Air Canada says better times are ahead. Meanwhile, WestJet adding Calgary-Amsterdam flights, Israel tourism soars, and Orlando launches a new tourism camapaign.
BETTER TIMES AHEAD
Air Canada this week said it’s expecting stubborn light and baggage delays at Canadian airports to subside through the rest of this year and next as staffing levels improve.
In a report from Reuters that ran on the Global News website, Air Canada Chief Financial Officer Amos Kazzaz said he expects to see an uptick in business travel after the Labour Day holiday, Chief Financial Officer Amos Kazzaz said at an investor conference organized by brokerage Cowen.
Canadian airports had a very rough summer, with stories of delayed and cancelled flights and poor conditions at Canada’s major airports.
A canal in Amsterdam. Adrien Olichon/Unsplash Photo.
WESTJET RETURNS TO AMSTERDAM
WestJet announces the return of service between Calgary and Amsterdam.
Beginning November 14, 2022, non-stop service will be available through WestJet’s winter schedule and operate 3x weekly between Calgary International Airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
For more infoirmation: https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/news/2022/westjet-returns-to-amsterdam
Tel Aviv, Israel. Shai Pal – Unsplash Photo
ISRAEL TOURISM ON THE RISE
The Israel Ministry of Tourism announced today new record-breaking tourist arrivals from the United States visiting Israel in the months of July and August. The country welcomed 81,800 total travelers from the United States in July 2022, a 4% increase from 2019, and 71,000 total travelers from the United States in August 2022, a 13% increase from 2019.
“It is so exciting to once again see an increase in tourism to Israel from the United States, already reaching and surpassing our record-breaking numbers of 2019,” said Eyal Carlin, Tourism Commissioner for North America. “The United States is our top market for inbound tourism to Israel, and before the COVID-19 pandemic, we were celebrating record-breaking tourism entry numbers month after month; We’re so happy to see such a positive shift and expect a continued upward trajectory for months and years to come.”
Not far behind the United States, Canada is also on track to exceed its tourist arrivals in Israel, reaching 7,200 visitors in July 2022 and 6,000 in August.
“It is so exciting to see how Canada’s tourism to Israel is rebounding,” said Gal Hana, Consul and Director for Canada for the Israel Ministry of Tourism. “We are not far off our record 2019 numbers, and we are anticipating that this growth in travel to Israel will further increase as Canadians continue to feel more comfortable traveling abroad.”
In 2019, Israel welcomed more than 4.6 million global tourists, 969,600 of them coming from the United States, and since its official reopening to all travelers regardless of vaccination status in May of this year, the country has already seen more than 600,400 US travelers.
NEW TOURISM CAMPAIGN FOR ORLANDO
Visit Orlando, the official tourism association for the most visited destination in the U.S., launched the new destination brand, “Unbelievably Real”, in Canada this week. The new brand highlights what is both fantastical and authentic about The Theme Park Capital of the World to tell the destination’s holistic story. National and Ontario-focused television, digital, social media and search engine marketing will run across Canada, as well as digital and high-impact OOH focused in Toronto with placements in popular Yonge-Dundas Square and across major malls.
The fall launch of “Unbelievably Real” will highlight the incredible and diverse range of attractions and experiences across the destination, embodying the unique character of Orlando. From high-impact advertising placements across Toronto, to digital media assets, “Unbelievably Real” Orlando will be brought to life for travelers for the remainder of 2022.
“With entry restrictions to the US lifted, it is the optimum time to inspire travel to Orlando ahead of the peak booking periods for our destination’s largest international market,” said Casandra Matej, president & CEO of Visit Orlando. “This new campaign captures the essence of our destination – if you can imagine it, you can experience it here – that’s why Orlando is Unbelievably Real.”
I’ve probably been a half-dozen times or more, and it’s a destination I quite enjoy. The theme parks are fun, but what I remember most are the various attractions and city districts away from Minnie Mouse and Harry Potter. Here are a few areas to keep in mind.
Downtown Orlando – The downtown has come alive in the past 10 years, with terrific restaurants and bars.
Asian Wonders: A little north of downtown, the Mills 50 District offers some of the best Asian cuisine in North America, and at very reasonable prices.
Beautiful Winter Park: A short drive from Orlando is the city of Winter Park, which has a gorgeous, walkable downtown filled with lovely shops and fine restaurants, many with sidewalk patios. Italian. For a real treat, try a ride on the nearby lakes and through the narrow, romantic canals with massive, live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss.
Florida Nature: A short drive south of Orlando you’ll find the Boggy Creek.
Beaches Galore: You’ve got to drive an hour or so, but the Orlando area is home to some terrific beaches, including Cocoa Beach and (a personal fave) New Smyrna Beach.
