PAXnews - Travel agent commissions "are part of the discussions as we speak," says Minister Alghabra; Ottawa unveils list of quarantine hotels

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Friday, February 19, 2021

Travel agent commissions "are part of the discussions as we speak," says Minister Alghabra

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra confirmed on Thursday (Feb. 18) that travel agent commissions are part of Ottawa's negotiations with airlines as federal officials develop a financial aid package for the aviation industry. Meanwhile, advocacy efforts heat up in trade circles.

Ottawa releases list of government-authorized quarantine hotels

The Canadian government has released its preliminary list of approved hotels for its post-travel quarantine requirement for international arrivals, which takes effect Feb 22. There are 11 hotels listed in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.

Hotel quarantine: Justice Centre sues federal government for "forcible confinement"

The Justice Centre has filed legal action against the federal government for what it says will forcibly confine Canadians returning from travel in hotels, at a high cost, even when they are in possession of a negative PCR test.

Transat extends termination date of $250M loan; EU decision expected in June

Transat has extended the termination date of its $250-million short-term loan by three months, the company announced on Thursday (Feb. 18). Also, the European Commission's decision regarding the acquisition by Air Canada is now expected in June.

Transport Canada fines travellers for presenting bogus COVID-19 test results

Transport Canada has fined two air passengers $10,000 and $7,000 for presenting a false or misleading COVID-19 test and for making a false declaration about their health status.

TTAND agent Shalene Dudley nominated for RBC award

The Travel Agent Next Door is very proud of agent Shalene Dudley who has been nominated for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award which is part of the RBC Momentum Awards.

PHOTOS: MSC shares MSC Seashore designs ahead of August launch

With just six months to go until MSC Seashore comes into service this August in the Mediterranean, MSC Cruises has revealed new details of what it is calling its "most innovative next-generation ships yet."

“Expect the unexpected”: ACITA meets with first senator in fight for commission protection

This week, The Association of Canadian Independent Travel Advisors had its first one-on-one Zoom with a Canadian senator, Senator Robert Black, marking another win in the group’s fight for commission protections.

Visit Florida kickstarts marketing in Canada. “We’ve had a terrible year, but it can only get better,” says CEO

Visit Florida has returned to Canada with a docu-series called “Wanderlust: Florida," airing on The Weather Network. But after nearly one year of the coronavirus crisis, what is Florida's vision for Canada, really? PAX connects with Dana Young, President & CEO of Visit Florida, to learn more.

"No other option": WestJet suspends four more domestic routes

WestJet will temporarily suspend operations to St. John's, N.L., London, ON, and Lloydminster and Medicine Hat, Alta., as of March 19, until June 24, 2021.

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