WestJet says leisure travel is at or above 2019 levels, and that small-to-medium sized companies are back to flying for business.
Speaking to OpenJaw.com, Chuck Crowder, WestJet’s Vice President Sales and Distribution, said Canadians flocked to Europe this summer and that leisure/vacation travel was at or above 2019 levels for the Calgary-based company.
“Travel is back in Canada,” he said.
Crowder said large, multi-national companies haven’t fully returned to the market, but that small and medium-sized companies are booking business travel at rates similar, or even exceeding, 2019 levels.
Crowder said Canadians who want to book winter packages with WestJet Vacations should consider booking early to avoid disappointment.
TORONTO WATERFRONT HEATS UP
The Redpath Waterfront Festival (RWF) is returning to Toronto with a ‘Water Weekend’ to celebrate the last official weekend of summer and its first in-person festival since 2019. On September 17 & 18, 2022, visitors can experience unique on-water and on-land programs in HTO Park and Sugar Beach including Theodore TOO Tugboat, live entertainment on two stages, Parks Canada, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, local food and much more.
HTO Park highlights:
· Take a tour of the famous Canadian tugboat Theodore TOO and learn more about this iconic 90s character.
· Grab some sweet treats like Redpath Sugar cookies, BeaverTails, and whipped cheesecake and enjoy them in the Billy Bishop Airport Picnic Lounge.
· Enjoy live entertainment all weekend on the RBCXMusic Stage.
· Visit the Live Green Toronto team for interactive, fun and educational activities.
· Unfortunately, due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Canadian Navy has had to scale back their involvement in the festival significantly. Festival producers have been told that national mourning is to be adopted immediately by all Canadian Armed Forces members. Business is to continue as per normal but any involvement in an event that has a festive or celebration component is to be canceled or postponed as they are deemed to be inappropriate at this time. The Navy’s recruitment team will still be at the festival but a number of their other planned activities have been canceled.
Sugar Beach highlights:
· Have a picnic on Sugar Beach while listening to local talent on the Bayside Village Stage and enjoy local food and live entertainment at 200 Queens Quay E from 12pm-4pm each day.
· Learn about protecting our oceans and see the giant inflatable beaver with Parks Canada and IMPAC5.
· Try a virtual reality experience with Indigenous Tourism Ontario and see a 16ft birchbark canoe from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
· Giveaways, games and activities from partners including Waterfront Toronto, Menkes and Queens Quay Terminal.
CRUISE NEWS
Luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways has announced reservations are now open for its 2024 history-making Seven River Journey – Spring and Summer Editions. Continuing its path of innovation, AmaWaterways is introducing its longest and most epic journeys yet with the complete 49 night itinerary spent on board one luxurious ship, the AmaMora, and the first-time experience of sailing the complete length of the Rhine and Danube rivers including the seldom visited Danube Delta region leading to the Black Sea … Holland America Line is continuing to bolster its longer voyages departing from a North America homeport, and the 2024 Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage is the newest addition. The 94-day journey that’s been more than 10 years in the making departs Jan. 3, 2024, aboard Volendam, sailing roundtrip from San Diego, California.
