Global Travel News

This week’s on-the-road-again familiarization trip round-up takes us (vicariously) to Ireland, on an Avalon Waterways river cruise in Europe, and on an Exotic Journeys journey to discover the treasures of Turkey.

Travel Edge Network

As part of its Knowledge Trips program to provide firsthand experiences in destinations and with key supplier partners, Travel Edge Network, recently hosted a seven-day trip for 10 advisors to Ireland, in conjunction with Tourism Ireland, Failte Ireland and Aer Lingus.

The group made visits to Antrim, Clare, Kildare, and Tipperary, staying at several luxury accommodations, including Dunadry Hotel & Gardens, Galgorm Resort & Spa, The Shelbourne Hotel, Dromoland Castle, Cashel Palace Hotel and The K Club.

Highlights included a VIP tour at the Giants Causeway, the only World Heritage Site in Ireland; Thermal Spa Village; visit to EPIC – the Irish Emigration Museum, the world’s first fully digital museum; and the Irish National Stud & Gardens. A private guided tour with Secret Island Escapes provided opportunities to see parts of Ireland many rarely do as well as an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Irish immigrants heading for a new life in America, enjoying a pint in a local pub, and whiskey and cheese tastings.

Upcoming Knowledge Trips will feature Los Cabos, Finland, and Fiji.

TTAND

The Travel Agent Next Door counted 25 of its agents on the recent ACTA Summit aboard an Avalon Waterways river cruise in Europe – the largest contingent among agency groups.

“We are very proud that 25 of our agents earned a spot on this first-time ever ACTA summit on board a river cruise with Avalon,” said TTAND CEO Flemming Friisdahl. “This is a testament to how well our agents support Avalon and we were delighted so many of them were accepted to attend the summit.”

He added: “This was an amazing opportunity to experience an Avalon Waterways River cruise and attend all of the educational seminars along the way.”

The cruise carried a total of 125 Canadian travel agents through Europe on the Rhine River from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland on the Avalon Vista, experiencing excursions, local entertainment, as well as educational workshops and networking sessions.

The group was accompanied by Avalon Waterways president Pam Hoffee and ACTA president Wendy Paradis, along with other ACTA and Avalon team members.

Exotic Journeys

Ten Canadian travel agents from Toronto and British Columbia recently joined members of the Exotik Journeys team on a recent FAM trip to discover the treasures of Turkey.

in collaboration with key tourism partners, the group’s journey in Turkey included stays at some of the country’s most renowned hotels, unique excursions, and the opportunity to discover a wide array of sites and culture. Highlights included iconic landmarks like the ethereal Blue Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge, the ancient city of Ephesus, the unusual Cappadocia region, and the spectacular Pamukkale terraces. The group spent an evening in a Turkish home, including a traditional meal and dance show.

Exotik Journeys offers a diverse range of itineraries in Turkey, covering everything from ancient history to modern adventures and the TravelBrands company says it was delighted to offer agents a chance to personally discover the destination.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Few things beat a warm, sunny beach in the midst of winter, but your clients shouldn’t go just anywhere warm when the weather gets cool at home. Thailand offers sandy beaches and a friendly welcome, as well as the opportunity to transform a beach escape into an unforgettable dream vacation. It’s about the beach and so much more.
Goway has been planning tailor-made trips for globetrotters since 1970. Goway’s team of Destination Specialists are the experts on all-things Thailand, from the best way to plan an itinerary to insider advice on great places to eat or hidden gems to add to the trip. If your clients want to head on a beach escape to Thailand, plan with Goway. Learn more on Goway’s website.

Goway offers beach wonders in Thailand.

Thailand is affordable, friendly, warm, and home to great food and drink. Help make Thailand your clients’ next stop on a tailor-made beach escape this winter. The south of Thailand is flush with gorgeous islands, from famous Phuket and Koh Samui to lesser-known spots like Koh Lanta and Koh Pha Ngan. Thailand offers something more than a simple getaway to somewhere warm. It offers a cultural experience and a diverse landscape that astounds with new opportunities around every corner. Travellers can enjoy all the comforts they want on a beach escape, as well as delights they never dreamed about, from wildlife encounters to award-winning eats, wellness experiences to life-changing new friendships. Goway can plan an affordable, welcoming, and relaxing beach escape in Thailand for your clients.

