China visitors spending up in Canada ... Pearson improvements ... Deal of day

So, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty makes headlines by tabling his budget and high-tailing it to Asia.

Good call. He’s following the money.

Yesterday in this space I talked about a VISA credit card study showing how China was leaping up the ranks of countries in terms of spending in the U.S. Today I can report similar findings for VISA spending in Canada; data surely Mr. Flaherty is aware of.

According to 2012 VisaVue Travel data, Visa account holders visiting Canada increased their travel-related spending from $6.6 billion in 2011 to $6.66 billion last year.

The U.S. remains number one by a huge margin, with more than half of that spending: $3.49 billion in all. But just as China jumped from fourth in the U.S. last year to second, so it did in Canada. Figures show Chinese visitors spent $379 million on their Visa accounts last year, up 15.2 per cent from the year before.

The Canadian Tourism Commission (as well as the province of Ontario and Toronto and other cities and just about every tourism board in the world with its salt) has been courting the Chinese market. Canada also introduced new visas to make traveling and staying in Canada easier, and it appears to be paying off.

No doubt the panda public relations could help, too, now that Toronto is home to a pair of beauties airlifted from China this week.

In a less than shocking result, Visa found most Canadians spend their money abroad in February, March and August, while visitors tend to come here between June and September. Smart visitors.

Here’s a look at the ten biggest contributors to inbound tourism spending in 2012 and the ten biggest outbound markets for Canadians, all based on Visa card spending. It’s not a perfect snapshot of overall trends, but it’s probably pretty close in terms of market share.

INBOUND

1. United States, $3.488 billion (-1.1 per cent)
2. China, $379 million (+ 15.2 per cent)
3. UK, $348 million (no change)
4. France, $343 million (-2.5 per cent)
5. Australia, $171 million (-7 per cent)
6. Japan, $144 million (+ 2 per cent)
7. Brazil, $141 million (+ 1 per cent)
8. Germany $123 million (no change)
9. South Korea, $121 million (- 11 per cent)
10. Hong Kong, $102 million (- 4 per cent)

 

OUTBOUND

1. USA, $11 billion (+ 4 per cent)
2. Mexico, $591 million (- 1 per cent)
3. UK, $477 million (- 5 per cent)
4. France, $400 million (- 4 per cent)
5. Italy, $281 million (- 9 per cent)
6. Australia, $234 million (- 3 per cent)
7. Germany, $161 million (- 2 per cent)
8. China, $151 million (- 2 per cent)
9. Spain, $145 million (- 4 per cent)
10. Thailand, $139 million (+ 7 per cent)

MAJOR PEARSON IMPROVEMENTS

In order to make connecting through Toronto Pearson easier, it will no longer be necessary for people arriving in Terminal 1 and connecting onward to the United States to collect their checked baggage.

Pearson Airport officials today said checked bags "will be directed to your onward flight to the United States without a requirement to claim your bag in Toronto before proceeding to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)."

Air Canada officials say it'll make the airline "an even more attractive option for travellers connecting to the U.S."

It's a definite improvement, as the "claim your bags and proceed through customs" bit was a real slog for folks on connecting flights.

HOTEL WORKERS GET EVEN

If you’ve ever been rude to a hotel worker, you know they have ways of getting even. But an interesting study by the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business? shows that workers in different parts of the world react quite differently to hostile guests.

The study found that North American service workers are more likely to sabotage rude customers, while Chinese react by disengaging from customer service altogether.

“Our research shows that culture plays a significant role in how frontline workers deal with customer abuse,” says UBC Sauder School of Business Professor Daniel Skarlicki, a co-author of the study.

“In North America, employees tend to retaliate against offensive customers – doing things like giving bad directions or serving cold food. In China, workers are more likely to reduce the general quality of service they provide to all customers – nasty or nice.”

In their paper, to be published in the journal Personnel Psychology, Skarlicki and former Sauder PhD student Ruodan Shao studied how frontline employees at a luxury hotel with locations in Vancouver and Beijing reacted to customer mistreatment.

Although the level of abuse was consistent in both locations, North Americans resorted 20 per cent more often to sabotage to get revenge. Abused Chinese workers were 19 per cent more likely to feel a lack of enthusiasm in their jobs, responding negatively to statements like, “I voluntarily assist guests even if it means going beyond job requirements.”

“North Americans take a surgical approach to abuse, zeroing in on individuals who mistreated them,” says Skarlicki, noting that managers must be mindful of these cultural differences when expanding operations across the Pacific. “Chinese don’t blame the transgressor. They blame the system – the company or customers they serve.” 

Skarlicki says the implications are clear.  “When service-oriented companies go global, they need to heighten their sensitivity to how culture in a new market can influence the performance of frontline staff and tailor their customer service operations accordingly.”

FREE INTERNET FOR IHG LOYALTY MEMBERS

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announced today that it will be providing free internet to all its 71m loyalty program members, worldwide. The announcement comes as IHG reveals the results of a global online survey which show that nearly half of adults (43%) would choose not to stay in a hotel that charged for internet.

IHG also is renaming its loyalty program from Priority Club Rewards to IHG Rewards Club and introducing new benefits.

It's a smart move in a very competitive environment for hotel operators. The rewards program is free to join, so there's no reason not to set up a membership.

IHG said it's "the first and only hotel group to offer free internet in all hotels to all loyalty programme members." But that doesn't seem to be true.

Fairmont has been offering free Internet to its Presidents Club members for years. Kimpton, not as big a chain but still a player, has free Wi-Fi in all rooms and the lobby for loyalty program members. I suspect a few other groups, too.

Not to take away from a good move by IHG. But they're clearly not alone.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a 15-day river cruise across Europe for $5,883, including all taxes.

EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save $1,000 per couple! (reflected in pricing)

• BONUS: No Single Supplement!
• 15-Day Magnificent Europe River Cruise onboard the Avalon Tranquility, Panorama or Expression sailing from Budapest to Amsterdam (or vice versa depending on the sail date. See Offer Details for more information)
• Includes guided sightseeing programs in the following cities and/or ports of call:
  Amsterdam, Holland; Cologne, Germany; Rhine Gorge–Rüdesheim, Germany; Miltenberg, Germany; Würzburg, Germany; Bamberg, Germany; Nuremberg, Germany; Regensburg, Germany; Passau–Linz, Austria; Melk, Austria; Dürnstein, Austria; Vienna, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Budapest, Hungary.
• Accommodations in an upgraded Avalon Deluxe Stateroom:
  Category P - Located on the Royal (highest stateroom) Deck
  Category A - Located on the Sapphire (middle) Deck
• Includes all meals on the ship, complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast, soft drinks with lunch, and wine, beer, or soft drinks with dinner and a welcome reception, Captain’s reception, and farewell dinner

• A whole list of excursions are included in your itinerary without any extra cost
• Avalon cruises offer the best in all categories: views, food, entertainment and experiences

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on October 12, 16 & 23, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, including tax):
  
  October 12, 2013 sailing on the Avalon Tranquility (Amsterdam to Budapest):
  Avalon Deluxe Stateroom (Cat. P): $6707
  
  October 16, 2013 sailing on the Avalon Panorama (Budapest to Amsterdam):
  Avalon Deluxe Stateroom (Cat. P): $6295
  
  October 23, 2013 sailing on the Avalon Expression (Budapest to Amsterdam):
  Avalon Deluxe Stateroom (Cat. A): $5883
  
  NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
  
  For ways to SAVE MORE, Other DATES and FLIGHTS call us at 1-855-687-5925.
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

Better summer ahead for Canadian tourism?/Jimmy Buffett hotel/Deal of the Day

Encouraging news out of the U.S. this week, as a survey suggests the optimism of travellers has risen beyond pre-recession levels.

A story by Hugo Martin of the Los Angeles Times says the Travel Sentiment Indes, put together by a company called MMGY Global, "may help predict how much Americans plan to travel for vacation this summer."

The survey, Martin said, asked respondents about their attitude toward travel; looking at prices, affordability and other issues. The February 2013 score jumped to 100.8, passing the previous high of 100 in March, 2007.

Martin wrote that the survey found that factors that influence travel, such as fuel costs, personal debt and the cost of airline tickets, all have declined in February, compared to Feb. 2012.

It remains to be seen if Canada, with our relatively woeful marketing budget these days, can take advantage of Americans who seem willing to spend. But it's encouraging news for Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Vancouver, Banff and the rest of our splendid country.

WASTING AWAY IN ST. THOMAS

Singer Jimmy Buffett is planning a Margaritaville resort on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to USA Today.

The resort will be a timeshare on the site of the former Renaissance Grand Beach Resort on Smith Bay, east of Magens Bay on the northeast corner of the island. I visited St. Thomas last year and had a great time.

Buffett and Wyndham Vacation Ownership President and Chief Executive Officer Franz Hanning announced the 262-unit resort, which is due to begin construction in July. First units could be done 18 months later.

Buffett plays the buffoon on stage but has become quite the business tycoon. USA Today reports Buffett now has about two dozen Margaritaville bars, cafes and restaurants and hotel in Pensacola, Fla., plus one due in Bossier City, La. And, of course, one in Niagara Falls.

There also are Margaritaville casinos in Vegas and Biloxi, Miss., with more to come.

A Margaritaville casino is due this spring at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, and one just announced that's coming to the River Spirit Casino in Tulsa.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a great holiday in beautiful Jamaica for $1,135, including $390 in taxes.

• BONUS: FREE UPGRADE to a Royal Beachfront Room with 1 king-size or 2 double beds, balcony, and prime beachfront location. Max. occupancy: 3 adults, 2 adults + 2 children
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-Star Braco Village Hotel & Spa in Rio Bueno, Jamaica
• Includes return airfare from Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal or Quebec City to Montego Bay and round-trip airport/hotel transfers in Jamaica
• Daily buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• As part of Sunwing's Family Collection, Braco Village has a range of activities for the whole family, including a supervised Kids Club
• Resort won a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2012
• Enjoy amazing views from your Royal Beachfront room

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  
  Toronto: April 3, 12, 15, 20 & 24, 2013        
  Ottawa: April 5, 19 & 26, 2013            
  Montreal: April 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2013            
  Quebec City: April 5, 19 & 26, 2013   
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $745 + tax
  Single: $945 + tax
  Triple: $705 + tax
  Child (2-12 yrs): $445 + tax
  Tax: $390
  
  Ottawa:
  Double: $754 + tax
  Single: $954 + tax
  Triple: $714 + tax
  Child (2-12 yrs): $445 + tax
  Tax: $380
  
  Montreal:
  Double: $1145 tax included
  Single: $1345 tax included
  Triple: $1105 tax included
  Child (2-12 yrs): $845 tax included
  
  Quebec City:
  Double: $1145 tax included
  Single: $1345 tax included
  Triple: $1105 tax included
  Child (2-12 yrs): $845 tax included
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until March 27 at 5PM EST. After this time, this offer is 100% non-refundable.

 

 

 

Easter Travel dull for Canadians ... Carnival cruise cancellations ... Deal of day

I guess it makes sense. It doesn't exactly make Canadians look like world travel beaters in terms of exotic destinations, but it shows some very solid bargains to be had for next weekend.

Hotwire.com this week unveiled a list of the 10 most popular Easter destinations for Canadian travellers, based on bookings with their site. They said Canadians seem to be staying closer to home this year compared to 2012.

Here's a look at their findings for most bookings, with average nightly rates found on Hotwire:

1. Toronto, $80 (quite the bargain)

2. New York, $201 (not bad for NYC, actually)

3. Montreal, $80 (see photo at right)

4. Vancouver, $82

5. Seattle, $97

6. Las Vegas, $81

7. Boston, $97

8. Orlando, $73

9. Chicago, $80

10. Minneapolis, $54 (probably shoppers from Manitoba)

New York was the top destination for Canadians last year. Vancouver was sixth last year but fourth this year.

CARNIVAL CRUISE WOES

Carnival has cancelled ten cruises that were slated for its damaged Triumph ship. The cruise line announced Tuesday that the Carnival Triumph will be out of service longer than first expected after it was crippled by an engine fire in the Gulf of Mexico last month, leaving 4,200 people stranded for five days.

