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
The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance – which includes ACTA as a member – says a fundamental shift in traveller expectations is driving travel advisors worldwide to adopt transparent professional fees for their consultancy services, according to a comprehensive new study released today by the WTAAA. The study shows 95% fee adoption in New Zealand, 66% in Europe, and growing momentum across North America – though only around Canada (at around 50%) still lags them all – as travel advisors charge for expertise, not bookings.
Ottawa says it will work to align its flight security regulations with those in the U.S. after Washington dropped a rule that required passengers to remove their shoes during security screenings. Canada does not require passengers flying domestically or to non-U.S. destinations to take off their shoes for screening, unless a security officer decides it’s necessary. But those flying to the U.S. through the pre-clearance sections of Canadian airports have been required to remove their shoes.
BY THE NUMBERS
The travel and tourism industry is projected to serve 30 billion tourist trips by 2034, according to the World Economic Forum – a development that will generate significant commercial opportunities, but also the massive challenges. To support the forecasted boom, the industry will need to expand significantly – requiring an estimated 7 million new hotel rooms, 15 million additional flights annually, and investment in other infrastructure capable of meeting the booming demand.
AIR
Oneworld has welcomed Oman Air as its 15th member airline (photo above). As the flag carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, Oman Air strengthens the alliance’s presence across the Middle East and globally.
WestJet has released its 2025/26 winter schedule, featuring five new destinations. They include from Calgary – Panama City, Panama; Guadalajara, Mexico; Tepic (Nayarit), Mexico; from Toronto – Havana, Cuba; and from Montreal – Managua, Nicaragua. This winter, WestJet will operate 305 total routes and serve 62 Latin American, Caribbean, and US sun destinations, including flight-only options through WestJet and vacation packages through Sunwing Vacations.
Air Canada is adding flights to Latin America as it looks to diversify its global network this winter. The airline will resume non-stop service to Lima, Peru, this winter with twice weekly flights from both Montreal and Toronto as well as adding three new routes to Central America and Mexico including, Montreal-Belize, Toronto-Puerto Escondido, and Vancouver-Tepic, Riviera Nayarit.
DEALS
Travel advisors who book their clients’ Sunwing winter getaways early can take advantage of a limited-time deposit of $75 (reduced from $250); plus free checked baggage, a wider range of options when it comes to their preferred dates, destinations and resorts, additional savings, and more when booking by Aug. 3 for travel between Nov. 1 and April 30, 2026.
Air Canada Vacations has launched its first-ever Black Friday in July event, offering savings across a wide range of vacation packages. Until July 20, those head to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, Cartagena and more can enjoy savings of up to 40% on select packages while those going to Europe, Asia, North Africa, Oceania, or South America will benefit from a $200 discount per pair on eligible tour packages. And couples booking a Flight & Cruise package can save up to $200. Sun travel dates are through Jan. 31, 2016, while cruise and global travel must take place by March 31, 2026.
Through July 31, Ponant Explorations and Paul Gauguin Cruises are continuing special Canada Day offers for guests on 2025 and ’26 cruises, along with a up to a $500 gift card for travel advisors on deposited bookings. On Ponant, Canadian residents can save 5% on top of fares that already include up to 30% in Bonus Savings, while on Paul Gauguin, clients get the 5% plus a $500 shipboard credit. Use the promo codes CAN5PON and CANSBCPG respectively.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Sunwing Vacations has added the value-forward Grand Sirenis San Andrés resort to its offering in San Andrés, Colombia. Located less than 10 minutes from Spratt Bight Beach, the property is ideal for families. Sunwing is offering flights to the island destination, located off the coast of Nicaragua, from Quebec this winter.
voco hotels, the fastest growing premium brand in IHG global portfolio, has marked its entry into the burgeoning Canadian market with its first three regional signings. The new hotels in Niagara Falls, Toronto and Montreal, are scheduled to open in 2026 (the Falls) and 2027 respectively.
