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
WestJet flight attendants have overwhelmingly authorized a strike that could see thousands of workers walk off the job as soon as Aug. 2 if they are unable to reach a new deal on contract demands. In an update to its members, the union representing some 4,400 cabin crew at the airline says they voted 99% in favour of the strike mandate with over 97% of members have turned out for the vote.
Canadian visits to the U.S. are continuing to climb, rising in June for the third straight month year over year, according to Statistics Canada. Canadian-resident return trips from the United States totalled 1.7 million – an increase of 3.2% from the same month in 2025. The rise was driven by a 5.2% increase in return trips from the United States by automobile in June 2026. However, return trips from the U.S. by air in June decreased 3.8% from June 2025. At same time, the increase in June was still down 28.7% (by car -29.6% and by air -5.0% compared to the same months in 2024.
A recent update from Global Affairs Canada advised that the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is on its way and expected to come into effect sometime between September and December. Applications are not yet open and Canadians are advised to be cautious of fraudulent websites claiming to sell ETIAS authorizations. Apply only through the official EU website once the system is launched, Global Affairs warns. Visitors to Europe’s Schengen countries will have to pay in advance with the travel authorization valid for three years (or until your passport expires).
BY THE NUMBERS
Downtown Las Vegas is continuing to see strong momentum from Canadian travellers as Circa Resort & Casino, the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino build on the success of their At Par promotion. Since launching in January, the initiative – which treats the Canadian dollar at parity with the U.S. dollar – has welcomed more than 75,000 Canadian visitors, generated over $15 million in slot coin-in and resulted in more than 7,500 hotel room nights.
AIR
Air Canada has launched the Air Canada City Shuttle in Montreal. The new service provides a fast, frequent and direct motorcoach connection for Air Canada customers between the Palais des congrès de Montréal and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) for $9 one way, plus applicable taxes. Passengers can save up to 25 up to 25 minutes at peak times compared to airport access roads. More info at montreal.landline.com.
Flair Airlines pilots voted overwhelmingly to ratify their tentative agreement reached with company management. The three-year agreement was ratified by 89% of eligible pilots who voted and offers meaningful improvements to compensation, retirement, scheduling, career progression, and overall quality of life, says the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA).
Korea-based Asiana Airlines will formally leave Star Alliance on Dec. 16, 2026. The carrier joined the alliance in 2003. Star Alliance say there will a seamless transition to the airline’s departure. Star Alliance members will continue to earn miles on Asiana Airlines-operated flights departing on or before Oct. 15 and can redeem on or before Dec. 16. Fourteen Star Alliance member airlines will continue to operate to and from Incheon International Airport.
DEALS
A new flash sale from Transat through Aug. 2 gives savings of up to 45% on a selection of vacation packages to Cancun, Tulum and Cozumel. In addition, when booking a vacation package, travellers will receive the Option Flex Standard, free of charge. Travel window is until April 30, 2027.
A new limited-time offer from Star Clippers gives guests two free shore excursions per cabin on select January through March 2028 sailings aboard the line’s three clipper ships – Royal Clipper, Star Clipper and Star Flyer. The offer, fulfilled as a $200 onboard credit per cabin, also includes a complimentary 3GB Wi-Fi package per cabin, giving guests added value as they reserve early for 2028 Caribbean and Central America sailings.
TOURS
Inspired by Homer’s Odyssey (and this summer’s blockbuster film) Goway has launched a new Greek adventure. The 10-day “Odysseus’s Journey: The Peloponnese & Ionian Isles” itinerary traces the long path home of Ithacan King Odysseus, hero of the epic poem. Starting in Athens, highlights include Odysseus’s home island of Ithaki (Ithaca); the ancient capital of Nafplio and Mycenae, the seat of Agamemnon; the ruins of Nestor’s Palace, where Odysseus’s son Telemachus ventured to learn of his father’s fate; and the Ionian Sea off Corfu, where Odysseus sailed on his ill-fated journey home.
Intrepid Travel has expanded its Premium range, launching three new trips in Greenland, Norway and Costa Rica, alongside more than 50 new signature experiences across its Premium portfolio. Premium is the company’s most comfortable travel style, offering handpicked feature stays, exceptional included experiences and enhanced service throughout the trip.
HOTELS & RESORTS
As Los Cabos enjoys continued growth from the Canadian market, the Mexican resort destination is set to “open a new chapter,” with the debut of Aman’s first ultra-luxury retreat in the country, Amanvari (photo above) on Aug. 1. Reservations are now open for the resort, which will comprise of just 18 casitas (photo above) and a limited collection of Aman-branded residences within the exclusive Costa Palmas community on Baja’s East Cape.
