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
Air Canada says more customers whose flights were cancelled during last week’s strike will be eligible for reimbursement for alternative travel and out-of-pocket expenses. And that includes passengers who booked their original Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge flights through a travel agency. Affected travel agent clients – as well as those booking through Aeroplan and those who purchased tickets from the company directly – can seek reimbursement through Air Canada’s online form.
Customers looking to lodge a complaint with the regulator over their experience during the Air Canada flight attendants’ strike should prepare for a wait. The Canadian Transportation Agency says its backlog of air travel complaints stood at about 85,000 as of Aug. 14, two days before the strike started. The backlog has been growing since the federal government passed rules that came into force in 2019 that set compensation amounts for flight delays, cancellations and the like.
AIR
WestJet and Copa Airlines have announced an interline agreement that will significantly enhance connectivity across both carriers’ networks. The agreement allows WestJet guests to seamlessly travel beyond its newly announced destination, Panama City, with access to 37 Copa Airlines destinations across Central and South America. Additionally, Copa guests travelling north will gain access to WestJet’s extensive North American network. WestJet announced new service between Calgary and Panama City beginning Dec. 13 operating four times weekly this winter.
Air Canada’s 10,000 flight attendants began voting on Aug. 27 on a new tentative agreement that raises wages and establishes a pay structure for time worked when aircraft are on the ground. The proposed deal must be ratified by the flight attendants, with a voting continuing through Sept. 6.
New service from Porter Airlines between Ottawa and Fort McMurray will begin Nov. 17 with three weekly round-trip flights (Mon-Wed-Fri). Porter is the only airline offering nonstop service between the two destinations.
BY THE NUMBERS
According to IATA’s World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) report for 2024, the US remains the world’s biggest aviation market with 876 million passengers in 2024 on the strength of its domestic market, growing 5.2% year-on-year. China was the second-biggest passenger market, with 741 million passengers, a growth of 18.7% compared to 2023.
DEALS
Based on new booking made through Sept. 26, Collette clients can save up to $1,500 with the tour company’s Worldwide Offer, for travel Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. For journeys to Africa, Asia, South America, the South Pacific, and the Middle East, savings can reach up to $1,500 per couple, while for Canada, the US, Europe, and Central America, travellers can save up to $1,000 per couple. First-time travellers can save up to $1,500 per couple using the promo code HELLO2026. Returning travellers can receive up to an additional $800 per couple in savings using the promo code HELLOAGAIN. Past travel history will be verified by Collette to confirm eligibility.
In September, Viking is offering an ‘End of Summer Sale’ across all its travel categories: River, Ocean and Expedition. It includes up to free airfare, reduced fares & $25 deposit
TOUR OPERATORS
Goway Travel held its annual exhibition cricket match gala with Air New Zealand at the Toronto Cricket Club recently, carrying on a 21-year tradition of not only sport, but fellowship and industry partnerships. With over 100 staff and travel trade partners on hand – some jetting in from as far away as Vancouver and the U.S. – the match-dinner event is a highlight on the calendar for staff and friends of Goway. This year the Air New Zealanders (photo above), led by airline account executive Mason Spencer, emerged victorious.
A new multimedia content series that explores the lives of local individuals that guests meet on tours has been launched by Insight Vacations. Dubbed “Encounters,” the stories are designed to go beyond the brochure to capture the heart and soul of each destination through immersive video, editorial features, and striking photography, offering in-depth trip insights. The first three episodes of Encounters revolve around Alaska, where audiences get to know Martin Buser, a four-time Iditarod champion and world record-holding dog musher. To explore the Encounters series, visit the content hub HERE.
Wilderness Group has acquired Edinburgh-based MV Luxury Travel (MVLT), an inbound luxury tour operator specializing in customised direct-to-consumer holidays across the UK and Ireland, primarily serving high-net-worth travellers from the North America. Founded in 2019, MVLT has experienced growth in recent years and will join the Wilderness Group brands, bringing further scale and operational expertise in premium custom travel.
HOTELS & RESORTS
New to Sunwing Vacation’s winter 2025-26 lineup in the Dominican Republic is Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana. Perfectly located in the tranquil enclave of Cabeza de Toro, the brand-new, adults-only resort is designed to blend modern comforts with nature-inspired details, offering vacationers an ideal, secluded beachfront escape. The resort features open-air lounges, multiple ocean-facing pools, and activities such poolside yoga, beach bonfires, pottery classes, paint-and-sip sessions, and cocktail or pastry-making workshops. A highlight of the property is El Huerto, the eco garden where travellers can participate in a gastrobotany workshop followed by a unique hand-to-table culinary experience.
