YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET: Just wait until ‘off-the-charts’ El Nino kicks in, scientists warn
Wildfires are burning in North America and Europe. Deadly heat waves have parked over cities and the world’s oceans are the hottest ever recorded for this time of year. A strengthening El Nino is forecast to be off-the-charts, spiking global temperatures and warping weather all over.
CANADA, NIGERIA EXPAND AIR DEAL, AIR CANADA EYES FLIGHTS
Canada has announced an expanded air transport agreement with Nigeria that allows for direct flights between Canada and Nigeria for the first time. With the news, Air Canada immediately announced that it intends to launch flights to the African country in 2027.
WINTER IS COMING: Why now’s the time to start planning for ski season
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ With the exception of my friend Terry who is already fine-tuning his snowmobile in the garage in anticipation of winter, most Canadians are still basking in this country’s too-short summer season to be feeling sentimental about snow.
EGYPT IMPLEMENTS DIGITAL VISA SYSTEM
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities has implemented a new Digital Visa-on-Arrival System, a key step forward in modernizing entry procedures for international travellers. The pilot phase of the new system began Aug. 1 at Cairo International Airport (all arrival terminals), the first of a nationwide rollout to other airports.
D.C. DOES DULLES: $20-billion makeover to make Washington airport ‘worthy’
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, United Airlines and the U.S. Department of Transportation will spend US$20 billion on a landmark transformation of beleaguered Washington Dulles International Airport designed to create a facility “worthy of the nation’s capital.”
LAST WEEK THIS MORNING: Aug. 3-7, 2026
A round-up of 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.
Check out our special inFocus Editions...
Just in case you missed yesterday’s stories…
ITALY ON RED ALERT: Tourists told to stay indoors
Italy placed all of its major cities under the highest heat alert Thursday as a blistering heat wave gripped Europe, setting a national temperature record in Austria, fueling wildfires in France and disrupting energy and transport systems across the continent.
UNION REVEALS WESTJET OFFER
Walking off the job for a day helped earn flight attendants at WestJet a more than 18% wage hike over three years and new compensation for duties the company hasn’t typically covered.
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME (IN BOSTON, PLEASE): Iconic Fenway is a big hit in Beantown
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ I hate the Red Sox. Beantown bums! Foes of the beloved Blue Jays. But, on a sunny summer afternoon, there’s no place I’d rather be than historic Fenway Park, home of the red stockings since April 20, 1912.
ANNIVERSARY CONJURES MAGICAL HARRY POTTER EVENTS
Every year on Sept. 1, fans around the world mark the day students return to Hogwarts. This year’s celebrations are especially meaningful as fans commemorate 25 years since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first brought the wizarding world to the big screen, and excitement builds for the forthcoming HBO Original series.
IS THIS THE MOST INTENISVE EXPEDITION EVER?
By WALLACE IMMEN/ A four-month voyage planned on Atlas Ocean Cruises’ newest ship promises to explore the cultures and tastes of places even the most seasoned travellers haven’t visited.
LISTENING IN: Sweet Caroline – where it began
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ If you’ve ever been to Fenway Park in Boston, home of the Red Sox baseball team (see previous story, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”), you’d know that the crowd sings “Sweet Caroline” each game after the 8th inning. That’s close to 38,000 people rendering the Neil Diamond classic into one of the world’s largest karaoke singalongs.