Goway’s trips to Thailand offer wellness experiences for every kind of traveller.

Thailand is flush with premium beach resorts that cater to travellers with personalized wellness experiences. With Goway, it’s not just about the sand and the sun—although those are undoubtedly nice. It’s also about the morning yoga classes, the reflexology treatments, the personalized meals, the classic Thai massage that soothes your soreness like few other things can. On a Goway beach vacation to Thailand, travellers can enjoy tailored wellness experiences each day at their resort and transform their relaxation into a full mind and body revitalization.

Goway can combine a beach escape with other travel delights in Thailand.

There’s no limit to the travel opportunities on a tailor-made trip to Thailand. A Thailand vacation doesn’t stop at the beaches of Koh Samui, Phuket, and Koh Phi Phi. Rather, Goway can add on a few days to explore the food scene of the exciting capital Bangkok or tour temples and spot elephants in and around the northern city of Chiang Mai. The 10-day Classic Thailand for Foodies is a great way to combine the beach with foodie experiences in Thailand’s cities. As well, travel advisors can earn cash rewards on every booking they make to Thailand with the GowayPro loyalty program. Learn more on Goway Agent.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles. It’s one of the friendliest and most welcoming countries in the world. It’s also a place of vast history and exciting cultural opportunities. If your clients want to discover ancient history, meet friendly people, and savour some of the best food in the world, they should plan a tailor-made trip to Thailand.

When planning with Goway, travellers enjoy expert advice from Destination Specialists who know Thailand inside and out. All of Goway’s Destination Specialists have either lived, worked, or travelled extensively throughout Thailand, so know that your clients are getting the best advice and insider knowledge when planning with Goway. Learn more on Goway’s website.

Goway’s signature introduction to Thailand.

The 11-day Signature Thailand is a great introduction to the nation’s historical and cultural highlights. The journey begins in the capital Bangkok, where travellers will explore the Grand Palace and spot the famous Reclining Buddha statue at Wat Pho before going on a food tour to sample local snacks. The trip continues north to Chiang Mai for a tuk tuk adventure through the city at sunset and a trip to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep to join Buddhist monks during their almsgiving. The adventure ends in Phuket with some leisure time at a 5-star resort. Throughout their journey, travellers enjoy deluxe accommodations and private-guided tours for an elevated travel experience.

Goway offers unique Thai cultural experiences.

One of the great joys of visiting Thailand is meeting friendly people. Thai people are famously hospitable, with an ever-present smile on their faces and a welcoming demeanour that makes every encounter a pleasant one. Goway has some unique ways to engage with the locals in Thailand. The 11-day Hike, Bike & Hilltribes Northern Thailand combines unique cultural encounters with some of the famous landmarks of the nation. The tour starts in Bangkok, where travellers will explore the floating markets by boat and discover nearby towns and villages by bike. Onwards to Chiang Rai in the north, located near the borders with Laos and Myanmar, where travellers will visit a Hloyo village to meet the Akha people and engage with their cultural traditions. In nearby Chiang Mai, travellers will continue to explore mountain cultures with visits to Karen and Hmong hilltribe villages. It’s a great way for travellers to experience an underrated and meaningful side of Thailand.

Get rewarded for booking a tailor-made trip to Thailand.

Goway rewards travel advisors for booking tailor-made trips to Thailand. They can earn cash rewards on every booking they make and upgrade their earnings by meeting annual thresholds. Furthermore, travel advisors can level up their travel knowledge with the GowayPro Travel Academy, which has video modules that share insider tips on Thailand as well as the best ways to attract repeat clients. The GowayPro Travel Academy is completely free. Learn more on Goway Agent.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thai cuisine is one of the most succulent, delectable, all-around delicious cuisines in the world. Feasting on pad thai, khao soi, satay, and other Thai treats is one of the highlights of a trip to Thailand. But these dishes are only the first course of flavour that a traveller can enjoy in Thailand.

