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Friday, January 13, 2023
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Officials from Air Canada, WestJet and Sunwing appeared at a House committee hearing Thursday (Jan. 12) to testify about the disruptions that left Canadian travellers scrambling over the holidays. MPs grilled Sunwing, in particular, for leaving customers stranded. The tour operator says it has received 7,000 complaints. Commission protections for travel advisors was also addressed.
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AmaWaterways is expanding its sales team in Canada as the company reports a boom in sales, PAX has learned. Sandra Gardiner, who previously oversaw Atlantic Canada, in addition to being director of national accounts, is now director of sales for Canada. She will oversee BDMs Neil Dudley and Shauna Carter, as well as a third representative, who will be hired soon.
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Celebrated social columnist, pop culture buff and novelist Shinan Govani shares his take on experiencing Antarctica while on board Silver Endeavour, Silversea's glam expedition ship that debuted last year. From "house-size glaciers" to penguins to onboard caviar, the luxurious experience "cleared my pores, made my heart sing, and rocketed my serotonin," Govani writes. Read his exclusive feature for PAX.
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Viking has announced its 2024-2025 World Cruise itineraries, including the new Viking World Voyage I, which sails around the world in 180 days, visiting 37 countries and 85 ports, with overnight stays in 13 cities.
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The head of Vancouver’s airport authority has pledged to do better following a holiday travel season of cancelled and delayed flights due to a snowstorm. Tamara Vrooman, president and CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority, which oversees YVR, said an “enhanced after-action review” will be launched to collect input from stakeholders and travellers.
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AmaWaterways has announced an extension of its complimentary pre or post-cruise land package offer as add-ons to select Europe and Egypt cruises for groups and FIT travellers in 2023. Travel advisors can also offer this to groups reserving five or more staterooms on select 2024 sailings.
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Silversea Cruises is welcoming cruise industry veteran Massimo Brancaleoni as senior vice-president, global sales. Brancaleoni, formally VP of global sales at Costa Cruises, is tasked with driving global sales strategies across all channels. He will report to President and CEO Barbara Muckermann.
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Paul Gauguin Cruises will host its Moana Explorer Program for younger guests and their families on 21 dedicated summer and holiday sailings in 2023 and 2024. Tailored to children ages seven to 15, the complimentary program is offered in collaboration with Te mana o te moana, a South Pacific marine education and conservation foundation.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
ACTA has addressed Sunwing's recent wave of cancellations, saying that when a decision to cancel a travel program is made, "travel agent commission should be part of the decision-making process and commission must be protected." Meanwhile, Canadian travel advisors continue to speak out against Sunwing's handling of the chaotic holiday season and decision to claw back income.
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Air Canada has announced the retirement of Lucie Guillemette, executive vice-president and chief commercial officer. Ms. Guillemette, who is responsible for the airline's commercial strategies, will retire at the end of April 2023, ending a highly successful career touching five decades at Canada's flag carrier. Ms. Guillemette is also president of Air Canada Vacations.
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Porter Airlines has shared more details of its updated premium in-flight service offering, with an emphasis on partnering with high-quality Canadian brands. Passengers will enjoy a “new level of generosity” that is “non-existent” in economy air travel today, the airline says.
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