Travelweek - January 26th, 2023

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Packages will receive instructions for Wi-Fi access in their staterooms on the first day of the cruise. All guests in the same stateroom must choose the same rate. To qualify for this (“Offer”), bookings must be made within the offer period, Jan. 10 through Feb. 20, 2023: Name Your Group space from Jan. 10 through Feb. 20, 2023 and your clients receive an additional Onboard Credit (OBC) of $400 per stateroom. OBC offer on veranda stateroom and The Retreat and combinable with All Included. Offer applies to Europe 2023 sailings between May 1st and Dec. 31st, 2023. Offer is not applicable to individual bookings, contracted groups or charters. Offer is not combinable with Exciting Deals, Interline, loyalty, Local Luxury, net, travel agent, and employee rates. OBC will be applied via option code within 10 business days after applicable booking is named and deposited. Single occupancy bookings are eligible for the Offer. The trade partner incentive offer is additional commission up to 3% per stateroom. The Offer will not be paid on cancelled bookings, including bookings that are within final payment. Commission payout will be as a frontend commission added to the booking within 30 days of offer period end. If another bonus commission is eligible for these the sailings, the booking will receive the higher amount of the offers. Contact your sales manager with questions. No tracking required. Changes to booking may result in removal of the Offer. Travel Agents: Group bookings that are named prior to the start date of the Offer cannot be cancelled and rebooked under this Offer. Refer to celebritycruises.comand the Cruise Ticket Contract for additional terms and conditions. Celebrity reserves the right to cancel the Offer at any time, correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, and change or update fares, fees and surcharges at any time without prior notice. ©2023 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships registered in Malta and Ecuador.

By Kathryn Folliott

TORONTO — It’s a familiar routine, and so well-intentioned. On January 1, we set New Year’s resolutions with optimism and confidence. After a few days, or maybe a few weeks, most of those resolutions have fallen by the wayside.

And it’s not just the personal resolutions - the vows to get in shape, or to cut back on the after-work drinks - that can be hard to maintain. It’s business goals too.

Especially right now, as busy travel advisors work around the clock to book clients eager to finally get away - not to mention rebooking clients after cancellations - many agents have made promises to themselves to keep clear boundaries between work time and home time, only to have those boundaries crossed again and again.

That got us wondering if there’s anyone out there with advice on resolutions for travel agents, that are both effective and do-able. Turns out, there is. And no matter what the calendar tells you, it’s not too late.

We spoke with several travel agents too, to find out their New Year’s resolutions for their travel agencies and their careers, and how those resolutions are coming along.

“STOP TRYING TO BE ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE”

Marketing expert, author and performance strategist Geraldine Ree is a big believer in New Year’s resolutions.

“I’ve always been a big goal setter,” she tells Travelweek. “Early on in my career I learned how inspiring a big goal can be. In my recent book ‘10X My Travel Business, 10 Times Better

Resolutions

in Half the Time’, I stress that better always comes before bigger. 10X is not about working harder. It’s about getting better. You need better marketing strategies, better sales skills and a better approach to the work.”

Ree agrees that resolutions for work goals are just as important as personal goals. Why? “New Year’s resolutions are an important ritual for organizations as an opportunity to have a fresh start. Turning over the calendar, particularly at New Year’s, represents letting go of what’s not working, to make room for something new,” she says.

The travel industry is certainly ready to turn the calendar on the pandemic years, and 2023 is a fresh start for so many. Business is booming.

Ree has three tips for agents looking to set effective and do-able goals for 2023.

“First, decide on your ideal target market. Stop trying to be all things to all people. Find YOUR people, and become indispensable to them,” she says.

“Second, skill up in customer service and sales. A year from now, how will you be indispensable to those you

serve? How will you create a steady stream of high value customers?

“Third, positioning. Decide what you want to be known for and by whom. Develop a strong personal and professional brand.”

The travel industry, especially retail travel, is at an important turning point, and Ree urges agents to put their well-thought out plans into action. “This is the year for travel advisors to build the business they want - really,” she says.

Ree says her own goal for 2023 is to serve the travel industry with one of a kind business building content: “I’m on a mission to help the industry come back better and bolder than before.”

Along with all these ‘do’s’, we wanted to know if Ree also had a few ‘don’ts’ when it comes to business and career goal-setting. “Don’t undersell your value. Know your worth. You are in high demand by consumers who are in dire need of answers. There is so much opportunity ahead. We’ve lost too many good advisors through the pandemic. The industry needs you, and we need you to be successful!” says Ree.

“Find YOUR people, and become indispensable to them”:

for 2023 (it’s not too late) for travel advisors looking to work smarter, not harder

WORKING SMARTER, NOT HARDER

Many travel agents Travelweek spoke with said that working smarter, not harder, was one of their key goals for 2023.

Cambridge, ON-based travel advisor Caitlin Lajeunesse, part of the Independent by Flight Centre network, said the work-smart mantra is serving her well so far in 2023. It’s a goal that dovetails well with her other two resolutions: “Continue to be consistent with charging fees for the service I provide. And develop my team and delegate.” We asked her how it’s coming along. “Very well! My fee structure is in place. My team members are busy booking, and I am focusing on my niche of premium beach vacations.”

Lesley Keyter, CEO and founder of Calgary-based The Travel Lady Agency, is also onboard with working smarter, not harder for 2023 - and as she puts it, be fussy about the enquiries her agency takes on. “We are having to be very strict about what enquiries we take. We have already put out there that we do not do all-inclusives, air only or North America travel,” she says.

Keyter adds that part of that process includes examining every new enquiry very, very carefully. “We use Client Base as our CRM, and when we get an enquiry, we log that enquiry and create a profile for the customer. It is very interesting to go back over these profiles and see how many enquiries have been made by one particular person and how many were Got

actually closed. This is a great way of rooting out tire-kickers. We decided that we have to be really strict with how we use our time and have to look at what return there could be from every enquiry.”

