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Working in tourism, Holidays for Humanity, CEO, Aaron Smith is a very frequent flyer, he has traveled to over 60 countries and all but one continent. His business travel lifestyle has taught him the best ways to pack for work and the unexpected.

1. Accept a clean laundry routine

“Look at your itinerary and make sure you’re bunking down at least three nights in a row in the same place, within every 7 days,” he says. “Even though it’s pricey, hotel laundry will get you through. You can then get by on ‘5 of Each’ (5 pairs of socks, 5  shirts, 5 pairs of underwear, etc.) if you buy into a clean laundry routine.”

2. Pack Black

“Black is your friend,” he writes. “It matches everything. Johnny Cash had it figured out. I’ve yet to hear the compelling logic for any business sock colour other than black. One pair of black jeans, two black t-shirts, and business attire will get you through any long trip.”

3. Just use carry-ons

“I never check my bags, even if I’m going to Central America for a month,” Smith says. “I travel with a Kosan pack with front attaching laptop case, it fits in the overhead and my arms are free to hold a coffee and show my travel documents at the same time. The reduced hassle of never having to wait for bags, being the first guy through customs, and never dealing with the nightmare of lost luggage, has made me a believer. A suit is a suit: one is enough, but bring another sport coat. Wear the sport coat on the plane with a t-shirt or casual shirt, and pack the suit. Also, find a pair of workout shoes which can be casual walking or gym-ready.”

4. Charge up your batteries

“Know the capacity of your batteries in your rechargeables (shavers, cameras, iPods, etc.),” he writes. “You may be surprised by how long of a trip you can make without bringing the charger if you leave home with a full charge, but do make sure you have the right electrical ports for the countries you are visiting.”

5. Don’t bother with zip-lock bags, store liquids in tiny containers

“There is no need to pack home-size packages of toothpaste, shampoo, or pain-killers. Buy small containers, reuse past hotel products, or plan to pick up what you need in the destination. It’s bulk that’s easy to pick up anywhere, and next to no cost.”

6. Push your light limit

“Once every 3-4 months, remove the entire contents out of your briefcase. Challenge everything. When was the last time you touched it or used it on a trip? Throw it away or leave it at home if you will not need it overseas,” he says.

7. Pack duplicates

“Have a high-resolution scan of your driver’s license, your visa, passport, and credit cards on the SD card of your smartphone or on your computer HD,” Smith advises. “It’s a lifesaver if you ever lose anything.”

Don’t let a flight cancellation turn into a business nightmare.

Even after spending countless hours carefully plotting every step of your journey, an unexpected delay or flight cancellation can derail your well-laid-out plans. But a minor roadblock doesn’t have to result in a travel disaster. Taking a few extra precautions to dodge delays, knowing your air travel rights and arming yourself with insider tricks can help you stay calm and carry on when anxiety-provoking situations arise. 

Know your rights.

Christopher Elliott, a consumer advocate states that if your flight is delayed to the point it’s canceled, your carrier must provide you with “a seat on the next available flight on that airline or a refund”. While airlines are not obligated to compensate passengers for delays and cancellations based on federal regulations, carriers will often rebook passengers for no additional fee, even for nonrefundable fares – or offer a full refund. Depending on the carrier, you may also be able to get rebooked to your final destination with another airline. Check your carrier’s customer agreement – also known as a contract of carriage – for specific airline policies.

Check your credit card.

Don’t disregard any pre-existing travel perks your credit card offers, says George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com. Immediately file a claim with the airline after your flight is delayed or canceled, he says. Also keep in mind that with trip interruption coverage, if your flight is delayed for an eligible reason, such as a weather-related delay or a mechanical issue, you may be entitled to compensation. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Citi ThankYou Premier Card offer a $500 trip delay reimbursement for delays of 12 hours or longer. The catch: You must have used the credit card to book your seat, Hobica adds. Also, make sure to keep your boarding pass and travel documents on hand as proof of your claim for a disrupted flight.

Stay on top of it.

“Gate agents and airport staff are swamped, so I always call the airline’s customer service to get rebooked on the [next] flight,” says Matthew Kepnes, the author behind the budget travel advice site Nomadic Matt. “It’s quicker and easier than dealing with the long line of customers and a gate agent who is busy trying to shrink that line as fast as possible,” he explains. Another option: Rebook your flight with the airline directly using its affiliated app. Major carriers such as United and Delta make it easy to peruse alternative flight options and modify your reservation in the event of a delay on their apps.

