Canadians Heading to Hawaii, Mexico, Florida and Vegas For March Break

Old favourites dominate the list of where Canadians are heading for March Break.

A study of Canadian web searches by Hilton Hotels finds that Hawai’i, Florida, Mexico and Las Vegas are top of mind for the upcoming March break travel period. Here’s the top five.

1. Hawaii
2. Cancun
3. Orlando
4. Las Vegas
5. Fort Lauderdale

 

Here’s a look at some top Hilton properties in each destination.

 

1. HAWAII

Nestled on 40 acres of lush, tropical gardens fronting Wailea Beach, Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort offers a range of spring break experiences, from nine inter-connected pools through waterslides and swings sets, to eight dining experiences. Opening just in time for spring break is the new 50,000-square-foot Kilolani spa, the largest of its kind in the region, that will specialize in holistic and innovative treatments inspired by the island’s healing practices and rituals. Guided by the Hawaiian Moon Calendar, the stunning state-of-the-art facility will have a seasonal treatment menu steeped in practices that promote mindful rejuvenation, reflection, renewal, connection, nourishment and relaxation, bringing each guest a sense of balance and alignment during and after their experience.

      2. CANCUN

A one-of-a-kind beachfront escape, Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort features 715 stylish guest rooms offering stunning panoramic views. Situated on 100 acres of Mayan coastline 20 minutes south of Cancun’s popular Hotel Zone and north of Riviera Maya, the resort features vast amenities and on-property programming for every age and interest. The resort offers beachfront relaxation, a private splash pool for families with water slides, along with two additional extensive oceanfront pools, one for families and one for those seeking a more serene escape, with private cabanas. A supervised kids’ club and teen zone provide hours of family-friend entertainment, including crafts, scavenger hunts, beach games and playground. A fully immersive resort experience, additional amenities include vibrant entertainment such as nightly performances, including dance and acrobatics, cultural experiences such as crafting Huichol art and jewelry, wellness programming, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

     3. ORLANDO

Conrad Orlando debuted earlier this year with 433 rooms, including 51 impeccably designed suites and 10 spacious family suites offering oversized accommodations that deliver all the comforts of home. Other features include a tranquil Conrad Spa with a private water garden, and numerous dining options including a signature rooftop experience. As part of Evermore Orlando Resort, bordering Walt Disney World® Resort, guests can enjoy a 20-acre tropical beach and 8-acre crystalline lagoon, aquatic activities, and two Jack Nicklaus designed 18-hole golf courses.

    4. LAS VEGAS

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Curio Collection by Hilton is the perfect playground for adults looking for a memorable spring break. Take a dip in the hottest pool in town, unwind at the spa or enjoy a bite in the hotel’s 12 experiential food and beverage outlets. For music lovers, guests can catch a show at the resort’s 4,600-person live music venue The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

    5. FORT LAUDERDALE

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is a premier oceanfront resort located on the world-acclaimed North Beach of Fort Lauderdale set within the prestigious beach community centered between the palm-shaded boulevards of Sunrise and Las Olas. Perfect for families or getaways with friends, this residential-style, all-suite resort provides a variety of suite accommodations equipped with ocean view balconies, kitchens or kitchenettes, and deep soaking whirlpool bathtubs with separate showers. Travelers can enjoy a full-service spa, daily sunrise beach yoga, daytime children’s activities and four restaurants – including a penthouse rooftop lounge.

 

AEROPLAN LAST MINUTE DEALS

 

Looking for a last-minute deal? Aeroplan has some great options.

·       Secure a last-minute package deal! According to Aeroplan, there has been a 16% YOY increase in domestic flight/hotel package bookings through Air Canada Vacations. Top destinations seeing an uptick include Regina (up 109%), Fredericton (up 90%) and Revelstoke, BC (up 90%).  

·       Hit the slopes! Aeroplan has seen a 12% increase in HotelSavers bookings in ON, BC and AB, with a YOY increase in local ski hotspots like Canmore (up 33%), Whistler (up 26.5%), and Blue Mountain (up 25%). 

·       Take the road more travelled. With a 5% YOY increase in car rentals across the country, Canadians are exploring local in locations like Sidney, B.C. (up 92.3%), Fredericton, N.B., (up 68.8%), and Charlottetown, P.E.I. (up 58.8%).   

 

WESTJET CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF EUROPE FLIGHTS: RESTARTS TORONTO-DUBLIN ROUTE

WestJet is celebrating the return of transatlantic flying between Eastern Canada and Europe following the touchdown of WestJet flight WS34 between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Dublin International Airport on the weekend. As Canada’s coast-to-coast leisure travel champion, the daily summer seasonal service reaffirms WestJet’s commitment to transatlantic connectivity to and from Eastern Canada.

This summer also marks the 10-year anniversary of WestJet’s entry into Europe, commemorating the airline’s inaugural transatlantic flight between St. John’s and Dublin in 2014.

“Service between Toronto and Dublin continues be an important part of WestJet’s story, and we celebrate a decade of service that has strengthened ties between our two countries,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. “The return of daily seasonal service between Toronto and Dublin gives Canadians the opportunity to immerse themselves in the diverse landscapes, rich culture and warm hospitality of Ireland with the convenience and affordability WestJet is known for.”

And just in time for St. Patrick’s Day!

CANADIAN AIRPORT TRAFFIC UP 10.2% IN JANUARY:INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL UP 17%

In January, 4.3 million passengers passed through pre-board security screening at checkpoints operated at Canada’s eight largest airports, an increase of 10.2% from January 2023, Canadian government stats show.

However, January 2024 traffic was 2.6% below the volume in January 2020, pre-COVID-19 pandemic. This was the second straight month in which traffic was below pre-pandemic levels, after having surpassed them for five consecutive months from July to November 2023.

In January 2024, other international traffic (outside the United States) was up 17.0% year over year. The number of passengers screened for these international flights, at 1.4 million, was 4.7% higher than the level reported in January 2020, marking the fourth consecutive month in which international traffic exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

Transborder traffic to the United States was also strong on a year-over-year basis in January 2024, up 14.1%. However, the transborder passenger screening numbers remained below pre-pandemic levels.

Domestic screened traffic rebounded in January, posting a 2.8% gain over the same month in 2023. Domestic screenings in January 2024 were 6.1% below the January 2020 level, as passenger volumes failed to exceed pre-pandemic levels for a third straight month.

In January 2024, Canada’s eight largest airports all experienced higher volumes of screened passenger traffic from the same month in 2023, with six of the eight airports up by more than 9.0% year over year. While increases at Edmonton International (+3.3%) and Halifax Stanfield International (+2.5%) were more modest, both airports bounced back from the year-over-year dip experienced in December 2023.

In January 2024, three of Canada’s eight largest airports surpassed their pre-pandemic screened passenger volumes from January 2020: Calgary International (+4.0%), Montréal-Trudeau International (+2.8%) and Halifax Stanfield International (+2.1%). Notably, this marked the 10th consecutive month in which volumes at Montréal-Trudeau exceeded pre-pandemic levels.