When planning a trip to Thailand with Goway, travellers can enjoy foodie tours tailored to their individual tastes, as well as unique experiences that take them behind-the-scenes of local culinary scenes. Goway’s Destination Specialists rely on their extensive personal experience when planning trips to Thailand, so know that your clients are getting a Thai foodie tour their way when planning with Goway. Learn more on Goway’s website.

Goway’s perfect Thailand vacation for foodies.

Goway’s 10-day Classic Thailand for Foodies is the ideal introduction to the nation for travellers who love food. This culinary journey begins in Bangkok, where travellers head behind the scenes of Chinatown in the company of an expert guide to sample local favourites and learn about the culinary heritage of the city. Travellers connect north to Chiang Mai to enjoy a quieter city atmosphere and discover Thai street food favourites on an evening adventure. Travellers also unlock the significance of tea in Thai culture with an Araksa Tea Experience. The journey ends in Koh Samui, where a cooking class teaches travellers how to make some Thai favourites, equipping them with culinary skills to dazzle their friends back home. Classic Thailand for Foodies also includes deluxe accommodations and mostly private tours, so it’s an elevated way to experience one of the world’s great food cultures.

Goway offers more than foodie tours.

Food is a great introduction to Thailand, but it’s not the only thing travellers can experience on a tailor-made trip with Goway. Goway has over 45 sample vacation packages to Thailand, and is able to customize travel experiences across the country, from the northern borders with Laos and Myanmar to the southern islands of Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. Travellers can also combine Thailand with other countries in Southeast Asia including Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos for an unforgettable multi-country vacation. There are even ways to combine Thailand with Dubai for an ideal shop and flop vacation, so there are few limits to what a trip to Thailand can be with Goway.

Travel advisors can earn and learn with GowayPro.

When booking with Goway, travel advisors not only get expert advice and access to Goway’s wide range of travel products. They also get the opportunity to earn exclusive rewards with GowayPro. The GowayPro loyalty program rewards travel advisors with cash on every booking they make with Goway. The GowayPro Travel Academy helps them upgrade their travel knowledge on Thailand and other destinations with free video modules, which include insider tips and expert advice on selling Thailand to their clients. Learn more on Goway Agent.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Airline accessibility took the spotlight last week, as did a host of other airline news, including new Lynx service to Tampa. Other round-up items feature Florida rail service Brightline announcing commissions for agents, Sandals preparing for its last masterclass of the year, and a visit by Martinique Tourism officials ahead of the island’s forthcoming and much-anticipated Air Canada service from Toronto.

NEWS

Air Canada says it is speeding up a three-year accessibility plan after recent reports of passenger mistreatment. The measures range from establishing a customer accessibility director to consistently boarding passengers who request lift assistance first. Air Canada also aims to implement annual, recurrent training in accessibility – such as how to use a lift – for its 10,000-odd airport employees and include mobility aids in an app that can track baggage. Statistics Canada found that 63 percent of the 2.2 million people with disabilities who used federally regulated transportation in 2019 and 2020 faced a barrier.

NexusTours has announced it will be the official Destination Management Company (DMC) for WestJet Vacations, providing transfer services and local experts across all destinations featured by the tour operator, including Cancun, Punta Cana, and Cuba. NexusTours has more than more than 25 years of experience in tours, transfers, and excursions and has a presence in 19 countries and 52 destinations serving 3 million travellers annually.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Emirates Group announced its best-ever six-month financial result. The Group is reporting a 2023-24 half-year net profit of US$ 2.7 billion, surpassing its record half-year profit of US$ 1.2 last year by 138%.

AIR

Starting in June, Air Canada will offer new summer seasonal service to Stockholm, with three weekly flights from Montreal (from June 14) and two weekly flights from Toronto (from June 12). The strategic expansion of its route network in Scandinavia will also see increased capacity on its year-round Copenhagen flights from Toronto (daily from May 1) and an earlier seasonal start from Montreal (May 2).

Lynx’s inaugural flight to the Tampa Bay area took off from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Tampa International Airport (TPA).  The carrier launched Orlando service from Montreal on Nov. 2 and will soon add Tampa as well.

With Air Malta set to cease operations early next year, the country’s government has announced the establishment of a new national airline to serve the Maltese Islands. Announced by Prime Minister Robert Abela, the new company will be called KM Malta Airlines and will start operations on March 31, 2024.

