Intrepid Travel has launched an emergency appeal and committed $100,000 AUD through their not-for-profit, the Intrepid Foundation, to support immediate relief, aid, and rescue efforts in Turkey (the preferred name now is Türkiye) and Syria following the devastating earthquake. Intrepid Travel has further committed to donating all profits from bookings made on trips in Türkiye until April 30, 2023, to support the appeal.
The Intrepid Foundation has partnered with Australian Red Cross to ensure funds are effectively allocated to provide immediate and longer-term relief to communities affected by the earthquakes. This will enable Red Cross and Red Crescent partners to address the immediate and longer-term humanitarian impacts of the earthquakes.
Intrepid will dollar match donations to the Türkiye and Syria Earthquake Appeal up to $100,000 AUD whilst covering the foundation’s administrative costs, ensuring 100 per cent of donations go directly to the Australian Red Cross.
“This earthquake has devastated communities across southeastern Türkiye and Syria. Most of us can only imagine the trauma of this scale of disaster but through supporting this appeal, we can help communities that need it the most by providing basic emergency first aid and items such as blankets and tents to help house families during the middle of winter,” said Biheng Zhang, General Manager of the Intrepid Foundation.
Intrepid Travel has a long and close association with Türkiye. It became the company’s second destination to offer trips in 1990 and a Turkish mosque even features in the company’s logo. It has remained one of Intrepid’s most beloved destinations, welcoming over 25,000 Intrepid travellers in the past decade alone.
Today, Intrepid Travel operates 30 tours in Türkiye and has 25 local team members based out of their Istanbul office. Intrepid Travel only had one group in the country at the time of the earthquake, who are all safe and were on the opposite side of the country from the earthquake’s epicenter at the time. Customer safety remains Intrepid’s number one priority, and while the company is closely assessing government travel advisories, no significant changes to future departures are being planned.
WestJet
WESTJET CANCELS MANY EUROPE FLIGHTS; NEW SUMMER SCHEDULE COMING SOON
I somehow missed this last week. But the CBC reports WestJet has cancelled its flights between three Canadian cities and Europe for this summer.
“Previously, WestJet offered direct flights from Halifax to London Gatwick, Dublin, Glasgow and Paris during the summer months,” the network said. “WestJet’s transatlantic service to Europe has also been suspended from Vancouver and Toronto.”
WestJet last year announced it was focusing its efforts on western Canada. The new summer schedule for WestJet is expected to be announced soon.
WestJet says it will begin flights between Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Tokyo Narita on April 30, 2023.
The airline also has said it will offer seasonal flights from Calgary to both Barcelona and Edinburgh from May to October, up to three-times weekly. WestJet also has flights from Calgary to London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Paris, Rome and Dublin.
An electric bike tour in the Okanagan wine region in British Columbia. JIM BYERS PHOTO
BRITISH COLUMBIA TRAVELLERS NERVOUS BUT STILL FLYING
According to the latest British Columbia Automobile Association Travel Confidence Survey, 77% of British Columbians plan to travel for vacation this spring and summer, and 40% will be flying to get there. But concerns about the hassles of travel following recent events with airlines, hotels, and airports has British Columbians nervous.
Eighty-four per cent say they are concerned about flight delays, lost bags, and other headaches, while 83% are worried about staffing issues. I’m actually surprised at this. Only 84% of BC residents are worried about lost bags and flight delays? I can only assume the other 16% have sworn off air travel all together, and are either driving, cycling or skateboarding between Vancouver and Kelowna this summer.
Seventy-six percent are concerned about the impact of weather events on travel, and 86% worry about the increasing difficulties getting refunds from airlines for cancelled trips. Inflation and the high cost of living are also on the minds of many travellers, with 89% watching travel costs closely and 55% saying high costs will make them less likely to travel.
While many are still determined to travel for fun, British Columbians are taking steps to protect themselves. Travel Insurance is becoming a must-have, with 75% more likely to get trip cancellation insurance and 62% more likely to get travel medical insurance than they were before the latest travel woes.
A cable car in San Francisco. Suzanne-Emily-O’Connor-Unsplash Photo
U.S. TRAVELLERS EAGER TO HIT THE ROAD
A new report from Destination Analysts finds Americans’ level of excitement to travel is at a three-year high, reaching 8 on a scale from 0-10. In fact, fully 41% of Americans described their excitement for travel at a level 10.
Right now, 84% of American travelers have existing trip plans, with one-third of American travelers likely to take at least one international trip this year. Half of American travelers report having two weeks or more of days available for their leisure travel.
Booking behavior also appears to also be up: 17% of American travelers said they made reservations or purchased tickets for trips in the last week alone.
A Porter Airlines Embraer E195-E2 jet. Photo Courtesy Porter Airlines.
PORTER’S FIRST FLIGHT TO VANCOUVER
| Porter Airlines is celebrating its first flights with the new Embraer E195-E2 between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR). For the first time in its 16-year history, Porter is bringing its distinguished approach to service to Western Canada, while also debuting a remarkable new concept for economy air travel.
Hospitality and generous service are staples of Porter’s distinct offering. This signature service features complimentary beer and wine served in glassware, along with a selection of premium snacks on every flight. The introduction of longer routes to Porter’s network, starting with Toronto Pearson-Vancouver, now also include enhancements of these perks. Fresh, healthy meals, pre-mixed cocktails and additional snack options are included on the menu. These additional features are available as an all-inclusive fare with PorterReserve or may be purchased a la carte with PorterClassic fares. PorterReserve also includes dedicated airport check-in, early boarding, enhanced legroom, two checked bags and the ability to change flights without a fee. |
U.S. COULD SOON CANCEL VACCINATION RULES
CTV and Reuters report the U.S. House of Representatives plans to vote on a bill that would end controversial rules that require most foreign air travellers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“The Biden administration in June dropped its requirement that people arriving in the country by air must test negative for COVID-19 but has not lifted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccination requirements,” a CTV/Reuters story said. “Currently, adult visitors to the United States who are not citizens or permanent residents must show proof of vaccination before boarding their flight, with some limited exceptions.”
The U.S. Travel Association argues that the vaccination rules are outdated and are hurting U.S. tourism.
Reuters also reports U.S. politicians U.S. are considering new consumer protection measures that would “force airlines to pay at least $1,350 to passengers denied boarding as a result of an oversold flight, prohibit airlines from further shrinking plane seat sizes pending regulatory changes, and give consumers new rights to sue airlines for unfair practices.”
