Christmas celebrations are slowly returning to the traditional birthplace of Jesus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank – a hopeful change in the Palestinian city that’s been reeling since war broke out in Gaza.
By Michael Baginski/ With 2025 coming to a close, Air Canada hosted a VIP industry gathering in Toronto late last week to say farewell to a successful year, as well as VP of global sales Lisa Pierce, who is retiring at the end of the month after a 40-year career with the company.
Foreigners who are permitted to enter the United States without a visa could soon be required to submit information about their social media, email accounts and extensive family history to the Department of Homeland Security before being approved for travel.
WestJet has paused a move to install non-reclining seats on a big slice of its fleet after pushback from employees and passengers. The airline announced in September it would reconfigure the seating on 43 Boeing 737 jets to install an extra row and divide the cabin into several tiers, some with more space – and pricier tickets – than others.
The first segment of the federal government’s proposed high-speed rail project will connect Montreal and Ottawa, acting as a test case for a multibillion-dollar infrastructure project intended to transform rail travel in Canada’s most densely populated region.
Ontario’s auditor general reports that the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has completed three quarters (74%) of the action items directed at the organization two years ago to make its operations more efficient and effective.
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.
A newly released travel survey from Blue Cross reveals that geopolitical instability and rising costs, particularly in the United States, are significantly reshaping where and how Canadians travel. Yet despite these challenges, Canadians remain committed to exploring, with many turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to plan more cost-effective trips and make informed decisions about where and when to visit.
The federal government is renewing the Canada Strong Pass, starting this week (Dec. 12) and continuing over the holiday period through Jan. 15. It will once again offer free admission to national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas operated by Parks Canada and a 25% discount on camping fees.
By Harding Bush/ No matter how carefully you plan, flight disruptions can strike anytime. Bad weather, mechanical issues, volcanic ash, wildfires or even air traffic reductions mandated by the government, can disrupt flights for hours – or overnight.
A tentative deal has yielded big wage gains for Air Transat pilots, the culmination of nearly a year of bargaining and 10 straight days of intense negotiations that saw wages emerge as the main sticking point.
WestJet and Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) have announced a reciprocal codeshare partnership, offering guests on both sides of the Atlantic enhanced access to a broader network of destinations all with the ease of a single booking.
Club Med has announced its second Canadian resort – Club Med Tremblant in Québec – marking a strategic expansion of company in North America and building on the successful opening of Club Med Québec Charlevoix in 2021.
Flight Centre celebrated the company’s 30th anniversary in Canada earlier this week at head office in Toronto with senior leaders reflecting three decades of achievement, while sharing what’s ahead in 2026 and beyond.
Carnival is offering a unique opportunity for travel advisors to experience Celebration Key in February and March through a new program called Partners in Paradise. Agents can qualify to get an inside look at Carnival’s newest exclusive destination while learning about the potential for business growth through partnership with the cruise line.
Zambia is one of Africa’s best-kept secrets and a safari lover’s paradise. With its vast wilderness, stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity, Zambia offers some of the most authentic safari experiences on the continent. Home to 20 national parks, 36 game management areas, the country provides numerous opportunities to witness the Big 5 and beyond in their natural habitat
Air Transat passengers breathed a sigh of relief Tuesday evening after the company reached a tentative deal with its pilot union, narrowly avoiding a strike on the cusp of the holiday travel period.
By Michael Baginski/ Visit Orlando and a dozen of its top theme park, attraction, hotel and transportation partners delivered a dose of Orlando sunshine to Hamilton and Toronto last week for the destination’s annual Canada trade mission, demonstrating that the destination has “not taken it’s foot off the pedal” when it comes to the Canadian market.
Artificial intelligence is a net positive for travel, according to a show-of-hands after a lively debate that rounded off the Technology Summit at this year’s WTM London. The role of AI in travel was debated by two teams who considered the straightforward proposition of whether the now ubiquitous tech is “the enemy of travel?”
This week: Türkiye was a treasure with Collette for a group of Canadian agents; Onvigo advisors celebrated their independence, and Flight Centre Travel Group unveiled a “transformative” new corporate tool.
Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, along with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has gathered a list of trusted Canadian and US charities that have committed to supporting relief efforts in Jamaica, targeting the areas most impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
Steven Larkin is returning to Intrepid Travel. Formerly President of Intrepid Canada from 2008 to 2014, the Canadian industry veteran will take on the new role of SVP Global Sales & Partnerships, North America effective Jan. 1.
A Transat spokesperson says progress has been made in round-the-clock negotiations with the union representing the company’s pilots, but flight suspensions still loom ahead of Wednesday’s strike deadline unless a deal is made.
Through its annual Christmas Miracle, WestJet is again delivering joy to families with critically sick and injured children staying at Ronald McDonald House locations across Canada. For 13 years, WestJetters have embraced the spirit of giving, volunteering their time and hearts to spread holiday magic both on and off the aircraft and maintaining a tradition that reflects WestJet’s deep connection with Ronald McDonald House Canada, which began in 2007.
By Michael Baginski/ For the 11th consecutive year, Sunwing and RIU Hotels & Resorts hosted their annual holiday season partners trade lunch last week, combining a chance to share the latest news from the popular resort chain with an opportunity to enjoy some exquisite (and way too much) food, while schmoozing with colleagues and starting (or furthering) this season’s holiday spirit.
Canadians’ prospering pipeline to The Bahamas continues to gain steam with the launch of new Air Canada nonstop flights from Halifax and Ottawa to Nassau. The weekly flights come just in time for the holidays – a festive season that notably includes colourful Junkanoo celebrations throughout the islands.
To celebrate launch of its new and upgraded website, Goway has launched a contest for travel advisors where every quote and booking gives them the chance to win a complete Passport to a Free FAM.
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.
Transat says that an “orderly suspension of operations” will begin today (Monday) after the airline’s pilots said they are prepared to strike as early as 3 a.m. Wednesday morning if a labour agreement between the sides is not reached. A complete suspension of flights will be in effect by Dec. 9, the company said.
With an Air Transat labour disruption potentially starting today (Monday), the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), has shared information for consumers in the province who booked travel services either directly or through a TICO-registered travel retailer (including TICO-registered online booking websites).