The good times continue for Canada’s largest airline. With the pandemic firmly in the rear-view mirror, Air Canada today reported record operating revenues of $21.8 billion for last year, up 32% from 2022. Operating income was $2.3 billion, a $2.5 billion improvement from 2022. The company’s adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, deprecation and amortization) was nearly $4 billion; more than twice that of full year 2022. “Air Canada produced very strong results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023, delivering on its key financial goals and strategic priorities,” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada. “These results stem from the Read more

Alberta is aiming to more than double the size of its visitor economy by 2035. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Valentine’s Day presented a new long-term tourism strategy to help Alberta’s visitor economy reach $25 billion per year by 2035. The province saw a record $10.7 billion in tourism spending, an increase of $600 million from 2019. “We’re going to do this by prioritizing sustainable and responsible development, such as all-season resorts, which will give Alberta tourism operators even more of a competitive edge,” Smith said at a press event in Jasper. The St. Albert Gazette said one of the Read more

The government of Canada has quietly issued travel advisories for a number of European countries that are very popular with Canadians. The Canadian government’s travel advisory site has been updated in the past 10 days or so and now includes warnings about terrorism threats and crime in several major European destinations. The following countries are all at level yellow, the second level in a four-group warning system, which advocates “a high degree of caution” for visitors. UNITED KINGDOM Last Updated: Feb. 6, 2024 Warning: Exercise a high degree of caution in the United Kingdom due to the threat of terrorism. There Read more

For all those who have always had Australia on their bucket list, 2024 is the year to start vacation planning to your dream travel destination. Tourism Australia has created a great list of top things to do in Australia in 2024, recommended by local Aussies.     Given the increasing enthusiasm among Canadians to explore Australia, evident in a remarkable 94% recovery rate compared to 2019, it’s clear why this destination is swiftly becoming a top choice for travelers.  I just returned from a fabulous visit to Sydney, Tasmania and Western Australia. On previous trips I’ve been to Queensland, Victoria Read more

It’s funny how some places just feel like home. My wife and I stayed at the Conrad New York Downtown six or seven years ago and loved it. So, when the nice folks from Hilton provided me with a gift certificate for a Hilton property, I naturally opted for another stay at the Conrad. It has become my fave place to stay in Manhattan. I love Central Park and enjoy Midtown. I really like the area around Union Square. But I’m a California native who loves the water, so I tend to gravitate to places on a river or lake, Read more

Canadian national parks, luxury hotels in Florida, top resorts in the Caribbean, and great islands in Hawaii. U.S. News and World Report has come (LINK) out with its annual list of top destinations and hotels around the world, and there are a few surprises and famous names in the group. Here are some of the top 10 lists they published today (Feb. 6, 2024). TOP WORLD DESTINATIONS Paris (hosting the Summer Olympics this year) Bora Bora (who hasn’t dreamed of an overwater bungalow in Tahitii?) Glacier National Park, Montana Rome (heading there in three weeks; such an amazing city) Swiss Read more