News

Before the 9/11 terrorist attacks 25 years ago, Steven Backman could usually cross the Canada-U.S. border with a simple wave. Backman, like many residents of St. Stephen, N.B., would travel frequently to neighbouring Calais, Maine.

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ The travel industry turned out in force last week for ACTA’s annual Eastern Summit, the first of three taking place across the country. More than 500 ACTA members took part in a day of education, inspiration and resiliency, and to meet with exhibitors – 127 of them to be precise – at the afternoon trade show. Here’s a photographic look at the event and some of those who were there.

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.

Twenty-five years ago today – Sept. 11, 2001 – Calin Rovinescu was strolling through an art museum in Barcelona on a wedding anniversary getaway when he heard the news. In a pair of phone calls, his assistant told him planes had just struck the twin towers in New York City.

Taking a commercial flight from a North America airport generally requires security screening controlled by the federal government, a boarding pass or prior authorization to get anywhere near a gate, and careful attention to the contents of carry-on bags.

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA) held its largest Summit event yet in Toronto Wednesday, bringing together travel advisors, agencies, suppliers, destinations and industry partners from across Canada and around the world.

Every September, Sue Riccardelli and her wife, Maureen Murray, fly a large flag composed of Canada’s Maple Leaf and America’s Stars and Stripes outside their New Jersey home. The flag honours the people of central Newfoundland who cared for them and more than 6,500 other passengers aboard 38 planes grounded in Gander, N.L., for days after the terrorist attacks in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001.

The head of Britain ’s air traffic control system was summoned to a meeting with the country’s transport minister as airlines scrambled Wednesday to dig out from the backlog triggered by technical problems that forced the cancellation of more than 1,750 flights.

Designed to encourage travellers and the travel professionals who serve them to better understand the value of expert travel assistance, Blue Cross Travel is conducting its largest-ever awareness campaign in Ontario.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to ban the sale of aircraft from Canada’s Bombardier unless it manufactures planes in the United States. In response, the maker of private jets noted that many components for its planes, including the wings, are produced in the U.S. and its supply chain relies heavily on U.S. companies.

This week: ACTA offers early bird membership rates; TTAND was again named to Air Canada’s Circle of Excellence; retirement is on the horizon for Nexion Travel Group President Jackie Friedman; ACV is launching its inaugural Air Canada Vacations Academy at Sea; and TRAVELSAVERS Canada makes key appointments.

A Canadian tourist is reported to be in good health after his yacht was found by Australian rescuers partially submerged in a remote part of the Indian Ocean.

Canada’s business tourism is in the midst of a boom, reports Meetings Mean Business Canada (MMBC), the leading advocacy voice of the Canadian meetings and business events sector. And that means an opportunity for the travel trade.

Indonesia extended the closure of several airports and shifted schools to remote learning in affected areas on Monday even though a volcanic eruption that has halted nearly 3,000 flights and coated areas with ash was subsiding.

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.