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
ACTA has launched its 2026 membership drive with the organization inviting members of the travel trade to not only support their national trade association, but be part of a community with a powerful voice that is committed to advocating for travel agencies and travel advisors across Canada. Current members including those holding a CTC or CTM designation, can log in to their ACTA profile to renew their membership for 2026. Once renewed, members will receive their digital ACTA Membership Card, which qualifies an ACTA member for a number of perks in 2026. Early Bird Prizes are also available for those who join or renew with ACTA on or before Oct. 31. And anyone who joins or renews with ACTA on or before Dec. 5 will also be eligible for the grand prize. Go HERE.
As of Oct. 12, travellers – including Canadians – heading to Europe’s Schengen zone countries’ face new entry protocols. Non-EU nationals who do not require a visa to enter any of the 29 countries that comprise the Schengen area – which notably does not include Britain – may face enhanced border protocols that includes digital data collection and profiling of key traveller information, including passports. There are no fees involved for the EES (Entry/Exit System) and travellers need merely bring themselves and their travel docs as the procedure rolls out through April of 2026.
Allianz Global Assistance Canada (Allianz) has launched an expanded telemedicine service that allows customers travelling in over 80 countries to schedule both virtual and in-person medical care quickly and easily. The new digital appointment booking capability is operated in partnership with Air Doctor, providing insured customers with an additional way to access their insurance benefits and take care of common illnesses and injuries during their international trip.
BY THE NUMBERS
Global passenger demand increased 4.6% in August year over year, reports IATA. The load factor was 86.0% – a record high for the month. International demand was up 6.6%.
AIR
Air Transat has begun its summer 2026 route roll-out with the announcement of new international routes and annualization of several southern services from Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto – with “further developments” to follow in the coming weeks. For now, the airline has revealed that next summer it will introduce new flights between Quebec City and Marseille and Ottawa-London Gatwick, both of which are now open for booking.
Porter Airlines is announcing a significant expansion of its 2025-26 winter schedule, increasing flights to southern destinations by up to 25% during peak travel periods and unveiling four new routes, including its first transborder service from Vancouver (to Phoenix starting Feb. 2). Enhancing its Ottawa (YOW) base, Porter is adding new routes to Miami and Phoenix from Jan. 24 and Feb. 7 respectively. Also, Porter will also launch its first Caribbean flight from Montreal (YUL) with new service to Nassau starting Feb. 5.
TICO reports that Play Airlines, an airline based in Iceland, ceased operations on Sept. 29, 2025. It notes that airfare purchased directly from Play Airlines or through a travel agency/booking website located outside of Ontario is not eligible for reimbursement through the Ontario Compensation Fund. The Council also advised that approved further claims for the closure of Temple & Temple Tours, bringing the total to $137,332.
DEALS
Trafalgar has extended the introductory guest savings for river cruising, following strong demand from both travel advisors and their clients. Guests can continue to save up to $2,000 per couple on bookings made through Oct. 29.
Until Oct. 26, Transat is offering up to 40% off a wide selection of vacation packages to destinations like the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Cuba, and more. Sales apply to individual bookings of packages for travel between Nov. 1 and April 30, 2026. Terms and conditions apply.
TOURS
TravelBrands called in three Canadian cities last week – Montreal, Toronto (above) and Vancouver – hosting its first gala roadshow events in 18 months for the former two, and since before the pandemic for the latter. And with close to 1,500 agents turning out across the three shows, it’s clear the events were missed.
Aeroplan members can now earn even more points at over 64 destinations across the globe with Air Canada Vacations when travelling in 2026. Up to 20,000 additional points will be awarded on both the flight and vacation portions of select travel packages (minimum seven-night stay) from a wide selection of packages to Mexico and the Caribbean, as well as select flight and hotel packages to Hawaii and Florida. Up to 4,000 points will be earned for destinations in Europe, South Pacific, Asia and Central America, Asia; and 2,000 extra points in Canadian destinations.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Royalton Hotels & Resorts launched Royalton Suites & Villas, a new tier in its Diamond Club suite categories designed to deliver an elevated approach to all-inclusive hospitality. Officially debuting Nov. 1, this tier highlights suites and villas that are celebrated for their exceptional scale, expansive layouts, and expansive square footage in the all-inclusive market.
