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WHERE CANADIANS TRAVELLED IN NOVEMBER: And guess where they didn’t?

While Prime Minister Mark Carney continues to make entreaties with the rest of the world, it seems Canadian travellers are as well, with Statistics Canada reporting that Canadian residents returning from overseas in November rose 13.6% compared with the year before to 1,099,750.

PHILLY FUMES OVER TRUMP ORDER: Sues for ‘whitewashing’ black history

Outraged critics accused U.S. President Donald Trump of “whitewashing history” on Friday after the National Park Service removed an exhibit on slavery at Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park in response to his executive order “restoring truth and sanity to American history” at the nation’s museums, parks and landmarks.

AGENTS RALLY WITH SUNWING TO SUPPORT JAMAICA

Sunwing Vacations is extending its “heartfelt thanks” to travel agents across the country for their exceptional commitment and support, which made possible a $210,000 donation to aid communities in Jamaica impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

ROUND-UP: Jan. 19-23, 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.

‘CATASTROPHIC’ WINTER STORM BLASTS U.S.: Massive weather event could rival hurricane

As Ontarians prepare for their own winter wallop on the weekend, millions of Americans from New Mexico to the Carolinas are bracing for a potentially catastrophic ice storm that could crush trees and power lines and knock out power for days, while extreme snow is forecast to make travel very difficult or nearly impossible in cities like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Boston.

WAR OF WORDS: Ryanair boss blasts Elon Musk after ruling out Starlink

Calling Elon Musk an “idiot” and X a “cesspool,” the CEO of Ryanair on Wednesday dismissed Musk’s idea of buying the budget airline and shrugged off insults from the billionaire, in a war of words that erupted over installing Starlink systems on aircraft.

SENSITIVE SUBJECT: What to do when destination wedding costs are a burden – for guests

Weddings are meant to be celebrations of love. They also may require invited guests to make a financial commitment that brings them stress. Whether it’s paying for hotels and flights to attend a destination wedding or different outfits and gifts for multiple pre-wedding events, friends and extended family often feel pressure to spend a large amount of money before the couple gets married.

KAYAK IS WONDERING WTF: That is, what’s the future?

Travel search engine Kayak has dropped its 2026 ‘What the Future’ Report – cheekily dubbed “WTF,” though more seriously offering a look at the destinations and travel behaviours that will shape the year ahead for Canadians.

WALKING IN A (JAPANESE) WINTER WONDERLAND

Air Canada has announced the only non-stop flights from North America to Sapporo, Japan, will begin in December – just in time for travellers to take advantage of a wide range activities in the well-known cold-weather hotspot, which came to prominence after hosting the Winter Olympics in 1972.

SAVE THE DATE! ACTA unveils 2026 education and events calendar

From local roundtables to its golf summer tournament, and cross-country Summits to the annual international destination conference, ACTA has released its 2026 calendar of events, while encouraging members to save the date(s) for the association’s busy roster of educational and networking activities.

BUST OR BOOM FOR CARIBBEAN HOTSPOTS?

By Michael Baginski/ Some Canadians are rethinking plans to visit parts of the Caribbean in the wake of military action and threats from the United States in the region. Among the affected destinations are Aruba and Curaçao, two islands off the coast of Venezuela, where the U.S. launched a strike and captured its president about two weeks ago.

WESTJET BOUND FOR BRAZIL: Milestone for Western Canada

Starting this fall, WestJet will offer the only non-stop flight between Western Canada and South America, operating three times weekly between Calgary and São Paulo, Brazil. The service to the vibrant city – dubbed “the New York of South America” – and a gateway to iconic Brazilian landmarks such the Amazon Rainforest, Patagonia and the Iguaçu Falls, marks the airline’s 100th destination from YYC Calgary Airport.

AIR CANADA, FLIGHT ATTENDANTS BEGIN ARBITRATION

Air Canada and its flight attendants have begun an arbitration process to settle wages under their deal reached last year to end a strike that halted flights around the world.

ENTER THE SANDMAN: New look for popular Vancouver hotel

The Sandman Hotel Group has unveiled the transformation of its popular West Georgia Street hotel, officially reintroducing the property as Sandman Signature Vancouver Downtown Hotel following a comprehensive, full-property reimagining.

GRANITE TRAVEL TRADE EXPOS ANNOUNCES 2026 DATES

The Granite Travel Trade Expos are set to return in 2026, kicking off in Ontario in April and return to the Maritimes in May, before visiting western Canada in October and concluding in Ontario again in November.

TO SUR WITH LOVE: Iconic California highway reopens at last

A 145-km (90-mile) section of California’s Highway 1 along the famous Big Sur coast has fully reopened after three years of closures and repairs following a series of landslides and a roadway collapse that hampered tourism on the scenic route.

U.S. URGES CAUTION FOR PILOTS OVER MEXICO, E. PACIFIC

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Friday urged aircraft operators to “exercise caution” when flying over the eastern Pacific Ocean near Mexico, Central America and parts of South America, citing “military activities” and possible satellite navigation interference.

AIR TRANSAT TO LAUNCH NEW LOYALTY PROGRAM

Air Transat has announced plans to start a new loyalty program with Desjardins Group and Visa. The launch, planned for the second half of this year, will offer travellers exclusive benefits and an improved experience, the airline said.

CANADA COMPASS: Peace Tower next in line for reno work

Visitors to Parliament Hill soon won’t be able to see the iconic Peace Tower, once it’s covered with scaffolding to enable renovations and repairs later this year. The Peace Tower is set to be sheathed so that workers can repair its interior and exterior – part of sprawling renovations to the nearly 100-year-old building.

THE FRILL IS GONE: Flair changes course, courts travel advisors

Flair Airlines is revamping its ultra-low-cost brand in a bid to attract more business travellers, despite a lack of frills on board – and will court travel advisor networks to do so. Company CEO Maciej Wilk says Flair is attempting a strategic shift away from a pure-play budget airline and toward what he dubbed a “value carrier.”

PORTER REACHES DEAL WITH DISPATCHERS

Fears of Porter Airlines joining the ranks of Canadian carriers affected by a strike (or threat of) have diminished with agreement between the company and its flight dispatchers, represented by the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA).

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