EUROPEAN TRAVEL HEATS UP: And it’s not the weather
As millions of travellers head abroad during the peak summer holiday season, Europe has reinforced its position as the world’s leading leisure travel destination, capturing one-third of all global leisure travel spending in 2025, according to new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
CANADA TOPS FOR LGBTQ+ TRAVEL SAFETY: ITB survey gives global analysis of ‘dynamic’ travel sector
A two-year comparative survey by ITB Berlin highlights new developments in perceived safety for queer travellers worldwide. Among them: Canada, along with The Netherlands are the highest rated countries in the world, while perception of the U.S. continues to drop.
A STICKY WICKET: My attempt to get googly with Goway (replay)
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ As the eyes of the sporting world fall on Goway’s 25th Annual Cricket Match with Air New Zealand today (Aug. 20) in Toronto, I’m inspired to look back at my own participation in the esteemed event some eight years ago, which I chronicled in a column that has proven to be one of my most popular.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: Air Canada Vacations takes to performers to Portugal; Travel Nevada launches the Specialist Challenge in Canada; TTAND registers an ACV honour; Unique Vacations has dropped dates for more Sandals Masterclasses; and Cunard has a new rep for Canada.
MSC OFFERINGS CAN BOOST AGENT REVENUE
MSC Cruises is enhancing its air-inclusive offerings for Canadian travel advisors with expanded Fly & Cruise and Flex Air and programs that create new opportunities to increase earnings while delivering greater convenience, flexibility and customization for clients.
PARTNER OF THE MONTH: Sunwing offers Grand Palladium incentives
Sunwing Vacations’ Partner of the Month for August, Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts is offering clients and travel advisors exclusive incentives for bookings made in August for travel through Oct. 31, 2027.
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MISSED OPPORTUNITY: Why Canadians aren’t participating in Indigenous-led tourism
More than half (57%) of Canadians are interested in participating in an Indigenous-led tourism experience the next time they travel within Canada, yet fewer than one in five (18%) have ever done so, according to new Angus Reid research commissioned by Intrepid Travel, which says that’s a missed opportunity for the travel trade.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS: Virtuoso 2026 awards celebrate the best in luxury travel
Virtuoso concluded its 38th annual Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas with an elegant awards gala honouring the advisors (including a few Canadians), member agencies and preferred partners whose contributions strengthened the luxury network and the broader travel industry over the past year.
GUYANA’S TOURISM RISE SETS STAGE FOR CTO CONFERENCE
Guyana is preparing to host the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), Oct. 5-9, amid record-breaking tourism growth, which includes a double digit increase in Canadian visitations.
SUSAN LAWSON RECOGNIZED WITH EXPANDED ROLE AT TREVELLO
Trevello Travel Group has announced the promotion of Susan Lawson to Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Partnerships. Previously Director of Engagement, Lawson will lead sales, marketing, supplier partnerships, events, training and mentorship at the Canadian-based host agency.
EASY-PEASY: WestJet Vacations has new self-serve cancellation option for agents
WestJet Vacations’ new self-serve cancellation feature for travel advisors makes it easier to manage eligible vacation package bookings directly through the WestJet Vacations Agent Portal.
AI HELPFUL, BUT CAN’T CLOSE THE DEAL
Most travellers expect artificial intelligence to play a limited and carefully controlled role in travel planning, with human judgment, personal experience and independent verification continuing to dominate decision-making, according to the Global Rescue 2026 Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey.