TRAVELBRANDS INTRODUCES NEW B.C. BDM
TravelBrands has announced the appointment of Janita Hubbard as Business Development Manager for British Columbia. She brings more than 13 years of experience in the travel industry to the role.
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ROUND-UP: Jan. 12-16, 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.
DOCTOR’S ORDERS: Travel seen as the prescription to wellness
What if the most uplifting remedy for modern-day overload wasn’t found on a therapist’s couch, but in a boarding pass? Moving into 2026, travel is emerging as an important form of non-medical therapy, says Flight Centre, citing a growing number of Canadians who are planning escapes that help them recharge, reconnect and feel more like themselves.
LET IT SNOW: Will winter storm warm up Canadians’ Caribbean travel desires?
By Michael Baginski/ As up to 30 cm. of snow was dropping my head (and all southern Ontarians) on Thursday, I was reminded of the travel wisdom of a long-ago president of Signature Vacations, who exclaimed: “We’re hoping for a lot of snow – but not so much that people can’t drive to the airport to leave.”
THREE’S A CHARM: Grenada gets third flight from Canada
Air Canada is set to launch a third weekly flight to Grenada next Thursday (Jan. 22). Operating seasonally through April 23, the additional frequency reflects strong demand from this country and Canada’s status as one of Grenada’s fastest-growing source markets.
TOTALLY PAW-SOME: Airport Canine Calendar now available for download
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has unleashed its downloadable 2026 Canine Calendar, an annual tradition honouring the agency’s more than 1,000 explosives detection canines working at airports across the United States – and more simply a dozen handsome (and cute) dogs to brighten the months for dog lovers.
CUBA REASSURES CANADIANS AFTER TRUMP COMMENTS
By Michael Baginski/ It’s been quite a time for Cuba: blackouts, hurricane, mosquitos, and now Donald Trump, the latter vowing this week to cut off Cuba’s oil supply from Venezuela (amongst other vague threats) in a bid to damage the country’s economy.
HIGH SPEED RAIL LINE ON TRACK FOR CONSTRUCTION: Second leg slated for 2032 start
The CEO of a planned high-speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City says construction on the eastern and western parts of the line is expected to begin by 2032. Construction of the first phase, set to kick off in 2029 or 2030, would link Montreal and Ottawa and act as a test case for a multibillion-dollar infrastructure project intended to transform rail travel in Canada’s most densely populated region.
CRUISE LINES MAKE A SPLASH WITH WAVE SEASON INCENTIVES
Wave Season – traditionally considered to be January through March – is underway and cruise lines, in addition to some of the suppliers that sell them, are out to make a splash with incentives for clients, and in some cases travel advisors as well in the name of boosting bookings. Here is a sampling of some of the offers currently available.
AIR INUIT ENHANCES NORTH QUEBEC OPERATIONS
Air Inuit has a new aircraft that promises to deliver better service to Nunavik says CEO and president Christian Busch. The Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft went into service Tuesday on the airline’s Montreal-Kuujjuaq route.
WISHLIST ’26: Postcard-pretty Paros, Greece
When it comes to postcard-pretty Greek Islands, Paros ticks all the boxes – white-washed cubist villages, blue-domed churches, waterfront seafood tavernas and countless golden-sand coves. All that’s missing are the crowds, who flock instead to nearby Santorini and Mykonos – Paros’s glitzier cousins.
SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR INNOVATIVE BANGKOK PARK
In a bustling city where space is at a premium, Bangkok has unveiled a new rooftop park that serves as the city’s newest landmark. Part of the Central Pattana mixed-use development in the heart of the city, Central Park blends nature, culture, dining, and commerce into one integrated precinct.
IN TRAVEL WE TRUST: Canadians more confident about travel in 2026
Canadians are feeling optimistic about travel in 2026, according to Allianz Global Assistance Canada (Allianz). In its 9th annual Vacation Confidence Index Study, the insurance provider revealed that seven in Canadians say they are confident they will take a vacation this year, marking a significant nine-point increase from last year.
SMITHSONIAN FACES TRUMP PRESSURE ON U.S. NARRATIVE
The Smithsonian Institution gave the White House new documents on its planned exhibits Tuesday in response to a demand to share precise details of what its museums and other programs are doing for America’s 250th birthday.
ACTA PROMOTES BOWEN
The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA) has announced the promotion of Fiona Bowen to Senior Manager Membership, recognizing her outstanding contributions and more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: TRAVELSAVERS’ Affluent Traveler Collection marks 20 years; Transat Distribution Canada celebrated the 2024-25 winners of its Bravo Excellence Club; a new addition at Zebrano Travel; Ensemble has a new partnership; Intrepid has prizes galore for agents; Travel Nevada is planning special events for its specialists; and Atlas Ocean Voyages has a new website for agents.