New hotels in Montreal: SonoLux is a unique 36-room hotel set in the historic National Trust Building, a Neo-Classical 1914 architectural landmark located in Old Montréal. It doubles as an immersive art cinema, culinary lab, and audio lounge, redefining the hotel experience as a creative platform for installations, projections, and experiential cuisine. Le Germain at the Casino de Montréal will open its $150-million, 200-room luxury boutique hotel situated on Parc Jean Drapeau. And the epic Royalmount Hotel will open as part of a transformative $7-billion carbon-neutral mega-complex that blends retail, entertainment, dining, and immersive experiences.
CRUISE
Culinary- and destination-focused luxury cruise line Oceania Cruises has enhanced its guest experience with a new choice of amenities under its “Your World Included” program. On new bookings made guests will have the opportunity to choose one of two additional amenities: an up to US$600 shore excursion credit or complimentary wine and beer during lunch and dinner restaurant hours.
Aqua Expeditions – part of the PONANT Explorations Group – has announced its sixth vessel, Aqua Lares, which will launch in February. The 15-suite vessel will offer five- to 11-night voyages across the Seychelles, with select itineraries venturing to the Aldabra Atoll or onward to Zanzibar, Tanzania. It will be the first luxury expedition yacht available to book by the cabin in the Seychelles.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Available for booking through Nov. 3, Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ “Stay More, Save More” offers the following perks: At Sandals, for stays through Dec. 15, 2027, travellers receive up to $1,000 in instant credit, a $175 resort credit, and one free night on stays of seven nights or more. Shorter stays also benefit from tiered savings. At Beaches, guests booking a seven-night stay or longer at Beaches Resorts through Dec. 20, 2027, will receive up to $400 in instant credit and a $175 spa credit, with additional tiered discounts available on shorter stays.
EVENTS
VisitBritain, in partnership with key Canadian tour operators and airlines, is hosting travel agent workshops in Calgary, Edmonton and Mississauga as follows: Calgary, Wednesday, Oct. 15; Edmonton, Thursday, Oct. 16; Mississauga, Wednesday, Oct. 29. Key partners include: VisitWales, VisitScotland, RIT, Globus, CIE Tours, DHTours, Indus Travels, TravelBrands, WestJet, Edmonton International Airport, and Air Transat.
Agents can now register now for the Fall Granite Travel Trade Expos kicking off in Winnipeg on Oct. 20 and continuing across the country, wrapping up in Hamilton on Nov. 6. Attendance and parking are free. The first 50 agents who arrive at each of the eight fall expos will receive a $20 MasterCard, courtesy of Princess Hotels & Resorts. Register HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Cuba Tourist Board director Lessner Gomez is heading home after six years in Canada, to be replaced by Gihana Galindo, who, for the past three years, has served as Commercial Director at the Ministry of Tourism of Cuba, where she has collaborated with Canadian tour operators, giving her strong familiarity with the market and its key players. Galindo’s appointment to the role in Toronto takes effect Oct. 15.
The Guadeloupe Islands have appointed Toronto-based representation firm VoX International to promote the appeal of the French Caribbean archipelago in this country. VoX will lead strategic public relations efforts, alongside travel trade and consumer marketing initiatives, to raise awareness of the destination among consumers and travel professionals. Anchita Singla will lead the public relations efforts, supported by director of marketing Erin Oddleifson, who will oversee consumer marketing strategies. Carla D’andrea will lead travel trade sales efforts.
DESTINATIONS
Hong Kong International Airport (photo above), in partnership with Trip.com, is offering a unique value-added service for international travellers: complimentary four-hour sightseeing tours for transit passengers with layovers of seven hours or more. This initiative allows agents to position Hong Kong not just as a hub, but as a destination in itself, giving travellers an enriching stopover experience at no additional cost, according to the HKTB. Tours include Heritage & Local Lifestyle Citywalk; Victoria & West Kowloon Waterfront Journey; and, coming in December, a countryside tour. The free tours include transportation, fast-track entry tickets, and English-speaking guides. Book via Trip.com website, app, or directly at HKIA transit counters.
The federal government is reviving the “Canada Strong Pass” for the holiday season and next summer. That program, which was launched last summer, offers free admission to parks and museums and discounts for young adults travelling on Via Rail. Visits to museums, parks and historic sites were up by an average of 15% over the summer.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1958, British Overseas Airways Corp. began transatlantic jet passenger service with a New York-to-London flight.
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