AP reports the company said the ship won't return to service until June 13, which means the cancellation of 10 more cruises.

"Those guests will receive full refunds, reimbursement for non-refundable transportation costs and a 25 per cent discount on a future four- to five-day cruise," AP said. "Also, the Carnival Sunshine, which is undergoing a scheduled full-ship makeover, will return to service May 5, following the cancellation of two European cruises."

Carnival says it is improving services that can run on emergency power and also fixing ship's fire prevention systems. Yeah, I would hope so.

USA TRAVEL WOES, TOO

A story from USA Today says overseas travelers want to avoid the United States because of long wait times and inefficient entry procedures at gateway airports -- and recommend to others that they too stay away.

A new survey of travellers from Britain, France, Germany, Japan, China and Brazil (but not Canada) found 43 per cent of travelers who had traveled to the United States say they'll tell other countrymen and women not to visit because of the cumbersome entry process.

It comes at a bad time for the U.S. as they're spending a small fortune to promote the country with their BrandUSA campaign. It's a good campaign that shows off the best of the U.S., but it may not matter if people are turned off by a customs or immigration hassle.

The USA Today story said one in three travelers said that "the U.S. was falling behind other countries or it was the worst they had ever experienced in terms of getting through U.S. Customs and Border Protection procedures.

* Business travelers, especially, said they were put off by the entry process, with 44% saying they will refuse to visit in the next five years.

* One in seven international travelers said they had missed a connection because of delays at Customs. Two-thirds said they would consider the U.S. an attractive destination if the Customs lines and wait times were shorter."

Speaking of the Statue of Liberty, the old girl's island was damaged by Superstorm Sandy. But officials Tuesday said it should re-open by the Fourth of July. Hopefully visitors will be able to clear U.S. customs by then.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on hand for an Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Celebrity Reflection for $898, including $99 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: $75 Onboard Credit per cabin
• BONUS: Includes Classic Beverage Package for Two! See offer details for more info.
• 7-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise sailing on the Celebrity Reflection
• Ports of Call include: Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten
• Accommodations in a Oceanview (Category 8) or Deluxe Ocean View w/ Veranda partially obstructed (Category 2C) stateroom

• The brand new Celebrity Reflection has the most up-to-date amenities and attractions
• The beautiful grassy knoll of the Lawn Club has private alcove hideaways, a delicious grill and other activities
• Visit some of the best ports the Eastern Caribbean has to offer

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on December 7, 2013
  We also offer other departure DATES and FLIGHTS.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Oceanview (Category 8):
  1st & 2nd Passenger: $799
  3rd & 4th Passenger: $399
  Tax: $99
  
  Deluxe Ocean View w/ Veranda partially obstructed (Category 2C):
  1st & 2nd Passenger: $889
  3rd & 4th Passenger: $499
  Tax:  $99
  
  
• Classic Beverage Package: Applies to two guests per stateroom and includes beers up to $5 per serving; spirits, cocktails, and wine up to $8 per serving, all soda selections, fresh squeezed and bottled juices, premium coffees, and teas and non-premium bottled water.
• Server gratuities are included
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until March 20 at 5PM EST. After this time, this offer is 100% non-refundable

 

 

 

More hotel gripes (and kudos, too) ... Future for Carnival cruise lines

I'm always amazied at how hotels can do so many things right. And then screw up on something basic.

I'm attending a funeral today in Windsor, and we spent the night at a Hampton Inn and Suites on Huron Church Road, near the Ambassador Bridge. (As an aside, the city is buzzing with construction owing to the new bridge to Michigan, which I would think would hurt businesses along this strip, which is now the connection between the 401 and the bridge.) We ended up in a pretty good sized room for about $150.

There's a small workout room and a heated, salt-water pool in a sunny spot and a hot tub. Very nice. They have a pretty good free breakfast, with reasonably strong coffee and cheese omeletes and back bacon and juice and cereal and oatmeal and breads and Belgian waffles. Standard mostly, but a nice touch with the tea biscuits and more than just one kind of jam (I'm a big jam guy and have grown to hate standard, boring strawberry).

The staff is quite helpful. I thought I had lost my Blackberry and was searching for it in the dark. The woman at the front desk sent out a nice young man with a small flashlight to help, although it turned out to have fallen under the work desk in my room.

As I said, the room is nice. Nothing exceptional but clean and bright and good size. There's a good-sized counter in the bath (always a key in my book) and a nice shower/bath with good water pressure and nice amenities.

I noticed at breakfast this morning that they also have breakfast bags to go if you don't have time to down a regular starting meal. The bags are at the front desk and have an apple, muffin and water. Very nice. Maybe it's common but I've never seen it.

Lastly, I'll mention that we'd heard some hotels give bereavement rates to folks in town for a funeral, much like airlines will if you have to fly somewhere last minute. They said they usually only give it if we're attending a service at a particular funeral home and not the one we were at on Sunday. But they made an exception and knocked $10 off the rate.

So I'm quite happy with this place. Except for one thing. They built a very large, nice wooden desk with a light and plugs in the right places and Internet access and a phone. Perfect. But the chair is so low to the ground that it just doesn't work.

Why can't hotels measure things properly and put in chairs that meet the desk height? It's hugely uncomfortable - and bad for your back and shoulders and arms - to type at the wrong height. I've piled up pillows on the chair but they keep sliding around and I can't get comfortable and I just know my back is going to be acting up.

So there you go. 95 per cent great. But they missed a pretty big one (and a pretty easy one) when they got the wrong chairs. Or, more likely, when they bought desks that are too high.

Still, I quite like the place and would definitely recommend it for a stay in Windsor.

CARNIVAL TROUBLES AHEAD?

The second high-profile incident involving a Carnival Cruise ship has some folks wondering about the company's future.

In case you missed it, a cruise ship belonging to the troubled company lost power in St. Maarten the other day, forcing passengers to be flown back to Miami. This came only a short time after another Carnival ship lost power in the Gulf of Mexico, forcing a days-long ordeal with a toilet shortage and folks sleeping out in hallways or on deck for fresh air.

You DO have to wonder about their maintenance and upkeep given the problems, which are unrelated to the Costa Concordia incident in Italy last year but still mean trouble for Carnival, which controls Costa.