MASTER OF ITS DOMAIN: Tiny Anguilla cashes in on lucky, unexpected URL
For Anguilla – the quiet Caribbean gem most widely known as a sun-and-sand snowbird haven – it all started with a little bit of luck. Assigned the .ai domain name all the way back in 1996, the then-residents of Anguilla could scarcely predict that the rise of ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Gemini almost three decades later would turn .ai into one of the world’s most desirable domains.
OFFICIAL MEXICO GUIDED TOURS AN UNDER-THE-RADAR GEM
Amid the constant blare of car horns in southern Mexico City, it’s hard to imagine that Cuicuilco was once the heart of a thriving ancient civilization. Yet atop its circular pyramid, now surrounded by buildings and a shopping centre, a pre-Hispanic fire god was revered.
HIGHER COSTS EQUALS TRAVEL TRADE-OFFS
Rising travel costs across key segments of the industry are reshaping how North Americans plan, book and prioritize trips, according to research from Internova Travel Group (ITG), one of the world’s largest travel services companies, which includes Travel Leaders Network in its portfolio.
U.S. PRECLEARANCE PLANS TO GO AHEAD DESPITE DOUBTS: Billy Bishop facility nears completion
Canada and the U.S. say two preclearance projects that would allow more travellers to be screened well in advance of crossing the border are set to proceed this year after many months of planning. The assurances follow U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra’s comments that cast doubt on the future of arrangements.
ONEWORLD REVEALS TOP ROUND THE WORLD DESTINATIONS FOR 2026
With new members Fiji Airways, Oman Air and future member Hawaiian Airlines adding options across the Pacific, Asia and Arabian Peninsula, oneworld says its Round the World options are more extensive than ever.
CANADA COMPASS: New indigenous experiences for 2026
As interest and the demand for authentic Indigenous experiences across the country continues to rise, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has created a list of new and notable experiences where visitors can discover the resilience and vibrancy of Indigenous cultures and communities through events range from revitalized traditions and sustainable stays to culinary storytelling and community-led adventures.
REEF TO RUNWAY: Hawaiian airports to benefit from airline investment plan
Hawaii’s airports are slated to get a fresh look as part of Hawaiian Airlines’ newly announced investment plan of more than US$600 million over the next five years, designed to comprehensively enhance the experience for guests travelling to, from, and within the islands.
WISHLIST ’26: Secret towns of the Algarve
Portugal’s Algarve is by no means unknown to world travellers, but the southern region of the country still allows for unspoiled experiences, with Visit Algarve touting to visitors the authentic beauty of its lesser-known towns, scenic trails and nature.
FLYWAY TO HELL: A Maritime traveller’s ‘ridiculous’ journey home
By Sean Ridgeley/ Kaylee Clarke was making her way back to school in Truro, N.S. from Newfoundland after the holidays when it quickly became clear it was not going to be a straightforward trip. Ultimately, a journey that should have taken a few hours took a few days, hampered by airline delays and reroutes, damaged luggage, and 14 hours just to get back where she started.
WESTJET BOSS TRIED CONTROVERSIAL SEATS
Last November, WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech stepped onto a plane bound for Toronto along with five other executives, the chairman of the board and several union representatives to try out the airline’s new compacted seating at the back of the cabin.
FOR LAUDERDALE ROLLS OUT WELCOME MAT FOR IPW: No. 1 Canadian trade invited
By Michael Baginski/ U.S. Travel’s signature inbound travel trade show IPW – running since 1969 – is set to take place for the first time ever in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and organizers are putting out the welcome mat for Canadians for an event that organizers promise will be like none before.
HOLY MOLY, ROME JUBILEE ATTRACTS OVER 33 MILLION
As the final pilgrims of the 2025 Holy Year passed through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome last week, the Vatican claimed success after more than 33 million people participated in what was the rarest of Jubilees: opened by one pope and closed by another.
GOWAY GOES BEYOND IN JAPAN: Balances interest and demand with off-the-beaten-track destinations
Citing unprecedented demand for travel to Japan, while at the same time cognizant of the demands of overtourism, Goway is expanding its product line in the Asian destination with off- the-beaten-path experiences on the southern island of Kyushu and Shizuoka region near Mt. Fuji.
ROUND-UP: Jan. 5-9, 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.