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
Airfares are expected to remain broadly stable through 2026, according to the newly released Air Monitor 2026 from American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT). “Travellers in 2026 can expect airfares to look much like they do in 2025,” the report states. For Canada and the broader North American region, the Air Monitor forecasts flat pricing across key transborder and domestic routes: North America ↔ North America: Business (–0.3%), Premium Economy (–0.2%), Economy (–0.5%); North America ↔ Europe: Business (+0.2%), Premium Economy (+1.8%), Economy (–1.5%); North America ↔ Asia: Business (0%), Premium Economy (–1.5%), Economy (–5.7%); and, North America ↔ Middle East: Business (+3.1%), Premium Economy (+3.8%), Economy (–0.9%)
Canadian travel pros can save 30% when enrolling in ACTA’s Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) and Certified Travel Manager (CTM) programs through Dec. 5. Benefits of the nationally recognized designations include increased credibility and leadership credentials, as well as complimentary access to ACTA Travel Industry and Educational Roundtables in select provinces; priority invitations to immersive destination experiences and international conferences; exclusive listing in ACTA’s “Find a Travel Advisor” directory, and more. Use code 2025ACTA30 at checkout via www.acta.ca/ctc-ctm-enrollment.php
AIR
Air Canada and Emirates – the world’s largest international airline – have signed a memorandum of understanding to extend their reciprocal codeshare and loyalty partnership until Dec. 31, 2032. The renewed agreement will deepen their cooperation, lead to enhanced services for customers and cargo shippers, and create the potential for new gateways within Canada in the codeshare network.
WestJet revealed five new seasonal international destinations from Toronto, three new transatlantic destinations from Halifax, as well as new domestic and Nordic connections from Western Canada as part of its summer 2026 schedule. Headlining the route roster is WestJet’s first South American non-stop connection from Toronto: Medellín, Colombia (4x weekly from April 28). Also from Cardiff, Wales (4x weekly from May 22) and Portugal’s Azores islands (Ponta Delgada, 4x weekly from June 12). The carrier is also returning service between Toronto and Glasgow, Scotland (4x weekly from May 15) for the first time since 2022.
Air Transat is expanding its 2026 summer program with two new non-stop routes from Montreal to Dakar (DSS), Senegal, and Reykjavik (KEF), Iceland. The airline is also increasing the frequency of its flights to Valencia (VLC), Spain, due to the popularity of this destination, which was launched in the summer of 2025. Transat will be the only Canadian carrier connecting Canada to Sub-Saharan Africa. A new non-stop service from Toronto to Accra (ACC), Ghana will also operate from June 17 to Oct. 22, 2026, with two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Sundays.
BY THE NUMBERS
Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, has seen 70.1 million passengers already pass through its terminals this year, officials announced. The rapid growth of passengers at the airport underscores Dubai as a key hub for East-West travel in global aviation and the need for its $35-billion project to build a massive, five-runway airport at Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central. In its rolling 12-month passenger numbers, DXB had 93.8 million passengers as of the end of September, meaning the airport is well on its way to breaking its record again this year.
DEALS
Guests will receive up to 65% off accommodation and travel credits of up to $2,000 on stays at Sandals and up to $1,000 on stays at Beaches through 2027 when booked by Dec. 2. Additionally, guests at both resorts staying five nights or more receive a $200 Red Lane Spa credit, while stays of seven nights or longer also include a $300 airfare credit (when booked with Unique Vacations Canada Inc.) and one complimentary night. This offer is valid for travel through Dec. 25 and Dec. 20, 2027, respectively (blackout dates apply). Visit sandals.com/sale or beaches.com/sale.
The annual “Black Friday Sail” from Seabourn continues through Dec. 2 offering shipboard credits of up to $2,000 (depending on stateroom category) and a two-category Veranda suite upgrade on select 2026 and 2027 ocean and expedition voyages.
TOURS
Bookings for Quark Expeditions’ Arctic 2027 and Antarctic 2027/28 have opened earlier than any time in its company history, prompted, the company says, by strong demand and continued strength in polar-only travel (photo above). The programs will introduce a range of new immersive voyages and experiences, and to celebrate, guests booking by Dec. 31 can save up to $2,000 + 10%.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Sofitel’s flagship Canadian property has unveiled a hotel-wide renovation that blends Parisian elegance with the creative energy of Montréal. Led by award-winning Canadian design firm 2pirdesign, the Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile’s hotel’s large-scale refresh includes refined artful elements throughout the property’s grand foyer, corridors and guest suites. Think rose and bronze metallic accents, sculptural lighting, rich textures, marble bathrooms and luxurious amenities.
