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
Ramped up hostilities in the Middle East have seen Global Affairs Canada raise travel warnings for several destinations including Jordan, Qatar, UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia, which are now at Level 3 (Orange), meaning Canadians are advised to avoid all non-essential travel. Ottawa had eased some of the advisories three weeks ago and destinations like Jordan, the UAE and Israel had resumed tourism promotion.
Ottawa banned foreign nationals who set foot in the Democratic Republic of Congo from entry to Canada due to the risk of importing the deadly Ebola disease. The new travel ban will not apply to Canadian citizens or permanent residents, who must quarantine on arrival for 21 days if they’ve been to Congo, Uganda or South Sudan. That quarantine measure, which has been in effect since May 30, expires on Aug. 29.
Due to exorbitant airfare costs, Labrador residents flying within or out of the region can get up to four return tickets subsidized by the provincial government. Residents along the tip of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula are also eligible for the discounted tickets. The offer is good until March 31, 2027.
AIR
Launching across all its cabins beginning this month, Air Canada is introducing a new collection of premium bedding and amenities designed to elevate rest and comfort for customers on international flights. The collection represents the latest facet of Air Canada’s end-to-end ‘Glowing Hearted’ experience, and includes upgraded Signature Class duvets and pillows, generously sized blankets in Premium Economy and Economy Class, and new amenity kits.
Starting Aug. 1, Air India will introduce brand-new, factory-fresh Boeing 787-9 aircraft on its Toronto-Delhi route, bringing its all-new cabin interiors, including Premium Economy, to the Canadian market for the first time.
Air Canada’s Aeroplan and World of Hyatt have announced a collaboration that will give loyalty plan members more ways to earn and redeem rewards. The collaboration expands member benefits across a combined network of more than 1,300 destinations and 1,500 hotels.
BY THE NUMBERS
Statistics Canada says customers paid a lot more for travel services last month, particularly in Toronto and Vancouver – the country’s host cities for the World Cup. The agency says the cost of traveller accommodation for June rose about 20% year-over-year in Ontario and British Columbia. Rental car prices rose nearly 7% across the country YOY as travel demand increased and airfares jumped 9.6% last month from a year earlier, pushed up by vacationers’ urge for domestic trips as well as higher jet fuel costs caused by the Middle East war.
DEALS
Until Aug. 2, travellers can enjoy discounts of up to 45% on a selection of Sun vacation packages with Transat. Featured destinations in the Flash Sale include Mexico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and several other popular sun destinations. In addition, when booking a vacation package, travellers will receive the Option Flex Standard, free of charge. Travel window is until Dec. 31.
Luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises will celebrate three and a half decades in 2027 with a curated collection of 35th Anniversary Sailings spanning its six ships, including the anticipated Seven Seas Prestige. Guests who reserve by Aug. 31, will receive up to 35% savings on 35 sailings, as well as a complimentary US$350 shipboard credit per suite that can be used a Serene Spa & Wellness treatment or Regent Choice excursion.
TOURS
Kensington Cares, the social impact program of private guided luxury specialist Kensington has launched the Kensington Fieldwork Grant, a new annual funding initiative established in partnership with the Royal Geographical Society. Funded through the support of Jeff Willner, Founder and CEO of Kensington, the four annual US$34,000 grants will help support ambitious geographical exploration, field-based research and storytelling projects with the potential to create meaningful positive impact around the world.
Building on the strong demand for 2026, Tauck has opened bookings for 2027 Women’s Only Departures, expanding from three itineraries to seven and extending the collection beyond Europe to include North America for the first time. The expanded collection spans Italy, France, Portugal, Scandinavia, England, and Canada, with departures running from June to October.
Every Women’s Only Departure operates as a small group itinerary averaging 24 guests and is led by a female Tauck Director.
CRUISE
Polar travel specialist Quark Expeditions has launched its Arctic 2028 and Antarctic 2028/29 seasons, marking the earliest season launch in the company’s 35-year history. Featuring more than 70 departures across the Arctic and Antarctica, the new season introduces new opportunities for exploration, including the Guided Photography Program, Quark’s first-ever Expedition Extensions, a new Canadian Arctic voyage through the Northwest Passage, and the return of Tundra to Table, a culinary experience developed and delivered in partnership with the Greenlandic chef collective Igapall.