Ask about meal or hotel vouchers.

When you’re faced with a severe delay of four hours or longer, ask about meal or hotel vouchers, Elliott says. “If the airline is authorized to give them to passengers, they will,” he adds. Keep in mind you shouldn’t expect vouchers to be doled out if you’re stalled for reasons outside the airline’s control like weather-related disruptions. However, in the event of a mechanical delay, the airline will typically cover meal, transportation and lodging costs, Elliott says. The individual rules are specified in the carrier’s contract of carriage. For example, JetBlue Airways outlines that passengers are awarded a $50 credit for delays between three and four hours and a $200 voucher for delays lasting five hours or longer.

Make your experience social.

Turn to Twitter and Facebook to dodge headaches and benefit from prompt customer service, Hobica says. Because the platform is public, it’s an effective platform to get the airline’s attention, he adds. Kepnes also suggests reaching out to your specific carrier on Twitter if you’re in a bind or need assistance. “Southwest, Jetblue, and Delta are very good at rebooking flights. I would always try to reach the Twitter team if possible,” Kepnes says. Just make sure to exercise good manners when utilizing social media. While it’s appropriate to detail any issues you’re experiencing, venting your grievances in a rude or verbally abusive tone will not help social media response teams resolve the dilemma faster.

Download the right apps.

You never know when a delay will strike. To stay prepared, download a flight-tracking app like FlightAware and rely on valuable tools like AirHelp, which gives passengers the power to check if they’re eligible to receive compensation for a delay or cancellation. If you believe you could be eligible for compensation, you can punch in information about your trip along with your flight number on AirHelp’s mobile app or website; then, if eligible, the company will file a claim on your behalf. “To make this process easier, AirHelp’s mobile app has a simple Boarding Pass Scanner that allows you take a picture of your pass and automatically uploads all the necessary flight details to file a claim through our service. It allows you to keep multiple passes on file, so [it’s] great for frequent fliers or families traveling together,” says Henrik Zillmer, AirHelp’s CEO, and founder.

Remember: Different rules apply for delays overseas.

When traveling overseas, there are different European Union regulations in place. Elliott says fliers should familiarize themselves with EU Regulation 261/2004, the rules for long delays and cancellations. In Europe, if you arrive more than three hours later than your original arrival time, you may be entitled to compensation, Zillmer says. The amount you may be entitled to receive in the event of a delay in the EU (anywhere from 50 to 600 euros) is based on a few factors, including your flight distance and delay length. “You have far more bargaining chips on international flights, and trips that include a stop in the EU,” Zillmer adds.

Negotiate with your carrier.

If your flight is canceled and you think you may be entitled to compensation, “don’t sign anything or accept any offers, including future travel offers, or other freebies and discounts,” until you have vetted all of your options, Zillmer cautions. “If you do, you could be waiving your right to further compensation down the line,” he explains. While U.S. airlines are not required to provide you with freebies, many carriers aim to aid inconvenienced fliers as part of their customer service initiatives and loyalty programs, he explains. “You’d be surprised how often gate agents and other airline representatives are receptive to your complaints,” Zillmer says. While airlines automatically rebook you, you don’t have to agree to their initial offer. “If you don’t like the new flight, you should immediately call the airline to ask for a different flight,” Elliott says.

Consider investing in travel insurance.

“It’s hard to say whether purchasing travel insurance is beneficial or not because every circumstance is different,” Zillmer says. In some instances, your policy could prevent you from being eligible to claim compensation at a later date, so it’s key to review the fine print of both your carrier and your selected travel insurance company to understand the policy conditions and what’s included – and what isn’t, he says. While you should always read the fine print, investing in travel insurance can be a wise move, especially if you’re continuing onward. For instance, in a case where your delayed flight causes you to miss your cruise, you can file a claim for reimbursement, Kepnes explains.

Hold onto your documents.

When you arrive at your final destination, make sure to keep copies of your boarding pass and other travel documents, Zillmer says. “Many airlines will reject a legitimate claim for disrupted flights if you don’t have these documents, so it’s important not to toss these documents until you’ve successfully completed your journey without any hiccups,” he explains. He suggests holding onto receipts in the event the delay winds up costing you. “You may be able to recover expenses caused by flight delays, including missed reservations for [your] hotel or car rentals,” he adds.