Slated to open in January, Hotel Cusco La Pacca marks Melia International’s first property in the historic Peruvian city. The 167-room hotel will feature a mix of colonial and contemporary architecture, with a restaurant, bar, spa and event space on site. Meanwhile, Melia Collection Lima will open in two phases over the next two years; phase one launches in July 2026 with 61 rooms while a second opening is slated for 2027. Built on the site known as Casa de la Pila in the heart of Lima’s historic centre, the upscale property will offer guests an authentic luxury experience just steps from the Plaza de Armas, Lima Cathedral, and the Government Palace.
CRUISE
Through Dec. 8, guests booking on any of Cunard’s Queens can save with fares starting from US$899 – up to 40% off – plus receive up to $300 onboard credit and reduced deposits of 50% across 145 voyages. Guests booking Grill Suites on Caribbean voyages aboard Queen Elizabeth (photo above) will also receive complimentary Hotel & Dining Service Charges as an added benefit. See the full offer at www.cunard.com/en-us/cruise-deals/black-friday-sale or the agent portal OneSourceCruises.com.
Work has begun on the upgrade of MSC Cruises’ MSC Magnifica, marking the start of an extensive enhancement program. The ship has been in service since 2010 and will receive the MSC Yacht Club with 63 new suites, two new specialty dining venues along with an enhanced MSC Aurea Spa and Technogym Fitness Centre complete with Gentleman’s Barber, different workout studios and outdoor Aurea area. The work is expected to be completed in December, with the full MSC Yacht Club experience available in Summer 2026 when MSC Magnifica sails Northern Europe itineraries.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Québec City’s very first outdoor skating rink will open for the season starting Dec. 19. Set in a Port of Québec along the shores of the St. Lawrence, the free Discoglace attraction will feature food and drink vendors, skate rentals, live DJs, and luminous interactive performances.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Agents making bookings to Fiji and Tahiti with Goway through Nov. 30 will earn a bonus $50 reward, while Club100 members will earn double rewards.
The Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) is offering travel advisor partners access to hotel discounts of at least 30% across thousands of properties worldwide. Advisors can also participate in a limited-time Book-to-Win Rewards Challenge for a chance to win one of five 100,000 Reward Point prizes. The Black Friday Sale is effect until Dec. 3.
Through Dec. 3, Collette is rewarding travel advisors with a $100 gift card for every booking (based on minimum two bookings) made during the tour company’s Black Friday sale, which offers clients up to 25% off tours worldwide for travel Jan. 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. Use the offer code: BLACKFRIDAY25. Past Collette travellers can earn a bonus $200 off when they book air, a pre/post night, extension, or optional excursion. Use code BACKAGAIN25.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
The WestJet Group has named Lyne Chayer Vice-President, Québec Guest Experience & Vacations. In the expanded role, Chayer will continue to oversee Québec tour operations while also “serving as the voice of the guest within the province – ensuring that the unique needs and preferences of Québec travellers are well represented across the organization.”
Private-guided luxury travel operator Kensington has announced the appointment of Jacqueline Grossman as Vice President, Partnership Marketing, and Daniel Shanahan as Director, Partnership Marketing. Grossman brings more than a decade of marketing leadership experience to Kensington while Shanahan returns to the company in a new role.
DESTINATIONS
Québec City will welcome two new multi-sensory light shows this winter. Starting Dec. 5, the interior of Saint-Roch Church will come alive with Moment Factory’s renowned AURA production, which has already captivated audiences in Montréal and Paris. The 45-minute spectacle features breathtaking projections and orchestral music designed to immerse audiences in a stunning odyssey of light and sound. The new Echo experience at the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré (photo above) takes visitors on a journey of contemplation and reflection during a 12-minute atmospheric experience where light and sound come together to highlight the intricate architecture of the city’s famed Blue Chapel.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1983, Bruce Hood – who later became a prominent travel industry figure, including as federal air travel complaints commissioner, a travel agent in Ontario, and president of ACTA – became the first NHL referee to officiate in 1,000 games. Hood died in 2018,
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