GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Who we lost in 2025
by Jen Savedra - The Canadian travel industry lost its share of luminaries in 2025. Here are some of them – all sadly gone, but certainly not forgotten.
TOURISM’S DEBT TO FRANK GEHRY, IN PHOTOS
by Staff Writer - Frank Gehry, the Canadian-born renegade architect behind some of the world's most recognizable buildings, died Dec. 5 at 96. Known for his unconventional style and daring designs, Gehry brought unique life to cultural spaces including the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and Toronto's Art Gallery of Ontario – iconic attractions that attract visitors from around the world and even helped put some destinations on the tourist map.
REMEMBERING DUNCAN BUREAU
by Michael Baginski - By Michael Baginski/ One of the true characters of the Canadian travel industry has died. Duncan Bureau reportedly had a heart attack Dec. 2 in Mexico, age 58. Having started his career at Greyhound Bus Lines, he was most recently chief commercial officer at the Farenexus travel services company.
‘SHE WAS MY HERO’: G Adventures founder remembers Dr. Jane Goodall
by Staff Writer - Jane Goodall, the intellectual, soft-spoken conservationist renowned for her groundbreaking, immersive chimpanzee field research in which she documented the primates' distinct personalities and use of tools, has died. She was 91.
PAT DINEEN: Remembering a rare elite everyman
by Michael Baginski - By Michael Baginski/ I first met Canadian travel industry legend Pat Dineen on a press trip to Greece in the early 1990s. We got to know each other sipping ouzo in a harbour café in a postcard-perfect Greek fishing village, moon overhead, the strains of bouzouki in the air, and Pat was talking about… sumo.
PIERRE JEAN JEANNIOT: Remembering a Canadian aviation pioneer and Air Canada CEO
by Staff Writer - Pierre Jean Jeanniot, O.C., passed away in Montreal on June 22, 2025, at the age of 92. A pioneering figure in civil aviation, he played a transformative role as President and CEO of Air Canada and later as Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
‘SO YOUNG AND VIBRANT’: Remembering Brand USA Cdn director Casey Canevari
by Staff Writer - The travel industry on both sides of the border was shocked and devastated to learn of the sudden death of Brand USA’s popular Director of Global Trade Development (Canada) on Thursday. Canevari, a familiar figure amongst the trade in Canada, fell ill in Toronto at the start of Brand USA’s second annual trade mission to Canada on April 28, which was to also call in Montreal later in the week.
‘SUCH A CHARACTER’: Paul Jervis
by Jen Savedra - Paul Jervis. That name may not be familiar to those relatively new to our industry but Paul was a man at the forefront of many of the paradigm changes that impacted Canadian travel and tourism especially in the eighties and nineties. Tragically Paul died in Mexico, on February 4th, after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
REMEMBERING SUE URIE
by Staff Writer - Canadian travel industry veteran Sue Urie, died of natural causes on Dec. 13, at age 70. She was Business Solutions Manager for Travel Leaders Network in Western Canada, having joined the organization in 2006.
IN PASSING: Nick Troubetzkoy – a Caribbean-Canadian hotel giant
by Staff Writer - The travel industry is mourning the passing of noted Saint Lucian hotelier, developer and visionary Nick Troubetzkoy during a recent visit to London. Raised in western Canada, Troubetzkoy’s many notable accomplishments included building Anse Chastanet and the renowned Jade Mountain resorts.
‘THE GREATEST PILOT THAT’S EVER LIVED’: Remembering co-pilot of historic round-the-world flight
by Staff Writer - Burt Rutan was alarmed to see the plane he had designed was so loaded with fuel that the wing tips started dragging along the ground as it taxied down the runway. He grabbed the radio to warn the pilot, his older brother Dick Rutan. But Dick never heard the message. Nine days and three minutes later, Dick, along with copilot Jeana Yeager, completed one of the greatest milestones in aviation history: the first round-the-world flight with no stops or refuelling.
LAST FLIGHT: Legendary ‘long-serving’ flight attendant Bette Nash dies at 88
by Staff Writer - Bette Nash, recognized as the world's longest-serving flight attendant, has died. She was 88.
TRAVEL PIONEER: David Collett, P. Lawson Travel
by Staff Writer - The Canadian travel industry is celebrating the life of an important early figure: David William Collett, who died recently at the age of 93. Collett was an executive at P. Lawson Travel and also served as Skal Toronto president in 1982. The following obituary, including remembrance service details, appeared in the Toronto Star on Saturday.
COURAGE, STRENGTH AND GRACE: Jill Stewart
by Staff Writer - Condolences from the travel world and beyond are pouring in for Jill Stewart, the wife of Sandals Resorts executive chairman Adam Stewart, who died after a year-long battle with cancer. The Stewarts were married for 14 years and shared three children.