Seabourn has revealed “The Ruby Collection,” a curated series of 54 voyages in 2028 to commemorate the line’s 40th anniversary. Spanning its fleet of five luxury ships, the collection features enhanced onboard offerings, exclusive experiences, and access to destinations where larger ships cannot reach. Now open for booking, the Collection spans the globe with notable voyages including a 120-day “Cape to Cape” World Cruise departing Jan. 7, 2028; the line’s second Grand Expedition: Pole to Pole, a 96-day journey from the High Arctic to Antarctica; a Yachtsman Collection of Caribbean and Mediterranean voyages returning to the intimate harbours that inspired the line’s founding; and newly curated itineraries designed around seasonal cultural moments in Japan, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Now open, the Royalton Vessence Barbados Adult-Oriented, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort (photo above) marks the company’s first property in Barbados and the global debut of the new Royalton Vessence brand. Located on Barbados’ Platinum Coast, approximately 30 minutes from Grantley Adams International Airport, the beachfront resort features 220 suites, including oceanfront suites, swim-out categories, and elevated Diamond Club accommodations with personalized butler service and exclusive access to dedicated spaces throughout the resort. There are also 17 food and beverage outlets, including five specialty à la carte restaurants.
As of July 24, Meliá Hotels International terminated all operations in Cuba after 36 years. The Spanish hotel chain’s portfolio consisted of 34 hotels on the island, some of which had already closed (or transferred to Cuban operators) as part of a partial withdrawal announced in June. Citing “notable difficulties” in operations and otherwise in the country after its embargo by the Trump administration, Meliá communicated its decision to halt all services and other activities to the National Securities Market Commission of Spain.
ATTRACTIONS
The first major music festival on Santa Monica beach, Ocean Way Festival brings live music back to one of California’s most iconic coastlines with a celebration of music, food, wellness, design, sustainability and beach culture. The inaugural lineup features headliners The Killers and Olivia Dean, alongside Jack White, Khruangbin, Sublime, Durand Jones and the Indications, and more performing across two nights. Tickets and hotel packages are on sale now. For info, www.oceanwayfestival.com.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Air Canada Vacations is rewarding advisors who book their groups by Aug. 31 with the opportunity to qualify for Silver, Gold or Excellence loyalty program status, earning rewards in addition to ACV&ME points.
EVENTS
Travel Leaders Network will hold a dedicated two-day conference created exclusively for Canadian travel advisors and preferred partners this fall. Set to take place on both sides of the country, ELEVATE Canada will be held at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown on Oct. 20-21 and at the Pearson Convention Centre in Toronto on Oct. 28-29. TLN, the largest network of agents in North America, says the events represent a significant evolution of its regional events, delivering more time, more learning opportunities and more meaningful connections for advisors across the country.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
WestJet has appointed Todd Lindey Director, Sales. Reporting to Amanda Ierfino, VP Sales & Cargo, Lindey will lead the Corporate, Agency, Specialty and International Sales teams, along with Sales Operations & Performance and Sales Planning & Governance. Toronto-based Lindey brings more than 15 years of aviation and commercial experience to the role. He joined WestJet in 2010 at the Kitchener, Ont., airport before moving to the commercial side of the business two years later. Since then, he has held progressively senior roles across marketing and sales, most recently as Senior Manager, Global Sales.
DESTINATIONS
NYC Restaurant Week is now underway. Through Aug. 16, the program invites New Yorkers and visitors to experience more than 600 restaurants across all five boroughs, offering over 45 cuisines in more than 70 neighbourhoods, at a value. Participating restaurants will offer lunch and/or dinner prix-fixe menus featuring classic, favourite and new items. Meals are priced at $30, $45 or $60 and vary by restaurant to create affordable options at various price points. Taxes and gratuity are not included; Saturdays are excluded from the program, and Sundays are optional. Reservation can be made at nyctourism.com/restaurantweek.
In Paris, the Louvre’s Apollo gallery reopened to the public for the first time since 88 million euros worth of crown jewels were stolen in a dramatic daytime heist. The public can tour the majestic room and view its gilded ceilings and Greek frescoes en route to the nearby Mona Lisa, but they won’t see any crown jewels or empty display cases. The collections and precious jewels once displayed there have been removed, as the museum said the gallery is returning to its 17th-century original ceremonial purpose.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1956, the transatlantic liners “Andrea Doria” and “Stockholm” collided off the New England coast. A massive rescue mission managed to save all but 51 of the 1,668 passengers.
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