‘SHAMEFUL’ TREATMENT: Frustrated US destinations step up to court Canada
- By Michael Baginski/ Holding to account “the big orange elephant in the room” and the “shameful way the current president has represented us on the national stage as of late,” Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker says matter of factly that he “doesn’t blame anyone from Canada whose appetite for visiting the U.S. might have soured.”
CROSS BORDER TRAVEL TAKES ANOTHER HIT
- Travel to the United States took another hit in April as an "elbows up" attitude persists among Canadians, who eschewed the country amid anger over tariffs and annexation threats from the U.S. president.
NEW EXPEDITION SHIP FOR G ADVENTURES
- Proclaiming a “bold new chapter of polar exploration,” G Adventures will introduce a new expedition vessel for the upcoming Antarctica season. Currently chartered through Danish maritime company SunStone, the presently named ‘Ocean Adventurer,” will replace G’s ‘Expedition’ ship and take its name in tribute to the signature “little red ship.”
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
- This week: Travel Leaders Network has host of new supplier partners; Trevello celebrated in Jamaica with Sandals; Brand USA announced its FAM contest winners; two top Virtuoso execs have been promoted; and St. Kitts has extended its SKY Travel Agent Program, offering exclusive incentives for travel advisors.
IRISH EYES SMILE ON CANADIAN TRAVEL TRADE
- Tourism Ireland recently hosted its ‘Senses of Ireland’ roadshow in Canada, with over a dozen partners taking part (banner photo) and close to 200 travel advisors in attendance at events in Victoria, Kelowna, Edmonton, and Ottawa.
AN INDUSTRY FIRST: Hawaii taps tourists, cruise ships to fund climate change fight
- Lawmakers in Hawaii have passed a first-of-its-kind legislation that will increase the state’s lodging tax to raise money for environmental protection and strengthening defenses against climate change-fueled natural disasters.
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RAISING THE STAKES: WestJet edges closer to SkyTeam with Delta, Korean Air investment
- It was a busy week for WestJet, highlighted by the news that Delta Air Lines and Korean Air will strengthen their respective partnerships with the company through the purchase of minority equity stakes from the Onex Group, which will continue to own and control the Calgary-based carrier.
A SWIFT BOOT TO THE BOTTOM LINE: And where Air Canada has redeployed US capacity
- Air Canada lowered its financial forecast for the year as travellers continue to shy away from trips to the United States amid cross-border tensions, pushing the airline to hunt for demand elsewhere. The company's transborder bookings have dropped at least 13% for the next six months, chief executive Michael Rousseau said on Friday, prompting the carrier to cut flight capacity south of the border.
TRAFALGAR EXPANDS INTO RIVER CRUISING
- Known for decades for its land/coach tours, Trafalgar has announced that it is expanding into river cruising, starting in 2026. The company will debut in Europe with two river cruise journeys along the Rhine and Danube, with travel advisors now able to book the trips (ahead of the general public).
US TO SPEND BILLIONS ON TROUBLED AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
- The Trump administration has proposed a multibillion-dollar overhaul of a U.S. air traffic control system that it said still relies on floppy disks and replacement parts found on eBay and has come under renewed scrutiny in the wake of recent deadly plane crashes and technical failures.
DISNEY TO BUILD NEW THEME PARK IN UAE
- Disney is planning to build a seventh theme park in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The company says the waterfront resort will be built on Yas Island on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, which is already home to Formula One’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Ferrari and Warner Bros. amusement parks, SeaWorld and a waterpark.
ROUND-UP: May 5-9, 2025
- News nuggets, airlines, hotels/resorts, cruising, tours, events, FAMS/incentives, deals, destinations and more are covered in our weekly round-up of travel industry news you may have missed.