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
Fees for Canadian passports and travel document services have increased as the government began tying prices to the consumer price index (CPI). As such the cost of a Canadian passport will rise by 2.7%. That means that Canadians applying in Canada will now pay $122.50 (up from $120) for a five-year adult passport while the cost of a 10-year document increases to $163.50 (from $160). Children’s passports (up to age 15) go up $1.50.
Despite the current challenges in the Middle East that are further disrupting both global and regional travel and costing the travel industry hundreds of millions of dollars daily, The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) emphasises that Travel & Tourism is one of the world’s most resilient economic sectors. WTTC research of previous crises shows that tourism demand following security-related incidents, with the right response, recovery can be achieved in as little as two months when governments and industry act quickly to restore traveller confidence.
Air Canada says its chief executive Michael Rousseau will retire by the end of the third quarter of this year. Rousseau has spent nearly 20 years at the airline and was appointed chief executive in February 2021 after serving as deputy chief executive and chief financial officer and is noted for ably steering the airline through the pandemic and the 2007-08 financial crisis.
BY THE NUMBERS
North American carriers saw a 5.0% year-on-year increase in demand in Feburary, according to IATA. Capacity increased 2.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 80.9% (+2.0 ppt compared to February 2025). The war in the Middle East, however, has seen preliminary figures “soften,” however.
AIR
Porter Airlines is adding a new link between Hamilton and Canada’s capital with the launch of nonstop service to Ottawa International Airport (YOW). Service begins June 22, with two daily flights operated by Porter’s 78-seat De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft. The route gives Hamilton travellers convenient access to Ottawa, while also connecting to 11 destinations through Porter’s YOW hub. This follows the recent announcement of 14x weekly service between the new Montreal Metropolitan Airport (MET) and Hamilton.
Lufthansa’s new premium onboard experience, FOX (Future Onboard Experience), was launched in First Class on March 29 representing one of the largest investments in the onboard customer experience in Lufthansa’s history. The program was developed over a two-year period, involving more than 110 test flights, and incorporating feedback from over 500 crew members and more than 9,000 guests. With its new service concept, Lufthansa is revamping all service elements and processes on board across all long-haul flights and throughout all travel classes, with First Class leading the way.
Checked bag fees have been hiked by as much as $9 by JetBlue as the war in the Middle East disrupts global oil supplies and increases fuel prices. For most domestic economy passengers, the first checked bag now costs $39, up from $35. During peak travel times such as April spring breaks, major holidays and the summer, passengers will have to pay $49 instead of $40, the airline said.
DEALS
Intrepid Travel is helping advisors capture one of the fastest-growing travel trends with a limited-time 15% off sale on its Short Breaks range, available for bookings made by April 13 for travel through Dec. 14, 2026.
Until April 19, travellers can take advantage of Transat packages starting at $1,039 from Ontario and $1,089 from Quebec to the South and Europe. In addition, during the promo, Option Flex Standard is available at 25% off, for the flexibility to modify or cancel the trip if needed and all packages include both a carry‑on and a checked bag. The offer applies to travel through Dec. 16.
At the same time, the “Just live it” Air Transat promo offers special rates on individual bookings by April 19, 2026, for travel through Oct. 31.
Trafalgar is offering summer savings up to 30% off on river cruises booked by April 16 for select 2026 river cruise departures between June 1 and Sept. 30. Canadian travellers can save up to $3,720 off per couple, plus earn a $300 flight credit per couple
HOTELS & RESORTS
Newly opened, the Imperial Hotel Kyoto (photo) marks the brand’s carefully calibrated expansion into Japan’s cultural heart. Set near the historic Kiyamachi district in a city shaped by 1,200 years of history, 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, the property adopts a deliberately restrained design language, blending refined modern architecture with timeless Japanese aesthetics. Garden courtyards, intimate tearooms and curated art installations position the hotel as a contemporary custodian of Kyoto’s imperial heritage rather than a competitor to it.
TOURS
According to Globus’s 2025/26 Wish List Survey of more than 25,000 North American travellers, today’s travellers are recalibrating. After years of do-it-yourself trip planning, they are gravitating towards expertly designed journeys that balance access, flexibility and breathing room – with an expert on-hand to take care of everything. Among the insights: an overwhelming 91% of those surveyed say they want a well-planned itinerary that still allows customization, while nearly 97% of travellers want 20-30% of their itinerary reserved as free time.
