Demand for travel shows no signs of slowing, and there are positive signs for business travel and travel to Asia, a new study says. Expedia’s Traveler Insights report for the third quarter of 2022 paints a far rosier picture for the industry than would’ve been the case a year ago. Almost one-half of consumers surveyed said they have plans to travel internationally, and they’re also more willing to book a year or more in advance. Expedia said interest in Thailand and Hong Kong is on the rise, and that online searches for trips to Japanese cities rose 60% in the Read more
Canada
Air Canada today announced a new service between Montreal and Fort McMurray that will launch next June as part of the carrier’s Canadian summer schedule. The airline also announced increased frequencies on Toronto-Kelowna, Winnipeg-Toronto and Montreal-Vancouver, and restored daily service between Toronto and Gander, Newfoundland. For summer 2023, Air Canada is also restoring suspended services and increasing frequencies on popular routes across Canada, as the company augments its Canadian network following the pandemic. “As the country’s flag carrier, Air Canada’s increased Canadian summer schedule further reinforces our role in providing critical connectivity to Canadians coast-to-coast,” said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice Read more
Free beer and wine on board has been a staple of Porter Airlines for years. Now you can add free Wi-Fi on their new Embraer Jets. “Porter Airlines is unveiling an exceptional new economy air travel experience that challenges what every North American airline offers,” officials said in a media release issued this morning (06 DEC). “Building on its distinct, longstanding regional service, Porter will elevate economy flying for everyone in its greatly expanding network.” It will be fascinating to see how this kind of service plays out and how the paying public reacts to free Wi-Fi. Porter also says Read more
WestJet today announced its 2023 summer 787 Dreamliner routes from YYC Calgary International Airport, unveiling Tokyo, Japan, as its first destination in Asia with new service to Narita International Airport. The airline is also creating greater two-way tourism opportunities and increasing connectivity between Western Canada and Europe with new service between Calgary and Barcelona, Spain and Edinburgh, Scotland along with increased frequencies on existing European routes. Today’s announcement comes as WestJet prepares for broader expansion within Canada and North America over the coming months. Open Jaw reports that flights from Toronto to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, Barcelona and London Gatwick will Read more
A prominent Canadian tourism official says news that Canada will allow more student workers into the country is a big boost for the hospitality industry. Ottawa on Thursday launched the 2023 International Experience Canada (IEC) Program with a 20% increase in the number of applicants who can apply. Applicants will be able to apply as of January 9, 2023. IEC is a reciprocal program that allows Canadian and international youth to work and travel in each other’s countries. This increase means that nearly 90,000 candidates will be able to work and travel in Canada, including Francophone youth, which will help Read more