TOURS
The new 16-day ‘The Balkans: From Coastal Croatia to Legendary Greece’ tour by Collette winds through eight destinations across five countries, from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo and Athens (photo above). Starting at $6,999 p.p., the tour “tells the story of the Balkans through its people, places, and traditions that invites travellers to experience the region beyond the surface,” says Collette’s Diana Ditto. “Each destination reveals a new layer of the region’s identity, offering travellers a deeper understanding of its cultural fabric.”
Having joined forces in 2015, G Adventures and National Geographic Expeditions are celebrating 10 years of collaboration that has supported 25 social enterprise projects and uplifted over 50,000 local people around the world through community tourism initiatives. National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures and National Geographic Family Journeys have operated over 100 itineraries in 52 countries over the past decade, each centered around National Geographic’s legacy of science, exploration, education and storytelling.
CRUISE
MSC Cruises is bringing its MSC Yacht Club to MSC Magnifica as part of significant enhancements being made to the ship that will also see the introduction of new MSC Aurea Spa and MSC Gym Powered by Technogym. Later this year MSC Magnifica will undertake a substantial dry-dock refurbishment, transforming some of the public spaces, including the addition of MSC Cruises exclusive ‘ship within a ship’ concept. Sales are now open for guests wishing to book the MSC Yacht Club on MSC Magnifica starting from Summer 2026.
PONANT EXPLORATIONS has announced an extensive deployment of 48 voyages across 11 unique itineraries in Central America and the Caribbean for the 2026-27 Winter season. From November 2026 through April 2027, the line will operate 34 Caribbean voyages and 14 Central America voyages, providing unprecedented choice for sophisticated travelers seeking authentic, immersive experiences close to home, with the brand’s signature focus on transformative discovery.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Universal Destinations & Experiences have revealed that Chicago as the second location for its year-round immersive horror experience Universal Horror Unleashed. The permanent entertainment venue is Universal’s first branded experience in the U.S. Midwest and will transform a vacant commercial building directly across from the new Bally’s Casino, into a world-class horror attraction and entertainment destination. The experience, slated to open in 2027, will include “terrifying mazes and unforgettable scares,” plus themed bars and unique food and beverage offerings.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is set to launch the “ultimate recognition experience” this summer for Canada’s top-performing travel trade professionals. Dubbed the “Vegas Insider Club,” the exclusive, year-long rewards and recognition program is highlighted by a VIP Incentive FAM, scheduled for November for the top 10 booking agents (Jan.-Sept. 2025 bookings). Another will take place in May 2026. For details and to enroll, register online at www.TrackMyLasVegasBookings.com and enter your bookings (as far back as 24 months).
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
VoX International has announced Noah Case as its new Account Executive, Eastern Canada for Tourism Australia, based in Toronto. He will support Tourism Australia’s travel trade efforts in Eastern Canada alongside Paul Larcher, the Tourism Australia Account Director for Canada, while working closely with Gustavo Inciarte, who continues to support the tourist board in the Western Canada market based in Vancouver.
TTC Tour Brands has announced changes to its sales team in Canada with the hiring of Michele Kempf as Sales Manager representing Atlantic Canada and Quebec. Kempf joins the team following the recent retirement of Ken Nickerson from his sales manager role after 16 years with The Travel Corporation. Based in Halifax, Kempf brings over seven years of experience in the tourism industry with a strong background in sales, operations and client relationship management.
DESTINATIONS
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has launched a new summer thematic promotion, “Hong Kong Summer Viva”, teaming up with theme parks, attractions, transport operators, hotels, restaurants, and retailers to present more than 150 summer offers and spending discounts for visitors and locals to stimulate summer spending across the city. The offers are available from the designated webpage of “Hong Kong Summer Viva.” Details of the offers are now available on the “Hong Kong Summer Viva” webpage HERE.
Lerwick Distillery is the first whisky distillery in Shetland, Scotland, and the most northerly whisky distillery in the world. The distillery itself is currently being assembled and is due to go operational later this year. In the meantime, visitors have the rare opportunity to see how it is all coming together by joining a behind the scenes tour and savour some of Lerwick Distillery’s inaugural releases.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1975, archaeologists working near the ancient Chinese city of Xian uncovered a huge collection of 6,000 terracotta warriors. They were built to guard the tomb of an ancient emperor.
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