Fareportal has announced the full integration of New Distribution Capability (NDC) between the Singapore Airlines and Fareportal’s online travel agency brands, including CheapOair. The NDC provides CheapOair and OneTravel customers access to the full range of Singapore Airlines products and services, as well as special content.

DEALS

Taking place from Nov. 20 to Dec. 4, Intrepid’s annual Cyber Sale will offer discounts of up to 20% off trips in more than 100 destinations worldwide plus an exclusive 30% discount on Intrepid’s Best of Antarctica: Wildlife Explorer trip departing this December.

Through Nov. 30, guests can take advantage of a special opening offer of 20% off stays at the new Wyndham Grand Barbados, Sam Lord’s Castle Resort & Spa for stays until June 19, 2024 (subject to availability and blackout dates).

TOURS

G Adventures and National Geographic Expeditions have announced a lineup of eight new trips to be added to the ‘National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures’ collection, which encompass elements of hands-on exploration on every trip. The new lineup also includes four new trips geared for parents, children, and extended families who are travelling together. Trips will include Scotland, Turkey, and Wyoming in the US, plus a new tour joins the two previous Peru and Bolivia departures together. The four new Family Journeys will take explore Belize, Greece, Ireland, and the Southwest US.

Along with the Lares and Salkantay treks, the 26-km Quarry Trail has emerged as an alternative to the Inca Trail for hikers looking to explore the Sacred Valley around Machu Picchu. Intrepid Travel has been offering Quarry Trail itineraries for several years, but starting in 2024, will include a new section of the trail previously unseen by travellers. Intrepid has worked with local communities in the area to develop this new section, and for every guest booked on a Quarry Trail trek, the company will donate to local organizations to ensure the ongoing protection and conservation of the historic area. Quieter than the Inca Trail and not requiring permits, highlights of the Quarry Trail include the Perolniyoc Cascade waterfall, the 4,450 metre-high Kuychicassa Pass, and a sun gate overlooking Ollantaytambo.

HOTELS

Following a multi-million-dollar transformation, the historic British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas, is set to reopen this winter, with a renewed sense of island-inspired sophistication. Guests will discover a redesigned lobby, seven food and beverage outlets and 288 completely renovated guest rooms and suites.

Germain Hotels’ 20th property, Alt Hotel Ottawa Airport, will open in 2025 with construction set to start this fall. First announced in 2019, the project was halted due to the pandemic. The new scaled-down version of the hotel will consist of 178 guest rooms, meeting rooms, and gym as well as a full-service restaurant. A pedway will connect the hotel directly to the airport terminal. The hotel will be Germain Hotels’ third establishment in Ottawa and the third airport property for the chain, having terminal hotels at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport and Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

RESORTS

Jawakara Islands Maldives (photo) is the latest opening in the Crown & Champa Resorts portfolio, which includes Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, Hurawalhi Maldives, and Kagi Maldives Resort & Spa in its luxury collection. Jawakara is a five-star, family-friendly 290-villa resort comprising two separate islands – Mabin and Dheru – connected by an oversea walkway. Guests can choose activities from surfing, diving, kayaking and snorkelling to golf, paddle and football tournaments on a full-sized pitch. Alternatively, there are two Suhla spas, a yoga retreat and two infinity pools. The resort is reached via 40-minute speedboat from Madivaru domestic airport in Lhaviyani Atoll or by seaplane from Malé International Airport.

CRUISE

Cunard has started the clock on the six-month count-down to the debut of its fourth vessel, Queen Anne, which will launch into service in May 2024. The 113,000-ton vessel will have 14 decks and 15 dining venues, holding up to 3,000 guests. In her maiden season, Queen Anne will be sailing in Europe with itineraries including the Canary Islands, British Isles, Norwegian Fjords, Western Mediterranean, and more. Queen Anne will be the first Cunard ship to launched in 13 years.

