CP NewsAlert: WestJet, pilots reach 11th-hour deal
The Toronto Star
23-05-19 05:17
WestJet and its pilots' union have reached an agreement just in time to prevent a strike on the May long weekend. No further details have been released at this time.
I’ve found the secret to affordable solo travel
Telegraph
23-05-19 11:00
Travellers looking for a solo holiday option while avoiding single-occupancy supplements might consider cabin sharing, which can reduce holiday costs. After opting for a cabin share, the writer travelled on a restored boat visiting the Inner Hebrides, and found the option easy to arrange. Passengers sharing cabins should look for those with similar interests, and be tolerant of unfamiliar habits. While some holiday makers may not initially be comfortable with sharing a small space with strangers, the reduction in costs can make it worthwhile. Many tourism types now offer a cabin sharing option, including city breaks, adventure breaks, and trekking tours. Prices for a six night Tall Ship Sailing Skye & the Small Isles cruise sharing a twin cabin on the Blue Clipper with Venture Sail Holidays start from £1,760 per person, or £2,640 per person for single-occupancy of a twin cabin.
‘Everest is a magnet for inexperienced climbers – they are putting their lives at risk’
Telegraph
23-05-19 10:00
Mount Everest has descended from an unconquered peak to become a playground for wealthy adventurers. This year, Everest is in the spotlight as mountaineers try - and often fail - to break speed and altitude records, and inexperienced people try to attain grist for their social media accounts. Dan Stretch, operations manager at Global Rescue, who is currently deployed on Everest, said teamwork is at the crux of rescue operations. The strict policy of not forcing rescues is still held. Despite its high altitude, Everest attracts climbers with aspirations who "shouldn't do it just because it is the highest one, or because you get a certificate to put on Instagram," said Captain Maurizio, who has piloted the world's highest helicopter rescue. He said climbers should be trained, with more-accomplished mountaineers sharing their knowledge with others. More-accomplished mountaineers should teach climbers about acclimatisation, so the number of rescue missions prompted by a lack of proper acclimatisation can be reduced.
How Turkey became ‘Moscow on the Med’ – and what it means for your holiday
Telegraph
23-05-19 10:00
Antalya, Turkey has seen a significant increase in the number of Russian visitors recently. Following sanctions implemented due to the invasion of Ukraine in 2014, Turkey maintained a visa-free travel agreement with its neighbour enabling Russian visitors to travel more cheaply. Of the 13.4 million visitors who arrived in Antalya by air in 2015, three million were Russian; there were 213,000 Russians who flew into the city during the first three months of 2016, compared with just 89,000 Britons. Consequently personal and rental costs have risen dramatically in the area. This has occurred despite (or as a direct result of) the Turkish lira's devaluation making the cost of general living cheaper for the few British holiday home buyers who have chosen to stay in the area. The tourism industry within the city has thrived, and new hotels are already near completion. Despite the five suicide attacks in Turkey in eight months and violent events in Istanbul, which have impacted numbers of German and North African holiday makers visiting Antalya, visitor totals in the region have remained relatively stable with some hotels suffering only minor cancellations.
A paw-star review
Financial Times
23-05-19 09:20
Hotel chains are competing to attract the business of American pet owners, with 23 million US households acquiring a new pet since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Mars Pet Nutrition. A report shows that over half of Americans expect to take their dogs on holiday with them. Hilton claimed that "pet-friendly" was the third most popular filter on its website in 2021. However, travelling with pets can be challenging. Dogs struggle with time differences and changes to routine, and eating and elimination can also be problematic. Hotels are offering pet-friendly facilities, including experiences like "bark-uterie boards". Virgin Hotels Chicago is ranked as one of the city's most pet-friendly hotels by pet-care website, rover.com. Guests are not required to cage dogs in the rooms, nor are they banned from leaving them unattended. The Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago has weight restrictions of 25lbs on dogs. Over two-thirds of US households own pets, according to the American Pet Products Association.
Johnny Marr pays tribute after The Smiths’ bassist Andy Rourke dies aged 59
The Independent
23-05-19 09:13
The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke has died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 59. Johnny Marr, The Smiths’ guitarist, tweeted his sadness at the news, saying that Rourke was a “kind and beautiful soul” as well as a talented musician. Rourke played alongside Marr as well as singer Morrissey and drummer Mike Joyce, who played with Marr in a brief Smiths reunion in 2008. During his career, Rourke played with The Pretenders and Sinead O’Connor and was part of the supergroup Freebass.
