More time down south? Canada tourism chases China & Brazil ... Deal of day

Fascinating news that the U.S. is considering a law that would allow Canadians to spend more time on American soil.

Currently folks are allowed to live in the U.S. only for 182 days or six months. After that, you're considered an American for tax reasons. And you don't want to be paying Uncle Sam and Mr. Harper, do you? No, I didn't think so.

Six months is a long time, but some folks might prefer more time in Florida or California or Arizona or some other sunny spot. Which makes the potential new law so intriguing.

It seems a clause buried inside a massive immigration bill that's before the U.S. Senate would allow Canadians - and apparently only Canadians - to stay in the U.S. for 240 days, not 182. Which would mean perhaps a snowbird being able to stay from October til the end of May and avoiding (pretty much) any chance of the white stuff.

The bill apparently would apply to Canadians 55 and older who own a residence in Canada and would rent or own in the U.S. Those eligible wouldn't be able to work or go on welfare.

It's an attractive proposition except for the fact that provinces usually limit how much time we can spend outside our provincial homes if we want health coverage. In Ontario and B.C., the limit is seven months.

The Canadian Snowbird Association is hoping it can get the provinces to match the U.S. eight-month limit, but that's no sure thing. Nor is it a sure thing that any bill will be approved by the U.S. government given the complexity and the rancour that exists these days in American politics.

Still, it'll be interesting to see what happens.

IGNORE U.S. TOURISM AT YOUR PERIL

China, China, China.

Brazil, Brazil, Brazil.

Almost every day I get press releases from tourism boards, or stories about tourism boards, around the world. And almost every day they say the same thing: “We really have to zero in on the Chinese market. And Brazil. That’s where the money is.”

And now comes word, courtesy of the Sunday Star and a story from Star reporter Curtis Rush, that the Canadian Tourism Commission, too, has heard the siren call.

And I’m a little worried.

Rush notes in his story that the average American who visits Canada spends $518 per trip. But the average Chinese person spends $1,670 and the average Brazilian spend $1,874.

On the face of it, the quotes from CTC officials about having limited resources and not chasing the U.S. market make sense. The Harper government has for no explicable reason slashed the CTC’s funding from $72 million in 2012 to $58.5 million. And this at a time when the Americans are going nuts with their lively and effective Brand USA campaign.

Also note that the state of New York last week upped its tourism spending from $19 million to $60 million. Which means that one single (albeit large) state in the U.S. is spending more than the entire Canadian Tourism Commission. Nice.

The CTC may be right when it suggests re-allocating dollars to China, Brazil, Australia and Europe. But one has to be careful not to chase the dazzling new baubles and ignore the steady stream that comes from the U.S.

If you look at the CTC’s just-released annual report, you’ll see that Americans don’t spend as much per trip as other visitors. But Americans last year spent a whopping $6.4 billion in our country. Brazilians spent a puny $152 million. The Chinese spent a healthier but still relatively tiny amount of $481 million.

In fact, if you add the spending together from Brazil, China, Australia, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, The UK and South Korea you get only $3.7 billion in spending; barely half of what Americans spend here.

True, the provinces spend a good deal of money in key U.S. markets. But the CTC, I think, has to be careful not to focus so much on growing but still small markets in Brazil and China and needs to keep its eye on the American ball.

Besides which, to get back to my first point, EVERYONE is chasing Brazil and China. And, rich as they are, the Brazilians and Chinese can only spend so much.

A GOAT ON A HORSE IN NEWFOUNDLAND

You gotta love a province that sees a goat on the back of a horse and includes it in their tourism campaign. It happened in Newfoundland and you can find it by clicking here.

Kudos to the tourism folks, who at first rejected the idea but then figured they'd go ahead and emphasize that this is a province that's a far cry from Disneyland. And that's a good thing.

 

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a great, 16-day trip to fabulous Turkey, priced at $3,307, including $458 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save $200 per couple by booking this offer through Jaunt!
• 16-day/14-night Ottoman Discoveries Turkey Tour with visits to ancient cities, mosques, Turkish markets and more!
• Includes return air from Toronto to Istanbul via Air Transat. Land-only option also available. Call us to find out more!
• Includes all transfers in Turkey via air-conditioned motorcoach, services of a professional English speaking tour guide, and all sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
• 14 nights' accommodation in a variety of 4-Star and charming hotels, based on double occupancy. See below for hotels included (or similar).
• Includes 40 meals throughout the tour including: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 13 dinners

• Your small tour and boutique-style accommodations ensure a unique, personalized experience
• You'll visit famous sites of antiquity like Ephesus and Troy
• You'll experience the energy of Istanbul and the healing powers of Turkey's countryside

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on June 30, July 14, 28 & August 11, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $2849 plus tax
  Single: $3539 plus tax
  Tax: $500 per person
  
  We also offer other departure DATES and GATEWAYS.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Accommodations included (or similar): Aziyade (Istanbul), Iris (Canakkale), Kalehan (Selcuk), Pam (Pamukkale), Dogan (Antalya), Anamas Konukevi (Beysehir), Upper Greek House (Cappadocia), The Apple Palace (Amasya) & Kadioglu Sehzade Konagi (Safranbolu)
• Valid Passport and Visa required for travel from Canada. Turkish Visa’s available HERE.
• This offer is refundable until May 15 at 5PM EST. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable

  

 

Pearson baggage woes ... Ottawa's tulip festival .. WestJet to Myrtle ... Deal/day

I flew into Toronto on Sunday from a trip out west, landing at Pearson around 4 p.m. Canadian Customs wasn’t remotely busy and there weren’t many people in the baggage claim area.

Yet it was crowded as can be as seemingly all the flights were disgorging bags onto the same carousel, number 10. There seemed to be a few other carousels in use at the far end, but in my immediate area there were probably seven or eight empty carousels. Yet mine was listing seven different flights for that carousel at one point.

After waiting 20 minutes (from the time the plane reached the gate) for the first bags to finally show, we were told they were switching over to Carousel 9; a good call given the crowding at number 10. Even then, however, it took another 15 minutes or so for the first bags to show up. And on a day when the airport wasn't busy.

I’m sorry but I just don’t understand how this works. As I’m wont to do, I put out a note on Twitter and got several responses from fellow frustrated Pearson users.

I got a response today from airport officials, explaining that they haven’t been able to get definitive answers from Air Canada about their staffing levels.

They went on to say they’re “looking at better ways to allocate the carousels, and we’re working with all airlines to make sure they are moving bags onto our system asap.”

Spokesman Scott Armstrong also told me that with the introduction of automated Customs kiosks in Terminal 3 (the first ones are coming to Terminal 1 soon; maybe the third week in May) and with more folks using the Nexus pass to speed through customs, folks are getting to the baggage hall a lot faster, “which exacerbates any delay of baggage delivery.”

At least officials admit they have work to do…

TULIPS AND MORE TULIPS

If you love spring flowers as much as I do, you definitely should check out the Canadian Tulip Festival, which starts Friday in Ottawa.