She’s also made a commitment to increasing her agency’s admin team. “They do things like document checking, invoice checking, schedule changes, filing and all those other tasks that many agents have to do for themselves. My goal has always been to free up the agents to do what they do best – sell. With the surge in travel enquiries we are inundated and so it is my job to ensure that when we take a new enquiry we are able to properly service that customer.”

Meanwhile Paulette Soloman, owner of The Travel Store in Charlottetown, PE, says her resolution is figuring out how to work ‘on’ her travel agency business, rather than ‘in’ it. “It’s a common problem for small business owners, and certainly in the travel agency world this has been true as we struggle with industry-wide human resource shortages,” says Soloman. How it’s going so far? Soloman shares the honest truth, one that many travel advisors can related to. “Truthfully I am doing exactly the opposite of this right now as it is our busy season, but I’m having fun with it and consider every day and every task an important learning experience. All of these will help me toward my resolution eventually!”

Soloman adds that resolutions for businesses make a lot of sense. “We always think about our personal New Year’s resolutions but think of ‘goals’ for a business, not so much resolutions. In reality though, for an entrepreneur business is personal because you put your heart and soul into it.”

“SET A BUNCH OF MINI-GOALS”

Joelle Goldman, who recently wrote a New Year’s resolutions column for Sphere, Travelweek’s e-newsletter for home-based agents, says “it’s easy to get so caught up in the day-to-day that we can forget to work on our business instead of in our business. It’s always a great idea to step back and evaluate where you are and where you want to be, no matter the time of year. This is a great opportunity to get together with your team and discuss both shortterm and long-term goals.”

Goldman, who is VP, Host Services for Direct Travel in North America, which includes its Canadian leisure division Vision Travel, has a few can-do resolutions for agents. “Re-evaluate and increase your service fees. Set quarterly goals. Continue to develop your niche: take some trainings and professional development, subscribe to publications, attend a few conferences, and add to your contact list. Finally, review your client list. If they’re not working for you, transition them to a better-suited advisor.”

Goldman cautions against setting unrealistic goals, which “are bound to fail and then we tend to give up. Set a bunch of mini-goals and you’ll have the gratification of seeing your success as you work towards a larger objective.”

She adds: “Be sure to establish goals that are attainable and make yourself accountable. Remember to always recognize the successes and strategies that are working.”

And if you’re wondering if it’s too late for resolutions, think again. Goldman herself is not a New Year’s resolutions person. “I like to take a more big-picture approach, not necessarily dictated by the fact that the calendar says it’s January 1st. You can make a resolution anytime of the year either personally or professionally.”

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What every traveller should know about insurance after Mazatlan violence

By Cindy Sosroutomo

TORONTO — If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that the unexpected can happen at a moment’s notice.

As we saw repeatedly since March 2020, a single event can set off a chain reaction of government advisories, grounded airplanes, closed airports and the frenzied repatriation of travellers.

But it’s not just the arrival of a new virus (and its many variants thereafter) that can trigger such a response, as recent violence in Mazatlan has proven.

Though certainly not on the same level as a global pandemic, the aftermath of Mazatlan’s wave of violence earlier this month following the arrest of an alleged cartel leader, led to a swift response by the Canadian government, including a non-essential travel advisory to several areas in Mexico and a shelter-in-place advisory for Canadians in destination.

This, of course, forced Canadians in destination to scramble for alternative flights home. Many were stranded for days, barricaded in their hotels amid the civil unrest, some sleeping in hotel lobbies while waiting for recovery flights to return them to Canada.

Their harrowing ordeal once again emphasized the importance of travel insurance, which according to Will McAleer, Executive Director of the

Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA), has seen a resurgence among travellers following the pandemic years.

“While THIA does not collect data on sales rates of our members, many are reporting a much higher rate of sales given the increased awareness of the need for travel insurance,” he tells Travelweek. “According to a study released by one member (conducted by Ipsos), 89% of Canadians planning a trip intend to be covered by travel insurance for their trip. This compares to a 2021 Leger panel survey indicating only 52% of Canadians planned to purchase travel insurance when travelling.”

While the situation in Mazatlan has stabilized, airports have reopened and flights have resumed, we asked McAleer what travellers can learn

should similar events occur while abroad.

For the travellers who were in Mazatlan at the time, can you walk us through what they should have done in the immediate aftermath?

“In situations where there appear to be unsafe conditions, the first step should be to ensure you quickly find shelter or evacuate according to local direction. From there, contact your tour operator or travel insurance company to determine the guidance that is being offered. Then, arrange evacuation or alternate transportation based on the specific nature of the emergency, whether that be violence in the area or in the event of a medical emergency.”

How does a government-issued travel advisory affect an existing travel insurance policy? Does an advisory alter and/or cancel any elements of the coverage?

“A government travel advisory can impact travel insurance policies in a number of ways. For Trip Cancellation/Interruption policies, it will trigger benefits under the cancellation or

ONE EVENT CAN SET OFF A CHAIN REACTION OF ADVISORIES, GROUNDED AIRPLANES AND CLOSED AIRPORTS

interruption benefits if the advisory is at a level 3 (avoid non-essential travel) or Level 4 (avoid all travel) when issued during the trip or is active on the date of travel. Note that policies will not allow coverage for travel to destinations listed with these advisories active on the date of booking the insurance.

“The impact of a level 3 or 4 advisory from the Government of Canada on emergency medical travel insurance may depend on the policy the traveller purchased. Coverage may remain in effect when an elevated advisory is issued, while some plans may provide a time limit for insureds to return home, after which the coverage would cease. This was the case in some policies when the COVID-19 pandemic began, with many Canadians needing to return home based on the direction provided by the Canadian government.

