Fuel surcharges require operators to up their game: tourism group
14.05.2008 16:00
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- Source: cbc.ca
 Advocate Tony Marx says tourism operators will have to be more creative to earn new business from travellers. (CBC)New airline fuel surcharges will force tourism operators in Newfoundland and Labrador to be that much more creative to lure new business, an advocate says. "As we say here in the province, there's no accidental tourist that comes to visit Newfoundland and Labrador," said Tony Marx, manager of government and industry relations with Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador. Air Canada and WestJet have both unveiled new passenger surcharges in response to mounting fuel costs. The surcharges range from $20 to $60 for one-way fares, depending on the length of the flight and the carrier. With gas prices still high, Newfoundland and Labrador operators were counting on air traffic to carry much of the customer base for this season, Marx said. The surcharges, he said, will make marketing that much more important.  Traveller Christine Brubacher says she probably can handle the new surcharge fees.(CBC)"We all adjust to rising costs in one way or another. [The] tourism sector, tourism industry in general, is no different," he said. "Tourism is based on disposable income for people and we have to be more strategic, and probably a little more creative." Christine Brubacher, a traveller speaking with CBC News at St. John's International Airport on Monday, said the extra fees may not affect her plans too much. "In the end, probably not," she said. "It seems that prices probably fluctuate that much anyway. One day, you look at a flight and it's $200 less and the next time, it's $200 more." Traveller Karl Kavanagh agreed. "Honestly, I'm not all that surprised. You know it's going to happen sooner or later," he said. Air Canada introduced its surcharges of $20, $40 and $60 on Friday. A round-trip transcontinental surcharge is now an extra $120. WestJet followed with one-way surcharges of $20, $30 and $45 that came into effect on Tuesday. Post a commentPeople have commented on this storyRecommend this storyPeople have recommended this storyStory Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKStory comments (0)Sort:Most recent | First to last | Most recommendedPost your commentNote: The CBC does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that comments are pre-moderated/reviewed and published according to our submission guidelines. Comment:Characters allowed: 2500PostSubmission policyRelatedInternal LinksSurging gas prices could force frugal travellers to stay close to homeWestJet charges up to $45 extra due to rising fuel costsAir Canada surcharge a blow to tourism: N.L. consumer advocateVideo Zach Goudie reports for CBC-TV (Runs: 1:47)Play: Real Media »Play: QuickTime »Consumer HeadlinesTake 5 pennies off the gas pump, taxpayers federation urges Ottawa00The Canadian Taxpayers Federation, as part of its annual Gas Tax Honesty Day, will be paying the tax on drivers' fuel at some filling stations across the country Wednesday. Smart micro car earns top crash test scores in insurance testing00The 2008 Smart fortwo micro car has earned top scores in crash tests conducted by the U.S. insurance industry.Appeal Court to hear case of woman fired from Tim Hortons in toonie tussle00The case of a pregnant woman who was fired from a Tim Hortons store in Toronto for allegedly stealing a toonie will go to the Ontario Court of Appeal on Wednesday. La vieille capitale gets tough with illegal hotels00Quebec City is cracking down on a flourishing underground hotel industry.Sweat your way to a tax break, suggests Calgary MLA00A Calgary Conservative MLA, who got the legislative ball rolling on a province-wide smoking ban, is now proposing a tax break for fitness.Consumer Life FeaturesENERGYEthanol FAQThe merits of alternative fuel still hotly debatedTECHNOLOGYFast foodNew techniques for making fast food fasterTRAVELSecurityExpect delays: Countries tighten regulationsBLOGFood BytesNoodles and critters al frescoBLOGComm-OdditiesShipping containers could become condos in DetroitPeople who read this also read …
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