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
War. The U.S. and Israel launched attacks against Iran, which responded with retaliation throughout against countries across the Middle East and Gulf regions. Cumulatively, people have died, airspace closed, flights and cruises cancelled, and hundreds of thousands of people stranded, many still trying to get home as the conflict continues and escalates.
The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA) is alerting the global travel agency community to a sophisticated fraud scheme involving the unauthorized use of agency IATA accreditation numbers to obtain airline NDC access and issue fraudulent tickets. The world body (of which ACTA is a member) says travel agencies should review NDC registrations and closely monitor accreditation activity following confirmed incidents across multiple markets, including North America.
Trinidad and Tobago declared a new state of emergency, only about a month after the end of the previous one, as authorities in the Caribbean nation continue to grapple with high levels of violent crime. The Caribbean country has spent roughly 10 of the last 14 months under an emergency, with the last one ending Jan. 31.
ITB Berlin kicked off its milestone 60th anniversary travel show in the German capital Tuesday. This year, thousands of delegates scrambled to get to the show (if they could get there at all) due to the sudden outbreak of a new war in Iran and the Middle East. Notwithstanding its prelude of unexpected travel chaos, close to 6,000 exhibitors from more than 160 countries were expected to attend.
BY THE NUMBERS
With 19.4 million journeys in 2025, YYC Calgary International Airport grew for the fourth consecutive year, surpassing the previous record of 18.9 million set in 2024. 2025’s passenger volume represented more than 500,000 additional travellers year over year. Together with airline partners, YYC connected the city to 108 destinations in 2025, including 15 new routes launched throughout the year.
AIR
Finnair will start flights between Helsinki and Toronto on May 4 with three weekly frequencies during the summer. The route re-opening sees Finnair return to YYZ after a 11-year hiatus, as the company last flew to Toronto in summer 2015.
Air Canada’s first of 45 updated Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft has entered service at Rouge, marking the latest step in the company’s comprehensive cabin renewal program across the fleet. The rest of the aircraft are expected to transition to Rouge by the end of the year. Designed to give passengers flying leisure and sun routes across North America and the Caribbean more comfortable, connected, and consistent onboard experience, the upgrade features personal seatback entertainment, reclining seats and complimentary “fast, free” wi-fi sponsored by Bell.
Through March 21, Air Canada is adding a frequency for double-daily Toronto-Delhi service and using larger aircraft on select Toronto-London-Mumbai flights to provide routing options, the airline said in a social media post. The added capacity to India is a result of disrupted service in the Middle East.
DEALS
Timed to coincide with Irish Heritage Month and heightened interested in Ireland during March, CIE Tours, is offering roundtrip airfare from C$839 p.p. on all 2026 Ireland-only guided tours and qualifying Custom Private Driver Vacations. The offer is valid for new bookings made between March 2 and 31, for travel July 1-Dec. 31.
The “Taking You Beyond the Green” spring campaign from Brendan Vacations offers savings of up to CDN$4,100 and air credits across its classic guided tours, new small group tours, and flexible independent travel styles in Ireland and Scotland when booked by March 31. Timed to St. Patrick’s Day and peak Celtic booking season, the campaign offers travel advisors added value to help drive Ireland and Scotland bookings. For more details: https://www.brendanvacations.com/en-ca
TOURS
Designed for travellers who want to experience more of Europe without frequently changing hotels, Railbookers has introduced its new Stay and Explore Collection – 11 itineraries are built around extended stays in one central city with short day trips to surrounding destinations with experiences that include palace and castle visits, culinary tours and wine tastings, explorations of ancient ruins and historic architecture, and excursions to the smaller cities. Itineraries can be customized by adding nights, activities, or destinations within the trip, or combining with other Railbookers journeys.
As travellers increasingly favour destinations that offer cooler climates, expansive landscapes, and immersive cultural experiences, rather than concentrating travel in traditionally warmer regions, Wilderness Travel reports seeing significant growth in demand for journeys across Northern and Eastern Europe. Between 2024 and ‘25, travel to Scandinavia increased by 62%, while Eastern Europe rose by 52%, says the company. And in 2026, interest continues to accelerate, with Norway specifically seeing a 39% increase, and bookings to the Republic of Georgia surging by 140%.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Crystal Cove, Barbados, A Tribute Portfolio All-Inclusive Resort (photo above) has officially opened on the west coast of Barbados. The colourful resort, the first all-inclusive within the Tribute Portfolio, is located 21 km from the airport on one of the island’s best stretches of coastline.
Downtown Las Vegas’ Circa Resort & Casino, the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino are seeing a surge in Canadian visitation after launching a program that treats the Canadian dollar at par with the U.S. dollar, drawing more than 15,000 visitors in its first month and generating more than 2,700 hotel room bookings. The resorts’ “At Par” commitment will continue through Aug. 31 and applies to select gaming, hotel, beverage and entertainment offerings.
CRUISE
MSC Cruises reports it is working with embassies and airline partners in Middle East and Gulf region to secure return flights for stranded guests. The cruise line states: “We are requesting priority for our guests from our partners. At present, airlines operating flights have indicated that they will follow an order of priority based on the original flight date. In order to speed up the repatriation (and) we are working on other options such as chartering flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Muscat.” In the meantime, guests have full access to all onboard services and facilities.
Tauck has announced its 2027 Small Ship Cruising lineup, highlighted by a new Baltic Sea itinerary, along with enhancements to returning guest-favourite itineraries in the Galápagos and additional capacity in the Aegean and Iberia. Tauck’s new “Cruising the Baltic Sea” itinerary features Northern Europe’s Baltic region aboard Ponant’s Explorer-class ship Le Champlain, carrying an average of fewer than 160 guests on each sailing. The 12-day itinerary calls in Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Wismar, Gdańsk, Copenhagen and the island of Visby.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
After four years of careful conservation, Scotland’s Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is entering a new chapter as its historic Palm Houses reopen. Now transformed into a cathedral-like temperate space, the beautifully restored 19th-century glass houses will welcome back nearly 600 extraordinary plants, from delicate begonias to towering palms and lush ferns, each meticulously nurtured during the restoration.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Goway is celebrating women and marking International Women’s Day (March 8) with an exclusive incentive for travel advisors booking solo women travel. Throughout March “every travel advisor who helps women discover their passions in far-flung destinations” by booking a solo women travel tour with Goway will earn $100 with the GowayPro Loyalty Program.
DESTINATIONS
The Tourist Office of Spain in Toronto has launched “Finding Spain From Canada,” a new podcast series aimed at inspiring Canadians to discover the beauty of Spain. The first episode is already available on Spotify, with additional episodes set to release every eight weeks through 2026. Created with an authentic Canadian perspective in mind, each episode will see Canadian journalists and travel professionals share their own personal journeys across Spain, recounting the vibrant culture, delicious gastronomy, and hidden gems that exist beyond the big cities.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1964, the Toronto International Airport terminal building was opened.
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