Demand for travel from Canada's east coast is surging, said Reese M. Morash and Kelly Neonakis Morash, co-owners of Halifax-based agency Travelbug Travel Group.
“Families and couples are now traveling multiple times a year, something we didn't see five years ago,” Neonakis-Morash said.
Morash attributes this trend to the continued pent-up travel demand observed in other markets across Canada since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
“For two years, people were in lockdown, and it was almost like a revelation: a sense of, 'I have to enjoy life as much as I can,'” he says.
In addition to traveling more frequently, Neonakis-Morash says customers are also willing to spend more to plan their dream vacation.
“I remember when everyone wanted a $1,200 or $1,500 trip and that was the limit and you were shopping around trying to find something that fit within that budget,” she says.
“Now they can come to us and tell us what they want from their trip. They can work within their budget range to get what they want. We are now able to respond more flexibly within the company.”
Reconnecting Atlantic Canada
This insight comes as air connectivity slowly (but surely) returns to Atlantic Canada. In the midst of the pandemic, Canada's eastern provinces faced near-isolation as airlines suspended routes and reduced flight frequency.
Air Canada released its summer international schedule earlier this month, revealing several enhancements that will benefit Atlantic Canada, including the resumption of Halifax-Vancouver service.
Meanwhile, WestJet wrapped up its East Coast tour this week, with the airline's CEO Alexis von Hornsbroek visiting Atlantic Canada for the first time, with stops in Halifax, St. John's and Newfoundland and Labrador. shared the latest information on new routes and connections.
This year, WestJet will fly non-stop from Halifax to 18 destinations, including six domestic destinations, one cross-border destination, three transatlantic destinations and eight destinations on the Sun.
Read more: WestJet Group's growth strategy comes to life in Halifax
The Calgary-based airline (which has drastically reduced service in Atlantic Canada during the pandemic) will fly to three transatlantic destinations this summer, including Halifax and Dublin, Edinburgh and London (Gatwick). Adding nonstop service between, plus seasonal service to Orlando and Cancun.
As part of the WestJet Group, Sunwing offers direct access from Halifax to Cayo Coco, Montego Bay, Santa Clara, Puerto Plata, Holguin, Punta Cana and Varadero.
The airline also maintains connections between Halifax and Western Canada, with annual flights to Calgary, a flight from Seoul, South Korea, and Tokyo, Japan.
WestJet has also invested in St. John's, with flights to London (Gatwick) resuming on Wednesday (May 1).
Other airlines are also expanding service to Atlantic Canada, including Porter Airlines, the only carrier between Ottawa and St. Paul. John's Flight is on sale and will be introducing Deer Lake to Halifax as a new destination.
Air Transat and Porter's codeshare agreement also allows Halifax travelers to combine Porter's domestic flights with Air Transat flights to Europe, the South, the United States, or Canada.
Toronto-based Canada Jetline also plans to land in Halifax this June with flights from Toronto to Halifax and from Halifax to Orlando, Fla., to support theme park and cruise customers in the province. is.
Demand for European cruises increases
All of this bodes well for a Halifax-based travel agency like TravelBug Travel Group. Since its founding in 2009, the agency has focused on luxury travel and group travel. While all-inclusive resorts and destinations were once the main focus, cruising has become a more important part of the business in recent years.
“There’s a demand for cruising, and we’ve really seen it in the last couple of years,” Morasch says. “Some of our customers do several cruises within a year.”
Morash said many customers are drawn to cruises because they offer the opportunity to visit multiple destinations in one trip without the hassle of hopping hotels or unpacking luggage. That's what it means.
“You can get a taste of different countries in one trip, and even plan to return and stay longer in a particular country you like,” he says.
Neonakis-Morash has also had great success in converting regular all-inclusive resort customers to cruising, as both types of vacations offer hassle-free convenience and attract many travelers. says.
“We find it's easier to move all-inclusive customers onto a cruise if that cruise line offers a really generous beverage package,” she points out. “They expect an all-inclusive experience when they move from resort to cruising for the first time, so we strive to minimize that shock.”
Neonakis-Morash says Europe is now one of the most popular destinations for Atlantic Canadians, both by cruise and by land.
“Most of the requests I receive daily are for Mediterranean cruises and overland trips to Ireland and Spain,” she says.
Morash added that many of TravelBug's clients are looking for a change of pace from their usual sunny destinations.
“People are very keen to explore something other than down south,” he says. “They’re getting a little more adventurous.”
High price and low lift are not a hindrance
Morasch said rising airfares don't seem to be deterring customers from booking trips to Europe, but many travelers are booking trips early to maximize savings. He said that it is now possible to do so.
“Some people don’t understand that, especially in Europe, you actually need to book a year to nine months in advance to get the best rates,” says Neonakis Morash. “Airfares are so high that we recommend booking as early as possible, which is what we do.”
Morash points out that Halifax serves as a travel hub for Atlantic Canada. Nevertheless, East Coast travelers know to expect multiple connecting flights to most destinations.
“We don't have elevators like in Toronto, so to get to Europe you have to fly into Toronto or Montreal and then fly back over Nova Scotia,” he says.
Morasch acknowledged that customers are aware of the region's shortcomings when it comes to air travel, but those who want to travel are willing to do so.
Neonakis-Morash is optimistic that Halifax's population growth will further increase demand for nonstop flight options.
“The population here has really increased in the last year or two,” she says. “I hope that as the area itself continues to grow, it will start to bring a little more vibrancy.”
With files from Michael Pihach.
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