From May 3 through 20, 2013, the event features special programming and more than a million tulips of every colour on display in public areas downtown. Commissioners Park alone features 300,000 bulbs.

The tulip is Ottawa’s official flower, stemming from World War II, when the Dutch Royal Family took refuge in Ottawa and Princess Margriet—the younger sister of recently retired Queen Beatrix—was born during their stay. Canadian troops played a pivotal role in the liberation of the Netherlands, so when the war ended and the Royal Family returned to Europe, they sent a gift of 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa. The gift of tulips continues to this day.

TORONTO TRAVEL NUMBERS

Toronto tourism is on the upswing. Officials with Tourism Toronto say American visits in 2011 rose 3 per cent, while last year they jumped 4.7 per cent.

When you consider the strength of the Canadian dollar and the expense of gas and airline tickets these days, those aren’t bad numbers. Mind you, cities around the world are claiming pretty significant tourism increases in general as the world economy stabilizes and business travel returns.

Still, 4.7 per cent is a decent number no matter how you slice it.

WEST JET TO MYRTLE BEACH

WestJet today begins seasonal service from Toronto to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The service runs every Thursday and Sunday from now until the end of October, making it easy to take a four-day break or a longer holiday in a market that’s always been hugely popular with Canadians.

The high season is really March and April, which WestJet has missed. But Tim Croyle, vice president and general manager of WestJet Vacations, said bookings are good.

“It’s a great long weekend spot as it’s only two hours away,” he said. “You can leave Toronto at 9:30 a.m. and be there in time to have lunch on the beach.”

Golf is obviously a big part of the draw, with some 250 courses in the area, Croyle said. I was there a couple years ago and found some tremendous courses at very reasonable prices. I especially loved Caledonia Fish and Golf Club; a fabulous layout that’s dripping with beautiful trees covered with Spanish moss and littered with flowering shrubs. There’s also a terrific clubhouse where you can sip a cool drink on a wide porch and watch golfers play over the water at the 18th hole.

Nearby Murrells Inlet is a great place to stroll and get a bite to eat, right on the water.

And I found the food to be outstanding all over town for the most part. And very reasonably priced.

Croyle said WestJet has air only options, or you can book a package and arrange a stay at a hotel, resort or condo.

They currently have four properties, all on the beach or right across from the beach, and more are on the way.

“It’s a great family destination and there’s lots of shopping, too,” Croyle said.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a great, 15-day trip across South America. It's priced at $5,895, including $250 in taxes, and hits on the most iconic sights on the continent.

Jaunt Highlights

• 15-Day/13-Night South American Wonders Tour, including visits to Rio de Janeiro (see photo at right), Buenos Aires, Iguassu Falls, Machu Picchu and more!
• Includes all international and domestic airfare, plus airport/hotel transfers throughout the tour. See Offer Details for more info.
• Includes transportation via private air conditioned vehicles, accompaniment of a licensed English speaking tour guide in Peru, Brazil & Argentina, sightseeing & entrance fees as per the itinerary and more!
• Accommodations based on double occupancy. Refer to itinerary below for hotels (or similar).
• 21 meals including daily breakfast, 4 lunches & 3 dinners

• Embark on a scintillating journey to world famous sites like Machu Picchu and Iguassu Falls
• Have unique experiences like dinner & folklore in Lima and a tango show in Buenos Aires
• Enjoy the best possible views in Brazil with trips to the top of Sugarloaf and Corcovado Mountain

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on November 8, December 29, 2013 & February 3, 2014
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  November 8, 2013:
  Double: $5645
  
  December 29, 2013:
  Double: $6975
  
  February 3, 2014:
  Double: $5995
  
  Single Supplement: $1200
  Tax: $250
  
  We also offer Other TOURS to South America.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Your Flights Include: Departure airfare from Toronto to Rio de Janeiro and return airfare from Lima to Toronto, domestic round-trip flight from Rio to Iguassu, Iguassu to Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires to Lima, Lima to Cusco and Cusco to Lima.
• Accommodations Include: Windsor Plaza in Rio de Janeiro (3 Nights), Viale Cataratas in Iguassu Falls (2 Nights), Amerian Park in Buenos Aires (3 nights), Eco Inn Cusco in Cusco (4 nights) & Jose Antonio in Lima (1 night)
• Optional Tours: option to add a full day tour to Petropolis and/or a Rio by night show during stay in Rio de Janeiro at an additional cost. 
• Visa, gratuities and optional tours/excursions are NOT included. Tourist visa for Brazil is required. For more information CLICK HERE
• Ferry tickets from Buenos Aires to Montevideo are required and NOT included. Additional cost of $150 per person to be paid locally.
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Graffiti flashback ... China conquering tourism world ... Deal of Day

I try to stick to travel themes and news in this blog. But occasionally travel can take you to a rather personal space, so allow me a small indulgence today.

To set up the story, I've got to go back in time a bit. I grew up in a small town outside San Francisco called Castro Valley; a semi-rural (at the time) township where former Blue Jays General Manager Pat Gillick once worked on a chicken farm that was either owned by my Uncle Jerry or was right across the street (neither of us could quite figure it out last time we talked).

It was so traditionally American that it's to laugh; mostly white, fairly conservative, with jocks occupying the top of the social ladder and a main drag where folks would actually cruise on a Friday night in 1974. Much like they do in Modesto, California in American Graffiti, which I watched Thursday night on a flight from Toronto to San Francisco, which is kinda the theme to my Friday posting.

The movie, a masterpiece in my humble opinion, came out in the early 1970's. And it was hugely popular at my high school, where I was (sorry if this sounds like bragging) senior class president and reasonably well known if not top of the social scene. I was getting ready to head out of town to go to university in Los Angeles. A few kids in my high school were going to university in the Bay Area, but only a few of us were venturing so far away.

It's not quite like American Graffiti, where two of the four main male characters are spending their last night in Modesto before (they think) heading East to college. But it's similar.

The joke in my high school, I guess, is that I was something of a Ron Howard (see photo above) kind of guy. Pretty straight, involved in student council, all that. I didn't date the head cheerleader like Howard's character, Steve Bolander. A shame, that.

At the end of the film, Steve reverses the course he talks about all movie long and decides to stay with his pretty girlfriend in Modesto. His buddy, Curt, played marvellously by Richard Dreyfuss, opts to ignore his previous instincts and fly east to explore the world.

The similarities between Bolander/Howard and I were strong enough that when the time came for my high school paper to put out an end-of-term, pretend look at where various Castro Valley High students would be in ten years, some smart-ass dplace me in the same spot as Bolander. The school paper story mirrored the end of the movie by stating that 10 years after graduation I'd be the same as Ron Howard's character, namely "Insurance Salesman, Modesto, California."

It was pretty funny, I gotta admit. And I've laughed about it over the years whenever I've thought of the movie or of Modesto or my semi-awkward days in high school, where I really wanted to be the cool football player and not a student council geek.