Royal Caribbean‘s private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, will debut an adults-only beach club in January. The exclusive experience, known as Hideaway Beach, will feature an acre of white sand beaches, seven bars and restaurants, poolside cabana rentals, live DJs and more.
FAMS & INCENTIVES

Florida’s intercity passenger rail company Brightline has announced a new travel professional program that includes commissionable bookings for travel advisors, including those in Canada.  Qualified agents can now book clients’ travel on Brightline between Orlando and South Florida (Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach) with access to the lowest published fares and earn commissions of up to 10% for both Premium and Smart services.

During the month of December travel advisors can take advantage of special hotel rates and exclusive offers courtesy of New Orleans & Company’s Holiday Travel Advisors independent familiarization trip. The annual program, which has been running for over a decade, enables travel advisors to opportunity to experience the city firsthand, while enhancing the city’s visibility and accessibility, and benefiting the travel industry. To register for the 2023 holiday travel advisors FAM, click here.

EVENTS

One final “masterclass” for Canadian travel advisors will be hosted by Sandals on Nov. 16. The series has been running May and September and will conclude on Thursday, with the two-hour session to take place between 1 and 3 p.m. EST. Hosted by Lorna Richards, National Training Manager – Sandals notes the event is available live and will not be recorded. Participants will have a chance to wine a three-night stay at Sandals Dunn’s River or Sandals Royal Curaçao and will earn points towards Sandals specialist certification, four CTC or CTM credits. To register, click HERE.

DESTINATIONS

The Martinique Tourism Authority brought a welcome dose of the Caribbean to Toronto’s Hotel X last week at the 2023 edition of ‘Martinique Sensation.’ On hand was an extensive delegation of Martinique tourism stakeholders (photo) headed by director and deputy directors of tourism, Muriel Wiltord and Karine Roy-Camille, along with dozens of invited attendees from the Canadian travel trade for a showcase of everything the destination has to offer, including news that Air Canada will begin flights from Toronto to the “The Isle of Flowers” starting Dec. 16.

The Reno Experience District (RED) is a new community development in Reno, Nevada, that includes accommodation, artisan shops, dining, rooftop lounges, and entertainment, featuring the Reno Public Market – opened earlier this year with 18 food vendors – and a public park with amphitheatre and LED display system. RED has been opening in phases since 2021, with the Element Hotel scheduled to open by the end of this year. It joins the following three hotels as Reno’s newest properties: Whitney Peak Hotel, completing a major guest room renovation expected to finish this Fall; Legends Bay Casino, opened last summer as the first ground-up casino built in over 25 years complete with food truck hall; J Resort, rebranded from the Sands Regency Hotel and the first phase of its remodel including an upgraded casino with more than 600 new gaming positions, two new restaurants, and 24/7 digital art wall.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1977, West German commandos stormed a hijacked Lufthansa airliner at an airport in Somalia and freed all 86 hostages aboard.

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First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Guinness will soon have a new home in the heart of London. Work is underway at ‘Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard,’ which is located near Neal Street in Covent Garden. The 4,600-sq.-metre microbrewery will build on the success of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and the opening of Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh in 2021.

Old Brewer’s Yard first brewed beer back in 1722. Plans for the revived venue include a central covered courtyard, open-fire kitchen, restaurant, and 360 degrees glass rooftop space, and store. Tours will be available to the public, and, of course, the chance to have a pint of the famed Irish stout.

The site will also be the Southern UK hub Guinness’s Learning for Life Bartending and Hospitality Program, with an ambition for over 100 London-based students to graduate from program.

Some features of the site will include:

• Limited edition beers and guests tours with Guinness beer specialists to taste/enjoy and learn about the iconic stout, its storied history, and ambitions for the future.

• Event spaces and central covered courtyard hosting events across food, drink, the arts, and special cultural occasions, which will be open for use by the local community.

• Guinness store selling rare items via collaborations and partnerships bespoke to the London experience.

• Chance to try new brews, some only available at ‘Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard.’

• Rotating cuisine and events at a stunning open-fire kitchen, restaurant and 360 degrees glass rooftop space within the development.

While the venue was scheduled to open this fall, an opening date has not been announced.

With glass purposefully in hand, we at Travel Industry Today continue our series on some of the planet’s best bars, patios and rooftop venues. For more articles in the series, click here:

PREVIOUS ARTICLES: https://travelindustrytoday.com/pub-patio/

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News