Located on the Pacific Rim, Vancouver, BC is the primary gateway between both Canada and Asia; and Canada and California’s Silicone Valley. It is become a major shipping port, with a growing financial sector. Home to approximately 3 million residents, Vancouver is consistently ranked in the top 5 most liveable cities in the world. It now boasts major tech offices including Microsoft, Amazon, and Hootsuite, as well as mining, forestry, and academic institutions. With this sharp rise in commerce, and population comes a demand for business services. This is where we come in. Worldgo Travel Management is a local company that is proud to be the best corporate travel agency Vancouver can offer.

Our reputation is based on  3 key service pillars:
Personalization. Convenience. Accountability.

Not only do we handle all facets of business travel but our team will also take care of meetings and conferences, incentive trips, and custom groups. We get to know your team, help establish standards of services, protocols, and work with you to ease the expense burden on your accountants.

And in the event something were to go wrong, we’re here 24/7 to get you home, or to on the next big business deal.

Regardless of whether you use Worldgo Travel Management or not, there are 5 things you should demand from any corporate travel agency in Vancouver:

1.) Travel Policy Creation

Someone who works with you to create a comprehensive Travel Policy, your blueprint to savings.

2.) Reward Points Management

Someone who maximizes reward points for quicker redemption, more upgrades, free flights and hotel nights.

3.) 24/7 Emergency Assistance

No matter where you are or what your situation, a team that is available 24/7.

4.) Negotiated Volume Discounts

Someone that negotiates corporate rates with hotels, car rental companies, and airlines on your behalf.

5.) On-Demand Reporting

Someone who gives you greater control with comprehensive reports available online or sent to your mobile phone.

Our Vancouver clients consistently tell us that we’re the best at what we do. We’re proud of these relationships, we’re proud to call Vancouver home and we’ll be just as proud to work with you, too. If your interest is piqued, we invite you to read more about:

Corporate Travel Management Vancouver
Innovative Business Travel Company
Booking Corporate Travel

Or contact us, today.

 

BEST NEIGHBOURHOODS TO STAY IN NEW YORK FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS

New York is a city that boasts of being one of the most expensive costs of living in the United States making it a gargantuan and herculean task to get a place to stay even for a short period of time. The city is a massive city and as a traveler, there are lots of places to choose from.

Trying to get a place in New York might be a tasking feat given the number of hotels and good neighborhoods to stay. It is a city of more than ten million people and we have a plethora of neighborhoods to stay. Now, knowing the neighborhoods alone is not enough. It’s knowing the good ones that will make one comfortable while on business. Some of the best neighbourhoods in New York for business travelers are:

EAST VILLAGE:

This is a neighborhood in New York City borough of Manhattan. It is defined as the neighborhood of the east of Bowery and Third Avenue between the Street on the North and Houston Street on the South. It is a part of the Manhattan Community district 3 and it has the Zip Code 10003 and 10009. This neighborhood is characterized by its good nightlife. The bars are excellent, one of the most prominent is speakeasies, they have amazing restaurants, where most delicacies are served, even the rarest Japanese food.

The thing that is ideal about this neighborhood is that it is, generally speaking, affordable. There are various hotels and apartments that can be rented for a short while, like the American Dream Bed and Breakfast; this place offers private rooms, and the breakfasts are well-reviewed, ranging from cereals to fresh-baked foods, among many others. There is also have the East Village hotels which have a fully equipped kitchenette, so, allowing you to save money on food when you are there. Then there is, of course, The Standard; ideal for those that love luxury, it is one of the best hotels in New York, its bars serve some of the best drinks in the district and it is always packed with fashionable set. It has easy access to the downtowns around it.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT:

Also known as FiDi is a neighborhood located on the southern tip of Manhattan Island in New York. It has at its boundaries West Side Highway on the west, Chambers Street and City Hall Park on the north, Brooklyn Bridge on the Northeast, the East River to the Southeast, and The Battery situated on the South.

This is a neighborhood that by design, caters more to business people. It’s now become a very popular place to live. It is central to head offices of nearly every large business corporations, and yet still has over liveability and comfort. One place that will be of great help to the traveler is Eurostars Wall Street; they offer consistent offers, good prices and amenities such as microwaves, which reduces money on junks, also, they have T.Vs in each room, including free Wi-Fi among other things. They also have luxury offers for those that like the finer tastes. Another option is the Club Quarters Hotel Wall Street, it has great rooms and it is close to many restaurants and bars.