I got on the plane on Thursday night to fly back to my childhood home to visit my Dad in the San Francisco Bay Area. I scanned the movie list on Air Canada and, lo and behold, found American Graffiti. I watched it and smiled and laughed and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of a marvellous, marvellous movie that's touching and ironic and interesting and fun and wonderful in every way.

I've thought about the movie a lot over the years. I had a great time at UCLA and took a trip to Europe after I graduated. In Italy I met a wonderful girl from Don Mills who I ultimately fell in love with. I ended up moving to Toronto in 1981, where I've been working in journalism (32 years at the Star come August) ever since.

Anyway, as the movie ends, they flash up the main characters and explain where they were later in their pretend lives. I laughed when I saw the bit about Steve Bolander being an insurance guy in his hometown. But what slew me was the next part, which I'd completely forgotten about. The next sequence in the bit about "where are they now" is an update on what happens to Curt (see photo), the Richard Dreyfuss character who left the clutches of his small town home for a college life back east. What do they have him doing? "A writer living in Canada."

Wow. All these years I've laughed about being pegged as the insurance guy, played by Ron Howard. Instead, my life arc took me in the direction of Richard Dreyfuss, who became a writer living in Canada.

I was freaked out. I mean, what are the odds of a movie that takes place in a town so similar to where I grew up plays out so much like my life, and then my watching it for the first time in years on a plane from Canada, where I work in journalism, back to my Modesto-like home town in California? It was so bizarre. I was gobsmacked and had to get up and shake out the cobwebs. One of the flight attendants asked me what was wrong, so I guess I was either white as a ghost or talking to myself. Or both.

I explained the whole movie/life thing to her. I think she thought I was nuts. And maybe I am. But it just slays me. I mean, whoever wrote that high school story and put me as Steve Bolander had the right movie, just the wrong guy. I was Curt, Steve's best friend. But I guess I could easily have been Steve if I hadn't wanted to see the world a bit. Or maybe if a cute cheerleader had thrown her arms around me after a drag race crash and begged me not to leave my hometown for the lights of L.A.

Life is like that. You take a left turn walking down the street in Barcelona and in seconds you find something that changes your life. In my case, I was in Rome in 1979 with some girls who I liked a bit but not a lot. We were supposed to meet at the main train station in Rome one morning and travel together to Florence. I couldn't find them so I hopped on the train and started chatting with one of several girls travelling together. One of them ended up being my wife of nearly 32 years, bless her patient soul.

Typing up this blog on Friday I'm still shaking my head over the movie and how it intertwines with my life. And I'm glad I wasn't one of the other main male characters in the film. John Milner, the tough guy/racer with a heart of gold, ends up being killed by a drunk driver. Terry, the nerd who dates the goofy, ditzy blonde, ends up dying in Vietnam.

I got to be the writer living my dream job in a great country like Canada. How lucky is that?

CHINA ON THE MOVE

I wrote the other day about how China has become the number two source of tourists for Canada, surpassed only by the United States. Now I see there's a United Nations World Tourism Organization report that saw CHina is the top tourist source market IN THE WORLD.

I guess it was only a matter of time, but in 2012 Chinese folks spent $102 billion abroad.

Back in 2000, only 10 million Chinese went abroad. Last year? Try 83 million.

In 2011, Chinese tourists spent 73 billion dollars abroad. Last year it was $102 billion, an increase of 40 per cent, said Xinhua news agency in China.

Amazing.

Back in 2005, China was seventh in terms of international tourism spending. Now they're on the top of the heap. And I can't see them giving up the title any time soon.

Also rising up are Brazil, wiith $22 billion in spending, and Russia, which saw international spending jump 32 per cent last year, according to Xinhua.

No wonder every tourism board in the world is chasing the Chinese, Russians and Brazilians.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a crazily priced Sunwing flight from Toronto to Amsterdam, set at just $599 all in. That's less than a flight to Vancouver a lot of days.

Jaunt Highlights

• Sunwing prides itself on providing you with the best in-flight services and entertainment equipment.
  Your return airfare to Amsterdam includes:
  • Complimentary glass of champagne
  • Hot in-flight meals
  • Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks]
  • Complimentary wine with meals
  • Complimentary headsets
  • In-flight audio/visual entertainment
  • Hot towel service

• Extremely attentive in-flight service means you will be ready to conquer the city when you disembark
• See famous art in the Van Gough museum and Rijksmuseum
• Soak up the cozy charm or gezelligheid

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on either of the following dates:
  Departs June 24 – Returns July 1, 2013
  Departs August 23 – Returns August 30, 2013
  
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Base: $119 + $480 tax
  
  We also offer Other DATES and GATEWAYS.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925 or visit our partner at targetvacations.ca for other great charter flights
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

Make air passengers pay by weight? ... China eclipses UK ... Deal of the day

If we buy meat at the supermarket, we pay by weight. If we ship a box to cousin Joe in Saskatoon we pay more for heavier items. So why not make heavier folks pay more for airline seats?

It's almost certainly never going to fly, pardon the pun, but a professor in Norway is making the point.

Writing in this month's Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management (I get it at home but only for the articles), Dr. Bharat P. Bhatta of Sognog Fjordane University College in Norway said weight and space need to be taken into account when airline tickets are priced.

"Charging according to weight and space is a universally accepted principle, not only in transportation, but also in other services," he noted in a story I spotted on travelmole.com.

Yeah, I want to be the Air Canada worker who says, "Excuse me, ma'am, I have to price your ticket. Can you please go over and step on that scale for me?"

There is a certain fairness in the idea of a basic price for everyone and then perhaps a surcharge if you're making the airline burn way more fuel. But it'll never happen.

CHINA SPENDING IN U.S. ECLIPSES UK NUMBERS

It had to happen sooner or later. I read the other day that China now sends more tourists to Los Angeles in a year than any other country outside North America. Now I see a VISA study that spending by visitors from China grew by a whopping 30 per cent last year, putting the Chinese in third spot in terms of spending by inbound markets in the U.S.

Tops, of course, was Canada, and then Brazil. Canadian spending last year was up 4 per cent from 2011, while Brazil spending went up 6 per cent. The UK is now fourth overall in spending in the U.S., followed by Mexico, Japan, Australia, France, Puerto Rico (counted here even though it's part of the U.S.) and Germany.

The study said more than one-half of all VISA spending took place in Florida (up 10 per cent overall from 2011), California and New York. States with high VISA spending growth included Wisconsin (31 per cent), Hawaii (14) and Washington (12).

The study also lists top places Americans spend their VISA money. Number one was Mexico, followed by Canada, the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Puerto Rico, China, Japan and Spain.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a great cruise of the eastern Mediterranean and a visit to Rome on top of that, priced at $2,025 (including $676 in taxes).

• XCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save $700 per couple by booking with Jaunt.ca
• 11-Day/9-Vight vacation including a 7-night Eastern Mediterranean Cruise sailing aboard the MSC Divina, followed by 4-star accommodations for 2 nights in Rome
• Cruise departs from and returns to Venice, Italy. Ports of call include: Venice, Italy; Bari, Italy; Katakolon (Olympia), Greece; Izmire, Turkey; Istanbul, Turkey and Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Flights with Alitalia:  Departure flight from Toronto to Venice (via Rome), and return flight from Rome to Toronto
• Includes accommodations, dining and entertainment aboard MSC Divina. Accommodations available in Oceanview (Cat. 4/5), Standard Balcony Oceanview (Cat. 7/8/9) or Superior Balcony Oceanview (Cat. 10/11/12).
• All transfers between airport, hotels, and piers included
• Post cruise enjoy hotel accommodations in the 4-Star Grand Hotel Beverly Hills in Rome, a 2-hour guided coach tour in Venice and a 3-hour guided tour by coach and on foot in Rome.

• The diversity of the ports of call in four incredible countries
• Accommodations on land in 4-Star hotels
• Experience Venice and Rome on foot and in a coach during your last two days

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on May 10 or 17, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Outside (cat. 4/5): $1349
  Balcony Ocean View (cat. 7/8/9): $1499
  Balcony Ocean View (cat. 10/11/12): $1649
  Tax: $676
  
  For CRUISE ONLY option, Other DATES and GATEWAYS
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

View the terms that apply to all Jaunt Vacations offers

More about your Jaunt

A cruise adventure with extra gumption, your time on the MSC Divina will float you toward some of the Mediterranean's most dazzling ports. Once you disembark in Venice, you'll be whisked off to Rome to enjoy more of Italy's effervescent sights with a land tour and luxury hotel stay.

Day 1: Venice, Italy, Depart 4:30 pm

Day 2: Bari, Italy, 10 am - 3:30 pm

Day 3: Katakolon (Olympia), Greece, 8 am - 1 pm

Day 4: Izmir, Turkey, 8:30 am - 3 pm

Day 5: Istanbul, Turkey, 7:30 am - 5 pm

Day 6: At Sea

Day 7: Dubrovnik, Croatia, 11:30 am - 5 pm

Day 8: Venice, Italy, Arrive 8 am

Day 9: Rome, Italy

Day 10: Depart Rome

 

Divine accommodations on the Divina
The MSC Divina displays the company's classic high end interior and every other hallmark of elegance, comfort and luxury elevated to an art form. From the real stone piazza and crystal staircase to the Broadway-style theatre, this ship is dressed to impress. Discover the opulence of the Aurea Spa before perusing the specially commissioned works of art on display at the MSC Yacht Club, and retreat to spacious accommodations with interactive TV and available internet.

 

The ship is outfitted with restaurants to ease any level of hunger, from light snacks to four-course freshly prepared specialties, and the galaxy disco with its retro-chic ambiance and gorgeous panoramic view is the perfect place for a meal or to dance the night away under the stars.

 

Refined Mediterranean exploration

Glorious sights and experiences await you along the Mediterranean's coast. In Bari, you'll get a chance to tour the historical centre, famous Church of St. Nicholas and Castello Svevo. Set on fantastic coastline, Izmir is Turkey's most Mediterranean in style and content. Enjoy the maze of tiny streets filled with shops and covered stalls.

 

Istanbul's skyline is filled with the spires and domes of mosques and medieval palaces. A king's ransom of Ottoman treasures is displayed at the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace (formerly home to the Ottoman sultans and their harems). Meander through the medieval, walled city of Dubrovnik, and delight in a two-hour guided coach tour of Venice upon arrival at the conclusion of your cruise.

 

Tips for a March break driving holiday (don't sit on a donut) ... Rio is Deal of Day

 Lots of folks offering advice on driving south during the March Break talk about taking it slow and providing treats and reading material or movies for the kids to watch as you navigate the jaw-dropping scenery of southern Ohio. You know that, unless of course you’re one of those horrible parents who get on airplanes and expect their children to be entertained by themselves and therefore cause the rest of the passengers to suffer for hours while Little Junior pounds the seat in front of him and screams for anything to eat but a $9 Subway sandwich wrapped in plastic with too much icky sauce. 

No, what you need is tips from a seasoned travel person who’s made the joyous minivan voyage himself many times. And lived to tell the tale. So here a few:

1. Most important rule of all is this: avoid Atlanta at rush hour. If you must go through the City Too Busy to Hate (I call it the City With a Million Streets Called Peachtree Because They Have No Imagination and Stole the 1996 Summer Olympics From Toronto), be sure to do it at 3 a.m. Or at least avoid anything close to rush hour. Unless you want to expose your children to an entirely new vocabulary.

2. Do not leave your child’s doll in the Econo-Lodge outside Pittsburgh when you take the Pennsylvania route south. If you do, call the hotel immediately and ask them to put the doll aside. When you come back through, pick up Baby Sarah and explain to your daughter that Sarah also had a vacation, albeit at the bottom of a box in a dark closet and not at the beach.

3. Cheap out at least one night and rent a dump. Our family’s fondest (well, most-told) hotel story regards an absolute trashy joint in south Georgia, with cigarette burns in the moldy bedspread and clumps of hair and a wet towel in the bathtub. We all slept in our clothes. On top of the bed. With the windows open and the car keys in the ready position. Nobody remembers the perfectly adequate Courtyard Marriott in Chattanooga, but we all recall the horrible details of this one spot near Tifton.

4. If you must stop at Krispy Kreme for a donut, be sure to warn your wife that it’s sitting on the front seat before she plops down and squashes into a pile of oozy grease that seeps through the fabric of the seat. And her pants. This is not a look women seem to enjoy.

5. Do NOT attempt to save money by renting a single hotel room in Orlando for $60 for your wife and three kids and telling your six-year-old daughter she can sleep on a bed made of two small chairs tucked together. She will be squished into a pretzel and remember this when she’s 25 and hold you responsible.

6. Leave your watch at home. You won’t need it. Why? Because every 20 minutes (on the dot, I swear) your oldest son will reach across the pile of books and DVD’s in the back seat and slug his little brother in the arm. You can count on it. You can then explain to your confused wife that this is perfectly harmless and it’s what boys do and that you can’t explain it and that the bruising on the youngest son’s arm should go away in four to six months. Seven, tops.

7. Listen to whatever music you want, even if the kids say they hate it. Within 10 years they’ll like Blue Rodeo almost as much as you do. Maybe.

8. If you take your kids into a Wal-Mart in Kentucky, explain to them before you go that your grandmother was born near Louisville and that it is NOT polite to make fun of the employees’ accents.

9. If your son breaks his leg skiing the week before your planned ski trip to New Hampshire, a driving trip to Florida isn’t a bad consolation prize. And by parading said son in front of your family and putting on tremendously sad faces at the Magic Kingdom you’ll get sent to the front of the line and get to go down Splash Mountain 17 times in your first hour in the park.

