The pandemic may be over, but the pain continues for Canadian tourism and travel businesses. Forty-five per cent (45%) of Canada’s tourism businesses report that they are likely or somewhat likely to close within the next three years without government intervention into their mounting debt load, according to new research commissioned by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and its provincial and territorial counterparts. The survey finds that 55 per cent of tourism sector businesses who share their views are somewhat not or not confident that their company will be able to make debt payments (principal and interest) that Read more
Canada
Competition in Canadian skies is about to decrease by a very large amount. Just days after WestJet officials revealed they were merging Swoop Airlines into mainline operations, it now appears they’re going to fold Sunwing Airlines. Canadian Press reports WestJet is planning to wind down Sunwing Airlines, “integrating the low-cost carrier into its mainline business within two years as part of a plan to streamline operations.” In an internal memo obtained by The Canadian Press, Sunwing Airlines president Len Corrado said the change will open up markets for the 18-year-old company as well as its workers. “WestJet will eventually move Read more
My latest “Canada Shorts” item is centred on Regina, a city I visited a few years ago and quite enjoyed. One of the things I liked most in Regina was the Farmer’s Market, where there stands selling lemon kombucha and locally made chutneys. There was also a Pride display on a day in mid-June and a stand selling gluten-free ginger snaps. The best thing I sampled were the cakes (some with fresh ginger, pear and lime) from a stand called “The Cake Witch.” Crave Kitchen and Wine Bar served up a perfect plate of duck confit when I was in Read more
Many destinations are just beginning to get back to pre-pandemic visitor levels. The Palm Beaches left its 2019 numbers in the dust some time ago. Tourism representatives from The Palm Beaches touched down in Toronto this week for a cocktail meet and greet with advisors, industry officials and the media. Some 2.8 million visitors came to The Palm Beaches during Q1 of 2023, up 8.5% from last year, said Erick Garnica, Associate Vice President Global Leisure Sales. Canadian numbers were even more dramatic, with 153,000 first quarter visits; up 28% from last year and up 16% from 2019 levels. Canada Read more
Canada has its first-ever direct flights to Singapore. Air Canada today announced the strategic expansion of its international network with the addition of non-stop flights between its trans-Pacific hub at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Singapore’s Changi International Airport (SIN). The new route will operate four times weekly beginning April 3, 2024*, onboard Air Canada’s flagship Dreamliner fleet. “Air Canada continues to adapt its international network strategy in response to evolving global trends and is broadening its presence in the Indo-Pacific region to capitalize on growing business links and Canada’s changing demographics,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Revenue and Read more
