Tomorrow (Aug. 8) marks three years since fires destroyed the small Maui city of Lahaina, and damaged other homes on the island. More than 100 people were killed in the tragedy, which wiped out almost all of the historic city, which was once capital of the kingdom of Hawaii. It’s a place I’ve visited at least 70 or 80 times over the 50-plus years I’ve been visiting the islands, and it’s a place I dearly loved. It’s been a very slow process to rebuild the city, but there have been signs of progress of late. The harbour reopened some months Read more
flights to Europe
New Planes. New routes. New opportunities for advisors to sell great trips. Air Canada officially unveiled its Airbus A321XLR to the media in Toronto on 04JUN. It’s a game-changer for Canada’s largest airline, a sing[e-aisle, fuel-efficient plane that brings a wide-body experience, complete with 14 lie-flat seats in Air Canada’s Signature Class. Air Canada has a firm order for 30 planes. Two are now in hand and three more should touch down in Canada by the end of the year. The airline hopes to have all 30 in hand by 2029. The first flight with pax is scheduled for 09JUN Read more
Canadians have easier ways to get to great European and Asian destinations this summer. Starting in June, passengers from Montreal will be able to fly direct on Air Canada to Nantes, an historic city on the Loire River in the Normandy region of France. It’s the first time Air Canada will fly to Nantes, which also is served by Air Transat. Air Canada next month also will begin flights from Montreal to Palma de Mallorca in Spain, and Catania, Sicily. TravelPulse Canada reports customers in June also will be able to fly direct from Toronto to Shanghai, China, resuming flights Read more
News from Air Transit, Brand USA and Explora Journeys for today’s blog post. AIR TRANSAT BEGINS OTTAWA-LONDON FLIGHTS Air Transat has begun new non-stop service between Ottawa and London Gatwick. The first flights operated on Friday, May 15, marking the launch of a new link between the Canadian and British capitals. “We are the only airline offering a non-stop flight between Ottawa and London Gatwick. It’s something we’re truly proud of and a meaningful addition for travellers in the Ottawa–Gatineau region,” said Sebastian Ponce, Chief Revenue Officer at Transat. “Combined with the connections offered by our partner Porter Airlines from Read more
Japan rules the tourism world. A new look at the world’s best cities gives the top spot on the podium to Osaka, with Kyoto in the bronze medal spot and five Japanese destinations/cities in the top 12 in the world. Yanolja Research recently published its Global Tourism City Attractiveness Index, which it says “objectively measures the attractiveness of global tourism cities from the perspective of tourists—the actual demand side of tourism.” This index directly reflects how tourists perceive and evaluate the appeal and popularity of tourism cities. It is derived through sentiment analysis and the measurement of positive and Read more