10. Did I mention Atlanta?

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY: RIO DE JANEIRO

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a 10-day tour of Rio de Janeiro Brazil, including air, for $2,850, including $325 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: Includes 2 Half-Day Tours of Rio de Janeiro - half-day in Sugarloaf and half-day in Corcovado
• 10-day/7-night Rio Getaway in Brazil, featuring an authentic Brazilian Churrascaria dinner and samba show, a cog-train ride through Tijuca Forest, visits to Saint Sebastian Cathedral, the beaches of Copacabana, and more! 
• Includes return airfare from Toronto, Montreal or Ottawa to Sao Paulo onboard Air Canada, and domestic flight from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro. Round-trip airport transfers included.
• 7 nights' accommodation in 3-Star hotel in Copacabana area. Based on double occupancy.
• Includes 7 breakfasts and 1 authentic Brazilian dinner
  
  

• You'll have ten days to explore the city indepth
• Enjoy a cable car ride up to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain
• Visit the world renowned beaches of Copacobana and Ipanema

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on any date between August 11 and September 15, 2013 (based on availability)
  If desired date is not listed on our booking page, call 1-855-687-5925 to book!
• Pricing (Rates are per person, and based on double occupancy):
  
  $2525 + $325 tax
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• Hotel included to be confirmed at time of booking
• This offer is refundable until 5PM EST on January 23, 2013. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable

 

 

 

Myrtle Beach shows the love ... Lonely Planet top spots 2013 ... Deal of day

They certainly love Canadians down in Myrtle Beach.

The coastal South Carolina city is celebrating its 75th anniversary this month, and they'll be holding what's called "Can-Am Days" with discounts for Canucks from March 9 to 17. They made an appearance Friday at the Toronto Star Golf and Travel Show down at the convention centre and brought out some appetizers and a birthday/anniversary cake and, naturally, a little bubbly.

There have been a ton of renovations and upgrades at Myrtle Beach hotels, officials said, and the access is easier than ever. Porter began their flights from Toronto Island airport last month, and they also have vacation packages through their Porter Escapes company. WestJet will start run flights from May 2 to Oct. 24 (Thursday and Sunday), and they also have vacation packages with various properties so you can book activities, flights and hotels together and save.

In addition, Myrtle can be reached on direct flights from Niagara Falls, Plattsburgh N.Y. (useful for Montreal folks) and Detroit.

The area has 102 golf courses, most quite affordable and many of them stunners. I played one a couple years ago called Caledonia Golf and Fish Club that was absolutely outstanding; perhaps the prettiest non-oceanside course I've ever seen.

They also have great food and an endless beach and plenty of activities for kids and adults, both. They've created a website called visitmyrtlebeach.com/75secrets with 75 "secret" things to do in Myrtle Beach, ranging from Pirate adventures to dolphin-watching and visiting art museums and wine-tasting.

LONELY PLANET, ON THE OTHER HAND, DOESN'T LOVE US SO MUCH

Lonely Planet recently conducted an online poll/review, asking fans on Facebook, Twitter, Google-plus and Thorn Tree where they've travelled and what they liked most. Their top 20 destinations overall were as follows (in order): Bhutan (see photo below), Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, Iceland, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Argentina, U.S.A., Indonesia, Iran, Burma, Peru, Nepal, Colombia, Georgia, Italy and the Maldives.

Interesting. Note the lack of the U.K. and France on the list, which weighs fairly heavy with unusual spots such as Iran (did Ben Affleck get a vote?), Bhutan, Colombia and Burma (Myanmar).

The top 10 for food were Italy, Thailand, India, Japan, Argentina, Vietnam, France, Lebanon, Taiwan and Spain. Top value spots were Thailand, India, Bolivia, Cambodia, Ghana, Vietnam, Laos, Philippines, Indonesia and Bulgaria. Top rated for entertainment were the U.K., U.S.A, Argentina, Australia, Ireland, Thailand, Spain, Hong Kong, Brazil and Singapore.

There were a slew of other categories, including shopping, "meeting locals" and "cultural sights."

Canada, you ask? Well, not so hot. We came in fourth on the safety list (big whoop), behind Japan, Iceland and New Zealand. And we were ninth in the nature category. Which is nice but also pretty boring, when you get down to it. The top 10 in the nature category were Costa Rica, Iceland, New Zealand, Bhutan, Australia, Namibia, Ecuador, Brazil, Canada and Kenya.

Oh, well.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY: ST. MAARTEN

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for lovely St. Maarten in the Caribbean. The deal is for $1,095, including $230 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save up to $328 per couple compared to what's available in market!
• BONUS: Features lower taxes thanks to Sunwing's Tax Buster Promotion
• BONUS: Sunwing inclusions offer a spa discount, unlimited a la carte dining, $20 USD casino vouchers, discount on Hertz car rental and more!
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-star SMILE at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino, located in St. Maarten
• Includes return airfare from Toronto or Montreal to  St. Maarten and round-trip airport/hotel transfers at your destination
• Accommodations in a Deluxe Garden View Room, featuring 1 King or 2 Double beds and private balcony showcasing views of the island and adjacent golf course. Maximum occupancy: 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

 

• Plenty of activities for kids will keep them in high spirits and you in relax mode
• A guest pass to the nearby Sonesta Great Bay Beach resort gives you access to double the exquisite amenities
• Maho village is known for both its charming boutiques and extravagant nightlife

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  Toronto: April 11, 18, 21 & 28, 2013
  Montreal: April 11, 18, 21, 25 & 28, 2013
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Toronto:
  
  April 11, 18 & 21:
  Single: $1165 plus tax
  Double: $965 plus tax
  Triple: $930 plus tax
  Child (2-12): $295 plus tax
  Tax: $230
  
  April 28:
  Single: $1065 plus tax
  Double: $865 plus tax
  Triple: $830 plus tax
  Child (2-12): $295 plus tax
  Tax: $230
  
  Montreal:
  
  April 11, 18 & 25:
  Single: $1435 tax included
  Double: $1235 tax included
  Triple: $1200 tax included
  Child (2-12): $545 tax included
  
  April 21 & 28:
  Single: $1375 tax included
  Double: $1175 tax included
  Triple: $1140 tax included
  Child (2-12): $545 tax included
  
  

 

 

Man in New Zealand claims wild parrot stole his money ... Jaunt.ca Deal of Day

To paraphrase Monty Python, Now that's what I call a (not) dead parrot. Or maybe it will be if a guy who had his money stolen catches up with the bird.

Travelmole.com today reports that a Scotsman visiting New Zealand claimed all his holiday savings were stolen by a wild parrot.

Here's what Travelmole had to say: "Peter Leach, from Glasgow, said the cheeky bird stole hundreds of dollars from his campervan.

The Scottish tourist left the windows down on his van after stopping to snap photos, including one of an unusual bird on the ground near his vehicle.

"A Canadian couple walked by and said: 'We've just seen that bird take something out of your campervan'," he said.

"It took all the money I had. I was left with 40 dollars in my pocket."

Stuff NZ reported that the unsuspecting tourist had stashed his travel cash - aboot $1,300 NZ dollars (roughly  $1,100 Canadian) - in a small cloth bag and left it on the dashboard, where the bird apparently found it.

The bird - a kea - grabbed the bag and flew off."

Guess campervans should come with hotel mini-safes. Or maybe windows you can, you know, actually roll up for safety?