TRIANGLE BELOW CANAL {Tribeca}:

TriBeCa, as it is called informally, is a popular neighborhood in Lower Manhattan. Regionally, and traditionally, its boundaries are Canal Street, Broadway, and Chamber Street. Tribeca is filled with former industrial buildings of a past era, and many have been converted into swanky residential buildings and lofts, making for unique apartments and ideal places to stay for short-term business travelers.

This also serves as a home base for various artists like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Jay Z among others. We have various hotels and apartments that come cheap like the Sheraton, a 4-star hotel with budget prices and with, modern rooms. It has easy access to the street and a Starbucks and it is also close to the subway, thus, it serves as easy transport. Also, we have the Duane Street Hotel; a boutique hotel that has classic and fantastic touches to it, you can use complimentary Ipads to go out for the day. Also, the Frederick Hotel is also a place that can be visited; it is located near the 9/11 memorial and museum. It is a great place offering air-conditioned rooms with sofa beds and even free Wi-Fi. They also have complimentary walking tours through the neighborhood.

Montréal is the heartbeat of French-Canada and the yin to Toronto’s yang. Greater Montréal is home to 4.2 million residents, and approximately 65% of the population has French as their first language. Montréal is famous for its jazz, it’s style, it’s food, and now has one the nation’s fastest growing tech sectors.

To visit Montréal is to put one foot in the unfamiliar. We put together a list of the best neighbourhoods in Montréal to visit for business travel. Places that blend access, convenience, amenities, and charm.

Old Montréal

Since 1605, this is the city’s oldest district. Originally founded as a fur trading post by Samuel de Champlain, Old Montréal is a blend of shops, bars, and cafés where locals and visitors interact seamlessly.

Cobblestone streets and fancy retailers have made this ‘the’ place to go for every first-timers visit to the city. Here’ll you find walkable areas free from cars, landmarks like the spectacular Notre-Dame Basilica, the Pointe à Callière museum, as well as the Old Port taking you back to a time when Montreal was a major shipping gateway to France.

Le Plateau-Mont Royale

This is hipster ground-zero, known as one of the ‘Hippest’ communities in North America. It’s a lifestyle that revolves around nightlife, counter-culture, and cafés. Here you’ll find beautiful parks, lakes, wide sidewalks, and wider bike lanes. The Plateau is youthful, artsy, and upscale without being garish. It anchors McGill University and is home to legions of students from one of Canada’s most distinguished universities. Landmarks include Schwartz’s deli and Saint Laurent Boulevard and rows of colourful Victorian style homes.

La Petite-Patrie

Just north of the Plateau sits La Petite-Patrie, and a unique melting pot of a community. Upscale and trendy meets Latino and lively. Here there are over 400 boutique shops, most independently owned and catering to unique tastes in style and interests. Here you will find a large Salvadorean community and some of the finest pupusas north of Central America.

Gay Village

“The Village” as it is known by locals, is a small but dense neighborhood along Rue Sainte-Catherine, straddling the Plateau and the St. Lawrence River.

Once a rough area, it has evolved into a lively dining, drinking and entertainment hub. There are close to 100 bars and restaurants that serve a diverse mix of locals, tourists, and the city’s largest LGBT community. This is a friendly community that welcomes everyone into its arms.

Here you will find public art displays, pedestrian-only zones, and an area that has reinvented itself around inclusion and pride.

Home to 6.5 Million residents, Greater Toronto is a sprawling metropolis and Canada’s largest city. It brings tourists and business travellers alike from all over the world. When visitors first stay in Toronto they often find themselves downtown among the cities bright lights. However, to know the city is to know that it is a unique collection of villages and communities, not unlike New York City. We’ve put together a list of what we think are the best neighbourhoods in Toronto for business travel. These are places that are convenient to access, filled with amenities and services that will make your stay enjoyable.

Harbourfront

If you are heading to Toronto for business downtown, Harbourfront is your playground by the lake. It is enjoyed by all Toronto residents, as well as being a popular destination point for tourists.

The Harbourfront neighbourhood stretches along the Toronto waterfront form Bathurst to Jarvis Street. Queens Quay is the main arterial east-west road that runs through this neighbourhood. Queens Quay has a dedicated streetcar line, along with dedicated car lanes and bicycle lanes which usher residents and tourists along its busy streetscape.

