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.
With family travel continuing to trend for spring and summer vacations, Sunwing Vacations is spotlighting some of its favourite family-friendly all-inclusive resort options in Cancún available to book now.
As spring unfolds across Japan, the nation’s most beloved seasonal spectacle – cherry blossoms (sakura) – progresses northward from the southern islands toward the country’s cooler regions. While the earliest petals have already appeared in parts of Kyushu and Shikoku, the peak of blooming is advancing steadily through central and northern Japan, with many regions just entering their most anticipated viewing period.
The Toronto Blue Jays have made Dunedin, Fla., into a virtual oasis during turbulent economic times in Florida. Canadians’ broad grassroots boycott of the United States has had a massive impact on the tourism industry, especially in states like Florida. But Dunedin, home of the Blue Jays’ spring training facility, seems to be have been spared thanks to the loyalty of Canadian baseball fans.
Following its launch in Vancouver, Atout France and Air France’s Destination France 2026 annual tour rolled into Toronto Tuesday with over 30 French and local exhibitors in attendance. The event featured a trade show that generated over 386 face-to-face meetings with travel advisors designed to strengthen connections and deepen knowledge of France’s tourism leading to new or renewed itineraries and travel products for Canadian travellers.
Visit Myrtle Beach has rolled out the welcome mat this week for Canadian visitors. Each March, Myrtle Beach honours its long-standing friendship with its snowbird neighbours during Can-Am Days, a tradition that has welcomed generations of Canadians to the Grand Strand for more than 60 years.
Springtime is Québec’s sweetest season as the province welcomes visitors to its famed cabanes à sucre to sample glistening maple syrup, decadent meals, and authentic French-Canadian hospitality. Québec is home to more than 100 sugar shacks that offer distinctly unique sweet escapes for various types of travellers.
In a strategic departure from its traditional international sales missions, the San Francisco Travel Association (SFTA) brought the Canadian travel trade directly to the California city ahead of the 2026 spring and summer travel season.
Grenada has officially launched its Online Embarkation/ Disembarkation (ED) Card Platform, designed to streamline the arrival experience for visitors while advancing the country’s border processing system. The new program went into effect March 2.
Sunwing Vacations and Vacances WestJet Québec now offer Canadians direct access from Montreal to Cozumel, Mexico, one of the Caribbean’s most established island destinations. The first flight departed from YUL on March 6, promising clients an ideal “sweet spot” between “do-it-all” and “do absolutely nothing.”
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.
After the recent disruption to life and travel in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara following the takedown of a prominent cartel leader on the Pacific side of the country, the Mexican state of Quintana says it’s strictly business as usual on its Caribbean beaches and at its resorts.
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.
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.
In the lead-up to St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), Tourism Ireland is celebrating Irish Heritage Month with a comprehensive activation at the Toronto Eaton Centre, with both travel advisors and their clients invited to drop by a little inspiration and hopefully to engage in some on-the-spot trip planning.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
By Michael Baginski/ Three million golfers can’t be wrong. That’s how many rounds of golf were played in Myrtle Beach in 2025, prompting Jeff Monday, to observe with a smile: “We play a lot of golf.”
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.