“It is important to note that many insurers have since revised wording to allow continued coverage for emergency medical coverage in the event of a Level 3 Travel Advisory. It underscores the need for travellers to understand the policies they are purchasing prior to departure and make sure to select the coverage that meets their needs.

“In the case of the recent advisories for parts of Mexico, the Level 3 Advisory to avoid non-essential travel is a regional advisory and does not include some popular destination cities on the Yucatan peninsula like Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.

POLICIES

The newer advisory does include several States including Sinaloa, which includes the popular tourist city of Mazatlan. However, the regional advisory (as of Jan. 12, 2023) does not include the city of Mazatlan, nor does the advisory to the State of Colima include the popular city of Manzanillo. As a result, travel to these destinations would need to be included within the specific advisory to allow a claim on a travel insurance policy.”

Are there travel insurance policies that specifically cover in-destination violence and/or travel advisories, as we saw in Mazatlan?

“Generally speaking, there are no coverages available for situations where government advisories are already in place. Should an advisory arise while on vacation, coverage will be in place for most policies if you are impacted by violence such as that seen in some regions of Mexico.

Is it possible to purchase travel insurance if travel occurs when an advisory is in place?

“It is not possible to purchase travel insurance for risks that are known to the

insured, since travel insurance is designed to protect travellers from unexpected emergencies or events related to a planned trip or during travel. Once an advisory is in effect, the event is known to the insured and thus, not insurable. It is important to remind travellers to purchase their travel insurance as soon as possible (ideally, at the time of booking the trip) and prior to travel. This will ensure travellers are protected in the case of changing risks associated with the destination or in-transit disruptions.”

What’s the biggest takeaway from the recent situation in Mazatlan that all travellers should know?

“While we all are aware that your health (either due to an illness or accident) can change in an instant, disruptions at destination resulting in unsafe conditions can also occur extremely fast. Making sure you have contact numbers at hand and plans should an emergency happen is vital when travelling. Take the time to understand where your emergency evacuation routes are in case of a fire at a hotel and make sure to follow local direction in the event of a disruption, like the one seen in Mazatlan. Also, you can register with the Canadian Government’s website for ‘Registration of Canadians Abroad’ so that you can be notified before or during a natural disaster or period of civil unrest.  This will also allow the Canadian government to know you are in the region, should it be prolonged. Beyond this, make sure you have an assistance team behind you as part of your travel insurance policy.”

SHOULD AN ADVISORY ARISE WHILE ON VACATION, COVERAGE WILL BE IN PLACE FOR MOST

AIRLINES

One of the top executives at Canada’s largest airline, and a familiar face and name for the travel trade, has announced her retirement. Lucie Guillemette, Executive VP and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada, will retire at the end of April 2023. Guillemette, who is also President of ACV, is responsible for Air Canada’s commercial strategies. Her retirement caps a highly successful career touching five decades at Canada’s flag carrier. With Guillemette’s retirement, Mark Nasr, SVP, Products, Marketing and eCommerce, will become EVP Marketing and Digital, and President of Aeroplan. Mark Galardo, SVP, Network Planning and Revenue Management, will become EVP, Revenue and Network Planning, including responsibility for ACV. The new appointments take effect May 1, 2023.

Sunwing’s winter sun cancellations now include select routes out of Winnipeg. Sunwing is cancelling its Los Cabos flights from Winnipeg effective Feb. 2, as well as its Mazatlan flights effective Feb. 10. The news comes on the heels of cancellations of almost all of Sunwing’s remaining winter sun flights out of Regina, select routes from Saskatoon, a trimmed and consolidated winter sun schedule out of Halifax, Fredericton and Moncton, and the cancellation of the winter sun program from Sudbury and North Bay. Travel advisors along with ACTA have voiced their frustration with the cancellations and recalled commissions.

ADVOCACY

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has kicked off its 2023 series of Tourism Town Halls, taking place across Canada from January to April. The industry-wide events are designed to reach all tourism industry stakeholders, providing an opportunity to meet with TIAC and its partners to better understand efforts on national and local tourism issues, and offering a forum for open dialogue, discussion and debate. Attendees will also get an overview of plans to grow Canada’s visitor economy, including all verticals from leisure/ business travel, travel trade, meetings and conventions, and sports tourism. “We are encouraging and welcoming businesses and organizations in all sectors of the tourism economy to participate in our Town Halls this year,” said TIAC President and CEO, Beth Potter.

DESTINATIONS

Barbados will play host to the 41st edition of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Caribbean Travel

Marketplace. The in-person event takes place May 9 - 11, 2023 at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. It’s the first time CTM will take place in Barbados. “CHTA has a very strong relationship with both public and private sector stakeholders in Barbados, and as we position the region’s top earner for robust growth this year, we are delighted to lock arms with our Bajan partners to drive business to the Caribbean,” says CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig. Registration details will be available soon. The CHTA’s site is chtamarketplace.com.

HOTELS

Accor has unveiled a new addition of bespoke hotels to its network of brands. Called ‘Handwritten Collection,’ the global portfolio already has over 110 leads totalling more than 11,500 rooms, including 12 secured signings, with five hotels expected to debut throughout the first trimester of 2023. By the year 2030, the Handwritten Collection portfolio is expected to reach more than 250 hotels. In 2022, Accor signed on average globally more than one hotel per day and opened nearly one hotel per day.

More changes for Air Passenger Protection Regulations on the way: Alghabra

TORONTO — Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says the federal government is working on further changes for regulations protecting airline passengers.

The Liberal government introduced the Airline Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) in 2017. An update in September 2022 required airlines to provide passengers with either a refund or rebooking, at the passenger’s choice, when there is a flight cancellation, or a lengthy delay, due to a situation outside the airline’s control that prevents it from ensuring that passengers complete their itinerary within a reasonable time.

