Porter Airlines today announced it’s adding Calgary to its growing network, with flights between Toronto Pearson and Calgary International Airport. The route will be served with Porter’s new, state-of-the-art Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.
Porter is taking its service further into Alberta, as Calgary marks the airline’s second destination in the province. Edmonton was previously announced this week. Travellers will enjoy an elevated economy travel experience at highly competitive fares. All passengers enjoy no middle seats, free, fast Wi-Fi, complimentary beer and wine served in real glassware, and premium snacks.
The initial flight schedule starts on February 22, 2023, with two daily round-trip flights.
“With Porter, Calgarians can now also enjoy a new level of generosity and thoughtful service that is non-existent today in economy air travel,” said Kevin Jackson, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Porter Airlines. “We are offering a higher level of economy service at highly competitive fares and are changing the way people think about economy air travel. Porter provides more value for your money than with any other airline.”
Belize is known for its dreamy, blue water. Meritt Thomas/Unsplash Photo
MORE BELIZE FLIGHT OPTIONS FOR CANADIANS
On December 4, 2022, Air Canada officially welcomed back their seasonal direct route from Toronto (YYZ) to Belize City (BZE) to make the destination more accessible for Canadian travellers. Air Canada will operate one flight per week on Sundays until April 16, 2023.
To celebrate the return of this flight, this past Sunday, December 11, 2022, the Belize Tourism Board, with the help of the Toronto Pearson and Air Canada, provided passengers boarding the flight with cupcakes, coffee and sunglasses to show appreciation for their support of the return of the Air Canada flight from Toronto to Belize City.
Similarly, Westjet has expanded airlift to Belize, furthering the accessibility of Belize within the Canada market. On Friday, December 9, 2022, the Belize Tourism Board, with the help of the Calgary Airport and Westjet, celebrated with cupcakes, coffee and sunglasses for Belize-bound passengers to show appreciation for the return of this flight and continued expansion of access to the destination.
This year, Westjet added a direct route from Calgary (YYC) to Belize City (BZE), in addition to the direct route that Westjet operates from Toronto (YYZ) to Belize City (BZE). The flights are seasonal beginning November 4, 2022, with the Calgary flight operating once per week and the Toronto flight operating twice per week through to April 2023.
The Wawa Goose is one of Ontario’s most iconic sights. JIM BYERS PHOTO
ONTARIO STAYCATION TAX CREDIT NOT RENEWED
The Ontario government says it won’t renew its Ontario Staycation Tax Credit.
The Doug Ford government at Queen’s Park brought in the credit during the pandemic, allowing Ontario residents to claim a portion of qualified accommodation expenses. The credit, which is still valid for the rest of this year, allowed residents to claim a personal income tax credit of 20% of their accommodation expenses, up to a maximum of $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for a family if you have a spouse, common-law partner or children.
That meant saving $200 or $400, respectively, just for booking accommodation in the province. But the province says it was purely a temporary plan.
“In 2021, our government introduced the temporary Ontario staycation tax credit for the 2022 tax year to help Ontario’s tourism, hospitality and culture sectors recover from the pandemic which required limits on travel and other restrictions,” Ontario Tourism Minister Neil Lumsden said in a statement to the Toronto Star.
“While the staycation tax credit won’t be reintroduced for the 2023 tax year, tourism activity in Ontario has recently reached its highest level since the onset of the pandemic. We are supporting the sector in 2022-23 through several programs and initiatives, including investing $48.1 million for festivals and events and $19.1 million in support for regional tourism organizations.”
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce said it’s disappointed but hopes to work with the Ford government on other ways to help the industry.
Air Transat plane. Photo Courtesy Air Transat.
TRANSAT SAYS FINANCES IMPROVING
They still lost money, but Transat A.T. says things are improving rapidly.
The Montreal-based company, which operates Air Transat, reported fourth quarter revenues of $573.1 million, up $510.4 million from $62.8 million for the corresponding period of 2021. But they still had an operating loss of $48.8 million and an adjusted operating loss of $11.5 million. It reported a net loss of $126.2 million for the quarter, and an adjusted net loss of $75.9 million.
For the full fiscal year, Transat reported revenues of $1,642.0 million, an operating loss of $303.4 million and an adjusted operating loss of $156.8 million. It reported an adjusted net loss of $403.7 million and a net loss attributable to shareholders of $445.3 million.
The Corporation generated $573.1 million in revenues, Capacity offered was 91% of that deployed in 2019 across all programs
“The recovery in travel, already very real in the third quarter, accelerated in the fourth, said Annick Guérard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transat. “This shows that people still want to travel and travel spending is a priority for them, even amid an economic slowdown and rising inflation. During the past quarter, Transat responded to the demand and deployed a program based on its traditional strengths of combining European and sun destinations, which were very popular and allowed us to continuously improve our load factors.
“Several indicators show that we’re also well set for the winter season,” Guérard said. “The pace of reservations is currently equivalent to that of 2019. Strong demand is driving up prices, which is helping us to deal with higher costs
“As a result, Transat ended fiscal 2022 with solid momentum and a significant decrease in its adjusted operating loss. If the trend continues, the outlook for 2023 is encouraging.”
A casita at Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa near San Diego, California. JIM BYERS PHOTO
CONDE NAST HOTEL AWARDS INCLUDE CANADA, HAWAII AND CALIFORNIA
Some of my fave hotels in North America have been cited as top choices by Conde Nast Travel. Among the properties picking up Gold List and Readers Choice Awards were several Fairmont properties in Canada and the U.S., including the Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Tremblant, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City. Also singled out were Auberge Saint Antoine in Quebec, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in British Columbia, Cabot Cape Breton and The Hazelton Hotel in Toronto.
Several of my top choices in Hawai’i also were singled out, including the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel, The Plantation Inn on Maui, The Ritz Carlton Maui Kapalua, The Four Seasons Lana’i, the Andaz Maui in Wailea and The Four Seasons Hualalai on Hawai’i Big Island. In California, The Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa (I was there in September) also was listed as a top choice.
The Belvedere Palace in Vienna is one of the sights you can see on a Danube River cruise with Scenic. JIM BYERS PHOTO
GREAT CRUISE DEALS AROUND THE WORLD FROM SCENIC
Scenic is kicking off the New Year – and embracing the coming holidays – with a salute to discovery. Discovering the cultures of villages along the Danube, the centuries-old vineyards along the Rhine, the heartwarming traditions of Christmas markets, the amazing wildlife in Antarctica, and the ancient histories of Asia and Europe – are among the dozens of opportunities to travel and explore while aboard one of Scenic’s river Space-Ships and ocean Discovery Yachts. To add to the already great reasons to explore with Scenic during 2023 and 2024 are some great deals – up to $1,500 (all prices USD) per couple savings on more than 20 river itineraries and dozens of departures in Europe, inclusive of France and Portugal, and up to $5,000 per couple savings on more than 125 Scenic Eclipse departures that span the world.
Guests paying in full 12 months or more before departure – or within 72 hours when within 12 months – can choose an additional savings benefit. For rivers, the choices are free or two-for-one airfare, depending on itinerary length; or a free or two-for-one multi-day land extension; or up to an additional $1,000 per person savings on sailings of eight days or longer. On the oceans, guests can choose free economy or business class air or two-for-one air, depending on itineraries and suite selection: or additional savings of up to $3,000 per person. All of these choices are combinable with save and sail events, travel advisor exclusives, show vouchers, trade incentive programs, loyalty bonus offers and Future travel credits.