A story on CNN.com today quotes an avid cruiser as saying he'd go on another Carnival ship but that' he''s keeping a close eye on the company. I'm sure he's not alone.

The CNN story says Carnival Cruise Lines announced a "comprehensive review" this week of all its ships, prompted by the engine fire that led to the Triumph's stranding in the Gulf of Mexico in February.

DEAL OF THE DAY WILL RETURN TOMORROW

My Jaunt.ca deal of the day will return to this space tomorrow.....

 

 

Via Rail gets more entertaining ... Transat attendants falling ... Deal of Day: DR

Train trips with VIA Rail are about to get a little better.

Canada's rail giant has announced that they'll now be showing CBC news and other shows on board their trains, as well as top documentaries and other entertainment.

Starting in Spring 2013, the new interactive digital platform will provide passengers on VIA trains in the Windsor-Quebec City corridor (sorry, that's all for now) "free access to Canadian programming, including CBC/Radio-Canada TV shows programs, documentaries and animation from the NFB, and "Heritage Minutes" vignettes and Memory Project veteran interviews produced by The Historica-Dominion Institute."

Over time, they said, entertainment will be added from other organizations.

"Over the past two years, VIA Rail passengers have become accustomed to world-class Wi-Fi on our trains. Today, we are pleased to extend our Wi-Fi offer with entertainment and information produced by Canadians, for Canadians," officials said.

Okay, it's not quite Netflix. But it's certainly a nice step, and fitting that the content will be Canadian.

The VIA press release says the "on-board entertainment initiative required a total investment of $543,000 by VIA Rail. This program is part of VIA Rail's modernization plan launched in 2007, and was made possible by the nearly $1 billion in capital funding announced by the Government of Canada since 2007 to rebuild aging equipment, refurbish stations, upgrade infrastructure, improve accessibility and support critical information technology projects."

Rail officials posted a YouTube video about the coming system, which you can find here.

FAIRMONT ANNIVERSARY DEALS

The legendary Fairmont Banff Springs hotel is celebrating its 125th birthday with a year-long deal. The special 125th Castle Celebration Package offers two nights in luxury and a daily resort credit of $125. Guests can enjoy sumptuous dining with expansive mountain views, golf on the world-famous Stanley Thompson golf course, hikes down the Spray Valley to the site of the original Rundle stone quarry or a sojourn in the world-class Willow Stream Spa. Available year-round, rates start from $359 per night with a minimum two night stay.

This is also an eventful year for Quebec City’s Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, which Fairmont said "is celebrating 120 years as the most photographed hotel in the world." The 120th Anniversary Package highlights the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac’s inauguration in 1893 with a special rate and historic gift. The package includes accommodation in a Fairmont room, a full buffet breakfast for two at Le Café de la Terrasse restaurant, a vintage reprint poster of the famed Château Frontenac, and access to the hotel’s indoor pool. Available through June 24, 2013, rates start from $189.30 per night (to celebrate the hotel’s opening in 1893).

(I don't know about that most photographed hotel in the world bit. But it probably makes sense when you think about the hordes of tourists in and around Quebec City in summer. There's no way to quantify these things and I guess there could be a hotel somewhere next to a famous landmark that has its picture taken more often, but I can't honestly think of one. I mean, there's no Hyatt Machu Picchu I know of and there's not yet a Comfort Suites at the end of the Golden Gate Bridge or a Ritz Carlton under the Eiffel Tower.)

In Arizona, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is celebrating a quarter century of luxury. The AAA Five-Diamond resort’s 25th Anniversary Early-Bird Special is perfect for a summer getaway. The package includes nightly accommodation and a daily $25 USD food and beverage credit. Available for stays from May 27, 2013 to September 2, 2013, rates start at $125 USD per night.

TRANSAT CHANGES

The Star's Vanessa Lu reports on looming changes to staff on board Transat flights.Writing in today's paper, she says that because of stiff competition in the leisure travel business, "Air Transat’s flight attendants have agreed to $9 million in cost-saving measures.

About 1,750 flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, voted 66 per cent in favour of the company’s plan, which will reduce the number of flight attendants on Airbus 330 wide-body planes to 10, from the current 11.

“They haven’t touched our salaries,” said Peter Buzzell, president of CUPE’s Air Transat component, in an interview. “Working with one person less, that just means we have to work a little bit harder.”

 

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for the sunny D.R. this week for $1,087, including $388 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save $300 per couple with Jaunt compared to what you'd pay for the same vacation on other sites!
• BONUS: ACV Privileges featuring exclusive check-in/check-out, 4 guaranteed a la carte reservations, 20% spa discount, and more!
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-Star Grand Bahia Principe El Portillo, located in Samana, Dominican Republic
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Samana, and round-trip airport/hotel transfers
• Accommodations include a Standard Room featuring 1 king or 2 twin beds and a balcony or terrace. Maximum occupancy: 2 adults, or 2 adults and 1 child
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• The exquisite natural beauty on the Samana peninsula
• It's a charming property that's perfect for family getaways
• Close the beautiful town of Las Terrenas

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on March 17, 23 & 24, 2013
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available. Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $699
  Single: $1039
  Child: $699  
  Tax: $388
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

Hockey sticks back on planes in U.S., but not Canada??!! - Deal of Day: D.R.

So, the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration says it will once again allow folks to carry pocket knives on board airplanes. Ditto for golf clubs and hockey sticks.

Here in Canada? No such plans. At least not yet.

As a Canadian, I’m appalled. I mean, hockey sticks could go on American planes flying from, say, Chicago to Toronto. But not on flights from Montreal to Boston?

It’s like outlawing double-doubles, or having United Airlines institute free poutine in economy class but not Air Canada.

Seriously, I’m not sure how it works. I’d like to think the Canadian folks will go along eventually. But we are, last time I checked, a separate country and we have our own rules and we do not simply follow the U.S. lead.

The TSA announcement from the States says knives with a blade of 6 cm (2.36 inches) or shorter are allowed. They can’t be more than a half-inch across at their widest point, cannot have a molded grip and can’t have a locking or fixed blade.

