International airline traffic could surpass pre-COVID levels by 2024, a new study says. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is projecting that overall traveller numbers will hit 4 billion in 2024, which would put it at 103% of 2019’s total. “The trajectory for the recovery in passenger numbers from COVID-19 was not changed by the omicron variant,” said IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh. “People want to travel. And when travel restrictions are lifted, they return to the skies. “There is still a long way to go to reach a normal state of affairs, but the forecast for the evolution in Read more

WestJet has a throwback sale listed on their website today. “Our birthday may be over, but the fun hasn’t stopped,” the site says. “Enjoy throwback pricing with our week-long sale. Plus, today only, we’re offering a limited number of Canadian flights for travel by June 24, 2022 with fares inspired by our birth year. “Fares so low, you would think you’re back in 1996. Booyah!” The site shows one-way flights from Calgary to Victoria from $56, from Vancouver to Kelowna from $46, and from Saskatoon to Edmonton for $56. The site says flights must be booked by March 7 at Read more

By Jim Byers Member, Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) KA’ANAPALI, MAUI, HAWAI’I – The Ka’anapali Beach Hotel is often voted the most Hawaiian hotel in the state. Now it’s even better and brighter than ever, and the food has been kicked up several notches. I had a chance to stay in one of their renovated rooms last month, and it was terrific. The décor was light and bright, with restful taupe accents and restrained, pretty floral prints on the wall. All the new rooms have works of art made by KBH employees, many of whom have been with the Read more

By Jim Byers Member, Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Canadian medical and business leaders are asking the Trudeau government to remove pre-departure testing entirely for fully vaccinated travellers. Speaking at an event in Calgary today, members of the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable and other experts called on Ottawa to make the change on or before April 1, when the regulations will be updated. Continued testing targeted at solely the travel sector is both unnecessary and not rooted in science, they said. “While the federal government took a step in the right direction by altering the testing regime around Read more

Kingston is welcoming visitors this March with a special offer to ensure they get closer to what they love in Kingston – beautiful sights, culinary delights, charming accommodations and memorable adventures. To help visitors make the most of their trip, guests will receive a $100 VISA gift card for each night stay with a minimum two-night stay (maximum five-night stay). Stay two nights and get $200 in Visa gift cards. Stay five nights to get $500! Participating hotels include Delta Hotels Kingston Waterfront, Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront, Frontenac Club, Hochelaga Inn, Residence Inn, Green Acres Inn, The Secret Garden Inn, Read more

One week after discontinuing its curfew, the Government of Barbados is announcing a series of updates to enhance travellers’ entry process into the country.   Effective Saturday, February 26, 2022, travellers to Barbados will have more options with the acceptance of Rapid Antigen tests for entry, once administered by a healthcare provider no more than one day prior to arrival in Barbados. Rapid Antigen Tests are widely available in Barbados’ primary source markets, including Canada, and results are typically returned within one hour.   Rapid Antigen Tests join the list of approved tests for entry in Barbados. Also accepted are Read more