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.
NEWS
Airlines in India suspended flight operations from more than two dozen airports across northern and western regions of the country amid heightened tensions with Pakistan. In advisories to passengers, key domestic airlines said their flights would remain suspended until at least Saturday from airports including Amritsar in northern Punjab and Srinagar in India-controlled Kashmir, bordering Pakistan.
As agents celebrated Travel Agent/Advisor Day on May 7 with a host of events across the industry, ACTA launched a social media contest offering the chance to win a stay at several top Caribbean resorts. Continuing through May 15, agents are invited to participate by following @ACTACanada_ or @ACTAQuebec on Instagram. Valid for a year, travel advisors could win a three-night stay for two at Secrets St. Lucia or Secrets Aruba, or a 5-night stay for two at Dreams Playa Esmeralda Punta Cana.
CRUISE
AmaWaterways is rewarding new business generated during the month of May with digital gift cards. For every new booking on a 2025 departure, advisors will receive a C$100 gift card, while those who book one of the company’s Hot 100 Dates will receive a C$200 total gift card. In addition, to make it easier for clients to plan ahead, reduced deposits are available on all 2025 sailings, excluding Africa. Deposits are now C$250 p.p. for Europe, Colombia and Mekong itineraries, and C$750 per person for Egypt.
To help travel advisors close sales on 2025 sailings, Windstar Cruises is offering reduced cruise deposits of only $50 p.p. to lock in a 2025 cruise departure. The reduced deposits run through June 30 and are valid for cruise departures 90 days out from confirmation. The offer is combinable with the ‘Pick Your Perk,’ which has been extended through June 30.
BY THE NUMBERS
Emirates says it is the world’s most profitable airline, having reported annual profits of $5.2 billion. The Dubai-based carrier served 53.7 million passengers out of its hub of Dubai International Airport, compared to 51.9 million passengers in the fiscal year prior.
AIR
Air Canada’s winter sun schedule for 2025-26 reflects the carrier’s largest network expansion to Latin America to date with 16% more seat capacity over last winter. Highlights of the carrier’s new services (photo above) include new destinations Rio de Janeiro, Cartagena, Guatemala City, and Guadalajara. As well, 13 new routes including Santiago, Pointe-a-Pitre, Fort-de-France, Nassau, Montego Bay, and Huatulco are being introduced, along with additional frequencies to popular vacation destinations. In total, Air Canada will offer over 55 daily flights and more than 80,000 seats weekly from its gateways across the country.
Air Transat is adding a Latin touch to its winter 2025/26 route network with the addition of new service between Montreal and Guadalajara, Mexico. Starting Dec. 13, travellers can fly non-stop from Montreal to Guadalajara, twice weekly on Thursdays and Saturdays.
New York-bound passengers with Porter now have a new option with flights to LaGuardia complementing the carrier’s existing Newark service. And with LGA flights departing from Toronto-Pearson, travellers can also choose an alternative departure point to the Big Apple than Billy Bishop island airport. The service operates three times daily (morning, afternoon and evening) into the newly renovated LaGuardia, with the airline operating out of Terminal B.
DEALS
Oceania Cruises’ new “Fleetwide Sale” features up to 30% off on more than 200 sailings departing through March 31, 2026. Additionally, bookings made by June 30 will feature a free beverage package, shipboard credit of up to US$800, which can be used for spa treatments, culinary classes, or small-group shore excursions, plus 50% reduced deposits (excluding Brazil).
Through June 2, travellers can save up to 75% on the second guest and get an additional $400 off per sailing with the Celebrity Cruises Spring Sale.
TOUR OPERATORS
In celebration of its milestone 50th anniversary this year, Air Canada Vacations is introducing two new initiatives designed to recognize and reward the company’s most dedicated travel partners: the Top 50 Ambassador Program and the inaugural ACV Agency Awards Program. The ambassadors will be treated to exclusive events, special incentives, and curated gifts, each chosen to reflect their loyalty and impact. Additionally, the Agency Awards Program will recognize and reward exceptional performance and dedication of partner agencies across several categories. More information on qualification and nomination criteria is to come.