Some of the neighbourhood landmarks include: Queens Quay Terminal, Jack Layton Ferry terminal, Harbour Square, Redpath Sugar, Harbourfront Centre, HTO Park, Toronto Music Garden, Waterfront Community Centre and City School. Harbourfront sits steps away from the South Core, home to the city’s major sporting venues and glitzy nightlife.

Yorkville

Yorkville is one of Toronto’s most dynamic neighbourhoods. It is an eclectic mix of luxury condominium apartment buildings, commercial office towers, four star hotels, theatres, gourmet restaurants, a prestigious shopping district and picture postcard Victorian homes.

Yorkville anchors Bloor Street to the North, home to some of the cities finest shopping. The commercial heart of Yorkville is located on both Yorkville Avenue and on Cumberland Street. The transition to Yorkville’s quiet residential pocket is gradual, as Victorian houses shift from retail to residential uses in a seamless pattern that is uniquely Yorkville.

Roncesvalles

Those that travel to Toronto regularly often make their way to Roncesvalles. The ‘village’ is known for its European ambience and small-town feel.This neighbourhood is popular with hipsters and young families who appreciate the convenience of the location just west of downtown.The close proximity to High Park, Toronto waterfront bicycle and walking trails, easy access to public transit, and the Roncesvalles shops and restaurants have also become popular in recent years.

The Roncesvalles Polish Festival, which takes place annually in September, attracts thousands of visitors. Roncesvalles Avenue is closed off for this festival that includes Polish dancers, children’s games and rides, polka bands and lots of food and refreshments.
Roncesvalles Avenue is said to be a favourite among streetcar enthusiasts, who relish the fact that the stops are distanced far enough apart for the streetcar to build up some speed, and who appreciate the picturesque and lively atmosphere along the route.

The Beaches

The Beach looks and feels more like a lakeside resort town, than a big city neighbourhood. In the summertime, thousands of Torontonians and tourists flock to The Beach to walk on The Boardwalk, exercise along the Martin Goodman Trail, relax by the water, or shop and dine at the colourful stores and restaurants along Queen Street.

The social centre of The Beaches neighbourhood is Kew Gardens, which hosts many annual events including a Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting festival, a Jazz festival, and an Arts and Crafts show.

If you find yourself planning a trip to Toronto, contact us and we will be happy to make further recommendations.

Air New Zealand has joined Delta, Qatar Airways, Philippine Airlines, Turkish and Scandinavian Airlines as the next major international carrier to offer free unlimited Wi-Fi onboard its aircraft. As an industry, airlines are collectively discovering that Wi-Fi is now deemed as an essential service by passengers. This move comes at a time where they are actively unbundling, and in turn charging for many other services, such as free baggage and certain meals.

This comes after a 3-month test of free Wi-Fi, whereby Air New Zealand decided to expand the experiment. However, those flying with the airline may not have immediate free Wi-Fi access. It will be available on the airline’s new Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft. But Air New Zealand said to expect the services to take through the rest of the year for installation on older aircraft.

Travel and Leisure noted that “There are several different approaches to bringing Wi-Fi to passengers. Already, JetBlue offers free Wi-Fi for passengers. Delta’s CEO made an announcement this month that the airline plans to offer free unlimited Wi-Fi to passengers within the next year or two. Southwest, Alaska, and Delta already offer free messaging (on apps like iMessage, Whatsapp and Viber) via Wi-Fi, but passengers must pay for browsing capabilities.”

Below is a list of the airlines that offer free wi-fi:

• Virgin America (all flights)
• Airtran Airways (all flights)
• Qatar Airways (all flights)
• Turkish Airlines (all flights – for frequent flyers)
• Philippine Airlines (all flights)
• Scandinavian Airlines (all flights – for frequent flyers)
• Qantas (all domestic flights)
• Aer Lingus (Free for business class)
• Alaska Airlines (Free messaging)
• American Airlines
• United Airlines (depends on aircraft)
• Southwest (Free messaging)
• Delta Airlines (Free messaging; all flights free as of 2022)
• Air Canada (all domestic flights)
• JetBlue (all flights)

Wow Air to close operations

On Thursday, March 28th, Wow Air, the Icelandic budget airline canceled all flights, stranding over 1000 passengers.

Wow Air joins a growing list of low-cost airlines that have ceased operations citing financial hardship among rising fuels costs and over-supply. In recent years, Europe has aso lost Air Berlin, Primera, and Monarch to similar claims.