It'’s interesting. But the bit about golf clubs caught my eye. I mean, at a time when overhead bins are already full to the brim who takes their golf clubs on as a carry-on item? Other than Donald Trump, I mean.

Personally, I’d love to practice my putting at 35,000 feet. Or maybe even try some four-irons, which I could always aim at the guy who likes to slam his seat back into my face as soon as the seat belt light goes off.

MIAMI TOURISM ON THE RISE

The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau announced that overnight visitors to what’'s called Greater Miami and the Beaches rose 3.5 per cent last year to a record 13.9 million overnight visitors overall.

It’s the third consecutive year of record overnight visits to the area, which we all know has awesome hotels, restaurants and beaches.

Officials said there was a 5.2 per cent hike in international visitors to 6.8 million. Domestic overnight visits rose 1.8 per cent to 7.1 million.

They also said a record $21.8 billion in visitor expenditures was generated in 2012, an increase of  5.1 per cent from 2011.

I didn’t see a breakdown of countries, but I can imagine Canadians were at the top of international visitors. We go a lot, but we can’t match the folks from Brazil or Russia for spending, I’m told.

"“The Bureau’'s aggressive marketing and expansion of the popular summer and shoulder season promotions, including Miami Museum Month, Miami Romance Month, Miami Spice Restaurant Month, Miami Spa Month, Miami Attractions Month and Miami Live Music Month were enjoyed by more visitors and residents than ever in 2012,”" said visitors bureau president & CEO William D. Talbert, III.
“

"These GMCVB promotions continued to fuel the momentum that established year-round travel and tourism for the destination,”" he said. "In 2012, the GMCVB added to the menu of these popular promotions in March by launching the first Miami Film Month to raise awareness of Greater Miami’s spectacular art cinemas, film festivals and connection to the film and entertainment industry.  In addition, as home to some of the most spectacular, challenging and desirable golf courses in the world, the GMCVB launched the first ever Miami Golf Month in April, providing visitors and residents with extraordinary offers and options at courses and hotels throughout the destination."

The World Golf Championship-Cadillac Championship is being held at Miami’s Trump Doral resort this week.

BEST CANADIAN HOTELS FOR FAMILIES

TripAdvisor this week came out with its Travelers' Choice Awards for Hotels for Families. Here are there top 10 for Canada.

1. Safari Beach Condo Resort, Osoyoos, B.C. 2. Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, 3. Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets, Banff, 4. Sunny Point Resort Cottages and Inn, Parry Sound, Ontario, 5. Lakeview Inn and Suites Miramichi, Miramichi, New Brunswick, 6. La Seigneurie du Triton, Lac-Edouard, Quebec, 7. Super 8 Motel Three Hills, Three Hills, Alberta, 8. Skyline Inn, Niagara Falls, 9. Legends, Whistler, B.C. and 10. Comfort Inn Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls.

That's a nice four of the top ten for Ontario, for those keeping score at home.

STARWOOD ON THE MOVE

Starwood this week said it plans to open 50 new hotels in Europe in the next five years, including three in Turkey and a third hotel in Moscow. They're also getting into Tajikistan and adding a hotel in Kazakhstan. Officials also said they're aiming to have 100 hotels under operation and development in Latin America by the end of 2013. Currently, Starwood has a strong footprint of 71 hotels in 13 countries.

By 2015, six new Aloft branded hotels will open in Latin America, bringing the total number to eight. This year, Aloft will debut in Panama and Mexico and by 2015 the brand will arrive in Asuncion, Paraguay and in Uruguay.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal this week for lovely Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for just $885, including $390 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save up to $560 per couple by booking with Jaunt.ca
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-Star IFA Villas Bavaro Resort & Spa, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Includes return airfare from Toronto, Halifax or Montreal to Punta Cana, with round-trip airport/hotel transfers in the Dominican Republic
• Accommodations in a Superior Room featuring 1 King or 2 Double beds, a French balcony and a garden, pool or partial ocean view
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

Why We Love It:

• Seven distinct restaurants and seven bars offer lots of diversity
• Pamper yourself at the IFA Corallium Spa
• Playa Bavaro is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  Toronto: May 14 ,21, 28 & Jun 4, 11, 18, 2013
  Halifax: May 4, 2013
  Montreal: May 06, 13, 20 & Jun 3, 10, 17, 2013
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  Toronto:
  Single: $645 plus tax
  Double: $495 plus tax
  Triple: $475 plus tax
  Quad: $455 plus tax
  Children (2-12 yrs): $395 plus tax
  Tax: $390
  
  Halifax:
  Single: $745 plus tax
  Double: $595 plus tax
  Triple: $575 plus tax
  Quad: $555 plus tax
  Children (2-12 yrs): $495 plus tax
  Tax: $392
  
  Montreal:
  Single: $1045 tax included
  Double: $895 tax included
  Triple: $875 tax included
  Quad: $855 tax included
  Children (2-12 yrs): $795 tax included
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until 5PM EST on March 13, 2013. After this time, this offer is 100% non-refundable.

                

U.S. budget situation could play out up here ... Major changes to Pearson YYZ

Folks at Pearson Airport and at U.S. border crossings are keeping a close eye on the budget situation in the U.S. With automatic cuts slated to come to all sorts of U.S. services if there's no budget deal between President Obama and Congress, things could get quite goofy up here in terms of U.S. Customs.

I had no idea, but Toby Lennox, Vice President, Strategy Development and Stakeholder Relations for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, told a business meeting in Toronto on Tuesday that Pearson is the fourth largest entry point for folks headed to the U.S. (Since U.S. customs has a pre-clearance centre here, Toronto is officially an entry point and, right now, is behind only New York, Miami and Los Angeles in terms of number of customers entering the U.S.)

Things at Pearson could be utterly normal by Friday or it might be "a calamity," Lennox told a session of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives at the Ritz Carlton in Toronto on Tuesday.

Lennox said things are happening in a big way at Pearson, with new restaurants (including the just-opened Fetta by celebrity Toronto chef Mark McEwan, announced just today) and new shops and lots of other changes coming down the pipe. Fetta, by the way, is located in Terminal 1 near gate E73 and serves paninis, salads and small plates.  It's part of a plan to install 15 new food and beverage places at Pearson, complete with 2,500 Apple iPads that folks can use to tap out an order for a quick meal, or even a pair of socks from a nearby shop.

