The Canadian travel industry lost its share of luminaries in 2025. Here are some of them – all sadly gone, but certainly not forgotten.
Paul Jervis: An influential industry figure who was at the forefront of many of the paradigm changes that impacted Canadian travel and tourism especially in the 1980s and ‘90s. “He and Colin Hunter were visionaries,” said Susan Webb, President of VoX International. “When I look back on Adventure Tours and Jack Tar Villages, then ITH joining tour operators Sol-Vac, Adventure Tours, PS Holidays and Fiesta West to be a national company, it was amazing. And then Canada 3000 and Signature Vacations – it’s quite the story.” Jervis died in Mexico, on Feb. 4, after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
Casey Canevari: The travel industry on both sides of the border was shocked and devastated to learn of the sudden death of Brand USA’s popular Director of Global Trade Development (Canada). Canevari was struck with an epileptic seizure in Toronto at the start of Brand USA’s second annual trade mission to Canada on April 28 and died in hospital several days later. Sana Keller, president of Pulse Communications and Travel Marketing in Toronto, summed up a flood of condolences, writing on LinkedIn: “Heartbreaking news about our dear friend and fellow Board member on the Discover America Canada committee. Casey always had a smile on his face and loved the outdoors, always there to support and put Canada in the spotlight.” An emotional memorial tribute to Casey was held in Toronto in December.
Pierre Jean Jeanniot: A pioneering figure in civil aviation, Jeanniott played a transformative role as President and CEO of Air Canada and later as Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Among his many contributions, he was instrumental in developing the first modern black box, a major advancement in aviation safety. He passed away in Montreal on June 22, at the age of 92.
Pat Dineen: Everyman Pat Dineen could converse on almost any topic, from sumo wrestling to opera. And, of course travel, where he spent most of his career as the longtime editor of ‘the Blue Rag’ (Travelweek Bulletin). Dineen died in August at age 80 after a series of health issues that culminated in a cardiac arrest.
Duncan Bureau: Everyone knew Duncan. One of the true characters of the Canadian travel industry, Bureau died of a heart attack Dec. 2 in Mexico at the age of 58. Having started his career at Greyhound Bus Lines, he was most recently chief commercial officer at the Farenexus travel services company. But he was best known for his roles as one of WestJet’s start-up “cowboys” who helped put the airline on the map, and at Air Canada, ultimately as president of Air Canada Rouge; and more recently, Canada Jetlines. Along the way Bureau also worked at Canadian Airlines, Air Miles, and abroad at Etihad and Malaysia Airlines.
Also remembered: Ken Stewart, Crowfoot Travel; Amanda Strobl, TTAND.
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