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
Porter Airlines has officially joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a member, a milestone reflecting the airline’s rapid growth and its deepening integration with the global aviation community. Full membership follows Porter’s successful completion of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) for its Embraer E195-E2 fleet in February 2026. Porter says the accomplishments marks a meaningful step forward in its evolution as a carrier with expanding international ambitions.
Sunwing Vacations Group indefinitely suspended all its Cuba operations until further notice. The company says the move followed a review of its Cuba program and the current operating environment and affects Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Québec, at the same time aligning across the broader WestJet Group’s operations, including WestJet Airlines and WestJet Cargo, where applicable.
Air Transat says it has enough fuel to maintain normal operations throughout the summer season. The message of reassurance further comes with enhanced flexibility conditions for clients applicable to its Eco Standard and Club Standard fares. For bookings made by Sept. 1 for travel through Sept. 8, customers can benefit from no change fees, as well as the option to cancel without penalty in exchange for a travel credit valid for 12 months from the originally scheduled return date.
BY THE NUMBERS
Global airlines are bearing the brunt of the fuel price shock with net profit per passenger is expected to fall to $4.50, half of what it was last year. “Under the circumstances, that shows resilience,” IATA director general Willie Walsh. “But it won’t even buy you a hot dog at most of the FIFA World Cup venues…”
AIR
A new interline partnership between Air Transat and Iberia further expands the Canadian carrier’s footprint in Spain. The agreement enables Air Transat passengers to connect via Madrid (MAD) to over 20 destinations including Palma de Mallorca (PMI), Ibiza (IBZ), Tenerife (TFN and TFS) and Alicante (ALC).
Air Canada has signed an agreement designed to further “unlock the Americas” through a strategic partnership with the parent company of Avianca and GOL airlines. Subject to final documentation and regulatory approval, the Memorandum of Understanding with the Abra Group will enable the partners to expand their global reach, providing customers and shippers greater connectivity across North, Central and South America and beyond.
WestJet and Icelandair have signed a reciprocal codeshare agreement offering travellers on both sides of the Atlantic enhanced access to a broader network of destinations with the ease of a single booking and ticket, as well as through checked baggage. WestJet guests will be able to seamlessly access more than 10 destinations across Europe via a convenient connection at Keflavík International Airport (KEF). Later this month, WestJet will begin non-stop service to KEF from Edmonton and Winnipeg and will resume seasonal summer flying between KEF and Calgary.
Chilean low-coast carrier SKY Airline has appointed Discover the World join forces in the Canadian market to support the airline’s commercial objectives, enhance brand visibility and increase connectivity options between Canada and Latin America, namely Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Uruguay. Operating for more than 25 years, Skey has a presence in seven countries in the Americas and operates domestically and internationally from its subsidiaries in Chile and Peru, carrying more than 80 million passengers to date.
DEALS
ACTA is offering 20% savings on its Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) and Certified Travel Manager (CTM) designation programs for enrollments made by June 30. Use the promo code CERTSAVE20.
To celebrate the launch of its winter schedule, Sunwing is offering an Early Winter Sale and Early Booking Bonus on select all inclusive vacation packages. Customers can save up to $1,000 per pair when they book before June 28 for travel between Nov. 1 and April 30, 2027, while travel advisors earn a 3% bonus commission on every eligible booking made during the promotional period. Among winter destinations will be Cancun, Punta Cana and Montego Bay, as well as new winter vacations from Toronto to Acapulco, Winnipeg to Puerto Plata and Montreal to Cozumel.
TOURS
Three new Women’s Expeditions in Peru, Cambodia and Bhutan have been announced by Intrepid Travel. Set to launch in September, the tours will be led by a local female leader and feature unique, women-led activities that break down gender barriers and support women-owned businesses, the eight- to 11 days trips will launch in September. Intrepid says women now make up over half of Intrepid travellers and the Women’s Expedition range grew by 32% in 2025, with 77% of travellers joining solo.
TTC Tour Brands is expanding its guided tour offerings across Australia and New Zealand, with new itineraries from Trafalgar and Costsaver designed to help travel advisors meet growing client demand. The company says bookings to Australia and New Zealand have increased +96% year over year, with Canada bookings up 100%. In addition to the portfolio expansion, TTC Tour Brands is also releasing a dedicated selling guide, offering advisors a comprehensive product overview and resources to support conversations with clients. Visit agents.ttc.com.