Included will be a wine bar called Vinifera in Terminals 1 and 3, plus a place called Marathi for Indian street food.

Transportation is always key at YYZ, and Lennox said the train that will link Pearson to downtown Toronto, with a couple stops along the way, should open in 2015. It's great and will make travel much more reliable, especially for business folks on a tight schedule who can't afford 80-minute commutes to Bay St.. But he also noted the airport draws people from all over the GTA, as well as thousands of workers, and they all need convenient, affordable transportation options.

Pearson draws about 35 million passengers a year now but that could increase soon to 42 million, partly because of growing economies and more travel demand from China and South America, as well as India and Russia. That will mean more night flights and stronger connections to those parts of the world.

Asia already is going gangbusters, Lennox said. "I have to fly next week and it was tough to get a seat."

He also said Colombia is becoming very attractive as a source of passengers for Pearson and that Africa will some day be enormously important.

To his credit, Lennox said there are major changes needed to Terminal 3 at Pearson.

"We're badly in need of renovations. The floor is cracked. It's an energy hog. And the retail isn't adequate."

As much as Pearson would like new customers from places like China, it's hard to get them if would-be Chinese tourists don't know about Canada. And right now, they don't, he said.

Lennox's comments tie into the cuts made recently to the Canadian Tourism Commission's budget and also echo concerns issued by others in the tourism business lately. Namely, that other countries are beating the pants off Canada when it comes to self-promotion and that we're badly missing the boat.

 

 

 

DayGuest.com comes to polite, quiet Canada ... Jaunt.ca deal of day is Curacao

What would Canada's founding fathers think? Geez, what would the guys think who banned beer at the ballpark and locked the playgrounds on Sunday in Toronto?

A company called DayGuest.com has set up shop in the true north strong and free, offering folks day-time use of hotels for significant savings versus overnight stays. It's billed as a service for folks who simply want to freshen up or for business folks who might have a late appointment but need a daytime nap.

Yeah, right. To their credit, they also concede there could be, ahem, other reasons for daytime usage.

In a press release sent earlier today, Founder and CEO Philippe Cohen said his company is offering hotel rooms in various locations, near airports and in the city, for a few hours during the day, at deeply discounted rates (30-70% off).

"We already have over 100 hotel partners and are currently working on major chain deals," Cohen said. "We've seen a lot of business being generated throughout Europe and the US with our offering and naturally extended it into Canada. We provide access to otherwise hard to find reservations and otherwise unaffordable luxury rooms, DayGuest removes the inconvenience and embarrassment of the process.

"The users we anticipate include travelers stranded on long stopovers at airports, cross border business trips, staff sent to locations where corporations have no office, couples that have nowhere else to go and sometimes people from neighbouring cities for a Raptors of Leafs game (now that the Leafs are back).  We simply offer the possibility to rest, refresh, nap or meet privately. On the hotel side of things, we help them take advantage of the thousands of rooms that remain empty every day to generate additional revenue."

I went online today at dayguest.com and found several rooms at the airport for $65 to $79 or so, including a Quality Hotel and Suites in Etobicoke for $79 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In looking around on the Internet, I also found a website called between9and5.com, which was offering rooms at a couple of Toronto hotels for daytime use, including the Delta Toronto Airport West for $106.61 U.S. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We ran a USA Today story in Star Travel recently that talked about a company called dayusehotels, which operates around the world but not yet, it appears, in Canada. They're quite open about the whole thing, with descriptions about having affairs and arranging secret sex trysts and all. They appear to have nice hotels in New York City for daytime use for about $135 and up.

It's interesting, for sure. In fairness, I actually can imagine folks on a layover wanting to take advantage of an airport hotel, not just folks looking for a laydown with a friend or loved one. And the business angle works, too. I mean, you can get free Wi-Fi at the airport or at Starbucks or McDonald's but they don't seem to have appreciated it the time I've gone and stripped down to my boxers and stretched out on the bench with a pillow and all.

TENNIS STAR JUMPS INTO HOTEL BIZ

Tennis champ Andy Murray is planning to transform a former country house hotel in Perthshire, Scotland into a boutique five-star property.

The winner of the U.S. Open championship and Olympic gold medallist from London last year wants to re-open Cromlix House Hotel in Kinbuck, Scotland next spring, just in time for the 2014 Ryder Cup, according to travelmole.com.

Murray said the project, which will create up to 40 new jobs, enabled him to "give something back to the community I grew up in."

Athletes have been involved in travel and tourism for some time, but I haven't seen too many opening hotels. Mike Weir, Canada's one-time Masters golf champion, has a winery down in Niagara that's quite good. Ernie Els and Nick Faldo have wineries, too. But I think Murray is doing something a little different with his Scotland hotel.

Next year is a big one for Scotland in terms of tourism. There's the Ryder Cup, mentioned above, which features Europeans against Americans and is always a huge treat for golf fans. It's also, more importantly, a Homecoming year for Scots, with a huge, year-long lineup of parties and festivals and events to celebrate their "creativity, culture and ancestral heritage."

For more information, check homecomingscotland.com.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a seven-night Air Canada Vacations deal on tap for colourful Curacao for $1,613, including $214 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save up to $560 per couple, compared to what's available in market!
• BONUS: Includes FREE Upgrade to an Oceanview Room
• BONUS: Enjoy welcome cocktails upon arrival, free Casino Matchplay coupons, free shuttle service to downtown area, and more!
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 3.5-Star Hilton Curacao in Willemstad, Curacao
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Curacao, and round-trip hotel/airport transfers in Curacao
• Accommodations in a Oceanview Room, featuring 1 king bed or 2 double beds and balcony. Max. occupancy: 4 adults
• EXCLUSIVE to Air Canada Vacations: All Inclusive Meal Plan featuring daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• Curacao is an intimate, secluded Caribbean destination
• The Hilton offers special extras like welcome drinks and an exclusive cocktail party
• The hotel has a beautiful beachfront property on pristine Piscadera Bay

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on March 30, 2013
  (Other dates available. Call us at 1-855-687-5925)
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Toronto:
  Single: $1779
  Double: $1399        
  Triple: $1299    
  Quad: $1249    
  Child 2-12yrs: $499
  Child 13-17yrs: $1169    
  Tax: $214
• Upgrade to Oceanview Room is applied at time of check-in
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

We want WiFi! / Hong Kong, Massachusetts and Scottsdale news / Deal of day

No kidding.