Even with that update, however, there are gaps and inconsistencies in the system. The CTA is currently dealing with a backlog of more than 33,000 complaints.

The inconsistencies became especially apparent this year, as demand for travel soared after the pandemic’s restrictions. Airlines made adjustments to their schedules often with little to no notice. The situation was exacerbated by the labour shortage. One major point of discrepancy involves airlines refusing passenger refund claims in cases of crew constraints, which the airlines say is safety issue and therefore ineligible for refunds.

At the August 2022 summit into Canada’s summer travel airport chaos, Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra said he didn’t want to pre-judge

individual claims now in the hands of the CTA. “But I don’t feel that labour issues can be used” to reject compensation claims, he said.

He reiterated those words at the Jan. 12, 2023 emergency meeting of the federal government’s Transport Committee, where Air Canada, Sunwing and WestJet were grilled for hours on the chaos faced by holiday season air travellers, made worse by winter storms.

During that Jan. 12 meeting, Minister Alghabra said the federal government is looking at making sure more of the burden for air travel service failures falls on the airlines, not the passengers. “The burden has always been on the airlines. We want to make it more so,” he said.

Earlier this week, when asked about the APPR by reporters at a cabinet retreat in Hamilton, ON, Minister Alghabra said he’s heard the frustrations of Canadians on the issue of air travel, and that new tools will be introduced soon. “We are taking action. Mark my words.”

A recent Angus Reid poll suggests that Canadians are unconvinced that fining airlines for failed service will help improve future outcomes. The federal government has been

accused of not standing up to the airlines.

The Angus Reid poll found that Canadians as likely to blame the weather (70%) as the airlines and rail companies (68%) for the holiday travel chaos. One in three (33%) blame the federal government. A similar number (30%) blame the travellers for putting themselves in the situation.

The data also indicate strong desire from Canadians for more government regulation to protect consumers from cancellations (78% say this), but a mixed belief that the regulation already in place will have much effect. Two-in-five (44%) want the CTA to levy fines against the airlines who failed to uphold customer rights even if it means the companies raise airfares to cover them.

TORONTO — The Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) is stepping up its calls for a consumer-pay model for the Ontario travel industry’s Compensation Fund.

Says Brett Walker, CATO Chair: “It’s

CATO’s frustration clear as it calls for consumer-pay model for Comp Fund

CONSUMERS AND REGISTRANTS DESERVE A FUND COMMENSURATE TO CONSUMER

RISK. THE STATUS QUO IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE.

time for consumer protection that’s commensurate to consumer risk and without all the caps and gaps. It’s time for government and TICO to get this right and to provide consumers the protection they deserve and no doubt believe they have when booking with an Ontario registrant.”

Ultimately, any changes to the Travel Industry Act are up to the provincial government. CATO and also ACTA have long advocated for changes to the Comp Fund, frustrated with the stalemate. ACTA and then CATO spoke out just before the pandemic started after the Ontario government signaled that there was no intention to revise the Comp Fund’s model.

Last September TICO announced the start of a process that includes an end-to-end look at TICO’s current funding framework, as well as a full review of the Comp Fund. As TICO President and CEO Richard Smart put it, “all options are on the table”, including a model that integrates a consumer-pay component, a risk-based model, or even no fund at all.

TICO has retained a consultancy for the review process and wants to have a final set of recommendations ready for the provincial government by early this year. The goal is to have a new funding model in place by fall 2023. In September 2022 the Fund was $23.5 million.

“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,” SAYS CATO

CATO recently released a statement, supported by all CATO members, that calls for the Comp Fund to be co-funded by consumers, at a minimum.

“A consumer contribution is the

only means to grow the Compensation Fund sufficiently to account for current realities and to ensure consumers are fully protected, without any caps, in the event of a registrant failure,” says CATO.

“A consumer contribution is also the surest way to heighten awareness of the Fund’s consumer protection and the importance of booking with a TICO registrant.”

CATO notes that an actuarial review commissioned five years ago by TICO and performed by Deloitte determined the target Fund size should be $50 - 60 million.

“Not only is the size of the Fund wholly inadequate, consumers should not be victims of the imposed caps on claims. Set decades ago, these caps were never indexed and the rapid rate of inflation exposes consumers to ever increasing risk,” adds CATO. “Further hampering any claims by consumers is that the Fund is restricted to being the payer of last resort.”

CATO goes on to say: “Though TICO has engaged a consultant to complete

a comprehensive review of all fees, with expected recommendations later this year, such engagements in the past have produced little if any results.

“Enough is enough. Consumers and registrants deserve a consumer protection fund commensurate to consumer risk. This can only be achieved through a funding model that includes a consumer contribution as well as minimizing any caps and gaps that expose consumers to losses. The current fund is wholly inadequate and the status quo is simply unacceptable.”

Leadership changes with G Adventures’ new holding company, G Travel Community

TORONTO — With growth comes new organizational strategies, and for G Adventures, that means a brand new holding company, one that emphasizes the spirit of community tourism that G Adventures has championed since day one.

The new company, G Travel Community (GTC), brings existing and new brand acquisitions under the same parent brand. The current brands joining G Adventures in the GTC portfolio are G Touring (Travelsphere and Just You) and TruTravels, both based out of the UK. G Adventures bought Travelsphere and Just You in 2017 and TruTravels in 2018.

Planeterra, G Adventures’ non-profit partner, will also benefit from GTC’s ‘shared services’ model.

All brands will be supported from a centralized administrative standpoint, with each brand retaining its own sales and marketing function, customer services, product development, unique style of tour operations, and its own unique values and identity.