Throughout May, Sunwing Vacations will be giving away 31 prizes and up to 8X STAR Points when advisors book their clients at over 50 resorts. Prizes include several 7-night hotel stays at properties in popular sun destinations, including Mexico, Jamaica and more, plus gift cards ranging from Indigo to President’s Choice, Petro Canada and The Keg. For every eligible booking advisors secure by May 31, they will be entered into the prize draw. Each Monday, the winners from the previous week will be announced on the Sunwing Vacations Group – Travel Advisors Facebook page.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
When Walt Disney created the original Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California seven decades ago, he established the template for the modern theme park and ushered in a new era of experiential entertainment. The legendary park will present a 70th anniversary extravaganza and “celebrate happy” with a series of special events starting May 16 and continuing throughout the summer.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Sandals South Coast, JamaicaCanadian travellers can save on stays at Sandals Resorts this summer with the new exclusive “From Maple Leaves to Palm Trees” offer, which gives guests instant savings of between $500 and $900 at seven select Sandals resorts offered through Air Canada Vacations in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Curaçao, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Travel is valid through Oct. 31. Travel advisors can also earn Points to Paradise by simply registering the ACV booking on the Sandals TA Portal within 30 days of making it.
Famed rail operator Orient Express has opened its first hotel. Located in Rome, the Orient Express La Minerva reflects the company’s iconic history and refined approach to travel as befitting its home in a revived a 17th-century palazzo in a city that has been an essential stop for Orient Express travellers dating back to 1883. Situated in the very heart of the city at Piazza della Minerva 69, the hotel is steps from the Pantheon and within easy walking distance of Rome’s cultural treasures. The hotel houses 93 rooms and 36 suites – each space entirely singular in scale, layout, and in “spirit.”
FAMS & INCENTIVES
In celebration of its 55th Anniversary, Goway is giving away $550,000 to its travel advisor community. As part of the promotion, every travel advisor that is a member of the GowayPro Loyalty Program will receive $20 on their personal account. Once they accrue a minimum balance, travel advisors can then redeem their funds on a Virtual Rewards Card. For full terms and conditions, visit GowayPro.com.
For every CIE Tours vacation booked in May, travel advisors will be automatically entered into a daily drawing for a chance to win a $100 e-gift card.
The Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) has launched its ‘May Sale’ for travel agent partners to take advantage of exclusive offerings of at least 25% off thousands of hotels in top global destinations. Agents have until May 26 to take advantage of the booking offer, available for travel through Sept. 30.
EVENTS
Skal Toronto is inviting members and guests to its annual luncheon at The Boulevard Club on May 27 from noon to 2 p.m. With cocktails on the deck over looking the lake, followed by lunch, the event “offers the perfect setting to connect, network, and celebrate the Skal spirit,” says Skal. Cost is $100 for members, $110 for guests and parking is free. To attend, click HERE.
Emerald Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours are set to host a series of 21 complimentary River Cruise Information Sessions taking place across Western and Eastern Canada from May 20 to June 12. Designed for both travel advisors and their clients, the in-person events are “a valuable opportunity to strengthen client relationships while providing expert guidance and added value to their travel planning experience,” says the company. Space is limited. For dates and places, and to register, go to www.scenic.ca/riverevents and/or www.emeraldcruises.ca/riverevents.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Virtuoso has announced the appointment of Úna O’Leary as VP, global partnerships. Based in Toronto, O’Leary has been the organization’s first general manager, Canada, playing a pivotal role in establishing this country as its own market within the Virtuoso network. In her new role, O’Leary will oversee the continued expansion of Virtuoso’s preferred partner portfolio across the world.
Elvi Cal is retiring after 38 years at TravelBrands, joined by 43-year industry veteran (23 of them at the company) Lina Côté. Both of them are feted as industry leaders having provided “exemplary service” for decades, according to the company, and both will continue to offer support for TravelBrands as independent consultants. Replacing Côté in a new role is Christian Roussin who as Director of Sales (Quebec) & Strategic Development, will assume the responsibilities previously held by Côté.
DESTINATIONS
Visit Orlando reports that the destination welcomed 75,333,800 visitors in 2024 – an increase of 1.8% over 2023. Canada remained the top international market with 1,290,300 (up 2.7%), followed by Britain 907,900, then Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. “Canadian visitors are vital to our tourism community,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO for Visit Orlando, adding, “We remain fully committed to the Canadian market in 2025, with marketing efforts actively ongoing.”
Washington D.C. is set to become the epicenter of global LGBTQ+ celebrations May 17 to June 8 during WorldPride, an event that promises to be a beacon of unity, diversity, and resilience and which organizers say will transform the city into a “vibrant tapestry of love, acceptance, and cultural expression when the world needs it most.” The event also marks 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in Washington, DC, a city steeped in the history of LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy. For more, visit HERE.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1836, Europe’s first railway began operating in Belgium.
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