As an event professional, I have a love-hate relationship with travel. I get a lot of joy out of the opportunity my job provides me to visit other places. At the same time, I feel significant guilt about the carbon impact of the flights I take. For a long time I rationalized these trips. They’re “only” 2 per cent of carbon emissions, I’d say (a figure that doesn’t include the full warming potential of all emissions from aviation). And…
During the coronavirus pandemic, travel disruption was felt globally as lockdown measures kept most people at home. Border restrictions, to limit the spread of the virus, further compounded the situation. The massive shutdown cost countries billions of tourism dollars with the travel industry among the hardest hit by COVID. Not surprisingly, business travel and the role of travel managers have changed significantly over the last two years. As business travel returns, many are questioning what changes will become permanent,…
Strong demand for air travel by passengers after more than two years of being grounded by pandemic restrictions is causing long wait times at major airports in Canada. Security lineup delays at Canada’s biggest airports, including Toronto Pearson and Vancouver, is one of many challenges facing the travel and tourism industry as it starts on the road to recovery. Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) CEO Mike Saunders has apologized for the inconvenience to air travellers resulting from the…
Press Release Air Canada today inaugurates non-stop service between Toronto and Omaha, the first of 25 new year-round and seasonal routes the carrier is launching this summer. The new non-stop routes are consistent with company growth plans and will extend Air Canada’s network with new destinations and city pairings in Canada, the U.S. and internationally to give customers greater choice and convenience when they travel. “Air Canada is well established as a leading global carrier now serving 222 destinations on…
Carrier bolsters domestic and connecting flights programs to offer Canadian travellers a wider choice of destinations Air Transat today unveiled its flight program for winter 2018-2019, offering travellers a choice of 34 sun destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America as well as Florida, along with an even more diversified selection of European cities, which are increasingly appreciated by Canadians during the winter season. Air Transat, the leading leisure carrier in Canada, is also pleased to announce the return…
Press Release Air Canada today announced it will open a Maple Leaf Lounge at Saskatoon’s John G. Diefenbaker International Airport this fall. It will be the airline’s 17th Maple Leaf Lounge in Canada, and construction is currently underway. “We look forward to opening our newest Maple Leaf Lounge in Saskatoon later this year, which will offer our eligible customers an elevated airport experience and a quiet place to relax or work before their flight,” said Benjamin Smith, Air Canada’s President, Passenger…
Highly successful gathering of event professionals will stay in Edmonton for its second year. GO WEST will return to Edmonton in 2019. Timewise Event Management has announced the city and date for the second year of its much anticipated event designed for event professionals. They are thrilled to announce GO WEST 2019 will be held in Edmonton, Alberta on January 21-22, 2019. “We received strong interest from several cities across Western Canada to host 2019,” says Arlene Schilke, Executive Producer…
On tax deadline day, the Hotel Association of Canada is calling on the federal government to take real action to address tax avoidance in the digital space. Despite the rapid growth of out of country digital platforms like Airbnb, the government has not taken steps to collect the taxes they should. “As Canadians across the country file their returns on tax day, it is important that we look at who isn’t paying taxes,” said Susie Grynol, President of the Hotel Association of Canada. “Online…
First time airline has used its Boeing MAX for transatlantic travel WestJet has officially launched its route between Halifax and London (Gatwick). The departure of WS24 marks the start of daily, nonstop service between Halifax Stanfield International Airport and Gatwick Airport until October 26, 2018. This is the first time the airline has used its newest aircraft, the Boeing 737-8 MAX for transatlantic travel. “WestJet continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation using its fleet of fuel-efficient, guest-friendly Boeing MAX aircraft for transatlantic service,” said Tim Croyle, WestJet…
Large events draw travellers to Toronto, bolstering investor interest Heightened tourism drives occupancy, revenue growth throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Record-breaking visitation to Toronto in 2017 spurred significant increases in hotel occupancy, RevPAR and ADR. International visitation to the area reached a high last year, aided by a jump in visitors from Mexico as visa requirements to visit Canada from the country were eliminated. Large conferences and major events, including the Invictus Games and North American Indigenous Games, drew…