LEADERSHIP CHANGES

The creation of GTC also means new opportunities for several members of the executive team.

Bruce Poon Tip, the founder of G Adventures, has also taken on the title of Chairman, G Travel Community.

Jeff Russill, currently Chief Operating Officer for G Adventures, is now also CEO of GTC, overseeing the G Adventures, TruTravels and G Touring brands.

Ben Perlo, currently managing

People

director for G Adventures in the U.S., becomes President and CEO for the G Adventures brand, in addition to his current role in the short-term. Perlo remains based in Boston.

Poon Tip says the purpose of GTC is to create a community of travel companies that have ‘community-led growth’ at the core of their strategies, and a shared belief in the power of changing peoples’ lives through travel.

G Adventures recently launched the 2023 edition of G-Normous, offering travel advisors the chance to win a $10,000 grand prize plus added trip giveaways and weekly and monthly cash prizes. More information on G-Normous is at www.gadventures. com/gnormous.

Industry veteran Phil Sproul joins Huntington

Travel Group as CEO

Huntington Travel Group has named industry veteran Phil Sproul as its new CEO.

Sproul will oversee Huntington’s consolidator and tours arm, Escapades by Huntington. He will direct further development of the Canadian market while also expanding the existing business in the U.S.

Sproul was CEO for H.I.S – Merit Travel Inc and Merit Group Inc. from July 2018 until December 2019, after joining Merit in 2016. He was also President, Kensington Tours (2012 – 2014), President, TPI (2008 – 2012) and VP, Sales & Customer Experience for ACV (2002 – 2006). His career in the travel industry spans 35+ years. Most recently he assisted in the launch of Indigeno Travel, Canada’s only Indigenous owned, full-service travel company. He can be reached at: phil.sproul@huntingtontravel.net.

Blue Diamond announces Planet Hollywood Beach Resort in Puerto Plata

TORONTO — Blue Diamond Resorts has announced plans to open the first Planet Hollywood Beach Resort in Puerto Plata.

The property is scheduled to make its debut in late 2024.

“Following the success of our all-inclusive models in Cancun and Costa Rica, we are proud to continue taking this lifestyle iconic brand to new trendy destinations of high relevance in our property portfolio,” said Jordi Pelfort, President, Hotels and Resorts of Sunwing Travel Group.

“A Planet Hollywood Beach Resort in Puerto Plata will add great value to Dominican tourism and will be perfectly aligned with the purpose of hotel, real estate, innovation and especially cinematographic development that this great project pursues,” he added.

The resort is part of the Punta Bergantin region relaunch project. Located in the northern part of the country, the development will offer resorts, eco-tourism, an 18-hole golf course, a residential development, shopping, even a movie studio, in keeping with the ‘Vacation Like a Star’ Planet Hollywood resort experience.

PUERTO PLATA, DR

Jamaica eyes 11% growth for inbound tourism in 2023

TORONTO — Jamaica’s tourism is on track for 11% growth this year, according to the latest figures released by the Jamaica Tourist Board.

Gross foreign exchange earnings are forecasted to reach US$4.12 billion, an estimated 13.3% increase on the previous year’s earnings.

Last year Jamaica welcomed 3.3 million visitors, with total estimated revenue of $3.63 billion.

“Jamaica’s tourism is back, and our recovery continues to outpace our earlier projections. We are now in growth mode and to achieve this in double digits for this year is huge. It will mean more jobs and more earnings for workers and the island’s

economy. Tourism is Jamaica’s lifeblood and driver of economic growth and the industry’s growth means the country’s growth,” said Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett.

The projected growth is based on Jamaica’s primary markets registering growth over the previous period. Visitor numbers from Canada are set to deliver 38.7% growth. Visitation from the U.S. is forecast to rise 7%, and the UK/Europe, 5.3%.

The JTB’s Director of Tourism, Donovan White, said: “We could not

achieve these successes without our partners. Our airline partners, tour operators, travel agents and so many more have contributed to the destination remaining top of mind and accelerating our recovery. The Jamaica Tourist Board’s focus on an integrated sales and marketing strategy, which is embedded in the pervasive use of new technologies along with a focus on new and emerging markets, has allowed the destination to leapfrog its own projections for growth.”

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Goway has exclusive spots for Japan’s cherry blossom season

TORONTO — Goway Travel has secured exclusive spots for this year’s cherry blossom season in Japan.

Running from late March to early April, this year’s season is anticipated to be the busiest in Japan in over four years, marking the first time since before the pandemic that foreign travellers are permitted to visit Japan for the ‘hanami’ season.

According to Goway, there is nearly no availability for foreign travellers at this time, with all tours and accommodations already booked. However, the tour operator has secured exclusive hotel rooms and tours as well as a dedicated national guide in Japan for the upcoming season.

Goway’s ‘Japan Cherry Blossom Odyssey’ is a 12-day, small-group escorted tour that takes travellers to Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Kanazawa and Tokyo. Guests will visit such celebrated landmarks and destinations as Miyajima Island, the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Kaga Onsen, Senso-ji Temple

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and the resort town of Hakone outside Mt. Fuji.

The itinerary also include three cherry blossom viewings: one on Mt. Yoshino in Nara prefecture near Osaka, where over 30,000 cherry trees cover the mountainside; another in Kyoto where cherry blossoms are illumined in the evening; and a lunch picnic under cherry trees in Kanazawa.

“I’m so excited about this trip and the opportunity it presents for a select number of globetrotters,” says Brittany banks, Product Manager for Asia. “This year especially, it’s been almost impossible to find space during the cherry blossom season in Japan. However, ‘Japan Cherry Blossom Odyssey’ presents a unique opportunity for travellers to enjoy one of the most beautiful seasons in the entire world. Seeing the cherry blossoms in Japan is something you’ll never forget, so I’m thrilled we’re able to help some lucky travellers cross this unforgettable experience off their bucket lists.”

