Jim Bits: Canadian Airline Growth to Slow Down, Earth Day News and More

The good times should continue for Canada's airline industry this year. But the growth rate might be less than half of this year's figure.

Last year, Canadian airlines met record demand with increased capacity, which allowed the industry to expand by 11.3 per cent. However, growth is expected to moderate to 4.9 per cent this year, according to The Conference Board of Canada's latest Canadian Industrial Outlook report on the country's air transportation industry..

"Some of the main tailwinds Canada's air transportation industry has benefited from in the past two years, primarily low fuel costs and a weaker loonie that is bolstering U.S. and foreign demand, will slowly reverse themselves over the next five years. But, this shouldn't put the industry's expansion and ongoing profitability at risk," said Sabrina Bond, Economist, The Conference Board of Canada.

The conference board said higher oil prices will lift the cost of jet fuel and weigh on industry profitability over the forecast. They also said pre-tax profits in Canada's air transportation industry are expected to reach $1.3 billion in 2018.

A new report on sustainable travel says 84 per cent of Canadians want to travel sustainably. But many of us say it's hard to follow through on those environmentally friendly desires.

The report, compiled by Booking.com in recognition of Earth Day, says Canadians definitely place a good deal of importance on sustainable travel, which could mean opportunities for travel agents. But 49 per cent of us say they never, rarely or only sometimes manage to make that happen.

The top reasons travellers gave for choosing eco-friendly places to say were reducing their environmental impact, wanting to have a "locally relevant experience" and "want to feel good about an accommodation choice."

Almost two-thirds of Canadians (64 per cent) said they intend to stay in an environmentally friendly property this year. A full 58 per cent of Canadians said they'd be willing to spend five per cent on their inn, hotel or private home if it meant travelling more sustainably.

A report from hotels.com finds that 126 of the world's top-rated hotels are in Canada.

The report looked at reviews conducted by hotel guests in the hotels.com Loved by Guests Awards. Guests placed 17 Montreal hotels in their "Most Wanted" list, followed by 12 in Quebec, 11 in Vancouver, nine in Toronto (including the lovely Ritz-Carlton) and eight in Calgary.

The U.S. had 1,498 properties on the "Most Wanted List," followed by Italy with 232, Great Britain with 192 and then Canada.

The top three cities in North America were New York (20 hotels on the top-rated list), Montreal and Chicago (both with 17).

Canada finished second in the Best of Ski category, with 14 hotels on the list in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.

And, as many of us know, ski season now extends into mid-April in southern Ontario.

Everyone starts somewhere and what better place to begin a career in travel than the George Brown Travel and Tourism Program in Toronto.

This week, the program celebrated their graduates at their Student Success and Industry Recognition Awards Ceremony. On hand was President and CEO of TravelOnly, Gregory Luciani, who presented the first-ever TravelOnly Scholarship award to Rosanna Contazio. Rosanna rightfully earned this award for being the top student in the program.

TravelOnly has long recognized the need for strong leadership and education to further the travel profession.

"Providing opportunities to the best and brightest in our industry is part of who are at TravelOnly," remarked Luciani, adding that "it was an honour to present Rosanna with her scholarship in front of hundreds of peers and faculty."

The George Brown program awards a two-year diploma at the completion of the course, where students learn about the exciting and diverse tourism industry with courses in culinary tourism, heritage tourism, sustainable tourism and urban tourism planning. Graduates gain the skills required to be progressive leaders within the industry, enriching the experience of tourists.

As an organization that prides itself on carefully selecting the best of the best, Luciani was impressed with the calibre of talent graduating from the program: "The future of our industry has never looked better."

The Crane Resort announces six exciting new specials for Canadians looking to spring into summer. Smart travellers who book from now until May 15, 2018 can enjoy The Crane Resort's laid-back luxury at irresistible prices.

April Flowers - Trade the Canadian rain for Barbadian sun with The Crane Resort's Spring into Summer special. Customers looking to travel from now until June 30, 2018 can enjoy 35 per cent off Contemporary Suites, 30 per cent off Ocean View Suites and 25 per cent off Garden View Suites plus an US $80 (approx. CAD $100) resort credit. This special applies to minimum three-night stays. To book, use code: SIS18

Summer for the week - Catch a taste of summer with The Crane Resort's Seven Day Summer Getaway package. The package offers 50 per cent off Contemporary Suites, 45 per cent off Ocean View Suites and 40 per cent off Garden View Suites plus complimentary breakfast for stays from July 1 until December 22, 2018. The offer applies to week-long stays checking in and out on Saturdays. To book, use code: 7SUM2

Swim, Eat, Relax, Repeat - Early bird bookers can save big on their next vacation with two of The Crane Resort's Save on Summer specials, with 40 per cent off Contemporary Suites, 35 per cent off Ocean View Suites and 30 per cent off Garden View Suites plus complimentary breakfast for stays from July 1 to December 22, 2018. This special applies to minimum three-night stays. To book, use code: SOSA

The Crane Resort is also offering a second Save on Summer special, with 45 per cent off Contemporary Suites, 40 per cent off Ocean View Suites, 35 per cent off Garden View Suites plus complimentary breakfast. This non-refundable offer is valid for travel from July 1 until December 22, 2018 and applies to minimum one-night stays. To book, use code: SOSN

Honeymoon in Paradise - Retreat to romance with The Crane Resort's Honeymoon Package, the perfect chance for newlyweds to spend quality time while enjoying the resort's natural beauty. For US $240 (approx. CAD $300) honeymooners can expect fresh flowers upon arrival, one room upgrade, one couples' massage and complimentary in-room champagne and breakfast.

All offers are not combinable with any other promotions and apply to new bookings only. Discounts do not apply to extra person charges or meal plans.

For more information contact The Crane Resort's reservation team at (246) 423-6220, [email protected] or book online at http://www.thecrane.com/

The TreadRight Foundation, created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation's family of brands, recognizes Earth Day 2018 by celebrating the TreadRight Wildlife Initiative.

As a travel organization, the TTC family of brands appreciate just how spectacular this planet is every day, taking great pride in creating experiences of a lifetime across the globe. Exploring the world and gaining a deeper understanding of each destination helps forge lasting connections to the history, culture and natural elements that makes each special.

Destinations across the planet are often defined by their iconic wildlife and many local populations are dependent on a robust ecosystem to make a living. However, wildlife crimes like poaching and animal exploitation threaten to harm these innocent creatures and even wipe entire species off the face of the planet. Earth Day 2018 provides TTC and TreadRight the opportunity to celebrate the incredible work of those leading the charge to defend animals in vulnerable situations, such as big cats, elephants, and rhinos.

As TreadRight celebrates Earth Day 2018, those travelling with the TTC family of brands can also rest assured they are helping to make a positive difference for our planet. Travelling with TTC's family of brands this Earth Day will help to fund The TreadRight Foundation's big cat conservation project, delivered in partnership with their Wildlife Initiative partners at the Wildlife Conservation Society.

"Through my years spent working across every environment imaginable, whether I'm telling the stories of people or wildlife, there remains one constant in any healthy ecosystem, no matter the habitat, from the oceans to deserts to rainforests; top predators are integral to robust and flourishing ecosystems," said TreadRight Ambassador Céline Cousteau.

"We need to remember the importance of top predators. We have put these vital animals at risk. It is our responsibility to save them. We have to remember the essentials of a human-nature co-existence. We need to tap back into the idea of balance and recognize that in a multitude of integral ecosystems around the globe, the survival of big cats is central to a healthy ecosystem."