An amenities survey by hotels.com shows free Wi-Fi tops the list of what Canadians want out of a hotel.

The survey found that 70 per cent of us named standardized, free Wi-Fi as our top wish list item for 2013. Which is no surprise given our dedication to email and iPads and the Internet. I still find it shocking that so many hotels charge people, although one can often get around that by joining a hotels' frequent stay program, such as the Presidents Club with Fairmont.

Similarly, when asked what amenity is a must when booking a hotel for leisure travel, 37 per cent of Canadians said free Wi-Fi. On the other hand, 38 per cent of us raised our hand for "happy hour and wine tastings" as our favourite, newly offered hotel amenity. And 46 per cent of us said they wish they saw more complimentary bottled water in hotel rooms.

Asked about hotel turn down service, 31 per cent of Canadians said it's not worth the hype. I agree. I mean, I get turned down at hotels all the time. Bah-da-boom!

Other findings:

31 per cent of Canadians hope for free breakfast in hotels.

26 per cent of Canadians say a high-end coffee maker or espresso machine is is our favourite "modern" amenity.

35 per cent of us don't think the mini-bar is worth the hype.

70 per cent of Canadians say they don't take anything from a hotel, but that toiletries don't count.

Finally, the survey found that the most outrageous hotel amenity Canadians are hoping to experience is the free use of a Rolls Royce Phantom. That got 54 per cent of the vote. I bet if you had free Wi-Fi in the Rolls it would've scored even higher. And a happy hour/wine tasting bar, too.

TOURISM UPDATES IN TOWN

It was a busy week for tourism folks in Toronto. Hong Kong took advantage of Chinese New Year to talk at a meeting Wednesday night about their plans for luring more Canadians to HK this year.

Officials said there were 48.6 million visitors to Hong Kong last year, up 16 per cent. Of those,  393,000 were Canadians. That's an increase of 4.4 per cent on the Canadian side of the equation.

Hong Kong will be sending out some new commercials and new You Tube videos soon, with plenty of sights and sounds to entice would-be visits; dragon boat races and shoppers and colourful festivals and food spots and plenty more. So keep an eye out for those.

Hong Kong is billed as Asia's World City, and it's one of those places that truly has something for everyone; awesome food, great shopping, incredible markets and fascinating neighbourhoods, plus beautiful beaches and islands and mountains and world-class hiking trails and great golf courses. It's one of my favourite places on the planet, with a great cultural mix. It's Asian enough to be foreign and exciting for Canadians, but western enough to be comfortable.

Earlier in the day, a dozen or so representatives from Massachusetts regaled a group of journalists with information about their offerings. We Canadians know a fair bit about Boston and something about Cape Cod, but I suspect most of us don't know a lot about the Berkshires in the west part of the state and the whitewater rafting and the mountain hiking and the pretty valleys and former industrial towns turned into artsy centres with romantic inns and a bustling music scene.

It seems that every year the famed Boston Pops (I didn't know this, but the Boston Pops is basically the same as the Boston Symphony Orchestra but with a lighter music style for summer time, emphasizing things like jazz or even rock and roll music instead of heavy winter fare like Brahms or Beethoven) sets up summer camp in the Berkshires at a place called Tanglewood. This year they'll team up with the likes of Megan Hilty of Glee and Vince Gill on opening night.. Of course, you'll often find James Taylor in the area, singing his song about the how first of December was covered with snow, and so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston" and how the "Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frostin." Apparently Taylor is working on a new CD/album and might not appear this year, however. Just so you know.

Anyway, there's tons going on in Massachusetts. Boston (see photo at left) is opening new parks and new museums and the seaport area south of downtown is booming with new restaurants and a new waterfront. Cape Cod is as pretty as ever, I suspect, with hundreds of miles of beaches and a national park/seashore. They're starting a new train this year from Boston to Hyannis on the cape, rumoured to be around $32 a pop for a 90-minute ride that will run from Memorial Day in late May to Labour Day in September. Sounds like a winner to me.

There also are beautiful coastline towns on the Atlantic, plus the historical Salem area that's famous for its witch trails and the Plimouth Plantation at Plymouth Rock, where Pilgrims landed from Europe almost 400 years ago.

Some 684,390 Canadians visited Massachusetts last year. Of those, about 302,000 were from Quebec and 216,000 from Ontario, which makes sense given Montreal is only a few hours drive from Boston.

All in all, quite a lot packed into a relatively small state that probably doesn't get its fair due.

Down in Scottsdale, there's always a ton going on. There's a new, fun restaurant at the Four Seasons called Proof, with casual attire and good whisky and a fun atmosphere that includes shuffleboard, a soda fountain, local beers and tables that slide around on railway tracks. It doesn't look anything like a Four Seasons restaurant, and that's a fun thing to see. This summer they'll be offering rooms on weekdays for $129 and weekends for $169; excellent prices.

There's also a new B and B in Scottsdale and a couple of new, fun and affordable smaller properties. There's a cool canal that runs through town and also a free trolley to get you around if you want to avoid walking, or don't want to drive after tasting some local beers or having a glass of whisky at the fabled Pink Pony restaurant and bar.

 

AEROPLAN'S SWEET OFFERING

Aeroplan has created a one time event in Toronto for a weekend in March; a chance to create your own personal perfume.

The  experience will be offered Saturday March 16 at noon, 3 p.m. or 6 p.m. and on Sunday March 17 at noon, 3 or 6 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel's Harbour Suite on the lakefront in Toronto.

For 23,500 Aeroplan miles, you'll get the chance to check out different scents and create their own, personalized 50 ml bottle perfume with perfume creator and international model Ruby Brown during a two-hour workshop.

It's billed as a unique and glamorous experience, and would surely impress a special loved one.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, which would hit the spot on a wintry, bitter cold day like today in Toronto. 

