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
Canada has extended its travel and immigration restrictions related to the Ebola outbreak for another 60 days, until Nov. 27. The health ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo has released new data showing there have been more than 8,000 cases of the virus. People from Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo have been barred from travelling to Canada since May.
At it’s recent AGM, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario announced Ontario’s travel sector remained strong during the 2025-26 fiscal year, with gross sales reaching $18.4 billion, slightly higher than the previous year. Ontarians continue to prioritize travel, though economic pressures, global uncertainty and shifting consumer expectations continue to shape the marketplace, said TICO.
Explora Journeys has signed a Letter of Intent with Dutch shipbuilder Den Breejen Shipyard for the construction of its first luxury river ships, marking the brand’s planned entry into river cruising.
BY THE NUMBERS
For the first time, Istanbul Airport has scored top marks as the world’s most connected airport by OAG in the aviation data provider’s anticipated Megahubs 2026 annual ranking. IST rose from second in 2025, with connections to 337 destinations worldwide. Turkish Airlines operates 80% of flights at the airport. London Heathrow (LHR) moves into second place, as potential connections on the busiest day fell by 6% year-on-year, partly reflecting the ongoing disruption to Middle East schedules. The rest of the top five: Amsterdam, Schiphol, Kuala Lumpur, and Chicago O’Hare. Toronto Pearson was 22nd with 203 connections.
AIR
Select members of the trade recently toured Air India’s brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft in Toronto. The carrier flies every day between YYZ and Delhi, now featuring a fully transformed onboard experience across its Business (photo above), Premium Economy, and Economy cabins, all boasting contemporary, Indian-inspired interiors and more than 3,000 hours of inflight entertainment.
Following the announcement of an expanded Air Transport Agreement between Canada and Vietnam, Air Canada says it plans to work with the relevant authorities to complete the approvals and procedures required to launch scheduled service to Ho Chi Minh City in 2027.
Flair Airlines is adding Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, to its network this winter, launching new nonstop service from both Montréal and Toronto. Beginning Dec. 18, Flair will fly nonstop from Montréal (YUL) to Puerto Plata (POP) twice weekly, followed by service from Toronto (YYZ) beginning Dec. 19, operating up to twice weekly. Puerto Plata is an entirely new destination for Flair, expanding its winter sun offering from both markets with air-only fares and Flair Vacations packages.
DEALS
European specialist CIE Tours’ ‘Fan Favourites Sale’ offers savings of up to C$1,200 per couple on qualifying 2027 vacations from the Cliffs of Moher and the Dingle Peninsula to London, the Scottish Highlands, and Italy’s Amalfi Coast. The offer is valid for tours across Ireland, Scotland, England, and Italy, and is valid for bookings made in October for travel any time in 2027.
Belize is celebrating its 45th year of Independence and to mark the milestone, the destination is currently running the ‘Belize at 45’ promotional campaign, offering travellers up to 45% off accommodation rates at participating properties. The special offer is available through Oct. 31, with travel valid until Nov. 15.
Clients who book at Nassau’s SLS Baha Mar by Oct. 31, for stays between May 1 and Oct. 31, 2026, will receive a complimentary fourth night plus a $250 food and beverage credit at the resort.
TOURS
Collette has launched its 2027-28 travel season, featuring over 175 tours worldwide, including 12 new tours across Europe, Africa, Asia and the United States. Celebrating its 109th year of touring, In celebration of the new travel season, Collette has also launched a seasonal sale featuring stackable savings of up to $1,500 per couple on travel through Dec. 31, 2027.
African Travel Inc. has unveiled its 2027 collection in a new digital brochure, doubling its Locally Hosted Small Group portfolio with three new journeys, returning to Uganda and introducing new Tailor-Made itine2raries, accommodations and experiences across East and Southern Africa. The expanded collection gives travellers more ways to experience the continent, from professionally planned small-group journeys with guaranteed departures for as few as two guests to highly personalized Tailor-Made travel. The collection arrives as African Travel, a member of The Travel Corporation, marks 50 years of specializing exclusively in Africa. See the brochure HERE.
