Jim Bits for the Week: Silversea Free Wi-Fi, Ants on a Plane and the Toronto Maple Leafs

Silversea is taking its offer of free Wi-Fi to the next level. Starting with voyages sailing in April 2018, free unlimited Wi-Fi access will be extended to every guest throughout its fleet of intimate, ultra-luxury classic and expedition ships.

Since January 2016, guests have enjoyed at least one hour of free Wi-Fi per day. The new policy will provide each guest booked in standard suites with free unlimited standard internet access. Guests staying in larger suites (from Silver suites to the Owner's suites) will enjoy free unlimited premium internet access for up to two devices simultaneously per guest. Unlimited premium internet access is also available to purchase for guests wishing to upgrade.

"We know how important it is to catch up on emails or share photos on social media while on vacation," said Barbara Muckermann, Silversea's chief marketing officer. "Now, with free unlimited Wi-Fi in all suites, our guests can stay as connected as they like while they voyage to the most fascinating places on Earth."

Free unlimited Wi-Fi will be the latest addition to Silversea's existing array of all-inclusive shipboard amenities, which includes a selection of complimentary wines, premium spirits, specialty coffees, bottled water, juices and soft drinks; in-suite bar stocked with guests' preferences; in-suite dining service; lecture and enrichment programs; and round-trip transportation into town (in most ports for classic cruises), among others.

The government of Canada and Parks Canada today named 12 new "nationally significant persons, places and events that helped define Canada's history." Among them: the Dionne quintuplets, the Stratford Festival in Ontario and The Toronto Maple Leafs. Of course, we can all probably hear the jokes from around Canada about the historic properties of the Leafs and the failure to win a Stanley Cup since the days of Sgt..Pepper (1967) and prior to eight-track tapes and cassettes, let alone the Internet and Stormy Daniels. Also, it's worth noting that the Canadian government, obviously not wanting to upset the geographic balance of our great country, evened things out by not only honouring the Leafs but also giving Montreal's Expo 67 an historic designation. If you're curious, and you are, other designations announced this week include The Hudson's Bay Company, the Universal Negro Improvement Association in Canada, the Spanish Flu in Canada (1918-20) and literary critic Northrop Frye. Quite the eclectic collection…

Tahiti Tourisme has launched #TakeMeToTahiti, a digital content campaign starring travellers immersed in the iconic beauty and vibrant culture of The Islands of Tahiti. #TakeMeToTahiti is the follow up to the successful content series Two Stories/One Mana, which surprised and delighted three couples by dividing them, then having them participate in uniquely Tahitian activities showcasing the many sides of The Islands of Tahiti, and finally brought them back together to share those experiences with each other in a meaningful and emotional way.

Last year, after unveiling Two Stories/One Mana, Tahiti Tourisme launched a global audition to cast real couples and families as the stars of the digital video series promoting The Islands of Tahiti to audiences worldwide. The video series takes this group of people on a journey in The Islands of Tahiti capturing their immersion in its alluring beauty, unique French Polynesian culture, world-class luxury and verdant wild terrain. The campaign premieres today with the next three video chapters featuring couples from the United States and Brazil as well as a family from the South Africa and now residing in the United Kingdom.

Tahiti Tourisme Canada has launched an exclusive #TakeMeToTahitiCanada social media campaign in partnership with Darlene Anderson, a digital influencer known as @thenewgirldar, that inspires and guides those who travel the world via Instagram and Facebook. Through social media, specifically Instagram, Darlene Anderson will share the contest launch and select a winner. To be eligible, Darlene's followers will describe the destination in one word and use the hashtag #TakeMeToTahitiCanada, as well as follow Tahiti Tourisme Canada on Instagram and Facebook.

Once the follower is selected to win a once-in-a-lifetime grand prize trip to The Islands of Tahiti, Darlene will visit the destination with the winner. Similar to the travellers seen in the #TakeMeToTahiti videos, the winner will be able to enjoy some of the same islands, activities and accommodations, as well as new ones for a custom experience.

To learn more about Tahiti Tourisme's #TakeMeToTahiti, go to www.TakeMeToTahiti.ca.

We've had snakes on a plane. And drunks on lots of planes. Not to mention dying dogs and people getting dragged off of planes. Now we seem to have a case of ants on a plane.

CBC is reporting that a WOW Air jet that flew from Iceland to Montreal was held in containment at Dorval/Trudeau airport in Montreal for several hours late Tuesday night as officials "investigated an apparent ant infestation onboard."

Marco Lavecchia was on the five-hour WOW Air flight from Reykjavik when he woke up from a nap and noticed a commotion near one of the plane's overhead bins.

"There was some ants crawling around. It kind of freaked me out a little bit," he told CBC.

Canadian government agencies said the ants didn't pose any significant risk to public health" but that they were overseeing what the network called "pest management," including fumigation of the aircraft, baggage and personal items on the plane.

More planes and new routes seem to be getting added by airlines around the world every day. I read this week that United will soon start flights between Chicago and New Zealand. Air Canada in mid-May will start flying from Toronto to Providence, Rhode Island.

So, it's no surprise that world tourism numbers are up again. Reports this week say the global travel & tourism sector grew 4.6 per cent in 2017, outpacing global economic growth (up three per cent) for the seventh consecutive year.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) annual Economic Impact Research, the travel and tourism sector was responsible for the creation of seven million new jobs worldwide.

Travel & tourism was the fastest growing broad economic sector globally, ahead of manufacturing (+4.2 per cent), retail and wholesale (+3.4 per cent), agriculture, forestry and fisheries (+2.6 per cent), and financial services (+2.5 per cent).

Now, that's an argument for better funding for tourism to better the lives of Canadians if I ever heard one.

Brazilian Tourism officials say the country welcomed a record of 6,58 million international tourists in 2017. This was the largest number of international visitors ever; eclipsing the years of the Summer Olympics in 2016 (6.54 million) and the FIFA World Cup in 2014 (6.42 million).

Argentina remained as the top country for visitor arrivals to Brazil, with 2,62 million visitors, 14.3 per cent higher than in 2016. The United States had 475,200 arrivals and remains the second most important market to the Brazilian tourism industry.

In 2016, when the Summer Olympics were held in Rio de Janeiro, 70,103 Canadians visited Brazil. That number was down sharply last year, with just 48,951 Canadian visitors.

But officials noted that interest in visiting Brazil has picked up significantly since they dropped visa prices and brought in easy-to-obtain electronic visas. For February of this year, applications for visits were up 76 per cent in the four countries where e-visas can be obtained (Japan, US, Canada and Australia). Canadian applications in February were up 47 per cent in the month, they said.

Pack your bags and get on your to Ireland. Air Canada Vacations offers a new direct flight to Ireland from Montreal every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday during the summer season, from June 2 to Oct. 13. Ireland your way 2018 offers travellers a variety of possibilities with the Urban getaway, Fly & Rail vacations, Fly & Drive vacations, and Guided Tours travel options.

Create your Urban Getaway to Dublin, a city overflowing with history that will charm you with its vibrant pubs and fascinating museums. Personalise your experience with a vast choice of activities, such as a gourmet excursion or a full-day excursion to the Cliffs of Moher departing from Dublin. If the romance and comfort of the train are calling your name, opt for the Fly & Rail vacations option. Ireland from City to Nature offers an immersion in Irish history and culture. Start your trip in the country's vibrant capital, Dublin, followed by excursions to explore the surrounding countryside. Then, take the train to the city of Killarney,vhome to magnificent monuments that date back to the 19th century. In close proximity, you will find the stunning Killarney National Park.

If you love the freedom and adventure of the open road, then a Fly & Drive vacation is just what you need. The Taste of Ireland tour allows you to fly into Dublin and drive your way through the villages and picturesque scenic routes of the country, such as Galway, Limerick and Kerry. This getaway includes stops at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College and the Cliffs of Moher. Your package includes a direct flight from Montreal starting at $1,499 per person.