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Friday, November 17, 2023
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Sunwing, after flying almost 100,000 customers to sun destinations during the first two weeks of November, says it has implemented measures to bolster its operational readiness for the peak winter season, such as hiring more pilots and crew, enhancing its flight alert system, and operating five aircraft on a wet lease basis with WestJet.
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“Winter is coming, and Cuba is ready,” said Lessner Gomez, director of the Cuba Tourist Board in Toronto, speaking to PAX Thursday night (Nov. 16) at Palais Royale where a “Unica Appreciation Night” for travel advisors was held. The festive dinner shared key destination and hotel updates, while highlighting Cuba's goal to host 1 million Canadian visitors. This, plus a new specialist program for the trade.
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WestJet & partners celebrated the airline returning transatlantic flights connecting Halifax with London, Dublin and Edinburgh on Thursday (Nov. 16). “Dublin and London Gatwick were popular routes in the past, both for Atlantic Canadians and Europeans, and we’re delighted to add Edinburgh to our route map in 2024," said Joyce Carter, president & CEO of the Halifax International Airport Authority.
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Meliá Hotels International has expanded in Cuba with the opening of Meliá Trinidad Peninsula, located 15 minutes from Trinidad's old town, a World Heritage Site. On a beachfront with views of the Sierra del Escambray, the 401-room property is surrounded by large outdoor spaces with swimming pools and gardens overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
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Sunny skies in Southwest Florida welcomed a group of Canadian travel advisors hosted by VISIT FLORIDA in early November. Travel pros from AMA, CAA, Centre Holidays, Expedia Cruises and Tripcentral.ca spent six days exploring the Paradise Coast, Fort Myers – Islands Beaches and Neighbourhoods, and St. Pete/Clearwater.
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St. John's is getting its first flight connection to Europe since 2019 as WestJet, from May 1 to Oct. 25 next year, will fly three times a week to London's Gatwick airport. "I cannot begin to explain what this means for Newfoundland and Labrador," said Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador Andrew Furey, speaking to media this week.
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AirlinePros Canada will now manage African value carrier Fastjet in the Canadian market. Fastjet operates a regional route network that attends to higher demand traffic points, such as Victoria Falls, Harare and Johannesburg, "which is perfect for tour operators and FIT promoters," stated Karl Müller, director for Canada at AirlinePros.
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Carnival announced Thursday (Nov. 16) that it will introduce further innovation aboard the upcoming Carnival Jubilee: 5G mobile connectivity. Jubilee will be the first Carnival vessel, and the first cruise ship in North America, to provide guests access to 5G mobile phone service through a partnership with leading cellular provider Wireless Maritime Service.
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Black Friday, a period that kickstarts the holiday shopping season, is in full swing as retailers unleash a flood of limited-time offers and money-saving deals. The travel industry is no exception, and ahead of the official day (Nov. 24), suppliers have already been unlocking bargains on select itineraries. Here's a roundup of the promos that have crossed our news desk so far.
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Windstar Cruises is heading to South America in December 2025 with its all-suite yacht Star Pride. The new offering will allow guests to experience bucket-list destinations, like Machu Picchu in Peru and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, and it comes in response to customers’ demands to spend more time in destinations, Windstar says.
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Travellers have more ways to island hop following the opening of Royal Caribbean International’s 2025-26 Caribbean vacations. A lineup of seven Royal Caribbean hits and favourites sailing from Florida, Texas or Puerto Rico, including Icon of the Seas in Miami and Oasis Class ships Oasis and Harmony of the Seas, makes for a variety getaways.
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Cunard is raising the curtain on a collaboration that will see acclaimed theatre producer David Pugh bring award-winning shows to the new ship Queen Anne. The West End and Broadway producer will work with the cruise line's creative team to launch two iconic stage shows during Queen Anne's maiden season.
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Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort – a luxuriously secluded property in Saint Lucia – has joined the Caribbean’s sustainable tourism elite, recently receiving its Green Globe certification after being independently audited.
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The upscale and all-inclusive Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal resort now offers guests brand new ways to enjoy their idyllic beachside location. The hotel now offers updated dining options with more palate-pleasing dishes to savour and new room categories, including intimate swim-up rooms. See more in this week's videotorial courtesy of Transat.
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The World Travel & Tourism Council has named Gloria Fluxà, vice-chairman and chief sustainability officer of Iberostar Group, as its new vice-chair, and chair of its Sustainability Committee. Fluxà takes over the role from Intrepid Group Co-founder and Chairman, Darrell Wade, who took the reins in 2020.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Porter Airlines hosted a Toronto edition of its “Mr. Porter’s House Party” Wednesday night (Nov. 15) at Evergreen Brick Works. The disco ball-lit bash coincided with Porter’s North American expansion, immersing guests in the airline's onboard experience with immersive activations. Kevin Jackson, Porter's EVP and COO, spoke to PAX about reintroducing the airline to Toronto, success in Florida, and plans to enhance Porter's loyalty program.
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Canada Jetlines is expanding its operations with the launch of Jetlines Vacations, a bonded tour operator that will offer packaged vacation deals and 10% commission to the trade. In a Q&A interview with PAX, Marketing Director Julie Rempel explains what the new venture means, how it will simplify the booking process and how it plans to work with travel agents.
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Flight Centre Travel Group's Independent Division concluded its inaugural Independent Icons trip, uniting independent travel agency owners and mobile advisors from Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The voyage featured 71 agents from 55 agencies and 11 reps from nine suppliers, sailing the Danube aboard the SS Beatrice with Uniworld’s CEO Ellen Bettridge.
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