Author name: Jen Savedra

SIMPLY THE BEST: DT Minich inducted into Florida Tourism Hall of Fame

By JEN SAVEDRA/ DT Minich, President and CEO of Experience Kissimmee was inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame last week and he truly exemplifies the best the industry has to offer. The only tourism executive to have led three Florida destination marketing organizations – Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau, Visit St. Pete Clearwater and Experience Kissimmee –Minich was recognized for his more than three decades of leadership, innovation and service to Florida’s tourism.

ANOTHER CUBA BLACKOUT AS GRID CONTINUES TO CRUMBLE

An islandwide blackout hit Cuba on Monday as the country’s fuel reserves dwindle and its electric grid continues to crumble. The blackout in the country of nearly 10 million people was reported by the state-run Electric Union, which said on X that the cause is under investigation.

WESTJET, ICELANDAIR SIGN CODESHARE

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.

U.S. TRAVEL FACES ITS TROUBLING CANADA QUESTION

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Last year at IPW, the U.S. Travel Association ducked “the Canadian question.” In fact, it ducked the media altogether. But this year, full marks to the organization (and Brand USA) for facing the music and comprehensively answering the question that Travel Industry Today asked on behalf of all Canadians and the Canadian travel industry: “Where does Canadian travel to the U.S. stand at this moment and what do you have to say to Canadians that might make a difference?”

IF YOU COULD TRAVEL WITH ANYONE: And where would you go?

When it comes to fantasy travel companions, most travellers want expertise and conversation over glitz and glamour, according to a recent survey by Global Rescue. Among the top celebrity dream companions were Rick Steves, Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey, and Robert De Niro.

READY FOR SOME SUNSHINE: DR lays out the welcome mat

By JEN SAVEDRA/ 2026 is proving to be an exceptional year for the Dominican Republic, with official data showing that an amazing 1.22 million visitors arrived in January alone. This “unprecedented surge” represents an 8.7% increase over the previous year, and a 61% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.

WHERE TO GO?: Australia may be just what you’re looking for.

By Jen Savedra/This is a tricky time for travel and tourism – that has to be acknowledged. Some of our holiday favourites are, for various and differing reasons, less appealing than usual.  But, we do still want to travel, and right now, think about it, Australia is a very viable choice of destination.  And really, It’s already popular with Canadians.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives

This week: Some TICO renewal fees are rising; ACTA introduced its regional council members; redtag.ca unveils its new MICE division; moving up at Virtuoso; and Bermuda has launched travel advisor specialist program; and Brazil is upping the incentives for its agent specialists.

WISHLIST ’26: Postcard-pretty Paros, Greece

When it comes to postcard-pretty Greek Islands, Paros ticks all the boxes – white-washed cubist villages, blue-domed churches, waterfront seafood tavernas and countless golden-sand coves. All that’s missing are the crowds, who flock instead to nearby Santorini and Mykonos – Paros’s glitzier cousins.

ROUND-UP: Jan. 5-9, 2026

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.

CANARY IN THE COAL MINE: LAX flights halted due to air traffic controller shortage

The FAA issued a temporary ground stop Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport – one of the world’s busiest airports – soon after the U.S. secretary of transportation predicted that travellers would see more flights delayed and cancelled in the coming days as U.S. air traffic controllers work without pay during the federal government shutdown.

FLYING HIGH IN WESTERN CANADA: VisitBritain begins workshop series in Calgary, Edmonton, next week

VisitBritain, in partnership with key Canadian tour operators and airlines, is hosting travel agent workshops in Calgary, Edmonton and Mississauga in October – starting next week – and reports that space is still available. Travel advisors will be able to learn more about products and itineraries available for clients wishing to England, Scotland and Wales in 2026 and beyond.

HOT OR NOT: FlightHub ‘unveils’ latest trends, destinations

Montreal-based OTA FlightHub has released the second edition of its Unveiled list, offering fresh insight into today’s travel and booking behaviour. The report also highlights the most booked Canadian destinations, reinforcing continued demand for domestic travel across the country.

COST IS KING: Consumers don’t walk the talk on sustainability

For all the talk, consumers are more concerned with the cost of travel than sustainability, confirms a report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Moreover, the study explores the “critical gap” between what travellers say about sustainability and the choices they ultimately make.  

