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
Canada
For years now, I’ve posted travel blogs that point out what other websites suggest for places to visit the following year. This time, I’m happy to mention a few of the major travel publications, but I’m also providing my OWN list of places I think travellers should explore. Without further ado, here are my Jim Byers Travel suggestions for cool places to check out in 2023. I’ve listed ten, with a bonus pick at no extra charge. WESTERN AUSTRALIA I visited in May of this year, and it was one of the best trips of my life. Perth was a Read more
Canada’s largest two airlines have their eyes on Asia. A celebration was held at Vancouver International Airport Thursday night to mark Air Canada’s inaugural flight between YVR and Bangkok. Meanwhile, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has granted a license to WestJet for flights to Japan. WestJet hasn’t made an announcement, but the CTA website says WestJet “has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for a licence to operate a scheduled international service, large aircraft, in accordance with the Air Transport Agreement between Canada and Japan, signed on January 12, 1955 (Agreement). “The Agency is satisfied that the applicant meets Read more
The CBC reports that the backlog of complaints to the Canadian Transportation Agency related to delayed or cancelled flights or lost luggage has ballooned to more than 30,000 — up from 18,000 this summer — but the number may have peaked. The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) — a quasi-judicial tribunal and regulator tasked with settling disputes between airlines and customers — has been dealing with a massive number of air passenger complaints since new regulations came into force in 2019 that require an airline to compensate passengers when a flight is delayed or cancelled for a reason that is within Read more
Cyber Monday deals are here for WestJet, Air Canada and Air Transat. Air Canada is offering up to 30% off on air fares on flights within Canada and to the U.S. and Sun destinations. They also are offering $50 savings on flights to Europe, South America, and Asia. Bookings must be made today (Monday, Nov. 28, 2022) for travel until June 30, 2023. They have 1,000 bookings at 30% off using the promo code 22CYBER30 and 2,000 bookings at 25% off using the promo code 22CYBER25. There are unlimited bookings at 20% off using the promo code 22CYBER20. WestJet is Read more
