Air Canada Record Revenues; New Canopy Hilton in Toronto

The recovery is going full tilt for Canada’s largest airline.

Air Canada today said its operating revenues for the fourth quarter of 2022 were higher than the last three months of 2019. The Montreal-based airline reported record fourth quarter operating revenues of $4.680 billion, 71 per cent higher than the fourth quarter of 2021 and about six per cent higher than the final quarter of 2019.

Air Canada also reported record fourth quarter passenger revenues of $4.062 billion, double from the fourth quarter of 2021 and about two per cent higher than the fourth quarter in 2019.

Still, the airline reported operating losses of $28 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and of $187 million for the full year 2022. “We are pleased with our fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial results. We reported record fourth quarter passenger and operating revenues, surpassing our results from a year ago and those of the fourth quarter of 2019. This was due to solid demand and yield environments across our network.” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada. “This progress was also a result of the dedication and hard work of our employees who safely transported more than two million customers during a holiday period challenged by severe winter weather across North America, and to our entire team who successfully executed on our strategy. I warmly thank them.” “We are very encouraged with the positive outlook ahead,” Rosseau said. “Our quarterly ticket sales were 102 per cent of the fourth quarter of 2019, on a lower level of capacity, and we expect a solid demand environment in 2023. In anticipation, we are building out our global network, continuing our narrow-body fleet renewal, and investing in technology and customer service. “More than 36 million people chose to fly with Air Canada last year. We appreciate and thank them for their loyalty. We intend to do much more to provide them with an elevated level of customer service and continuous value from our airline in 2023 and beyond,” he added. A room at the Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville hotel. JIM BYERS PHOTO CANADA’S FIRST CANOPY BY HILTON OPENS IN TORONTO Canada has its first Canopy by Hilton, a splashy and youthful hotel that opened in downtown Toronto yesterday (Feb. 16). The Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville is a 184-room property on Bloor at Sherbourne Street. “We’re excited to open Canada’s very first Canopy by Hilton hotel in Toronto. With its premium location, the hotel will bring a unique blend of sophistication, convenience and urban living,” said Reetu Gupta, ambassadress, The Gupta Group and Easton’s Group of Hotels. “Nestled between the picturesque Yorkville neighbourhood and the wooded Rosedale neighbourhood, Canopy Toronto Yorkville offers guests an exciting new way to experience the city.” “Joining a global portfolio of more than 35 sophisticated boutique hotels, Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville is an incredible property to mark the brand’s Canadian debut,” said Jenna Hackett, global brand leader, Canopy by Hilton. “With its local vibe, bespoke culinary offerings and elevated design, Canopy Toronto Yorkville offers an inspired stay that embodies the experience of the Canopy by Hilton brand.” With design led by Studio Munge, the 184-room hotel celebrates the best of the neighbourhood through thoughtful and authentic design. Canopy Central, the hotel lobby, welcomes guests with layered interiors, curved edges and organic motifs complemented by an impressive local art collection. Dia Restaurant at The Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville hotel. JIM BYERS PHOTO The hotel also has two food/beverage offerings. Dia serves as a gathering place to enjoy seasonal fare and eclectic wines and spirits. Día offers a variety of dishes including memorable cheeses, Roman-style pizza and more. Visitors and locals alike can also enjoy the restaurant’s signature wine program and sample libations as a part of Canopy’s bespoke evening tastings. (I enjoyed their breakfast pizza and candied bacon at Thursday’s press event, which also featured wonderful Indian music and dancing.) For lighter fare, Virtu Café & Provisions fosters a strong connection with the surrounding neighbourhoods and the entire city. Opening a few months after Canopy Toronto Yorkville’s debut, the hotel’s all-day café will serve purposefully sourced, locally inspired dishes and foster a connection with the community. There’s also a fitness centre, meeting space, and, soon, a saltwater swimming pool. Officials said they hope to open other Canopy by Hilton hotels in Canada. (I stayed in one in West Palm Beach, Florida recently and thought it was terrific.) The Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville is a partnership between Hilton, Easton’s Group of Hotels and The Gupta Group, which now has 30 properties in its portfolio, most in the Toronto region. The Gupta Group also is building Curio by Hilton hotels in Toronto’s Distillery District and in the Entertainment District. I went online today and found  a room at the hotel next Wednesday listed at $457.

MARRIOTT BONVOY PARTNERS WITH MAPLE LEAFS, CANADIENS AND TIFF

Sports lovers and film fans have good reason to book with Marriott hotels this year.