 

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: Includes 3 a la carte dinners, early check-in/late check-out, a bottle of rum per room, and more!
• BONUS: Sunwing's SMILE inclusions - Two children (2-12 yrs) FREE (just pay for flight)
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the SMILE At Casa Marina Beach Resort, located in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
• Includes return airfare from various gateways (see pricing below) to Puerto Plata and round-trip airport/hotel transfers in the Dominican Republic
• Accommodations in a Superior Gardenview room,  featuring 1 king or 2 double beds and balcony or terrace. Maximum occupancy: 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• With children's activities and special pricing, this resort is the perfect family retreat

• Puerto Plata is a haven of outdoor exploration
• You'll enjoy special extras like a welcome cocktail and 3 a la carte reservations

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  Toronto: March 17, 19, 24, 26, 2013
  Ottawa: March 15 & 22, 2013
  Halifax: March 12, 2013
  Charlottetown: March 5 & 12, 2013
  Montréal: March 19, 22 & 26, 2013
  Québec City: March 18 & 25, 2013
  (Other dates available. Call us at 1-855-687-5925)
  
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person): 
• Toronto:
  Single: $655 plus tax
  Double: $495 plus tax
  Triple: $475 plus tax
  Child (2-12): $295 plus tax
  Tax: $290

Ottawa:

Single: $655 plus tax
Double: $495 plus tax
Triple: $475 plus tax
Child (2-12): $295 plus tax
Tax: $291

Halifax:
Single: $655 plus tax
Double: $495 plus tax
Triple: $475 plus tax
Child (2-12): $295 plus tax
Tax: $392

Charlottetown:
Single: $655 plus tax
Double: $495 plus tax
Triple: $475 plus tax
Child (2-12): $295 plus tax
Tax: $390

Montréal:
Single: $955 tax included
Double: $795 tax included
Triple: $775 tax included
Child (2-12): $595 tax included

Québec City:
Single: $955 tax included
Double: $795 tax included
Triple: $775 tax included
Child (2-12): $595 tax included

 

 

 

 

West Jet ups the ante in fight with Air Canada, Porter ... Deal of Day is Turkey

Big news in the Canadian airline biz today, as WestJet takes aim at both Air Canada and Porter.

Calgary-based WestJet announced today it will start flying twice weekly between Toronto and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (see photo at right), beginning May 2. Air Canada doesn't fly that route but Porter does, out of the Toronto island airport.

Myrtle Beach folks are obviously excited to welcome hundreds more Canadians to their beaches, golf courses and fine restaurants each week.

The Star's Vanessa Lu reports that within Canada, WestJet also is increasing the number of flights between Toronto and Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon and Regina, and will introduce new non-stop service between Toronto and Fort McMurray.

The airline will also boost flights between Toronto and Orlando to 11 weekly from seven a week, which is great news for Florida fans.

It is moving service between Calgary and Los Angeles to twice daily from once a day. Beginning April 29, it is also introducing daily service between Calgary and Dallas-Fort Worth, which is a hub for WestJet’s code-share partner American Airlines, Lu reported.

A lot of that sounds like warning shots across Air Canada's bow to me. And let's hope it means an air fare war of some kind, as prices these days are crazy high.

The Financial Post is reporting that Encore will serve Fort St. John, Saskatoon, and Nanaimo, from Calgary starting June 24. The Post also said they'll provide Encore service between Vancouver and Victoria with a 78-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprop.

The airline has plans to expand the Encore service to several other routes including flights between Calgary and Edmonton, Regina, and Grande Prairie as of Aug. 13, the paper said.

Last week, WestJet reported strong profits for 2012 of $242.4 million, or $1.78 a share, up from $148.7 million in 2011. Still the airline is embarking on a $100 million cost-cutting initiative over the next three years.

CHAOS AT PEARSON

It’s not bad enough that ordinary Torontonians don’t know how to drive in the snow. It’s worse when folks at Pearson Airport can’t handle a dump of the white stuff.

It was chaos at Pearson on the weekend. Every time I turned on the news there was some poor schlep standing in front of a camera explaining how he’s been at the airport since 1998, or something like that, and was still waiting to take his trip to Florida.

“The bad news is I’ve had to wait 15 years for the de-icing equipment to work and for a new flight crew to arrive,” I thought I heard one man say. “The good news is I’m now 75 and I won’t have to take off my shoes when I go through security.”

It was not only crazy inside the airport, but a story in today’s Star outlines how folks had to wait hours and hours just to get their cars out of the lot at the Park'N Fly, which seems crazy.

A report on travelmole.com this morning says more than 7,000 flights were cancelled because of the winter storm that hit eastern Canada and the northeast U.S.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for spring and summer. Because all we’ve have to worry about then is flooding and thunderstorms and hurricanes.

CRUISE SHIP TRAGEDY

It was about a year ago that the Costa ship ran aground in Italy. Now comes word of another tragedy, this one, bizarrely, during a drill lifeboat usage.

The incident took place during a safety drill on the cruise ship Thomson Majesty while it was docked in Santa Cruz on La Palma in the Canary Islands.

The lifeboat fell into the water killing five members of crew and injuring three.

Nautilus International, the union for seafarers and maritime professionals, argues that more people get killed and injured during lifeboat drills than rescued by lifeboats.

Andrew Linington, head of communications, said: "This is just ridiculous. There have been dozens of fatalities in the last few years alone due to these drills.”

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has an offering for a trip to fabulous Turkey.

Jaunt Highlights

• 16-day/14-night Ottoman Discoveries Turkey Tour with visits to ancient cities, mosques, Turkish markets and more!
• Optional return air from Toronto to Istanbul via Air Transat. Land-only option also available.
• 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 based on double occupancy. See below for hotels included (or similar).
• Includes 40 meals throughout the tour

• 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 May 19, 2013
• Pricing (based on double occupancy):
  
  Land Only:
  Double: $2029 per person, tax included
  Single: $2679 per person, tax included
  
  Including Toronto Air:
  Double: $2609 + tax
  Single: $3259 + tax
  Tax: $457.60 per person
  
  
• 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 required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until Feb 13 at 5PM EST. After this time, this offer is 100% non-refundable