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RESILIENCE, NOT REFUSAL: Travellers adapt to rising costs

Despite persistent increases in airfare, hotel rates and other travel expenses, experienced international travellers are continuing to travel abroad with relatively few changes to their plans, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey. 

‘BETTER LATE THAN NEVER’: Air Canada targets global growth

Air Canada has embarked on a major expansion of its network overseas, announcing seven new routes in Europe and Asia for next summer.  Chief commercial officer Mark Galardo says the move signals a push to become a fully international carrier as the country’s largest airline aims to draw more on higher-margin globetrotters and less on purely domestic customers.

BETTER TOGETHER: Trafalgar, Insight Vacations and Costsaver unite under one power brand

Trafalgar is positioning itself as a new global travel brand, introducing new travel categories and unifying the 2027 portfolios of Insight Vacations and Costsaver under the single Trafalgar name to create a broader, simpler portfolio for travel advisors and their clients. The expanded portfolio will be on sale in Q4 2026 ahead of the peak Black Friday booking period.

WAKE UP AND SMELL BRAZIL’S NEW COFFEE ROUTES

Coffee is part of the daily routine of millions of people around the world, but in few places is it as present in culture, history and landscapes as in Brazil, a country that built part of its identity around the bean and has led global production for more than 150 years.

THE HUMAN ADVANTAGE: Why expert support matters more in the age of AI

By ROBIN LAWTHER/ AI is already changing travel. It is helping people search faster, compare options more efficiently and build itineraries with far less effort than ever before. For travel advisors, that brings real opportunity. AI can remove friction, speed up admin and help surface better choices for travellers in less time.

DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR: Las Vegas welcomed more than 120k Canadian visitors during $1 CAD as $1 USD promotion

Downtown Las Vegas properties Circa Resort & Casino, the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino are celebrating the success of their “At Par” promotion, which delivered a significant boost in Canadian tourism. By treating $1 CAD as $1 USD, the offer welcomed more than 120,000 Canadian visitors, driving an 80 percent increase in Canadian visitation, more than $20 million in slot coin-in and over 8,000 hotel room nights.

GRENADA TO WELCOME NEW LUXURY HOTEL

Set along the sheltered waters of La Sagesse Bay on the island’s southeastern coast, InterContinental Grenada-La Sagesse will introduce a new expression of modern luxury to Grenada, blending cosmopolitan sophistication with immersive Caribbean experiences in one of the island’s most naturally stunning settings.

GX SUMMIT: G Adventures set to ‘bring the beat’ to Cambodia

G Adventures and its non-profit partner, Planeterra, have officially dropped the details for the 2026 GX Summit taking place in Cambodia, Sept. 23-28, including announcing headline speakers at the World Community Tourism Summit and the act for its iconic closing party – renowned mashup artist DJ Earworm, who represents the “exact heartbeat” of tourism pioneer’s signature global event.

BARBADOS APPOINTS MICHELE RAUZON AS QUEBEC BDM

Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) has announced the appointment of Michèle Rauzon as Business Development Representative for Québec, further strengthening Barbados’ presence in the Quebec market. 

PEEP SHOW: Quebec road-trip routes for prime fall foliage

Leaf-peeping season is on the horizon as Québec’s scenic landscapes burst into brilliant colour with the changing foliage. Whether travelling on two wheels or four, the province’s dedicated touristic routes are a great way to explore the region throughout September and October as the autumn leaves turn.

‘A VERY LARGE PIE’: Porter unperturbed about expanding to U.S. during trade war

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Porter Airlines continued its network expansion last week with news of the upcoming launch of four new routes from London, Ont., notably including two to Florida – Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. And while destinations aren’t new to Porter, they do represent more lift at a time when Canadians continue to have their feathers ruffled by the trade war and the antagonist attitude of the Trump regime south of the border.

INTREPID LAUNCHES EMERGENCY APPEAL FOR NEPAL

Intrepid Travel has launched an emergency appeal through its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, following catastrophic flash flooding in Nepal that has devasted communities along the Trishuli River corridor last week.

AIR CANADA BOOSTS TRAVEL FOR CUSTOMERS WITH MOBILITY AIDS

Air Canada has announced a new mobility aid travel policy designed to make travel simpler, more consistent and less stressful for customers who travel with mobility aids, including customers participating in adapted sports.

TRAVELBRANDS RAISES $10,000 FOR SICKKIDS: Aims to keep momentum going

Travelbrands raised $10,000 in support of SickKids Foundation through its annual SickKids Walk, bringing together over 55 participants in Toronto and Montreal for a shared cause. With all funds raised being matched, the initiative will deliver a total impact of $20,000 for SickKids.

LAST WEEK THIS MORNING: Aug. 24-28, 2026

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.

ATHENS LANDMARK GETS FRESH LOOK

It has welcomed marathon runners, rock stars and the first modern Olympic athletes. Now it’s time for a monumental scrub. Athens’ U-shaped Panathenaic Stadium – made entirely of white marble – is getting its first systematic cleaning in more than a century.

LONDON (ONT.) CALLING: Porter launches first-time service from YXU

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Porter Airlines is launching service in London, Ont., for the first time in the airline’s history. Starting in November, London International Airport (YXU) – will see four nonstop seasonal routes to sunny southern destinations in Florida, Jamaica and Mexico.

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