PAXnews - Sunwing launches WestJet Vacations Québec; Travelport and WestJet sign NDC content agreement; Wyndham and Decameron team up

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Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Sunwing launches WestJet Vacations Québec

Sunwing Vacations Group has launched WestJet Vacations Québec, a new vacation provider offering all-inclusive packages to 20 sun destinations and hundreds of resorts tailored to Québec clients and travel advisors. WestJet Vacations Québec will offer winter vacation packages across the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico.

Travelport and WestJet sign NDC content agreement

Travelport and WestJet have announced the signing of a new long-term content distribution deal. The renewed partnership between the two will pave the way for WestJet to improve its retailing capabilities as both companies start to collaborate on the future delivery of New Distribution Capability (NDC) content and servicing.

Wyndham and Decameron team up to expand all-inclusive offerings

Wyndham Rewards members can now access more all-inclusive offerings thanks to a newly formed alliance between Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and Decameron All Inclusive Hotels and Resorts. The deal expands Wyndham’s all-inclusive offerings to more than 50 resorts globally.

Envoyage wraps Worldwide 2024 event in Santiago

Envoyage recently wrapped its Worldwide 2024 event in Santiago, Chile. Taking place from May 1 to 4, it hosted 300 travel professionals from the U.S., Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Couple denied reimbursement for cancelling booking on an already cancelled pandemic flight

A recent ruling found that the couple would not receive a refund because they cancelled their 2020 booking when WestJet had already cancelled the flight. In a confidential decision obtained by The Canadian Press, a complaints resolution officer said the pair only qualified for a voucher.

Air Canada extends suspension of Israel flights to August

Air Canada has extended its suspension of flights to Israel, pushing back the planned resumption by another month to August. The next flight from Toronto is now scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, and the next flight from Montreal is now scheduled for Monday, Aug. 12, 2024.

WestJet boosts Calgary connectivity with enhanced winter schedule

The WestJet Group has announced enhancements to its transoceanic and leisure travel offering out of Calgary with its winter 787 schedule. The airline will offer year-round service between Calgary and Tokyo, and an increase in daily connectivity between Calgary and Paris and London (Heathrow) airports.

Dondra Ritzenthaler takes over as CEO of Azamara Cruises

Dondra Ritzenthaler has officially stepped into her role as Azamara Cruises’s chief executive officer. A travel industry veteran with more than four decades of experience, Ritzenthaler has become known for her passion, positivity and dedication to travel partners.

Agents explain the benefits of being home based

The recent National Travel Agent Survey — an independent nationwide survey of almost 700 Canadian travel agents — had a few questions where agents had the opportunity to write in their comments. Agents were asked the following questions and encouraged to write about how they felt, rather than just a multiple-choice answer.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

A Western debut: Celebrity Edge now taking travellers to the edge of Alaska

Celebrity Edge has debuted on the West Coast with sailings to Alaska from Seattle. The modern luxury ship briefly stopped in Vancouver over the weekend (May 10 and 11) to celebrate her new route. PAX was there to connect with the Celebrity Cruises Canada team, as well as Laura Hodges, the cruise line's president. “I know our guests are going to love her," said Hodges.

Operations won't be impacted by rejected agreement, says WestJet

WestJet Encore pilots have rejected the tentative agreement presented to them last month. Of the 92 per cent of eligible pilots who cast ballots, 53 per cent voted against the agreement. In response, WestJet said the pilots’ decision would not impact operations.

Competition Bureau to study Canadian airline sector

Canada’s Competition Bureau said it will launch a market study focused on the Canadian airline industry. The initiative was announced by Melissa Fisher, a deputy commissioner with the bureau, while testifying in front of a parliamentary committee that started its own study of the same issues after Lynx Air folded in February.