‘Japan Cherry Blossom Odyssey’ departs April 4 and is limited to eight rooms exclusively for Goway travellers. It is currently on sale until Feb. 10, 2023.

For more information about Japan tours contact Goway’s Product Manager for Asia, Brittany Banks, at brittanyb@goway.com.

Silversea’s new SVP Global Sales is Massimo Brancaleoni

Silversea Cruises has welcomed cruise industry veteran Massimo Brancaleoni as its new SVP Global Sales.

Reporting to President and CEO Barbara Muckermann, Brancaleoni will be responsible for driving the cruise line’s global sales strategies across all channels. He brings with him 25 years of experience in the cruise industry, most recently serving as SVP Global Sales at Costa Cruises. Muckermann said the team is “delighted” to welcome Brancaleoni.

“I am honoured to join Silversea Cruises as SVP Global Sales and I look forward to strengthening the cruise line’s stellar reputation as the market leader, working with the global sales team to drive growth across all markets,” said Brancaleoni. “I look forward to working closely with Silversea’s travel advisor partners. We would not find ourselves in our leading position without their continuous support and I look forward to strengthening our partnership even more.”

Carnival’s popular Amp Up Commission Challenge is back for 2023

MIAMI — Carnival Cruise Line’s Amp Up Commission Challenge is back for this year’s Wave season.

The popular trade incentive gives travel advisors the opportunity to qualify for higher commission rates in 2023, up to 15%, based on bookings made from Jan. 1 through March 31, 2023.

Adolfo Perez, Carnival’s SVP Global Sales and Trade Marketing, says: “This is our first true Wave season in several years, and we know how important this time is for our travel advisors, so we’re excited to once again have this incentive program kick off just in time for Wave and to offer the opportunity for travel advisors to grow their business and their commissions.”

Perez adds: “When we previously offered the Amp Up program from 2017 to 2019, it was very well-received by the travel advisor community, so we know this will be a great boost for them as they head into the new year.”

Participating agencies will need to make 20 - 125 bookings during the January to March 2023 booking period to qualify for higher commission levels (11 - 15%), which will be applied to bookings made from April 1 through Dec. 31, 2023.

To participate, travel advisors must register on GoCCL.com during the opt-in period, which started Jan. 17 and runs until Feb. 15.

The program is open to agencies in Canada, the U.S. and Puerto Rico that currently qualify for 10 - 14% commissions. Only new bookings that are fully deposited or paid in full Jan. 1 - March 31 are eligible and count toward the goal.

D.R.’s renovated Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus reopens

BAYAHIBE, D.R. — Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus in Bayahibe, D.R. has reopened after a complete renovation of its 528 rooms and most of its facilities.

The 5-star all-inclusive family resort originally opened in 2001. Amenities include three swimming pools, five restaurants, six bars, theatre, gym, spa, Star Café, Star Prestige and a Star Camp for young guests. There’s also infrastructure for weddings and corporate events.

Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus is just 20 minutes from the airport in La Romana (LRM) and 50 minutes from the airport in Punta Cana (PUJ).

Among the main refurbishments, Iberostar has renovated one of the resort’s pools, plus Star Camp, now with a Mini Chef kitchen, and a Mini Cinema with a big screen TV, new furniture and gaming.

Meanwhile the room renos include high-tech in-room installations such as Chromecast, USB sockets, new reading lamps and a modern key system connected to guests’ wristbands and phones via QR codes.

All work was done in keeping with Iberostar’s sustainability criteria and in line with Iberostar’s 2030 Agenda. The company is aiming to be waste-free by 2025 and carbon neutral by 2030.

In November 2022 Iberostar announced it had agreed a long-term commercial agreement with IHG Hotels & Resorts to add up to 70 of its beachfront resorts to IHG’s system under the Iberostar Beachfront Resorts brand, the18th brand for IHG. The portfolio of Iberostar properties will gain access to IHG’s enterprise platform, including its distribution

channels and the IHG OneRewards loyalty program with more than 100 million members.

YellowBird Foundation announces Air Canada as title sponsor for upcoming golf tournament

TORONTO — Air Canada has been announced as the title sponsor for the upcoming YellowBird Charity Golf Tournament, taking place on May 19.

Hosted by The YellowBird Foundation, this year’s tournament at Glen Abbey Golf Course in Oakville, Ontario will return to its pre-pandemic size and format, with 128 golfers and sponsorship opportunities. In addition to hitting the links, participants will enjoy a sit-down lunch and several new fundraising initiatives.

Dianne Jackson, founder of Reps4Rent, the official organizer of the event, says that Air Canada’s commitment will help towards its goal of raising $150,000 in support of Ukraine relief efforts.

“We could not be happier that Air Canada has agreed to the title sponsorship for the tournament this year.

New this year, YellowBird is committed to assisting orphanages in the Ukraine due to the devastation left by the ongoing war. Air Canada’s commitment is greatly appreciated,” said Jackson.

Lisa Pierce, Vice President, Canada and USA Sales at Air Canada, added: Air Canada is proud to partner with The YellowBird Foundation for this year’s tournament. The focus of Air Canada’s own community programs is on improving the lives of ill and disadvantaged children, so we applaud the YellowBird Foundation’s determination to support orphanages in the Ukraine and we are very pleased to help them in this important work.”

This year, instead of just getting golfers involved for a single day, Reps4Rent will be launching a website where participants can not only purchase their foursomes, singles, mulligans and other ‘handy tools’ to improve their scores, but also access the popular Silent Auction. The online auction will open March 1, 2023.

“We are working on offering a 50/50 draw online. We want to add more exposure and more value for the cause and for our sponsors,” added Jackson.