The St. Regis Costa Mujeres Resort, Cancun has officially opened its doors. The newest addition to Marriott International’s luxury portfolio in Mexico is located in Costa Mujeres, just north of Cancún. The resort is nestled between the Caribbean Sea and a protected mangrove reserve, near the ancient archaeological site of El Meco and surrounded by the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef system in the world. Drawing inspiration from Mayan heritage and storytelling, the property features 163 elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites, nine distinctive dining venues, and a comprehensive wellness experience centered around The St. Regis Spa.
CRUISE
Sunwing Vacations is expanding its winter cruise offering with the addition of MSC Opera. Beginning Dec. 14, the tour company will offer weekly Monday departures from Montreal to La Romana, D.R., connecting guests to seven-night Caribbean sailings with key inclusions bundled into one booking. Packages include round-trip WestJet flights from Montreal, airport and cruise terminal transfers, seven nights of accommodation and meals onboard, an Easy Drink Beverage Package, plus daily service charges and gratuities, offering exceptional value and convenience in one booking. Departures are available through March 29, 2027.
Travelbrands’ Encore Cruises is putting the spotlight on CroisiEurope this July with an exclusive limited-time offer that brings added value to both travellers and Canadian travel advisors. Through July 31, clients can receive a $150 CAD air discount per person on eligible CroisiEurope sailings. Travel advisors can also earn 2,000 loyalty rewards points per stateroom.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Trafalgar has launched Trafalgar Trailblazers, a new advisor advocacy program that gives select travel advisors the exclusive opportunity to preview new itineraries before launching to the public, and at the same time bringing their firsthand knowledge of client preferences into the company’s product development process. The program debuts with an opportunity to apply for one of two exclusive Trafalgar Small Group Tours FAM experiences this fall: “Best of China” or “San Sebastián & Beyond.” Applications are open until the end of July here.
EVENTS
Air Canada Vacations annual DreamMakers 2026-27 winter product launch tour is returning in September as the popular in-person events call in seven Canadian cities including, new for 2026, Calgary and Quebec City. While registrations details are forthcoming, agents are advised to mark their calendars as follows: Halifax – Sept. 2; Calgary – Sept. 8; Edmonton – Sept. 9; Vancouver – Sept. 10; Montreal – Sept. 14; Quebec City – Sept. 15; Toronto – Sept. 22.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Reach Global Marketing, representatives in Canada of such destinations as New York, Dubai, Las Vegas and Arizona, gathered partners and friends for a “summer social” in hot, smoky Toronto late last week with nothing more than a few cocktails, nibbles and hugs on the agenda (photo above). Company president and CEO Charmaine Singh (glasses, right) said, “I am proud of our team and the relationships we’ve built in the industry. At the end of the day, that’s what we do at Reach; we connect people with places and experiences.”
Elvi Cal is joining the Snowbird Advisor team, taking on the role of Director of Travel Partnerships in a consulting capacity. The former long-time TravelBrands executive will be overseeing partnerships with DMOs, tourist boards, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators and other providers who want to reach the rapidly growing Canadian snowbird market.
DESTINATIONS
The border fence between Spain and Gibraltar has been removed, enabling a new freedom of movement under a historic treaty between the European Union and the United Kingdom. Travellers to Gibraltar from countries outside the Schengen Area, including the U.K., will have to contend with the EU Entry-Exit System, or EES, which was rolled out in Europe in April and replaced passport stamps with biometric data collected through photographs and digital fingerprints. With the border fence gone, Gibraltar officials have set up live facial recognition cameras at entry points and throughout the territory.
Tourisme Montréal, in partnership with Cossette, has unveiled Sesame, an innovative AI-powered digital tool that instantly creates personalized travel guides and activity recommendations for visitors exploring Montréal. The “smart travel companion” leverages an extensive network of member businesses, including attractions, museums, restaurants, events, shops, and parks, to generate customized, relevant, and easy-to-follow recommendations. Travellers simply indicate what they’re looking for, whether it’s a weekend brunch spot, cultural experiences, relaxation venues, or nightlife options, and the tool instantly delivers tailored suggestions based on their interests, time of day, and travel style.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1916, Boeing Co., originally known as Pacific Aero Products Co., was founded in Seattle.
In 1980, L’Anse aux Meadows, on the northern tip of Newfoundland where Vikings formed a settlement more than 1,000 years ago, was declared the first World Heritage Site by a special United Nations committee. Norwegian explorer Helge Ingstad found the site in 1960 after searching for the Vikings’ trail along Newfoundland’s coast for months, relying on 16th-century maps and ancient descriptions of Leif Ericsson’s transatlantic voyage.
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