PASSENGERS PICK WORLD’S BEST AIRPORTS

Airports Council International (ACI) World, in partnership with Amadeus, has announced the winners this years 2024 ASQ Airport Experience Awards – considered the benchmark for excellence in airport customer experience as determined exclusively by passengers. Three Canadian airports made the grade, but perhaps not the ones you might think.

‘SUCH A CHARACTER’: Paul Jervis

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.

TO GO OR NOT TO GO: Concerns and defiance at Washington D.C.’s World Pride

World Pride this year is to be held in Washington DC and international delegates and tourists are expected to flock to the city during the festivities which run from May 23 to June 8. But there is a fly in the ointment.  Donald Trump’s executive order, signed on day one of his presidency, does not sit well with the LGBT+ community, both domestic and global, and there are serious concerns as to what treatment visitors can expect at the Border and at the festivities.

THINKING BACK.LOOKING AHEAD

It’s been quite a year – exhausting may be the best word to describe it.  The heat is on as the world gets hotter – in more ways than one.  So, here’s a look at some of what we saw in 2024 and what we can perhaps hope for in 2025.

LOOKS LIKE WE’RE IN FOR NASTY WEATHER

John Fogerty is a brilliant songwriter – composing such celebrated hits as Proud Mary, Down on the Corner, Have You Ever Seen The Rain, and many, many more, generally performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival, but covered by artists around the world. However, this song has been an earworm in my mind for the past few weeks. I can’t get rid of it, so I’m passing it along. With an apology to our editor Mike Baginski for bumping his choice, here we go…

THEY’RE BACK – VIRGIN ATLANTIC RETURNS TO CANADA

With the launch – relaunch, actually – of Virgin Atlantic from Canada next May, company executives Simon Hawkins and Kathryn Stanley were in Toronto recently to talk about “everything and anything” regarding the colourful British carrier and its imminent, and much anticipated, return to this country.

WASN’T THAT A PARTY: A fond farewell to Penny Martin

When Penny Martin walked into Toronto’s Sheraton Centre last Thursday, she thought she was standing in for Flemming Friisdahl at an Air Canada event that he had said he couldn’t attend due to other commitments. Was she surprised when a roomful of travel types yelled “SURPRISE?” You bet.  And, an even bigger and better surprise, her son and sister had flown into town for her retirement party from The Travel Agent Next Door.

CONNECTIONS: Echo of success in Kissimmee

“The notion of connection is one of the biggest reasons why ECHO is important”, says Writer and  Director Mukhtar Omar Sharif Mukhtar of the new Cirque du Soleil production currently performing in Toronto,  perhaps that is why DT Minich, President/CEO at Experience Kissimmee and his team chose ECHO to conclude a  busy week in Toronto meeting and connecting with associates, partners and media, before, finally, relaxing at a casual get together to gasp at a spectacular performance of ECHO.

 

FOUL BALL: FAA to probe baseball coach in cockpit during Toronto flight

US authorities are investigating after a video that surfaced on social media showing a man who appears to be Colorado Rockies hitting coach Hensley Meulens sitting in the pilot’s seat “at cruise altitude” while bound for Toronto. The Instagram post, which has been taken down, included a caption that said “the captain and the first officer” of a United Airlines charter flight had allowed the poster to sit in the cockpit during the flight from Denver.

SO MUCH FOR LOYALTY: American Airlines urged to reconsider punitive measures

Calling American Airlines’ decision to award loyalty points only to clients that book directly or through a small number of “preferred agencies a “punitive measure” against travel agencies that choose to use third-party booking platforms, the World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA) warns the policy is “a threat to the travel agent ecosystem.”

THE PLANE TRUTH: Really? Dulles to Donald

A group of U.S. House Republicans wants to rename Washington Dulles International Airport after Donald Trump. The airport is currently named for John Foster Dulles, a former Secretary of State who fought against communism during the early stages of the Cold War.

TAKE A BOW: Women in travel make the difference

Take a look at these women.  They are hugely responsible for making our industry what it is today. To make it personal – every one of them, perhaps even without knowing it, has played a part in any accomplishment or success I have had in business and in life. Some I have known for decades, some I have never actually met in person. However, I have either worked with, travelled with, interviewed and written about, or even just emailed, phoned, or video-conferenced, with every one of them.

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