Those unable to participate in person in this year’s tournament are encouraged to donate a raffle prize or item for the silent auction, or make a simple donation.

For more information call Reps4Rent at 1-877-724-8085, email yellowbird@ reps4rent.com or go to https://trellis. org/yellowbird-golf-tournament.

THE VIEW FROM IBEROSTAR SELECTION HACIENDA DOMINICUS

Le Boat expanding further into Ottawa for 2023 season

SMITHS FALLS, ON — Le Boat plans to expand further into Ottawa for its 2023 season starting May 19, 2023.

The luxury houseboat rental company has long included Ottawa in its boating itineraries since launching on the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal in 2018.

It is now adding Ottawa’s Dows Lake Pavilion as a new satellite base. The new base is in response to demand generated by Le Boat’s guests to include more convenient one-way trips to Ottawa and is expected to bring more international travellers to Ottawa’s downtown.

“Today’s announcement reinforces Le Boat’s commitment to the Canadian market and the returning demand from our international guests to more easily connect to the Rideau Canal,” said Lisa McLean, Le Boat Marketing Manager.

The additional base helps position Le Boat for growth and will create new full-time and part-time jobs as it prepares for the return of international

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customers, she added.

Le Boat’s domestic and international guests will benefit from six new itineraries, including convenient one-way trips to Ottawa from its main base in Smiths Falls, ON, or vice versa.

Le Boat is working in partnership with the Ottawa Tourism, Parks Canada, the National Capital Commission, and the local marina operator to have four dedicated slips and a dedicated Le Boat reception booth at the Dows Lake Pavilion.

For the 2023 season, Le Boat will be accepting delivery of two new Horizon Plus Cruisers (Horizon 1 Plus and Horizon 4 Plus) from Delphia Yachts, bringing its fleet on the Rideau to 32 boats.

Boating season on the Rideau Canal starts on May 19, 2023 (Victoria Day long weekend) and ends on Oct

Joe Jiffo is Windstar’s new director of field sales

Windstar Cruises has named Joe Jiffo as the new director of field sales.

In his new role Jiffo is responsible for guiding the North America field sales team and inside sales team, with a key focus on increasing brand awareness in the travel advisor community and connecting with Windstar’s trade partners.

“I knew as soon as I talked to Joe that he was the right person for the job,” says Windstar’s VP Sales, Dianna Rom.

Jiffo’s 20-year cruise industry background includes stints with Celebrity Cruises as a district sales manager and later national accounts, then national director positions with Carnival and NCL, as well as held senior positions at MSC Cruises and NEST. Most recently he was VP Sales for American Queen Voyages.

9, 2023 (Canadian Thanksgiving).

Boaters will be able to cruise on the Horizon 1, Horizon 2 Plus, Horizon 3 Plus and Horizon 4 from Le Boat’s new base in Ottawa and will have the option of choosing 3-6-night short breaks, or 7-10-night one-way or roundtrip cruise options (starting in Ottawa or Smiths Falls).

Boat rental pricing starts at $1682 for a four-night cruise or from $3093 for a seven-night cruise.

More information is at www.leboat. ca/en. Clients who book before Jan. 31, 2023 can save up to 15% on a 2023 Le Boat cruise.

ACV’s Bye-Bye Winter Event is back with up to 40% off

MONTREAL — Air Canada Vacations has brought back its popular Bye-Bye Winter Event featuring savings of up to 40% on sunny getaways.

Until Feb. 5, 2023, travellers can book a vacation package and receive up to 40% off on departures until April 30, 2023, to select destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, as well as on select Flight and Hotel packages to Hawaii, Orlando and California.

Canadians can choose from various

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vacation packages, including recently added itineraries from Quebec City (YQB) to Varadero, Cuba (VRA), operating weekly on Mondays until April 10, 2023; from Montreal (YUL) to Antigua (ANU), operating weekly on Fridays until April 7, 2023; and from Edmonton (YEG) to Cancun (CUN), operating twice a week on Saturdays and Sundays until April 9, 2023.

“With Air Canada Vacations, it’s easy to turn your customers’ dreams into reality with our exclusive advantages, huge hotel repertoire and flights aboard Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge,” said Nino Montagnese, Vice President at Air Canada Vacations. “Travellers looking to take a break from winter weather this season should book now in order to secure the hotel, room category and perks they are looking for.”

For added value, ACV’s ‘Vacation Promise’ program includes one free checked bag per person, connections through 51 Canadian airports aboard Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge starting at $55, and more.

Unique Vacations Canada wins big at Sandals Sales Summit

GREAT EXUMA The entire Unique Vacations Canada sales team was named ‘BDM of the Year, Canada’ at the Sandals Sales Summit, in recognition of the whole team’s commitment and hard work during the pandemic.

Sharing the award are Winston Chang – BDM, BC, Saskatchewan & The Yukon; Donne Nixon – BDM, Alberta, Manitoba & NWT; Robert Smith – BDM, Ontario; Guy Archambault – BDM, Quebec; and Sandra Brousseau – BDM, Quebec & Atlantic Canada.

Not only that, but another member of the Canadian team, Lorna Richards – National Training Manager, was

honoured with an award: Spirit of Excellence, Canada.

Unique Vacations Inc. sales teams from across Canada, as well as the U.S. and Latin America, convened at Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma earlier this month for the Sandals Sales Summit.

The conference, led by Gary C. Sadler, Executive Vice President of Sales & Industry Relations, included a range of speakers including Jeff Clarke, CEO, Unique Vacations Inc; Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman, Sandals Resorts International and Gebhard Rainer, CEO, Sandals Resorts International.

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Ovadias’ message to agents? “These two websites are moneymakers if you introduce them to your clientele,” he says. “Both websites are copy-paste in order to help you achieve sales.”