W Hotels has officially opened its first all-inclusive hotel. W Punta Cana marks a major milestone in the Marriott brands’ expanding portfolio beyond urban hotspots, escapes, and residences to debut in the adult all-inclusive segment. W Punta Cana features 340 stylishly appointed guest rooms and suites, each starting at a spacious 65 sq. m. Additionally, 46 suites feature exclusive swim-up pools, including select suites with full-sized private pools, further elevating the overall guest experience.
CRUISE
Priority booking access for Celebrity River Cruises opens at 9 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Guests who place a fully refundable $500 deposit will receive early access to book a 2027 sailing ahead of the general public and will be among the first to receive the highly anticipated itinerary and stateroom details. More information about Celebrity River Cruises, including destinations, fleet size, ship details, shore excursions and more, will be announced when the ships open for booking.
Reservations are now open for Carnival Cruise Line’s new ship Festivale, launching in 2027. The ship will make its way home to Port Canaveral with a 15-day transatlantic voyage from Southampton, England on May 2, 2027, and then begin cruising from Port Canaveral with its first sailing – a four-day Bahamas cruise – on May 19. The ship’s primary cruise schedule will offer a comprehensive selection of six- and eight-day Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
“The most horrifying time of the year” is underway at Universal Orlando Resort with the kick off of Halloween Horror Nights, which on 48 select nights runs through Nov. 2. Guests will find 10 all-new haunted houses (photo above) inspired by pop culture greats, scare zones, and new street experiences where menacing creatures will stalk their every move, live entertainment, and more.
INCENTIVES
The “Let’s Get Ready to Bundle” promotion from Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) encourages travel agent partners to combine travel products together (e.g. flight + property + car) in one transaction to create the perfect trip for the traveller and a chance for the travel agent partner to win exciting prizes. Ongoing throughout September (for travel through April 30, 2026), the promotion pays agents commissions on the total booking price, including all taxes and fees, as well as giving the opportunity to win significant Expedia TAAP Rewards Points as follows: 1st Prize: 250,000 TAAP Rewards Points (CA$1,250 value); 2nd Prize: 150,000 TAAP Rewards Points ($750 value); and 3rd Prize: 100,000 TAAP Rewards Points ($500 value). Each bundled package booking serves as one entry. The more packages booked, the higher the chances of winning.
EVENTS
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario has announced details for its upcoming annual general meeting on Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. All TICO registrants and members of the public are invited to attend the virtual event, however only members in good standing are entitled to vote at the meeting. Voting members and public guests are required to register in advance of the meeting at https://www.icastpro.ca/ujkge7. Registration will close on Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. Members who will not be attending the meeting are invited to submit written requests for proxies. The submission deadline for proxies is 5 p.m. on Sept. 23.
With its origins in the 1950s, Travel CUTS (Canadian University Travel Services) is holding a staff reunion event in Toronto on the weekend of Sept. 26 to 28, 2025. Over 150 people are already scheduled to attend – “a testament to the company, the staff and the life-long friendships that were forged.” Specializing in youth travel Travel CUTS is now owned by the Merit Travel Group and has 19 locations across Canada on or near university campuses.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Allianz Global Assistance Canada has announced that Shannon Lofdahl has joined the Cambridge, Ont.-based travel insurance and assistance company as Vice President and Head of Field Sales for North America. Lofdahl joins Allianz after spending more than 25 years in the travel insurance and travel and tourism industries, which included a long-term executive role at Travelex and more recently Cover-More. Lofdahl will support the company’s field sales team to ensure the success of new and existing partners in both Canada and the U.S.
DESTINATIONS
Popular Canadian wellness brand Scandinave Spa has chosen Edmonton for its newest location with an anticipated opening of 2028. Overlooking the North Saskatchewan River Valley, it will Scandinave Spa’s fifth location.
Bermuda Art Month returns in October to showcase the island’s vibrant art community through a full spectrum of special events and activities. Now in its third year, the festival invites visitors to tap into their artistic side with a lineup of creative programming that includes sip-and-paint classes inside limestone caves and engaging panel discussions with local and visiting artists. Exclusive exhibits will also be on display at the Bermuda National Gallery, Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, the Bermuda Society of Arts, the National Museum of Bermuda, and Black Pony Gallery at Cambridge Beaches.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1919, the first international air service began with Air Transport and Travel’s flight from London to Paris. Only one passenger made the trip on a converted biplane bomber. The trip took two-and-a-half hours and cost 21 pounds.
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