A new, high-frequency rail corridor for eastern Canada, a splashy new W Hotel in Sydney, and a Jamaica travel expo for Toronto. Today’s travel notebook. HIGH-FREQUENCY RAIL BETWEEN TORONTO AND QUEBEC MOVES CLOSER I’ll believe it when I see it, but the Canadian government today announced the launch of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for what could be a future, high-speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City. The RFP process will be ongoing until summer 2024. Following the evaluation period, the government will select the group who will become the private developer partner to work collaboratively with VIA HFR Read more
Jamaica
Canada Jetlines has announced the launch of an expanded winter flight schedule, including flights from Toronto Pearson Airport to both Montego Bay, Jamaica and Orlando, Florida. The new flights are in addition to existing services to Cancun, Mexico, and Las Vegas. “We’re delighted to announce the expansion of our winter flight schedule, providing travellers with a wider range of options to escape the cold and experience unforgettable destinations and holiday options,” said Canada Jetlines CEO, Eddy Doyle. “With our expanded schedule and exceptional service, travellers can look forward to convenient and hassle-free journeys with Jetlines, to sought after destinations including Read more
WESTJET NEW WINTER SCHEDULE WestJet today announced its winter schedule, unveiling significant opportunities for Canadians to plan their winter escapes and extending key domestic and international routes from summer to year-round service. New routes include Calgary-Tampa Bay, Toronto-Bonaire and Edmonton-Montego Bay. The Tampa Bay flights will allow greater access to St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach and Dunedin, spring training home of the Toronto Blue Jays. WestJet also is extending key routes to operate year-round, including Calgary-Paris and Vancouver-Atlanta. “This year’s winter schedule is about providing Canadians with what they want: affordable sun destination getaways from across Canada; enhanced domestic Read more
Federal Auditor-General Karen Hogan will launch an audit of the Trudeau government’s controversial ArriveCan app, which skyrocketed from an initial cost estimate of $80,000 to a whopping $54 million. The Globe and Mail says the audit adds “a new layer of independent scrutiny” and follows a House of Commons vote last November that asked the Auditor-General to look into the issue. Liberal and Green Party MP’s voted against the idea. Federal politicians have been demanding answers since October, when The Globe and Mail first reported that the cost to build and maintain the travel-related app was on track to reach Read more
U.S. President Joe Biden wants American lawmakers to limit certain airline and hotel fees. Speaking before a session of the White House Competition Committee, Biden said Congress should restrict airline seat-assignment fees imposed on families trying to sit together, so-called resort fees that many hotels now tack on to the bill, excessive service charges on tickets for concerts and sporting events, and fees to switch or cancel internet, cable or cellphone service. These unfair fees add up,” he said. “Some airlines charge extra to pick your seat, including for parents who just want to sit next to their child on Read more
