UNDER SIEGE: Trump takes aim at US national parks
- After firing hundreds of FAA air traffic controllers and personnel earlier this week – and as protests south of the border grow – the Trump administration has set its sites on the US National Park Service, dismissing about 1,000 permanent employees who maintain and clean parks, educate visitors and perform other functions – a move critics says will hurt tourism.
HIGH-SPEED RAIL: Feds unveil largest infrastructure project in Cdn. history
- The federal government is moving ahead with a high-speed, fully electric rail network between Quebec City and Toronto. The new system – to be called Alto – will slash travel times in half and get travellers from Montréal to Toronto in just three hours. Additionally, there will be stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Laval, and Trois-Rivières.
ATOUT FRANCE ‘KEEPING PACE’ WITH CANADIAN TRADE
- 2025 will be a year of continuing momentum for France, according to Atout France, which is rolling out across Canada this week with annual roadshow events in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. The forecast is no surprise after a robust 2024 when the country cracked the “magic” 100-million visitor mark thanks to such landmark events as the Summer Olympics in Paris, 80th anniversary of D-Day, and the re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral.
PEARSON DELAYS CONTINUE: Investigations continue into Delta crash
- Delays at Toronto's Pearson airport continued Wednesday as investigators worked to determine the cause of the fiery crash landing of a Delta Air Lines plane. Investigators with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said Tuesday they had recovered the plane's black box and sent it off for analysis, but it was too soon to say what led to the crash.
DUTCH TREAT: WestJet to launch Halifax-Amsterdam route in May
- WestJet is launching new service between Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). The new first-time service will operate through the airline’s 2025 summer schedule, with up to six-times weekly departures starting May 29. The flight will be the first between the two cities in 30 years.
BRAND USA TAPS FAULHABER AS CDN. PR AGENCY
- Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, has appointed Toronto-based Faulhaber as its new agency of record (AOR) for public relations in Canada. Faulhaber, which also has locations in Montreal and Vancouver, will work closely with the Brand USA team to share stories that highlight the USA as a culturally rich, diverse, and inclusive destination.
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‘I’M SCARED TO DEATH’: Trump begins firing FAA personnel
- The Trump administration has begun firing several hundred Federal Aviation Administration employees, upending staff on a busy air travel weekend and just weeks after a January fatal mid-air collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
CRASH INVESTIGATION UNDER WAY: Almost all injured pax released from hospital
- As the investigation into the cause of the crash of the Delta Air Lines flight that flipped and caught fire upon landing at Toronto Pearson continues, the airline said Tuesday that 19 out of 21 passengers initially taken to Toronto-area hospitals had been released.
SUNWING TAKES NEXT STEP IN WESTJET TRANSITION
- Starting May 29, all Sunwing Vacations package customers will travel on board WestJet Airlines as the airline fully transitions its aircraft to its parent company’s fleet. The latest step in the integration of the companies coincides with the launch of Sunwing’s initial 2025 summer schedule. Here’s what travel advisors, and their clients, can expect.
TRAVELBRANDS SETS SAIL WITH SHORE EXCURSIONS GROUP
- TravelBrands is setting sail with Shore Excursions Group, the world’s largest shore excursion provider. The collaboration brings a portfolio of over 4,000 tours in 300-plus ports worldwide, providing travel agents and their clients with high-quality, lower-priced excursions that enhance their travel experiences.
TOURISM INDUSTRY INVESTS IN JASPER RECOVERY
- A group of tourism companies have collectively pledged over $5.5 million to help the community of Jasper recover from last summer’s wildfire. Stuart Back, chief operating officer of the Banff Jasper Collection by Pursuit, said this initiative had been months in the making and required coordination between various stakeholders and organizations.
LOS CABOS TRIP PLANNING A DIGITAL DELIGHT FOR AGENTS
- The Los Cabos Tourism Board has launched a digital platform designed to enhance trip planning for both travellers and travel advisors. Featuring AI-powered tools, 360-degree virtual tours, interactive maps, and customizable itineraries, the platform simplifies the process of exploring the destination's offerings.