); the 8-day Best of Southern Spain (from $1,799, down from $1,999); and the 12-day Classic Peru (from $2,429, down from $2,699).

Now open: 1 Hotel Toronto TORONTO — 1 Hotel Toronto has officially opened its doors as the sixth property in the 1 Hotels portfolio.

Launched in partnership with Mohari Hospitality, the new hotel will mark its Canadian debut with a ceremonial tree planting with Tree Canada, as part of an ongoing initiative to plant 2021 native trees throughout the city.

This green initiative is in line with 1 Hotels’ mission to be a sustainable, luxury hospitality brand, says founder Barry Sternlicht, who’s also the Chairman of Starwood Capital Group.

“I Hotel Toronto sets a new standard for responsible luxury hospitality and serves as a city escape where guests can connect with nature,” he said. “1 Hotels embraces the idea that living well includes protecting the natural beauty around us and we look for-

ward to introducing our mission to the like-minded city of Toronto.”

With the goal of preserving the planet and minimizing its carbon footprint, 1 Hotel Toronto is powered by Ontario’s renewable energy systems and expects to divert over 85% of waste from landfills. On-site composting turns all organic wet waste into reusable soil for the 3,300 plants on property and multiple gardens.

The design of the property also pays tribute to Toronto’s local environment and natural beauty through the use of raw materials and textures sourced throughout Ontario. Featuring 112 guestrooms, including 21 suites with city and skyline views, the hotel offers such room amenities as heated floors, organic cotton linens, yoga mats and customized organic bath products.

Plus, an in-room water filtration system along with tumblers and carafes made from reclaimed wine bottles reduce the need for single-use plastics.

Moreover, the hotel’s in-room dining menu allows guests to eat mindfully with a selection of dishes that celebrate Ontario-grown ingredients. Other amenities include a rooftop pool, The Field House fitness facility, and indoor and outdoor venues for meetings and celebrations. Five dining concepts offer a variety of culinary experiences, from 1 Kitchen Toronto, an indoor/ outdoor all-day restaurant featuring col-pressed juices and plant-based dishes, to Flora Lounge, where guests can enjoy cocktails and light bites in the lobby. Coming soon will be Harriet’s Toronto and Casa Madera.

1 Hotel Toronto is centrally located in downtown Toronto at 550 Wellington Street West. For more information go to www.1hotels.com/toronto.

1 Hotel Toronto

August 12, 2021 | TRAVELWEEK | 21

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