Russia-Georgia flights resume despite protests, strained ties
Associated Press
23-05-19 13:34
Direct flights between Russia and Georgia have resumed despite protests and opposition from the South Caucasus country's president. Demonstrators gathered at Tbilisi airport to voice anger over what they described as the Georgian government’s pro-Russia course, while the country’s pro-Western leader, Salome Zourabichvili, tweeted her opposition. The Kremlin lifted its four-year-old flight ban and abolished visas for Georgian nationals in a surprise move from President Vladimir Putin, following a show of strength in a military parade with leaders from across Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
How far would you fly for football?
Financial Times Opinion
23-05-19 11:36
An Arsenal-mad travel guest managed to extend his holiday after Arsenal failed to make it to the League finals this year. At the beginning of his travels, he had planned to spend time in Indonesia before returning for Arsenal's final victory lap, however, when reality dawned and he realised Arsenal would not make it that far, he extended his stay. The guest cites the lure of travel being once in a lifetime as opposed to what could be annual football victories. The team missed out on any silverware this year, however, they did manage to extend one travel fan's trip.
Intentional Grounding: CFL coverage to take hit with fewer reporters on the road
The Toronto Star
23-05-19 11:00
Traditional news outlets' coverage of the Canadian Football League (CFL) is nowhere near as robust as it used to be due to shrinking newsrooms, trimmed budgets and changes across the media landscape. Several major-market outlets have cut back on CFL coverage in recent years as sports sections have thinned. Travel cutbacks and coverage concerns were raised on a recent FRC conference call, Hamilton said, adding talks on the subjects were ongoing between the CFL and the group.
I’ve found the secret to affordable solo travel
Telegraph
23-05-19 11:00
Travellers looking for a solo holiday option while avoiding single-occupancy supplements might consider cabin sharing, which can reduce holiday costs. After opting for a cabin share, the writer travelled on a restored boat visiting the Inner Hebrides, and found the option easy to arrange. Passengers sharing cabins should look for those with similar interests, and be tolerant of unfamiliar habits. While some holiday makers may not initially be comfortable with sharing a small space with strangers, the reduction in costs can make it worthwhile. Many tourism types now offer a cabin sharing option, including city breaks, adventure breaks, and trekking tours. Prices for a six night Tall Ship Sailing Skye & the Small Isles cruise sharing a twin cabin on the Blue Clipper with Venture Sail Holidays start from £1,760 per person, or £2,640 per person for single-occupancy of a twin cabin.
Qantas to double Japan flights in bet on global travel rebound
Nikkei Asia
23-05-19 16:41
Qantas Airways has announced it will double the number of flights to Japan from the summer of this year as part of its expansion into international services, in an attempt to benefit from the recovery in the travel sector. The Australia-based carrier will increase the flights to 28 a week from the current 14 a week, as it makes two flights per day between Tokyo and Sydney.
What’s the best way to Prague to watch West Ham?
The Independent
23-05-19 15:02
West Ham United is to play an Italian team in its first European final since 1976. The UK team has almost 5,000 tickets allocated for West Ham fans, which go on sale from 23 May through uefa.com. The match is to be held on 7 June at the Fortuna Arena in Prague.
Air Canada to launch non-stop, year-round service between Toronto and Yellowknife
The Toronto Star
23-05-19 21:13
Air Canada has announced new non-stop, year-round service between Toronto and Yellowknife, with flights three times a week. The airline has said the route will aid tourism and business in the region and that customers will be able to connect from Yellowknife to flights by partner carrier Canadian North seamlessly. The service is expected to start in December and flights will be timed for easy connections to Eastern Canada, the US and sunny destinations.
American Airlines and JetBlue must abandon their partnership in the Northeast, federal judge rules
Associated Press
23-05-19 20:45
American Airlines and JetBlue Airways must dissolve their partnership in the northeastern US, a US federal judge ruled on 14 January. Trial judge Leo Sorokin ruled the alliance between the airlines decreased competition in the airline industry, overruling the airlines' claims that the deal created a stronger competitor to United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The deal, called the Northeast Alliance, allowed the airlines to share revenue and coordinate schedules along Boston and New York routes. The Biden administration took an aggressive approach to the antitrust issues of the merger. The case went to trial in Boston last year and the partnership began in 2021.