Founded in 2011, Wow Air became known for offering low-cost transatlantic fares to Europe via stopovers in Iceland. As Wow Air heavily undercut other airlines with it’s $99 fares, airlines such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic reacted competitively with cheaper tickets for those willing to go without amenities like checked bags and preselected seats.

After months of financial losses, Wow Air has ceased all operations, subsequently stranding more than 1,000 passengers on both sides of the Atlantic. The Icelandic budget carrier—known for its low-cost, basic services, $99 transatlantic flights—began canceling flights earlier this week and officially issued a statement Thursday morning informing its passengers to check if other airlines would issue “rescue fares” to fly them to their destinations. As recently as this January, Wow Air advertised its “lowest airfare ever,” with $49 flights from the United States to Europe.

While only a few ago, “Wow Air launched $199 one-way fares between the United States and India. But these low fares weren’t enough to save the airline, which suffered from poor customer reviews, rising fuel costs, and a recent dip in tourism to Iceland”, according to CNBC.

How can I get a refund for my flight purchase?

Passengers currently stranded since Wow Air ceased operations will be responsible for paying for their own return fares. However, Icelandair, Wizz Air, EasyJet, Norwegian, and XL Airways are all offering reduced “rescue fares” to help stranded passengers return home, according to the Icelandic Transport Authority.

Wow Air recommends contacting your travel agent to see if the ticket costs are covered by a travel insurance policy. However, keep in mind that most travel insurance policies bought in Canada don’t cover airline insolvency.

For future travel, Wow Air flights paid for via credit card, AirHelp, an air passenger rights company, recommends contacting your credit card company directly to see if it will issue a refund of the ticket cost for services left unrendered. But if you used a debit card to book your flight, it’s unlikely that you’ll get your money back.

What does this mean for the future cheap travel to Europe?

Now that Wow Air has shown that it’s business model isn’t sustainable, expect airfares to go back up. While those $99 fares to Iceland are likely a thing of the past, it doesn’t mean airfares to Europe will skyrocket now that Wow Air is done. In fact, according to a recent report from Hopper, flights to Europe are the cheapest they’ve been in three years due to such factors as Brexit and newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft.

Brazil is ending the visa requirement for travel from 4 nations, including Canada.

As of June 17, 2019, Australian, Canadian, Japanese and American tourists will no longer need a visa. The end of the 4-nation visa requirements came about as part of a larger announcement from the new Brazilian government. It stated that in-bound visitors from any of the 4 nations that arrive with valid passports are able to visit without a visa for 90 days, extendable for another 90 days, so long as the intention of travel is either leisure or business travel.

Travel Pulse cited that “a new Kayak survey revealed searches for flights have shown double-digit increases. The highest increase was registered in Australia (36 percent), followed by the United States (31 percent), Canada (19 percent) and Japan (4 percent).”

If the intention of travel is artistic or athletic in nature, exceptional situations of national interest are able to visit without a visa for 90 days, extendable for another 90 days.

Travel Pulse adds “When the move to the electronic visa process was made last year, there was a similar push from these four countries, boosting arrivals to Brazil. In 2018, the country received more than 715,000 tourists from Australia, Japan, the U.S. and Canada, a number 15 percent higher than in 2017. Specifically, the U.S. sent more than 500,000 tourists to Brazil in 2018, an increase of 13 percent. More than 71,000 Canadians headed to the country, 45 percent more than in 2017. Australia recorded a growth of 25 percent, and Japan, 5 percent.”

Travelers need not wait to June as the announcement has already seen a softening of the process and visitors can skip the immigration office line-ups and apply for a visa online in the interim.

From 2021, Canadian citizens will need to apply for an ETIAS Visa Waiver before traveling to Europe. Since the European Union made the announcement, there has been some confusion about exactly what ETIAS is. The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) will be very similar to the American ESTA Visa Waiver Program. It will not be a conventional visa, it will be a travel authorization.

In an attempt to reduce illegal immigration and improve border protection, the EU will be implementing restrictions for international travelers, including Canadians. The EU said the paperwork needed for the new ETIAS travel restriction is not a visa but is more akin to a “pre-travel screening” for travel benefitting from visa-free access.

There are a few key take-aways that every traveler should know:

What is the difference between a visa waiver and a regular visa?

There are several differences between ETIAS and a regular (Schengen) Visa.