As for the bird, I'm told by my NZ sources that he has some friends who are Norwegian Blue parrots and is saving all he can for a flight to the fjords.

HEADED OUT ON BUSINESS? STAY IN CANADA AND AVOID MOSCOW

We think we have it bad in Canada sometimes, don't we? High air fares for sure. High restaurant and alcohol prices, also for sure. But we don't pay much for hotels, especially for business hotels.

I constantly see good hotels in major Canadian city centres for $100 or so a night on sites like hotwire.com or hotels.com. And those prices are a JOKE compared to what biz people pay around the world.

A new report by U.K.-based Hogg Robinson Group says business travelers to Moscow can expect to pay a whopping $410 a night. Not far behind are Lagos, Nigeria (where folks seem to want five-star security) at $358, and New York City at $346/night. After that came Hong Kong, Zurich, Geneva, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Sydney and Stockholm.

The cheapest of the 55 cities surveyed was Hyderabad, India, which averaged just $138. Which means they either didn't survey any Canadian cities or that all Canadian cities average less than $138.

The latter would surprise me as the survey seems to be quoting rack rates. I guess some biz folks can still simply book without checking prices. But it's awfully easy to get big discounts these days and I think any business person who spends $346 per night for New York isn't working the old Internet too hard.

I spotted seven U.S. cities on the list. The highest priced was San Francisco at $300 (11th overall in the world), while the cheapest in American city in the top 55 was Atlanta, which finished 44th with an average nightly rate of $184.

As for which cities are seeing higher prices and which are better deals, Hogg Robinson said Rio prices jumped 19 per cent last year, followed by Sao Paulo (18), Tokyo (11), San Francisco (10) and Mexico City (a nine per cent hike). Prices fell 14 per cent for the year in Washington D.C., followed by Bangalore (12 per cent drop), Abu Dhabi (11), Istanbul (10) and New Delhi (a nine per cent fall).

THIS AND THAT

Westin is poised to open its 200th hotel worldwide this year. The hotel group says it will open 11 new hotels this year, the vast majority in fast-growing markets including China, India, Singapore and Panama ... They're calling it the world's highest skating rink. Folks at the John Hancock Tower in fabulous Chicago have opened an artificial ice rink some 1,000 feet above downtown. The rink features tempered glass wall boards, offering skaters an amazing view of Lake Michigan, Lake Shore Drive and the Chicago Skyline from the 94^th floor ... Congrats to Vancouver for winning rights to the prestigious TED conference, which attracts deep thinkers from all over the globe. It should provide a nice boost in publicity to the city and B.C. in general. And, of course, Canada in general, too.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a comprehensive, 15-day Ireland tour package on tap for $3,062, including $464 in taxes. Here are the details:

Jaunt Highlights

• 15-Day Shamrock Royal Ireland Tour, featuring coast to coast touring and visits to the Giant's Causeway, Malahide, Cahir Castle and more!
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Dublin via Air Transat
• Includes all transfers in Ireland via first class motorcoach, services of a professional tour guide, and all sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
• 14 nights' hotel accommodation in First Class 4-Star Hotels (based on double occupancy) in ensuite rooms
• Includes full Irish breakfast daily, 11 full course evening meals in hotels, and a farewell dinner with entertainment

• Enjoy a luxury coach and first class accommodations
• A hop-on hop-off Dublin bus tour is included
• Enjoy famous sites like Giant's Causeway, the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher and more

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates: April 15, 29, May 6, 24, June 7, 14, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax, based on double occupancy):
  
  April Dates: $2598 + $464 tax
  May Dates: $2798 + $464 tax
  June Dates: $2998 + $464 tax
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada

 

 

 

 

Dresden top world city for hotels: London worst, T.O 70th ... Jaunt deal of day

Looking for a great hotel breakfast? Try Dresden, Germany. More a fan of over-priced hotels with small rooms, expensive mini-bars, long lines at check-in and line-ups for breakfast? Check out hotels in London, England.

Yet another hotel rating report has landed on my virtual desk, this one from a German company called Trivago. According to Reuters, Trivago, a "travel metasearch website," compiled hotel reviews from more than 140 accommodation booking sites and found London came last in a list of 100 cities that had at least 135 hotels and 60 reviews. It did not include TripAdvisor postings.

"Dresden came top with its hotels receiving the highest ratings and most positive reviews from guests," Reuters said.

"Users praised Dresden hotels for their value for money, whilst London hotels were criticised for their prices," said a spokeswoman for Trivago. "In particular, reviewers felt the minibars were overpriced and breakfast service was both overpriced and disappointing, whilst hotels in Dresden were praised for their delicious and well-valued breakfasts."

She said London hotels were also criticised for overcrowding at breakfast, long queues at check-in, inability to cope with large groups of people, small rooms and poor views. On the other hand, hotels in Dresden were praised for their exceptional service, efficiency, helpful staff, as well as their spacious rooms with excellent views.

Finishing just behind Dresden in the list of cities with good hotels were Hanoi, Portland (Oregon), Tokyo and then, in the fifth spot, Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The rest of the top ten featured, in order, Gdansk in Poland, Chicago, Seattle, Krakow and Budapest.

The worst ten? From 91st to 100th and dead last, were the following: Los Angeles, Kiev, Frankfurt, Panama City (Panama), Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, Copenhagen, Rio de Janeiro and London.

Dresden got a "reputation score" of 83.08, while London notched a mark of just 73.42.

It's a rather damning statement for western Europe, with five big name cities in the bottom 10. But fairly decent for the U.S., with three in the top 10; two in the northwest part of the country.

What about Canada, you say? Glad you asked. Montreal finished down in the 58th spot with a 78.67 reputation score. Toronto? Ai-yay-yay: a pretty poor 70th place with a reputation score of just 78.15.

Other notable cities and their placement in the top 100 include Venice (14), Las Vegas (18), Prague (24), Florence (25), New Orleans (32), Barcelona (33), Orlando (40), Madrid (52), Hong Kong (59), San Francisco (62), Dublin (65), New York (67), Sydney (69), Rome (74), Delhi (80) and Glasgow (86).

I have found London to be quite expensive and rooms are small. Rooms tend to be small in most older, urbanized areas of Europe, for sure. But I'm a tad surprised at some of the results. I've been to Hanoi but only stayed in one hotel. It was pretty nice and fairly cheap; maybe $100 for a room with a nice bath and balcony and decent breakfast very close to the city centre. But number two in the world? I don't know about that.

BETTER TEA WITH BRITISH AIRWAYS

Good story in Star Business today by reporter Vanessa Lu, talking about how British Airways worked with Twinings to develop a better-tasting tea for folks at 35,000 feet. Apparently we lose a lot of our taste buds at such high altitudes and in dry airline cabins, so they're worked out a new "formula" to give the best taste.

Personally, I think tea is highly overrated and doesn't even compare to a good cup of coffee. But, then again, I get grief from friends/family about preferring creme in my coffee versus taking it black. And I VASTLY prefer Tim Horton's drip coffee to Starbucks, although I''ll take Starbucks for a good latte.