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s extraordinary portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands is excited to announce several new programs for 2023 throughout Canada. These innovative partnerships will provide Marriott Bonvoy members and guests with exclusive access to events, specially curated experiences and activations across Canada.

The 2023 Marriott Bonvoy programs throughout Canada include:

• Toronto Maple Leafs – as a title sponsor of the Toronto Maple Leafs, you’ll spot Marriott Bonvoy co-branded fan activations at home games, Marriott Bonvoy Moment redemption offers on premium packages and seating, as well as exclusive player experiences.
• Montreal Canadiens – making a splash in French Canada, Marriott Bonvoy is partnering with the Montreal Canadiens for in-arena partnership activations including promotional offers to Club 1909 members and season ticket holders, as well as launching a curated travel content series on social media channels.
• Toronto International Film Festival – as a TIFF sponsor Marriott Bonvoy members will have access to exclusive Marriott Bonvoy Moment experiences including red carpet access, chances to attend the opening and closing galas, and exclusive access to premium screenings.

 

TRAVEL SURGE CONTINUES, EXPEDIA SAYS; ASIA ON THE RISE

Travel search volume increased 10% year over year on Expedia websites in the fourth quarter of 2022 with Asia Pacific search volumes up more than 50%, Expedia reports. That signals positive responses to travel restrictions easing in various countries, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.

Between October 2022 and December 2022, searches from the US for Puerto Rico and the Bahamas increased by 35% and 20%, respectively. Other trending search destinations for US travelers during the fourth quarter included Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Mexico. Searches from Canada to Mexico were up 15%.

As art, music, and culture festivities return in 2023, cities like Dublin, New York, Tokyo, Sydney, and more are expected to rise in popularity, Expedia officials said.

For North American travellers in the fourth quarter of last year, the top ten bookings were as follows:

New York

Las Vegas

Orlando

Cancun

Los Angeles

Chicago

Miami

London

Honolulu

San Francisco

The top 10 Vrbo (vacation rental property) bookings for North America were as follows:

Kissimmee, Florida

Panama City Beach, Florida

Sevierville, Tennessee

Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Naples, Florida

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Cape Coral, Florida

Scottsdale, Arizona

NEW NONSTOPS TORONTO TO SACRAMENTO

Canadians have a great new way to get to California. And Californians have a new way to reach Canada’s biggest city.

Starting June 2, 2023, Air Canada will begin a new nonstop service between Sacramento International Airport  and Toronto Pearson. Air Canada will offer four nonstop flights a week, creating a convenient new option for visiting Canada’s largest city, and for Canadians to get to the Golden State.

“Air Canada is very pleased to offer this new service to residents of Sacramento and the local vicinity. We are pleased to provide people travelling from SMF easy access to Canada’s largest city. As our global hub, Toronto also offers convenient connections through on our extensive network to other places in Canada and internationally. As the foreign carrier with the most flights to the U.S. we take great pride in serving our American customers,” said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada.

Flights will take place on the carrier’s new Airbus A220-300 aircraft offering business and economy class service. Access to Air Canada’s vast international flight network is available through easy one-stop connections via Toronto, including London, Frankfurt, Delhi, and São Paulo.

I grew up about 90 minutes from Sacramento and have family members living there. It’s got a great food scene, lively cafes, tons of street art and more. Terrific wineries are less than a half-hour away, and you’re only a couple hours from beautiful Lake Tahoe. The town of Napa is just an hour away, while San Francisco is roughly 90 minutes to the southwest.

Here’s a story I wrote about the city for Postmedia newspapers a few years ago. 

 

LUXURY REAL ESTATE OFFERINGS IN NEVIS

Renowned property developers in the Caribbean David Chekemian and Richard Maltz have announced the launch of Four Seasons Resort Estates Holdings Limited, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the luxury real estate market on the Caribbean island of Nevis.  

To kick off the launch, seven to-be-constructed villas on the Pinney’s Beach site are anticipated to break ground in early 2023. These stunning new residences will feature four-bedroom villas. They will be available in whole and fractional ownership. 

This year will also see the exciting launch of an entirely new luxury condominium community in the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, along the Robert Trent Jones Jr. signature 18-hole golf course. With almost three miles (4.8km) of pristine beachfront, FSRN is an exclusive Caribbean enclave and home to world-class golf, award-winning spas, an eight-court tennis complex, four pickleball courts, and top-level watersports.