ETIAS Applicants will not need to go to an embassy or consulate to apply for their travel authorization for Europe. Instead, applicants will need to complete the ETIAS application online and the process will not take longer than a few minutes.

The ETIAS Visa Waivers will be valid for periods of up to 3-years and will allow travelers to re-enter Europe multiple times over this period as long as the total number of days spent in the region does not exceed a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. Essentially 3 months within every 6 months. ETIAS Visa Waiver program visa will give travelers access to all 26 countries in the Schengen Area.

The Schengen Visa is currently the most common type of visa for Europe. They are also valid for stays of up to 90 days but expire after this duration. The application process involves going to an embassy or consulate of an EU country and submitting a range of documentation.

Which nationalities will need an ETIAS Visa Waiver and which need a Schengen Visa?

At the moment, all travelers who are not from visa-exempt countries need to obtain a Schengen Visa to be able to enter any of the countries in the Schengen Area. This will not change after the implementation of ETIAS. The nationalities who are currently visa-exempt, such as Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, will need to apply for an ETIAS Visa Waiver. Though more countries may be added to the list of ETIAS-eligible nationalities, the current list consists of all the nationalities which are visa-exempt at the moment.

Why is this being rolled out?

The main reason why visa waiver programmes are popular is that they strengthen border control. The EU realized the need to introduce ETIAS following a string of high-profile terrorist attacks in Europe. The participating countries will share intelligence related to terrorism and other security-related issues which will make it easy to pre-screen travelers during the application process. Anyone who poses a potential threat can be identified and prevented from reaching Europe. The other main advantage of a visa waiver program is how easy it is for travelers to apply.

Does this impact travel to the UK/Ireland?

Although the UK and Ireland are both in the European Union, neither country is part of the Schengen Area. They have their own separate immigration policies.

This means that neither the Schengen Visa or the ETIAS Visa Waiver will provide access to these two countries. However, many nationalities can currently visit the UK and Ireland without a visa and their lists of visa-exempt nationalities are practically the same as the rest of Europe’s.

When do I need to apply?

ETIAS has not been launched yet and no one currently needs one to visit Europe. At the moment, many nationalities can enter visa-free but others need a Schengen Visa.

ETIAS will be implemented in 2021 though the exact date has not been announced. Once it comes into effect, it will be a requirement for all travelers from eligible countries.

What are the costs?

One of the main advantages of the ETIAS Visa Waiver is that it is going to be cheaper than a Schengen Visa (approximately $110CAD). Applicants will need to pay a fee using a credit or debit card to submit their application.

The vast majority of applications will be quickly approved. When they are, the approved visa waivers will be sent to applicants by email.

After 1-October, 2019, travellers to New Zealand will need to register and pay an arrival tax before entry to the island nation.

Additionally, on the same date, visitors will be required to register with New Zealand’s new Electronic Travel Authority and paying the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. Only locals and visitors from Australia will be exempt from both steps.

This is an attempt to improve border security while improving infrastructure and conservation efforts in a nation known for feeling the effects of over tourism. New Zealand offers tourists a diverse array of experiences from the natural world to culturally rich and has seen it inbound numbers sky-rocket in the past decade.

Quite similar to the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System, travelers will need to fill out an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) form online before they can enter New Zealand. Although it is not a visa, the ETA will take approximately 72 hours to get approved and will cost NZD$9 (approximately $8.50CAD); if you register via the mobile app or NZD$12 (about $11.50CAD) through the Immigration NZ website. The ETA is valid for up to two years and towards multiple visits to New Zealand.

Here’s who will need to register for the ETA before landing in New Zealand in the future:

Visitors and anyone in transit from visa waiver countries, this includes Canada The United States, and United Kingdom.

• Cruise ship passengers of any nationality
• Australian permanent residents (non-citizens)
• Any cruise or airline crew members

Travelers with a valid New Zealand visa, New Zealand passport, or Australian passport will not need to register for an ETA. Those who do need to register and are traveling to New Zealand after October 1 will be able to request an ETA starting in July 2019 via the mobile app or website.

In addition, New Zealand will also begin charging most travelers a new International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) on October 1, to fund infrastructure and conservation projects throughout the country. All international visitors—except for Australians—will be charged NZD$35 (about $33CAD) per person. The government hopes that this new tax will bring in an additional NZD$57-$80 million ($75 million CAD) a year. The new tax will be collected when you apply for an ETA and also will be valid for up to two years and is applicable for multiple visits to New Zealand.

