TORONTO — For Kim Hartlen, hosting groups at Sandals Resorts is a no brainer. The Halifax-based travel advisor and owner of Kim Hartlen Travel first fell in love with the Sandals brand in 1997 during a personal vacation to Sandals Royal Caribbean. She was immediately won over by its five-star service and amenities and the feeling of “coming home,” a testament to the resort’s incredible staff and hospitality. Hartlen hosting a cocktail party during a recent group at Sandals Ochi and Sandals Dunn’s River Since then, the 32-year agent veteran has focused much of her efforts on promoting the ..read more

TORONTO — Porter Airlines has stopped selling Porter Escapes packages as of earlier this week. A spokesperson from the airline confirmed the news to Travelweek this morning that “no new packages are being sold through this channel, effective immediately” but that “all trips currently booked for future travel will be honoured.” A new version of vacation packages that includes Porter flights will be sold in the future, with a focus on warm-weather vacation markets that appeal to Canadians. According to the spokesperson, “Porter is refocusing its vacation packages offering on sun destinations ..read more

JARDINES DEL REY — Cuba’s annual tourism fair FITCuba, the biggest travel show on the island, took place this past week in one of the new tourism hotspots, Jardines del Rey (Gardens of the King) at the Hotel Gran Marena (now Melia Cayo Rey). Cuba gathered hundreds of delegates and media from around the world to showcase the destination’s tourism potential and promote new products and services, including new hotels, attractions, sustainable projects, and enhanced travel policies. At the 42nd edition of the International Tourism Fair, the Minister of Tourism of Cuba, Juan Carlos García Granda ..read more

SAINT JOHN, NB — The Saint John Airport has announced new regional air service providing weekday flights between Saint John, Halifax and Bathurst – providing much-needed air connections for New Brunswick travellers. Quebec-based PASCAN Aviation will launch the new regional service Sept. 9 with two daily return flights Monday to Friday between Saint John and Halifax along with one same-day return flight between Bathurst and Saint John every weekday. The flights mark the re-establishment of regional air service in New Brunswick after it was halted due to the pandemic. Saint John Airport Presi ..read more

OTTAWA — Canada’s Competition Bureau says it will begin a market study focused on the Canadian airline sector. It will look into the state of competition in the airline industry and how governments can make improvements. In a market study, the bureau examines barriers to competition, such as regulations or policies, within a specific sector. Melissa Fisher, a deputy commissioner with the bureau, made the announcement while testifying in front of a parliamentary committee studying airline competition in Canada. She said the bureau will look at improving competition for “the benefit of domest ..read more

TORONTO — RIU Hotels & Resorts has announced the retirement of CEO Carmen Riu.  RIU, who currently shares the position with her brother Luis Riu, will retire her executive and institutional representation roles at the company before the summer of this year. Luis will continue as the company’s sole CEO. Moreover, Carmen Riu has now assumed the role of Chair of the Group’s Governing Board. All members of the fourth generation of the Riu family have now also joined this body, marking the beginning of generational handover at RIU Hotels, a process that will be led by the family through ..read more

CALGARY — WestJet and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) have reached a tentative agreement on the first collective bargaining agreement between the organizations. IAM is the certified union representing WestJet load controllers. Both parties now await the ratification vote to be put forward to membership. “WestJet is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that recognizes the important contributions of our load controllers,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. “They play an integral role in the safet ..read more

MONTREAL — As part of a new initiative, Transat is highlighting new additions to its hotel portfolio. First up? Cuba. “Over the coming weeks, Transat will introduce these new hotels and its in-house specialists will explain what makes them stand out,” says the tour operator. Sol Caribe Beach Have a look … The One Gallery Hotel Opening year: 2023 Rating: 4.5* One-week packages from $1,089   “This Cayo Santa Maria hotel stands out from the crowd with its contemporary architecture and large-scale artwork displayed throughout the property. Travellers looking for an inspiring and sensory ..read more

Though still a relatively new cruise line, Virgin Voyages has quickly made its mark in the cruise industry, particularly among travel advisors who it refers to as ‘First Mates.’ In this week’s Take Five, we sit down with Sean Russo, Sales Manager, Canada, to learn more about how the cruise line has advisors’ best interests at heart, and what we can expect from the brand in the very near future. Sean Russo 1. Virgin Voyages is still considered a relatively new cruise line, having debuted in the U.S. in 2021 as a ‘hip’ adults-only cruise line. Would you say that the company has stayed true to ..read more

MISSISSAUGA — Travel advisors and their clients got a taste – literally – of TTC Tour Brands’ extensive portfolio last night at the company’s Mississauga Travel Talk event Part of a 14-city roadshow across Canada this month and co-sponsored by Tourism Spain, the Mississauga event welcomed top travel advisors – hand selected by Sales Managers in the region – and their clients for an intimate evening of refreshments, presentations and prizes.  A standing ovation for travel advisors 
 Brenda Bradley passes out olive oil samples To highlight its vast offerings in destinations like Spai ..read more