HOTELS & RESORTS
This September, one of Bora Bora’s most iconic names in hospitality is entering a new era. Bloody Mary’s, a longtime fixture in French Polynesia since 1979, will debut Bloody Mary’s Hotel (rendering above), a new 53-key boutique lagoon retreat designed to extend the spirit and legacy of the famed venue into a full hospitality experience. Set along Povai Bay with views of Mount Otemanu, the locally owned property will feature 53 rooms, bungalows and suites, multiple new dining concepts, including overwater restaurant Povai Bay; a lagoon-side cocktail venue, and more. Over its history, Bloody Mary’s has played host to many star-studded Canadian guests, from Keanu Reeves to Alanis Morisette.
Humano Lima is a new Marriott Tribute Portfolio Hotel located in Lima, Peru‘s vibrant Miraflores neighbourhood. The property comprises 157 thoughtfully designed guest rooms, a rooftop pool, and two dining concepts: Entrañable, an 18th-floor grill restaurant, and Café de Lima, which spotlights local flavours in a warm ambiance.
CRUISE
To mark World Oceans Day, MSC Foundation and MSC Cruises today announced the launch of Oceans Day powered by MSC Foundation, a new onboard program designed to help children and families better understand, celebrate and care for the ocean through experiences that combine learning, creativity and participation. The program is expected to engage thousands of children from around the world each year, helping nurture the next generation of ocean ambassadors.
Swan Hellenic has announced a price guarantee to bring its guests complete peace of mind amid rising fuel costs. The cultural expedition says it will absorb any increases itself on all sailings of its fleet, including the special Arctic Uncovered savings offered on last-minute bookings for the remaining staterooms on its Arctic Summer Season 2026. Additionally,
There will be no change to the generous US$500 bonus commission for agents on all new bookings.
EVENTS
A free webinar ‘Expanding Bhutan: Regional Experiences Beyond the Classic Circuit’ will take place June 18 at 10 a.m. EDT. Featuring experts from the Bhutan Department of Tourism, the presentation will introduce the best off-the-beaten-path experiences to be found in Asia country, from wellness to gastronomy to cultural deep dives, and everything in between. The webinar will also be sent to those who can’t attend. Register HERE.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
In Saint Lucia, the Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa’s Canada Agent Double Bonus program for bookings made by Aug. 31 (for travel through June 30, 2027), offers agents commissions of up to 15% on direct bookings, plus prepaid card rewards of up to $140 per seven-night booking at Coconut Bay and from $50 to $150 per seven-night stay at sister resort, Serenity. Bonuses, from $30 to $65 vary by room category, based on seven-night bookings. Register eligible bookings at CBAYRewards.com and SerenityRewards.com. And travel agent rates at Coconut Bay are US$369 per night/double (shoulder and low season, subject to availability, IATA/CLIA card required).
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Goway has named Dean Moore as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, marking a new chapter for founder Bruce Hodge, who will remain as President and Chairman and continue to oversee Goway’s subsidiary corporate travel division, Globespan Travel Management. Hodge, who celebrated his 80th birthday in 2023, also intends to devote more time to philanthropy and defining Goway’s legacy and his own remarkable 55-plus years of globetrotting.
TTC Tour Brands, which includes brands, Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Costsaver and Contiki, announced the appointment of seasoned travel executive Joe Robinson as Sr. VP Sales, North America. Reporting directly to Deputy CEO & Chief Sales Officer Melissa DaSilva, he will lead TTC Tour Brands’ North American trade sales strategy across the U.S. and Canada, overseeing advisor partnerships, strategic accounts and field sales.
DESTINATIONS
Florence, Italy, now has a Guccio Gucci Piazza (photo above) where fans of the global fashion brand can pay homage to its founder in the city where he was born. “Gucci and Florence are synonymous with beauty,” great-granddaughter Patrizia Gucci said. “This means a great deal to the family, that he is being remembered as a great entrepreneur who invented this brand that has become famous throughout the world.’’
Now live on the One Caribbean Canada website, the 2026 edition spans 72 pages of events taking place across the Caribbean – double the size of the 2025 edition. The calendar covers events by month and by country, and for the first time includes an Events by Category section, allowing travel advisors and consumers alike to search by experience, including food and culinary festivals, music events, carnivals, art festivals, sailing regattas, sporting events, or cultural celebrations. Event are meant to be shared directly with clients as inspirational and practical planning tools. It is also available in French.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 2002, an American fugitive who pulled off what’s believed to be the only successful hijacking in Canadian history was sentenced to five years in prison. Patrick Critton hijacked an Air Canada plane to Cuba during a flight from Thunder Bay to Toronto in 1971. He was captured in the fall of 2001 in New York state. Critton pleaded guilty to kidnapping and extortion in a Toronto-area court.
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