Destinations

SPAIN SETS TOURISM RECORD (AGAIN): Plus new Canadian podcast

Spain set a new tourism record in 2025 when it welcomed 96.8 million foreign visitors, according to figures released by the National Statistics Institute. The number of international visitors increased 3.2% compared to 2024, when there were 94 million tourists.

CAPE TOWN IN TWO KEYS: Oceanfront seclusion and urban heritage

By Cindy-Lou Dale/ Cape Town, South Africa’s appeal lies in its range: mountain, ocean, heritage districts, and a food culture rooted in local identity. Consider two unique hotels – contrasting but complimentary – from which the city unfolds in manageable, memorable chapters: walkable neighbourhoods, historic sites, and signature culinary experiences, each adding depth to a stay that blends relaxation with meaningful exploration.

TOOLKIT HELPS NARROW GAP WITH INDIGENOUS TOURISM

Building respectful, mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities and advancing tourism systems that are owned, guided and governed by Indigenous Peoples is the objective of a new trade toolkit unveiled at the recent 2026 International Indigenous Tourism Conference in Edmonton.

ALL IN THE FAMILY: A practical guide to family-friendly Nassau & Paradise Island

Travelling with children is a balancing act: high energy for the thrill-seekers, shade breaks for the nappers, and experiences that feel like vacation rather than a generic beach break. Luckily, in Nassau & Paradise Island, visitors can pair a big water-park day with wildlife encounters, hands-on sweets, and a quick taste of local flavour – all without overplanning.

JAPAN DELVES DEEP INTO CANADIAN MARKET

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) welcomed 64 members of the Canadian travel Friday at the Vancouver edition of “Japan: Delve Deeper.” The event, hosted at Vancouver’s Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, brought together a cosmopolitan group of Japan’s top travel suppliers and partners for a compelling mini trade show.

CUBA TRIP MEANT MORE THAN FUN IN THE SUN

Louise MacKinnon and her family have become accustomed to visiting Cuba in March, but plans to return this year fell through when Canadian carriers were forced to suspend service to the island due to a fuel shortage caused by the U.S. oil blockade.

THE BRIDGERTON EFFECT: Hit Netflix show fuels U.K. surge

British tourism is experiencing a “Bridgerton”-fuelled surge, according to leading tour operator Evan Evans, which says the demand for the series’ UK filming locations has resulted in a staggering 276% increase in website visits for its Stonehenge & Bath private tours, while online searches for the Hampton Court & Windsor tours have climbed 140%.

PANAMA – DEFINED BY TASTE

Food in Panama isn’t just something you taste, it’s something you experience in every corner of the country. From award-winning restaurants to fresh, locally sourced ingredients, Panama offers a culinary scene shaped by its history, diversity and exceptional natural abundance. It’s a place where flavour tells a story, and where Canadians can enjoy authentic tastes that reflect the country’s unique identity.

UP IN SMOKE: Iconic Cuban cigar fair postponed after Trump fuel freeze

Cigar afficionados have been forced to stoke their Habanos elsewhere this year as Cuba’s most famous cigar festival has gone up in smoke. The annual fair, which was to have taken place this week was postponed as the island continues to face blackouts and severe fuel shortages brought about by a U.S oil embargo.

CANADA PREPARING AID PACKAGE FOR CUBA

Canada announced Monday that it is working on an aid package for Cuba as it faces blackouts and severe fuel shortages worsened by a U.S oil embargo, however details of the plan have not been released.

PANAMA’S PACIFIC COAST – WHERE THE BEACHES ARE BOSS

Panama’s Pacific shoreline delivers a carefree beach escape, with wide sandy beaches, warm surf and a laid-back atmosphere. From resort-lined beaches to quiet coastal towns, the region offers space to unwind without feeling remote, with consistent conditions that make it easy to enjoy any time of year.

MORE MEXICO FOR AIR CANADA

Citing growing travel to and from Mexico by Canadians, Air Canada says it is strategically expanding its summer schedule to the destination with 18% more seat capacity than last summer.