I tried Aroma coffee bar at Yonge and Eglinton for the first time on Tuesday and had a wonderful latte. Plus the croissants smelled divine!

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, is offering a cruise package to Alaska. The deal, with Celebrity Cruise lines, is priced at $1,468, including $339 in taxes, and includes air fare.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• BONUS 1: Inside Stateroom - $50 Onboard Credit per stateroom
• BONUS 2: Oceanview Stateroom or higher - $50 Onboard Credit per stateroom PLUS one of the following for FREE:
  - Classic Beverage package for 2 per day
  - Prepaid Gratuities for two per day
  - Additional $200 Onboard Credit per stateroom
• 7-Night Alaska cruise aboard the Celebrity Century, starting from and ending in Vancouver
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Vancouver with Air Transat, and airport/port transfers
• Ports of call include: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Icy Strait, Hubbard Glacier, Juneau & Ketchikan
• Accommodations in an Inside (Category 11) or Oceanview (Category 4, 5 & 7) Stateroom
• Standard onboard dining included

Why We Love It:

• Days at port are full of adventure, days at sea full of amazing sites
• Travel to Juneau, Alaska's capital, as well as the emblematic Hubbard Glacier
• Choose from a wide variety of excursions that pander to active spirits

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following sailings: May 5, 12, 19, 26 & June 9, 2013
• Pricing (per person, based on double occupancy):
  May 5:
  Inside: $1259 + $336 tax
  Oceanview: $1659 + $336 tax
  
  May 12:
  Inside: $1149 + $329 tax
  Oceanview: $1599 + $329 tax
  
  May 19:
  Inside: $1199 + $336 tax
  Oceanview: $1799 + $336 tax
  
  May 26:
  Inside: $1129 + $339 tax
  Oceanview: $1849 + $339 tax
  
  June 9:
  Inside: $1149 + $314 tax
  Oceanview: $1749 + $314 tax
• To redeem Bonus 2 for Oceanview bookings, please enter your choice in the Request Box upon booking
• To upgrade to Balcony Stateroom or higher, and receive an additional $50 Onboard Credit, call our travel professionals at: 1-855-GO-JAUNT
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada

 

 

Canadians stuck in a rut for holiday spots? We dream of Oz but do the Caribbean

A very cool study was released today by the folks at Cheapflights.ca. The company surveyed more than 1,000 Canadians and found that more than 80 per cent of us are likely to return to the same place over and over again for a holiday. And eat the same dishes. At the same restaurants.

"We learned that, while travellers dream of trips to Australia, they find themselves in Florida, again and again," said Melisse Hinkle, site editor for Cheapflights.ca. "Another years means another trip to the same Disney Resort or the same beach condo."

Yeah, I bet the Florida tourism people hate that.

Forty four per cent of Canadians surveyed said they ate at the same restaurant on repeat visits, with 36 per cent visiting the same attractions. More than 32 per cent of us stay at the same hotel and almost 20 per cent eat the same meal over and over again.

I can see that being the case. There are a whack of restaurants on Main St. in Dunedin, Florida. But when I go I invariably end up on the patio at Sea Sea Rider's (see photo below) for a blackened fish sandwich at lunch. And I usually have dinner at Kelly's. They remind me of my days covering the Blue Jays in spring training and I like the ambience at both. And the food, of course.

The study found that, to no one's surprise, the Caribbean is our favourite spot for repeat visits, with 12.7 per cent of the vote. Next was Florida at 10.3 per cent, then Western Europe (7.3), Las Vegas/Southwest U.S. (6.9), Hawaii (6.7), the Maritimes (6.0), Mexico (5.9), the UK (5.5), Banff/Calgary/The Rockies (5.0), Toronto (4.5), California (4.4), Vancouver (3.8), Montreal/Quebec (3.1), New York (3.0) and Ottawa (1.9).

There was a bit of a difference between men and women on some of the destinations. The two sexes agreed mostly on the Caribbean and Florida. But men liked Western Europe more than women (8.3 per cent for men, 6.7 for women, which I find quite surprising). On the subject of Vegas/Southwest U.S., men named it their third favourite spot with a 9.2 per cent vote. Women had it number nine, with just 5.2 per cent support. Which probably isn't too surprising.

Men put a higher value on Hawaii (7.6 versus 6.0), while women liked the Maritimes more (7.1 versus 4.4 for men). Toronto? Women had us eighth at 5.4 per cent, while men put us in the 12th spot at 3.2 per cent. Montreal/Quebec I found strange. Men had the two cities ranked number nine at 4.4 per cent. Women had them down in 14th spot at just 2.3 per cent. Maybe men like the gentlemen's clubs in Montreal, who knows?

Asked where we'd go if we could travel to a new destination, the clear winner - by a country kilometer - was Australia and New Zealand. Those two countries garnered a whopping 31 per cent of the vote. Next was Eastern Europe, left in the dust at 7.0. Those two were followed by Costa Rica (6.7), the South Pacific (5.9), Alaska (5.4) and Belize (3.9). Then came, in order, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, China/Hong Kong, Thailand, India, Russia, Argentina and the Middle East.

Still, we seem to love going back to the same places an awful lot. Asked how likely they are to vacation at the same spot more than once, 20.8 per cent of us non-adventurous Canadians said it was "extremely likely." Another 32.7 per cent said it was very likely and 26.9 per cent said it was "moderately likely" and 11.5 said it was somewhat slightly likely. Meaning 80.4 per cent said it was slightly to extremely likely they'd go back. Only 8.2 per cent of us said it was not at all likely.

Asked why they would go or do go back to the same vacation spot, the top response was great weather, followed by value, "best holiday I've found," ease of access, peace of mind and safety.

Cheapflights.ca asked chartered psychologist Dr. Jane McCartney for some thoughts. The good doctor said the numbers can partly be explained because there's comfort in routine.

"Although it is widely accepted that a certain amount of structure and order is required for a healthy and productive life, having too much control can lead to boredom, tedium and being un-stimulated," she said.

WIKIMEDIA GOES TRAVEL

More on this tomorrow, but check out wikivoyage.org for the Wikimedia folks new foray into the travel biz. Interesting.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on for a WestJet/Royal Caribbean cruise package. The deal is priced at $1,214, plus $253 in taxes, for a total of $1,467.

My family and I did a Royal Caribbean cruise to the same spots a few years ago and loved it. It's a wonderful family holiday, with something for everyone, and we were able to get off the ship a few times and do tours of the various islands, including St. Maarten/St. Martin and St. Thomas, which is beautiful and is an island I featured recently in Star Travel after a visit in October.