Ovadias

Tours: Helping travel agents sell Greece for more than 60 years

ATHENS — Ovadias Tours, helping travel advisors get their clients the best out of their Greece travels since 1959, has two websites designed to assist agents with trip planning and marketing.

Ovadias Tours’ sites, ovadiastours. com and greekislandsandtours.com, offer more than 100 packages to Greece, with 20% commission, says

Ovadias has these suggestions for anyone looking to boost their Greece bookings. First, check out ovadiastours.com/luxury/ for VIP packages. All of Ovadias’ health and safety protocols are at ovadiastours.com/ hygiene/. At ovadiastours.com/santorini/, clients will find a variety of Santorini & Mykonos packages, for a wide range of budgets. Other helpful tabs at the top of the Ovadias Tours home page include Yachting, Shopping and Events & Meals. “And above all, check out the Visit Greece tab, featuring all the information you need about Greece,” says Ovadias.

He adds that GreekIslandsandTours.com also offers plenty of packages “to attract your clients or to book online hotels or tickets.”

Ovadias Tours can be reached at nicholas@ovadiastours.com, or roula@ovadiastours.com.

Adds Ovadias: “We assure you that we will always offer to you and your clients our quality and personalized services. All requests emailed to us will be quoted with the best possible NET price and your interests in mind.”

president and CEO, Nicholas Ovadias.

HONOURS FOR THE UNIQUE VACATIONS CANADA SALES TEAM

Costa’s ‘Seas the Day’ promotion includes slashed fares and onboard credits

MIAMI — Costa Cruises North America has kicked off 2023 with a ‘Seas the Day’ promotion, featuring discounted fares and onboard credits.

With the promotion, travellers can take advantage of fares starting at US$499 per person, double occupancy, as well as up to $500 in onboard credit per cabin, redeemable for dining, spa treatments, excursions and more.

The promotion applies to select Caribbean, Emirates, Mediterranean and northern Europe cruises booked by Feb. 28, 2023.

Sailings included in the promotion range from 3-22 days departing January 2023 through 2024. Ships in the offer include the line’s two newest –Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana –as well as Costa Deliziosa, Costa Diadema, Costa Fascinosa, Costa Firenze and Costa Pacifica.

A reduced deposit of $100 locks in the rate, with free cancellation up to 30 days before departure. Government taxes and fees are additional per person. Restrictions and blackout dates apply.

Brand new Falcon’s Resort by Meliá opens in Punta Cana

PUNTA CANA — Punta Cana has welcomed a new resort to its shores, courtesy of Meliá Hotels International.

Falcon’s Resort by Melia | All Suites Punta Cana, a joint venture with Falcon’s Beyond, is the first resort to debut under the new leisure and entertainment-based brand Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá.

Offering a unique ‘resortainment’ experience, the five-star, all-inclusive, 622-room resort located on Bávaro Beach is the result of a multi-phase

PeoplePalladium Hotel Group hires Social Responsibility position

Palladium Hotel Group has appointed Gloria Juste, as Corporate Sr. Director of Social Responsibility, with the goal of increasing its support and companionship to local communities in the destinations where the hotel group operates.

Palladium has a CSR committee, supported by the company’s President and Management Committee, which oversees all areas and teams.

With Juste’s appointment, Palladium Hotel Group says it will consolidate its measures focused on protecting the environment and the principles of circular economy, while highlighting a special focus on the nearly 13,000 employees of the hotel group, their family environment and the local communities in which the group operates throughout six countries, located in Europe and America.

transformation of two existing Meliá properties: Paradisus Grand Cana and Garden Suites by Meliá. Phase One has rebranded Paradisus Grand Cana and includes 432 luxury suites, three pools, nine specialty restaurants and a spa and fitness centre. Phase Two will see the rebrand of Garden Suites by Meliá and will include 190 rooms to be completed by late 2023.

“It is a sincere honour to welcome guests to the first Falcon’s Resort by Meliá property in beautiful Punta Cana,” said André Gerondeau, COO of Meliá Hotels International. “Meliá has deep roots in the Dominican Republic – with our first property opening in Punta Cana over 30 years ago. The development of Falcon’s Resort by Meliá will add a new level of casual, sophisticated and unexpected fun to the traditional vacation experience.”

Meliá and Falcon’s will develop multiple Falcon’s Beyond Destination locations across the globe in the upcoming years, including sites in Tenerife, Canary Islands, and Mexico.

FALCON’S RESORT BY MELIA | ALL SUITES PUNTA CANA

MELIA HAS DEEP ROOTS IN THE D.R. OUR FIRST PROPERTY OPENED IN PUNTA CANA OVER 30 YEARS AGO

CURRENT COURSES & WEBINARS

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Colombia Specialist Program

Available in English in French

Newly launched on Travelweek’s Learning Centre is the Colombia Specialist Program, available in English and French. The course offers an opportunity for travel agents to learn about Colombia, the “most welcoming destination on earth.” A diverse South American country, Colombia features many regions to suit a wide range of travellers, including mountain ranges, vast plains, lush rainforests, and world-famous beaches.

Tokyo Tourism eLearning program

Prize: agents who complete all 6 themes by February 28th will be entered to win an air ticket to Japan courtesy of Air Canada. Each month, two agents who completed one or more of the 6 themes will receive a package containing goods from Tokyo.

Broken down in to six themes, The Tokyo Tourism eLearning Program has been created to provide tips, insights, essential information to travel agents regarding travel to Tokyo. Each theme will walk you through the best way to travel and will sum up with a 5 question quiz to test your knowledge!

The Palm Beaches eLearning Program

Welcome to The Palm Beaches, America’s First Resort Destination®! This course will provide the essential information needed to inspire your clients and better understand the 39 cities and municipalities of this South Florida hotspot that are easy to reach and hard to resist.