CRUISE
Carnival Cruise Line has launched Carnival Rewards, a first-of-its-kind loyalty program in the cruise industry that gives guests more ways to earn rewards, achieve status, and benefit first-time cruisers as well as repeat guests. The new program introduces both Carnival Rewards Points, which are earned and can be redeemed for Carnival cruises and eligible onboard experiences, plus Status Qualifying Stars, which unlock status and additional benefits. The Milestone Recognition Program further celebrates guests as they reach key sailing achievements based on the number of days sailed. For more visit CarnivalRewards.com.
Oceania, the world’s leading destination- and culinary-focused luxury cruise line has announced the industry’s first entirely gluten-free ocean voyage. Sailing aboard Oceania Vista in 2028, the groundbreaking journey will invite guests to experience the full breadth of the line’s renowned culinary program without the need to navigate menus, question preparation practices or worry about cross-contact. Departing May 31, 2028, the 12-night roundtrip voyage from Southampton will explore the landscapes and historic cities of England, Ireland and Scotland, with calls including Cork (Cobh), Dublin (Dún Laoghaire), Glasgow (Greenock), Stornoway in the Hebrides and Edinburgh (Newhaven).
HOTELS & RESORTS
Tamarind has just reopened as an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort, marking the completion of Marriott’s extensive transformation of its Barbados Collection. The renovated property features refreshed accommodations, expanded programming including complimentary watersports, and signature Marriott amenities such as CAMP Club for kids, enhancing the resort’s longstanding family-friendly offerings. The completion of the Barbados Collection also brings the debut of Sandtrap Beach Club, a new beachfront destination opening later this month.
Chelsea Toronto unveiled a renewed brand, marking the next chapter for one of the city’s most recognized hotels. The announcement follows a four-year, hotel-wide transformation representing more than $85 million in investment that includes renovation of its guest rooms, arrival experience, public spaces, dining and recreation.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
At the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (continuing through Nov. 21), guests can sip and savour their way around the world with dozens of Global Marketplaces, while live performances return with the popular Eat to the Beat Concert Series featuring well-known artists and up-and-coming talent.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
New Air Canada bookings to select sun destinations made by Nov. 1, 2026, for travel by March 31, 2027, will earn 2X the Air Canada & Me tokens (conditions apply).
EVENTS
With themes ranging from AI and luxury travel to destination growth, the inaugural ITB Americas Conference – dubbed “the first and only travel trade show for North, South and Central America” – is set to take place Nov. 10-12 in Guadalajara, Mexico. As the knowledge hub of the inaugural ITB Americas, the ITB Americas Conference will take place alongside the exhibition, bringing together senior executives, destination leaders, innovators and policymakers to discuss the trends reshaping travel across the Americas and beyond.
At it’s recent event in Cambodia, G Adventures announced that its annual GX Summit for 2027 will be held in Brazil in late September.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Air Canada Vacations has added two new account managers in B.C. and Toronto. Joining ACV as Key Account Manager for Burnaby, Tri-Cities, Fraser Valley, Okanagan and Northern British Columbia is Alisa Stephenson, while Brian Paivo joins as Key Account Manager for Toronto West.
Sunwing Vacations Group has announced that Deana Murphy, VP, Trade Sales and Business Development, will retire effective Oct. 16, following 24 years with Sunwing and a 40-year career in the Canadian travel industry.
DESTINATIONS
This month will see Hong Kong host its first-ever citywide Halloween celebration, transforming the entire city into a giant stage for creativity, costumes and immersive experiences. With themed activities and local collaborations across multiple districts, visitors can join special weekends on Oct. 17 and 24 before the citywide finale on Oct. 31. Popular attractions, including Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, will also unveil their signature Halloween experiences, adding even more thrills to a month-long celebration unlike anywhere else in Asia.
Panama is launching Tourist Insurance, an initiative that the Panama Tourism Authority (PTA) says reinforces the country’s commitment to providing care and support to international visitors from the moment they arrive. The benefit covers medical emergencies, transportation, and international repatriation and comes with no cost and no paperwork for visitors. Full details regarding coverage, terms, conditions, and exclusions are available HERE.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1854, the American steamship “Arctic” collided with the French steamer “Vesta” in thick fog in the Atlantic and sank near Cape Race, Nfld., with 300 people onboard. As a result of the disaster, safety features such as side lighting on ships were made compulsory.
Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com
If you enjoyed or found this story useful, we’d appreciate if you would forward it to a colleague or friend who may also enjoy it. If, on the other hand, a friend shared it with you, welcome! You can get all the latest travel news and reviews from Travel Industry by simply clicking HERE.