Here are the deal details:

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: Includes $50 Onboard Credit per cabin
• 7-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise sailing on the RCI Allure of the Seas
• Includes return airfare on WestJet from Toronto or Montreal to Fort Lauderdale 
• Departs and returns to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Other Ports of Call include: Nassau, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas & Philipsburg, St. Maarten
• Accommodations in an Inside Stateroom (March 3: Category N, March 17: Category Q)

Also included:

• The exciting DreamWorks Experience Character breakfast 
• Broadway calibre production of Chicago: The Musical
• Kids can't get enough of the Adventure Ocean Youth Program

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  Toronto: March 3 & 17, 2013
  Montreal: March 17, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person based on double occupancy):
  Toronto
  March 3: $1214 + $253 tax
  March 17: $1364 + $253 tax
  
  Montreal
  March 17: $1658 tax included
• Airport/port transfers are NOT included
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

WestJet #19 safest airline in world, Air Canada 25th ... Jaunt.ca deal of the day

The folks at JACDEC, the Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre, based in Germany, have issued their 2012 safety report for the world's airlines.

As reported in this space the other day, the centre said flying was safer around the world last year than in some time, with 23 accidents and 475 fatalities in 2012. The 10-year average was 34 accidents and 773 fatalities a year.

More interesting for us in Canada, perhaps, are the safety numbers for our two biggest airlines. JACDEC's 2012 report put WestJet 19th in the world out of 60 airlines rated, which means they can boast of making the top third. (Which is a lot better than screaming, 'We're number 19,' I think.)

Air Canada came 25th, which allows them to say they were in the top half but, again, probably not something we'll see marketing campaign built around.

Still, there's some solace in the numbers for Canadian flyers. We could be doing a LOT worse.

Porter Airlines wasn't included in the JACDEC survey, just FYI.

As for the top five, they were, in order: Finnair, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Emirates and Etihad. Worst five? Glad you asked: Korean Air, GOL (Brazil), Air India, TAM (Brazil) and China Airlines (Taiwan).

Not so great for Brazil. Maybe I should rent a car if I go someday ...

The only North American airline that finished ahead of WestJet was JetBlue, which was the continent's top-rated group at #14. Southwest was 21, between WestJet and Air Canada. Other North American notables: Delta 28; United 31, American 42 and US Air a not too pretty 44.

ENGLAND GETS SMALL BOOST FROM OLYMPICS

I covered the Olympics for the Star off and on for more than 20 years, and I've made this point many times. So forgive me while I make it again.

Time after time after time after time, tourism and business types backing Olympic bids from cities around the world stand up in front of banks of tv cameras and microphones and talk in dreamy tones about how staging the Games will bring in hordes of tourists.

It almost never happens. People get scared to death of the Olympics. They fear security hassles and nightmare traffic and, for the most part, the numbers never come close to what folks boast about in those fancy press conferences. Oh, they do fine. But they seldom if ever do as well as the boosters insist.

What you CAN do by staging the Olympics, if you do it right, is boost your long-term standing in the travel world. Barcelona was a relative backwater until they spent gazillions on public works and beaches and fancy art work and now it's a HUGE player in Europe. Sydney, on the other hand, didn't seem to do as well. Ditto for Vancouver and certainly for Atlanta.

A report on travelmole.com today says Britain suffered a three per cent drop in tourists during the third quarter of last year when London hosted the 2012 Olympic Games.

Despite expectations of a bookings bonanza for the capital during the Olympics, London received 200,000 fewer overnight visits from overseas residents over summer 2012 than a year earlier.  Visits to the rest of England and Scotland also fell, but not those to Wales. 

However, there were benefits overall, so perhaps the boosters had it somewhat correct. It turns out that while overall numbers were down, spending by overseas visitors rose eight per cent. You could make the argument that total spending is more important than actual bums on the planes, so good for them.

VisitBritain said November was the best for five years, with visitor numbers up nine per cent year on year, keeping the country on track for 31 million visits by the end of 2012. It said spending for the 11 months of the year reached a record 17.2 billion pounds.

However, spending associated with overnight visits to London increased by 13% from £2.8 billion to £3.1 billion. Spending on Olympics and Paralympics tickets will have accounted for a part of this increase, said the Office for National Statistics.

No doubt the Queen's Jubilee and the royal wedding helped, too.

The point here is that the Olympics aren't a short-term panacea for tourism. But if you do things right, you can expect reasonable long-term improvements. Not to mention a great party and a morale boost for your city or country. Whether that's worth the enormous, multi-billion dollar costs of these things is, of course, up for debate. I think Canadians don't mind at all that we spent a fortune on security for Vancouver. It was a coming out party and a huge source of pride for us to win so many medals and I doubt many of us regret the money spent. Ditto for London, I suspect.

THIS AND THAT

Good item in today's Star Business section by reporter Vanessa Lu, charting recent problems with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The new planes should be coming to Air Canada in the next year or two, and they're supposed to allow AC to use its older planes on the new, discount Rouge carrier they just launched. It's possible that delays, if there are any, in delivering the Dreamliner would impact on Rouge. But it's pretty early to speculate. Besides, Boeing says everything's great with their new product. So it must be true. Right? Right? ... Aeroplan is again offering an exclusive invitation for CIBC Aeroplan Cardholders. They've 100 per cent of the seats for cardholders on two Air Canada flights from Toronto to Orlando for March break. Book now to take advantage ... StatsCan says tourism spending rose 1 per cent in the third quarter of 2012, up from 0.1 per cent in the previous quarter. The agency says higher tourism spending by Canadians at home more than made up for a decline in spending by international visitors. The Canadian Tourism Commission says its efforts to market last year's 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede lured thousands of visitors to Canada. It says more than 8,900 travellers booked trips to Canada in the six months leading to the centennial celebrations and that spending by those visitors injected more than $9.2 million into the Canadian economy. The Stampede received a record 1.4 million visitors, up 20 per cent from 2011.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal for a coach tour of fabulous and historic Turkey with Transat.

Priced at $2,049 plus $458 in taxes (for a total of $2,07), the tour includes many of the highlights of this fascinating and popular country. Here are the highlights:

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: $150 Future Travel Voucher per person
• BONUS: Extend your flight for up to 30 days at no additional cost (accommodations extra) and return from anywhere Transat flies in Europe
• 16-Day, 14-Night Tour of Turkey including visits to the Grand Bazaar, Ephesus, a walking tour of Antalya, sightseeing tour of Ankara along Salt Lake, and more!
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Istanbul on board Air Transat, and airport/hotel transfers in Turkey
• 14 nights' accommodation in 4-Star hotels and a Special class Hotel with private facilities (double occupancy) 
• Includes transportation via an air conditioned coach, services of an English-speaking licensed tour guide, and all sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
• Meals include 14 buffet breakfasts, 13 lunches and 12 dinners, including a farewell dinner with wine

• Hotels are in 4-star or special class hotels with private facilities
• The wide variety of sights include historic ruins, markets, natural wonders, battlegrounds and more
• Discover both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure date: June 2, 2013
• Pricing (per person, plus tax):
  
  Single: $2559
  Double: $2049
  Triple: $2029
  Tax: $457.60
• Valid passport and visa (not included) required for travel from Canada
• Other Turkey packages available with Transat Holidays. Call 1-855-GO-JAUNT to book!
• This offer is refundable until 5PM EST on January 16, 2013. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable