Porter Airlines CEO Michael Deluce talks openly to Open Jaw’s Nina Slawek about the airline’s regional hub strategy, including “seats flying off the shelves” at YXU, the success of the MET and YHU development, but then gets coy about possible expansion out west. “I always get in trouble when I pre-release stuff.”
Porter’s 20th anniversary merchandise was a hit, with 5,000 blind boxes flying off the shelves. Beyond the hyper-cute Mr Porter, President Kevin Jackson talks about shifting seasonal demand, the success of Montreal’s MET and the second winter sun lineup.
Travel industry entrepreneur Ryan McElroy tells Open Jaw’s Nina Slawek why the industry’s annual “pilgrimage” to Virtuoso Travel Week remains such a powerful business investment, and why we should all put down our phones more often.
Gail Banack, GM of Envoyage Canada, explains why the host agency’s decision to join with Travel Leaders Network is all about giving advisors more choice, not changing the Envoyage brand.
AirTrav’s Rob Kokonis’ surprising take on the WestJet flight attendant negotiations: “You agreed to that back in 2021.”
Maureen Barnes-Smith, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Canada, shares how Sandals is transforming three Jamaica “J3” resorts along with the Beaches bloom throughout the Caribbean.
Despite industry uncertainty, Goway CEO Dean Moore says the company is thriving, focusing on current growth as well as looking into ways AI can support travel advisors, not replace them.
After founding Intrepid in 2008, Steven Larkin is back as senior VP of global sales and partnerships. Larkin tells Nina Slawek that once the current headwinds pass, “demand is going to outpace availability.”
Ian Patterson takes a spin on the Pink Couch with an MSC update on everything from home-porting in the Caribbean to private island escapes. His primary message: “Travel advisors are in the business of making money. And cruising provides that opportunity.”
TTAND advisor Judith Coates tackles a number of sticky issues on the Pink Couch Podcast. On the topic of commission protection: “Even if the commission has been paid out, some suppliers will recall it. And that’s really hard to take when we’ve counted on that revenue for a few years.”