Author: Torry K.

Celebrating 50 Years of Air Canada Vacations: Tina the Travel Agent’s Journey In an industry where relationships and expertise matter, Tina the Travel Agent marks a monumental milestone as she celebrates 50 years of partnering with Air Canada Vacations. This significant anniversary not only highlights her dedication to exceptional travel services but also underscores the evolving landscape of the travel industry. The Evolution of Air Travel Over five decades, Air Canada Vacations has transformed travel experiences for countless Canadians. With an extensive range of vacation packages, Air Canada Vacations offers unique opportunities for travelers to explore international destinations from the…

A new travel initiative is set to provide Canadians with unprecedented access to affordable sun vacations. The recently established Sunwing Vacations Group, announced by WestJet, combines several prominent vacation and retail travel brands under one umbrella, enhancing value for consumers across the country. Leaders of the five brands within Sunwing Vacations Group at the launch event. Photo courtesy Sunwing Vacations Group. The creation of the Sunwing Vacations Group follows WestJet’s acquisition of Sunwing, finalized in May 2023. This new division includes leading Canadian leisure tour operators such as Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations, along with the expanding U.S. operator Vacation…

FORT LAUDERDALE — River cruise representatives highlighted an exciting array of new and exotic destinations during a recent panel discussion at CruiseWorld. As Brinley Hineman, river cruise editor at Travel Weekly, noted, "River cruising isn’t just for Europe anymore." Kristin Karst, the chief brand officer of AmaWaterways, opened the discussion by emphasizing the importance of exploring uncharted waters. AmaWaterways recently launched its second ship, the AmaMelodia, on the Magdalena River in Colombia. "It’s always great to be the first one somewhere," Karst remarked, reflecting on the allure of discovering new destinations. She also mentioned other non-European rivers, including the Chobe…

Southwest Airlines Partners with Philippine Airlines for Expanded Travel Options In an exciting development for travelers, Southwest Airlines has officially launched its interline partnership with Philippine Airlines. This marks Southwest’s fourth interline collaboration this year, alongside previous partnerships with Icelandair, Eva Air, and China Airlines. Enhanced Connectivity Across the Pacific The newly established interline agreement is designed to streamline travel connections between Southwest Airlines and Philippine Airlines, creating more accessibility for passengers. This connection will primarily route through key cities including Honolulu, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Philippine Airlines services these destinations from its main hub located in Manila.…

Days after Hurricane Melissa cut a devastating path through Jamaica on October 28, the Hyatt Inclusive Collection announced the temporary suspension of operations at its resorts on the island, halting new reservations until January 31. In a statement, Hyatt confirmed they are currently “conducting a detailed assessment” to evaluate the extent of physical damage across all properties. This decision affects popular destinations including Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa, Dreams Rose Hall Resort & Spa, Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Secrets St. James Montego Bay, Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay, Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa,…

Exciting News: Royal Caribbean Group Unveils New Beach Club in Santorini Royal Caribbean Group has announced an exciting addition to its exclusive offerings: the Royal Beach Club Santorini is set to debut next summer, providing a luxurious beach experience specifically for guests of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. The All-New Royal Beach Club Santorini Situating itself in one of Greece’s most picturesque locales, this soon-to-open beach club will complement existing Santorini tours offered by the cruise lines. Although Royal Caribbean has yet to reveal specific opening dates or detailed amenities, guests can anticipate a range of experiences designed to…

Fort Lauderdale has become a focal point for discussions on the evolving landscape of river cruising. During a panel at CruiseWorld, industry representatives highlighted an array of new and exotic destinations, illustrating that "river cruising isn’t just for Europe anymore," as stated by moderator Brinley Hineman, river cruise editor at Travel Weekly. AmaWaterways recently took center stage with the launch of its second ship, the AmaMelodia, on Colombia’s Magdalena River. Kristin Karst, the company’s chief brand officer, emphasized the thrill of being a pioneer in unexplored regions. "The beauty of river cruising lies in discovery,” she remarked, mentioning notable rivers…

American Cruise Lines has announced an exciting new cruise-tour for 2026, bringing travelers to some of Washington’s most stunning national parks. The 15-day Northwest National Parks itinerary, set to launch in September 2026, starts at a price of $12,875 per person. This unique journey begins with a seven-day land tour, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the breathtaking landscapes of Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks. These iconic parks offer diverse ecosystems and stunning vistas, from lush rainforests to towering mountains. During the Mount Rainier segment of the tour, guests will explore attractions such as Paradise and Reflection…

During a recent presentation, Alexis von Hoensbroech highlighted a significant milestone for WestJet, announcing that the addition of Sunwing to its portfolio positions them as the leading Canadian airline in terms of capacity. With more seats available than any other carrier in Canada, WestJet now services 230 nonstop routes, seamlessly connecting 26 Canadian communities to 55 popular sun destinations across the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. The collaboration includes insights from industry leaders such as Andrew Dawson of Sunwing, Robert Kokonis of AirTrav, and Lyell Farquharson of TTI, who discussed the implications of this enhanced capacity on the…

In an ambitious move, Cathay Pacific is set to repurchase a 9.6% stake that it previously sold to Qatar Airways in 2017, pending the approval of its shareholders. The airline plans to buy back the stake for approximately $896.5 million, significantly more than the $662 million Qatar initially invested. Cathay Group Chairman Patrick Healy expressed confidence in the airline’s future, stating, “The buy-back reflects our strong confidence in the future of the Cathay Group and underscores our commitment to the development of the Hong Kong international aviation hub.” This decision comes after a challenging period during which Cathay Pacific experienced…