Collette has released its 2026-2027 UK & Ireland brochure, representing one of the tour company’s highest‑performing regions and a “cornerstone of demand.” More than a dozen itineraries are featured, including Shades of Ireland, Exploring Scotland & Ireland, Spotlight on London, British Landscapes, and Countryside of the Emerald Isle, as well as premium accommodation, and expanded content on cultural experiences, local encounters, and culinary highlights. Download it HERE.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
World of Frozen, an immersive land themed to the blockbuster animated franchise, opened as the centerpiece of a 2-billion-euro transformation at Disneyland Paris. The transformation renames one of the two theme parks at the Disneyland Paris complex from Walt Disney Studios Park to Disney Adventure World. It is the largest expansion in the 34-year history of Disneyland Paris, and one node in a roughly $60-billion global buildout of Disney’s parks, resorts and cruise lines.
CRUISE
Norwegian Cruise Line celebrated the christening of Norwegian Luna in Miami (photo above) on March 27. As the latest ship in the company’s fleet, the ship offers a wide range of onboard experiences for every type of traveller and will be the newest ship to call to the Caribbean with itineraries that visit both of NCL’s resort-style destinations, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and Harvest Caye in Belize.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Sunwing Vacations’ Partner of the Month, Viva Resorts by Wyndham, is offering both travel advisors and their clients incentives and exclusive vacation perks at its properties across the Caribbean when booked by March 31. On every vacation package booking at a participating Viva Resorts by Wyndham property, travel advisors will be automatically entered into a draw for a chance to win a hotel stay for two at one of the brand’s beachfront resorts.
Advisors completing the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s Specialist Program training by April 30 will be eligible to win a four-day/five-night FAM trip to the island including airfare, accommodation, meals, and more. Two winners will be selected from Canada. Access the program HERE.
EVENTS
Through April 10, Skal Toronto Club has a special sponsorship offer for its 70th Annual golf tournament, taking place Thursday, Aug. 13 at the Royal Woodbine Golf Club: one foursome and one hole sponsorship for $1,250. Other sponsorship opportunities also remain. Contact kimberly@hartleymarketing.ca.
A series of webinars hosted by Visit Czechia and led by local experts gives a glimpse of the Czech Republic from your office (or home, or wherever). These 30- to 60-minute videos dig into the details of popular holidays and lesser-known regions with tips for travel advisors and industry pros. Go HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Toronto-based Marion Certain was introduced as Brand USA’s new travel trade representative in Canada, replacing the late Casey Canevari. Certain had previously served as Brand USA’s trade manager in France.
Porter Airlines has appointed Carlo Rinaldi as Director, Quebec Market Development, to lead the company’s commercial presence in the province. Based in Montreal, Rinaldi will drive Porter’s market development strategy, with a focus on growing corporate travel, expanding agency partnerships, and deepening engagement across the travel trade and corporate sectors. Rinaldi brings over 20 years of experience in enterprise sales, business development and travel industry partnerships, including 10 years at Porter earlier in his career.
DESTINATIONS
The ‘Your Sweetest Summer Escape’ from Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) is a series of pre-planned group travel packages priced from as low as US$325. Featuring accommodation, activities, dining, tours, transportation and signature events, the booking options are primarily tailored toward groups of eight or more travellers, staying three nights or longer, offering exceptional value, ease of coordination and immersive island experiences. The campaign is offered through April 30 for travel taking place between May 1 and Oct. 31. Visit BookBarbados.com and visitbarbados.org/summer.
Experience Kissimmee has launched the Latin Culinary Trail, a new immersive experience celebrating Osceola County, Fla.’s rich Hispanic and Latino food culture. The trail features 20 handpicked restaurants, cafés, and food trucks – each highlighting the stories, flavours, and traditions that shape the region’s vibrant culinary landscape. From family-owned favorites like El Cilantrillo and La Mexicana Restaurant to community staples such as Food Trucks Heaven and Susana’s Café, the trail offers visitors a delicious way to explore Kissimmee’s cultural diversity. This trail also includes digital storytelling elements such as videos, podcasts and recipes.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 2003, Air Canada filed for bankruptcy protection.
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