KUNG HEI FAT CHOY: Hong Kong welcomes Year of the Horse

By Michael Baginski/ Few cities embrace the Chinese New Year with the same energy and colour as Hong Kong. It even extends to foreign lands, including Canada, where the Hong Kong Tourism Board celebrated last week with a lengthy list of trade friends atop the Scotia Plaza in Toronto.

PROFOUND SADNESS: Returnees lament state of beloved Cuba

Ryan Profid was enjoying a karaoke night at a resort near Cayo Coco in Cuba when he was approached by a staff member who had some bad news. They told him his vacation was over and he’d have to fly home the next day.

‘THANK YOU FOR STANDING BY US’: An open letter from the Cuba Tourist Board to Canada

Times are tough in Cuba right now, but the island’s resolute tourism board is looking forward to “brighter days ahead.” In the meantime, amidst pressure from the Trump administration and a crippling fuel shortage (caused by the former), and as Canadians are forced to be repatriated by the airlines, the board’s Canadian office in Toronto has penned an open letter to the Canadian travel industry, and the island’s “loyal travellers.”

COLOURFUL PANAMA – WHERE EASE MEETS AWE

Panama makes it easy to plan a vacation that suits every travel style. Located safely outside the hurricane belt, Panama is a reliable destination that can be enjoyed at any time of the year. From relaxing beachside retreats and vibrant city escapes to nature-focused adventures, Panama delivers comfort, convenience and value at every stage of the journey.

TAKE A HIKE: Malaysia tops for trails in Southeast Asia

A study by online travel agency Exoticca.com has revealed the most popular hiking trails in Southeast Asia. The travel specialists ranked paths across 11 countries using AllTrails data, scoring each route based on hiker ratings, review numbers, and popularity to find which trails pull in the most foot traffic and positive feedback.

DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT: U.K. to enforce ETA starting Feb. 25

VisitBritain is advising that the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) program will be strictly enforced for visitors to the UK – including Canadians – effective Feb. 25. From that date onward, travellers without an approved ETA will not be permitted to board transportation to the UK or enter the country.

RY-DING HIGH: Tourism Ireland celebrates golf, and upcoming Ryder Cup

With the golf season approaching, Tourism Ireland celebrated the country’s long history on the links at a recent Toronto trade event, as well as looking ahead, in particular, to the Ryder Cup – one of the sports pre-eminent events – which will take place on the Emerald Isle in 2027.

RAISING ARIZONA: ‘We’ve been coming here for years,’ state reminds Canada

By Michael Baginski/ The Arizona Office of Tourism called in Canada this week – an annual reverse migration to Toronto and Vancouver designed to emphasize the state’s long-standing relationship with this country, unperturbed by any other rhetoric that may be emanating across the 49th parallel.

EXPERIENCE FORT LAUDERDALE LIKE ONLY A SPECIALIST CAN

Visit Lauderdale’s ‘Lauderdale Loyalist’ program is an interactive training and sales experience for travel advisors designed to help sell the South Florida destination, but also to provide deals and discounts that can help agents discover Greater Fort Lauderdale for themselves.

READY WHEN YOU ARE: Miami ‘something different’ in the U.S.

By Michael Baginski/ The salsa dancing inside contrasted with the foot of snow and bitter temperature outside the Lula Lounge in Toronto last week as a small delegation representing Miami tourism reacquainted with close to 80 members of the Canadian travel trade who brave the weather for a colourful evening.

BLOCKBUSTER EXHIBIT: Famous artwork returns to UK after 1,000 years

The Bayeux Tapestry, the 11th-century artwork depicting the Norman conquest of England, is set be displayed in the U.K. for the first time in almost 1,000 years. The treasured medieval tapestry will be on loan from France and arrive at the British Museum in London, where it will star in a blockbuster exhibition from September to July 2027.

INTREPID COMMITS TO INDIGENOUS TOURISM IN CANADA

Intrepid Travel signed a landmark partnership agreement with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), committing $500,000 over the next five years to support the growth and promotion of Indigenous tourism across Canada.

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