A round-up of 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
The Canadian government is imposing a mandatory 21-day self-isolation period for travellers from Ebola-affected regions – about 350 people per week – while immigration authorities are temporarily suspending decisions on applications from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Uganda.
Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) took place last week in Toronto having hosted a record number of international travel buyers and Canadian tourism sellers. The Canadian tourism industry’s signature annual inbound trade show also showed an uptick in Canadian buyers interested in Canada as “elbows up” tourism continues and Canadians seek to travel at home. China was also represented following the reinstatement of Canada’s Approved Destination Status (ADS) in November 2025. Next year’s show will be held in Calgary.
The U.S.-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued its seasonal hurricane outlook for the Atlantic, giving a 55% chance of a below-average season. The agency forecasts eight to 14 named storms, with three to six of them becoming strong enough to hit hurricane status and one to three of those intensifying to major hurricanes. A normal hurricane season has 14 named storms, seven of them becoming hurricanes and three of them reaching major hurricane level, which is more than 177 kph.
BY THE NUMBERS
In the first four months of 2026, Embratur says Brazil achieved the best results in the history of international tourist arrivals from 10 of the main source markets to the country, including Canada, the UK, Chile, Australia and Uruguay sent together more than 1.1 million visitors to Brazilian destinations. The total number of arrivals in the first four months of 2026, was 4,333,423. Canada’s contributed 51,062 visitors, recording its best-ever performance with a growth of 12.9%.
AIR
Montreal’s airport authority has installed a memorial to two Air Canada pilots who died in a runway collision at LaGuardia Airport in March. The memorial at the Jacques-de-Lesseps plane spotting park in Dorval, near Montréal -Trudeau airport, states that Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther lost their lives while performing their duties and pursuing their passions.
Aéroports de Montréal spokesperson Émilie Chevrette says the park where the memorial now sits was where aviation enthusiasts gathered to lay flowers and other tributes after the crash.
Porter Airlines launched two new routes, expanding its Hamilton network across Canada. Non-stop service between Hamilton (YHM) and Winnipeg (YWG) operates up to six roundtrips weekly. Hamilton-St. John’s (YYT) will have daily service by late June.
DEALS
Through July 7, Seabourn’s ‘The Exploration Event’ promotion offers savings of up to 15% on select summer ocean and expedition voyages ranging from seven to 82 days between 2026 and 2028.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino has introduced The Westerly, ushering in a refined expression of elevated island hospitality for the popular Palm Beach resort. Set within the 15-acre resort, The Westerly features 161 oversized guest rooms and suites with balconies, including ocean front accommodations with expansive terraces and select adults-only swim-up options. To further enhance their stay, guests can add access to The Westerly’s crown jewel, the new Terrace on 10, a unique adults-only rooftop experience with panoramic ocean views.
Located across from Wrigley Field in Chicago, the boutique Hotel Zachary has launched a curated itinerary including a private tour of the Art Institute of Chicago to view A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, complimentary tickets to Skydeck Chicago, two Chicago Cubs club box home plate tickets, signature cocktails at Alma, and a luxury suite stay overlooking the ballpark. Blending culture, skyline views, sports, and hospitality, the package invites guests to experience Chicago through the lens of Ferris Bueller’s unforgettable day off.
CRUISE
Effective, June 11, Celebrity Cruises is elevating its loyalty program for its most dedicated members with the introduction of five new Captain’s Club milestone levels and raising the bar with opportunities to earn new rewards between Elite Plus and Zenith, and beyond. Elite Plus (750-2999 Club Points) and Zenith (3000+ Club Points) members can now unlock exclusive point-specific rewards, such as more wi-fi minutes, discounted specialty dining, a complimentary Bermuda cruise and more.
Viking has taken delivery of the Viking Mara, the company’s newest ocean ship. Like all Viking ocean ships, the Viking Mira is classified as a small ship, with 499 staterooms accommodating 998 guests. The vessel will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
TOURS
Beginning in 2027, Adventures by Disney is expanding its portfolio of guided land adventures in Europe and Asia with the debut of itineraries to Thailand, and Croatia & Slovenia (photo above), along with a reimagined Italy: Sicily & Amalfi Coast itinerary that adds new activities including visits to multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites and hands-on activities ranging from pasta making to limoncello tastings.
Recognizing that travel advisors are in a difficult situation as they deal with unexpected price increases on confirmed bookings, Goway says it is committing to a transparent pricing model for 2026 travel. For all bookings that are currently under deposit or paid in full for travel in 2026, Goway will not introduce additional surcharges. If supplier prices increase due to short-term volatility, Goway will absorb the costs.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Saint Lucia Advisors Months (SLAM) returns from June through November with attractive booking incentives alongside exclusive accommodation rates for qualified travel advisors. During their stay, advisors will experience curated land and sea excursions, guided tours and more that show the island’s diverse cuisine, tastes, sights and sounds. Included is a dedicated day of structured site inspections, including the newly constructed holistic wellness property, LifeCo, and the new ultra-luxurious ten-bedroom estate villa, La belle Helene by Windjammer Landing. For more, go to
https://slex.recommend.com/saint-lucia-agent-months-slam-is-here/.
EVENTS
ACTA has opened registration for its fall regional summits. Designed to bring together professional travel advisors, agency entrepreneurs and destinations, along with industry partners from across the travel sector in Canada, the events will take place Sept. 9 in Toronto (Pearson Convention Centre), Sept. 15 in Montreal (Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel), and Sept. 29 (Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel) Advisors who register before June 1 will be entered for a chance to win a $250 Visa gift card, with one winner selected for each Summit location. Registration is complimentary for ACTA members. Non-members are welcome to attend and asked to contribute to ACTA’s advocacy fund. For info and to register, go to www.actaevents.ca.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Flair Airlines has brought former Air Canada exec Jamie Fox onboard as Director, Agency Sales and Partnerships, a newly created role designed to further the discount airline’s growth by engaging the travel trade. Fox’s appointment follows the introduction earlier in the month of (former Transat exec) Nicole Bursey as President of Flair Vacations.
Stephanie McDonald has been appointed as Business Development Manager for Eastern Canada at Oceania Cruises, joining Western Canada BDM Kimberly Tobias. Together, they work closely with Shirley Lew, a 12-year veteran of Oceania Cruises, who oversees the line’s preferred agency partnerships in Canada.
DESTINATIONS
Quebec’s Train de Charlevoix has announced an early start to its 2026 summer season, with the first departure now scheduled for June 5. This early launch in response to heightened demand reflects a growing interest in this unique tourism experience, which offers scenic immersion at a slower pace. The luxury passenger train travels along a meandering 125-km track between Montmorency Falls Park (near Québec City) and La Malbaie, crossing charming coastal towns and villages along the route and inviting travellers to discover the region at the rhythm of the St. Lawrence River and its undulating landscapes.
The Obama Presidential Center, slated to open on June 19 in the Hyde Park neighbourhood of Chicago, will be known as one of the city’s most significant new civic and cultural destinations. The Center will feature a museum, auditorium, branch of the Chicago Public Library, community and athletic programming spaces, landscaped gardens, and year-round initiatives designed to inspire reflection, dialogue, and civic engagement.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1936, the Cunard liner “Queen Mary” left England on its maiden voyage. It was withdrawn from service in 1967.
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