Congo President Heads to China Amid Mining Contract Negotiations
Bloomberg
23-05-19 19:14
The Democratic Republic of Congo's president Felix Tshisekedi will travel to China from 24 May to 29 May. The two nations are seeking to conclude a renegotiation of a $6.2bn mineral-for-infrastructure deal. Congo is a key producer of cobalt, which is vital in electric vehicle batteries. Tshisekedi has previously suggested the agreement was "badly drawn up" and not beneficial. Tshisekedi will head to Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, meeting officials including China's President Xi Jinping and representatives of energy, mining, battery and tech companies. China and Congo conducted $21.7bn in trade in 2022.
White House reporters stuck with $37,000 bill after Biden cancels trip to Australia
The Age
23-05-20 06:11
The decision by Joe Biden to halt his trip to Australia has cost the media a wasted expense of up to $25,000 per person, wiping out costs for hotel bookings, ground transportation, a shared press filing centre, among other costs. Organised by the White House Travel Office, the now-cancelled charter flight cost $1.1m or around $21,000 per person for the 55 travel journalists who had reserved seats. Journalists will be immediately off the hook for a deposit of around $11,500 each and will be forced to scuttle for last-minute, alternative return travel plans from Hiroshima to Washington, losing some or all of the cost of their return flights from Sydney to Washington. Some correspondents fear the mounting expenses from such overseas trips will force their bosses to pull back coverage of the president on overseas trips, thus damaging chances of any future charter flights.
Why the best way to see Australia is on a cruise
Telegraph
23-05-20 11:00
With most of Australia's key attractions and cities located around its fringes, cruises (preferably topped and tailed with land-based touring) are a great way to explore numerous Down Under wonders in a single trip, writes John Lee in iNews. Although Brits tend to overlook Australia as a cruise destination, the country with the world's largest island has over 37,000 miles of coastline fronting the Southern, Pacific and Indian Oceans as well as several smaller seas. There are several types of cruises available in the country, from mega-ships with a plethora of facilities, boutique brands with a more refined air, and luxurious riverboats to expedition ships that can sail to remote places. The Kimberley, Western Australia's vast and sparsely populated wilderness region, is one such place and is best explored with Coral Expeditions, which has been cruising the area for four decades. A ten-night Darwin to Broome cruise with the company costs from £3,965 ($5,495) per person and departs between April and September each year.
Why West Wittering’s secret seaside neighbour is the UK’s ideal summer escape
Telegraph
23-05-20 10:00
Selsey is being described as a "quirky" destination for travellers seeking a less tourist-heavy town on the Sussex coast. Located at the end of the Manhood Peninsula, Selsey retains an air of seclusion and features a unique community of converted railway carriages dating largely from the 1920s. Film star Vivien Leigh and astronomer Patrick Moore once lived there. Divers can explore wrecks including the Mulberry Harbour, and take guided walks on shore, while visitors can indulge in gourmet food. Selsey's espousal of the alternative artist and maker community also means that art works are occasionally displayed in shop windows, adding an extra twist to the high street experience.
The death of the cheap European holiday – and the destinations where your money stretches furthest
Telegraph
23-05-20 10:00
The cost of travel, even budget travel, has surged since the pandemic hit, according to an article in The Telegraph. Airlines, hotels, travel agents and restaurants are scrambling to recover lost revenue, which has pushed up the cost of flights and accommodation across Europe by 23% since 2021, according to Consumer Choice. The Post Office reported that 27 out of 35 cities are charging more for hotels, and car hire fees in seven out of nine popular holiday destinations now cost over £100 more than before the pandemic. However, demand is still high due to people having built up holiday savings during lockdown and the high cost of living lingering in many households. Ground travel, such as train travel, has seen only a 3% rise in prices since 2019 and is expected to become more popular, given the rising cost of flights.
‘Our customers want to discover something that’s a little bit different, a little bit special’
Telegraph
23-05-20 10:00
Mr & Mrs Smith, the boutique hotel booking platform, has been sold to US hotel firm Hyatt for £53m ($70m). The UK-based business was founded 17 years ago by Tamara and James Lohan and began life as a guidebook, featuring hotels with a focus on romance and sensuality. The company now has more than 1.5 million members and some 1,200 partner hotels. The Lohans will stay on as CEO and chief creative officer respectively.