A boarding pass is your gateway to flying. It is a critical document with respect to inventory management, customer service, and security. It contains access to a passenger’s personal information, their flight details, seat selection, and in certain instances further security tagging or Secondary Security Screening Selection (SSSS).

There are now 2 types of boarding passes, a traditional paper pass, that requires printing, either at a self-service airport kiosk, or through an agent on arrival; and there is a mobile boarding pass. It’s a pass that uses scannable QR technology to authenticate the passenger. Both passes are used to validate entry into security checks and for boarding onto the plane.

Secondary Security Screening Selection

Sometimes your boarding pass will have a unique code on it, marked by ‘SSSS’. This stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection. This means that you have been selected for additional security screening and could even be re-directed to a secondary room for further surveillance and inspection.

The pros & cons of the paper boarding pass

Pros

• Paper boarding passes are cost efficient for the airline, especially when passengers print their own boarding pass. 
• They also reduce heavy infrastructure costs for digital upgrades at check-in. With that said, most airlines now offer mobile passes so any expense in technology is now a sunk cost.

Cons

• Passengers have to remember to check-in in advance of their flight.
• Passengers need to have access to a printer and provide the paper and ink themselves, to avoid being charged to print their boarding passes at the airport. Affordable access to printers equipped with paper and ink one can use to print one’s boarding pass can be difficult to find while travelling away from home, although some airlines have responded by allowing passengers to check-in further in advance.

The pros & cons of a mobile boarding pass

Pros

• Ideal for travellers without access to a printer, and can speed up the time at the check-in counter or self-service kiosk.
• Issuing electronic boarding passes is far more environmentally friendly than printing boarding passes, and consuming the additional ink and plastic required in the process.

Cons

• What if your battery dies between check-in and boarding? Make sure you always carry a charger before heading to the airport. 
• What if you cant access the Internet? Make sure you have taken a screenshot of your pass while you have Internet access.
• Using a mobile boarding pass can also be a challenge when traveling with multiple people on one reservation. However, most airlines allow easy in-app access to all travellers on the same ticket.

As a general rule, a passenger with an electronic ticket will only need a boarding pass. If a passenger has a paper airline ticket, that ticket (or flight coupon) may be required to be attached to the boarding pass for him or her to board the aircraft. 

If you have connecting flights, a boarding pass will be required for each new leg (distinguished by a different flight number, and a different time), regardless of whether a different aircraft is boarded or not.

The sharing economy has brought great choice for consumers. It is satisfying more demand every day. Taxis, bicycles, fashion and even private lending are all active verticals successfully operating in their respective industries. None, however, has achieved the same market penetration and disruptive ability quite like Airbnb. In 2018, they opened their 21 office around the world, achieved $1B in revenue, and is valued at over $30B.

When dealing with the public, especially on both sides of the fence, there is risk. Standards are incredibly difficult to streamline and trust is necessary to build inventory quickly. Issues become inevitable as people and business try to game the system. This adds unknowns to the purchase, and makes for important consideration in identifying what type of consumer one is.

In 2017, Travel blogger Asher Ferguson accused Airbnb of failing to close dangerous loopholes allowing for scams by hosts and putting greater risk on travelers. In countries like Canada, USA, and the UK, Airbnb does not require hosts to provide any form of identification. In fact, it is very easy for previously banned ‘accounts’ to recreate their listings in a new name, with a new email account, and new PayPal details. People could theoretically list a property they don’t even control. Undoubtedly, Airbnb has, and will, compensate against this risk, but if you are on business travel for 3 days of intense meetings, can you afford the inconvenience?

There are also legitimate unforeseen risks when you’re renting a space within a home. Homes and apartments can be subject to less stringent health and safety requirements. They are, after all, non-commercial properties. Cancellations due to issues like plumbing, heating, or electrical services will be far more common. Even basic items like a fully-functioning iron or a lock-box, may leave one disappointed or frustrated. What if you wanted to turn the heat up, does your room allow for you to control the temperature?

When one is travelling for business choosing cost and comfort is always key, but peace of mind may be of equal or greater importance. Airbnb can be a wonderful option if your travel experience comes with less in-destination pressure, meaning less demands on you, the traveller. Traditional lodging and hotel providers offer you more inventory options in the event you need a new room. They offer you managed expectations something and that’s you can call peace of mind.