News

LOS CABOS GETS PERSONAL WITH CANADIANS

The Los Cabos Tourism Board’s new brand campaign, “Where the Land Ends, Your Story Begins.”elevates the popular Canadian getaway as a holistic luxury and wellness destination, while inviting travellers to create personal connections and unforgettable memories in the destination.

GLOBUS BRANDS FLIPS THE SCRIPT FOR ‘26

Globus family of brands (gfob) says will debut its most comprehensive and innovative portfolio ever in 2026 – 590 guided and independent vacations worldwide that includes 44 new tours, and featuring seven new Small Group Discovery itineraries, bringing the high-profile collection to 61 tours worldwide.

HOW TO GET FIFA WORLD CUP TICKETS

Not even half of the spots in the 48-team field have been claimed. The schedule of matches won’t be finalized until December. And other than host nations Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, nobody has any idea where or when they’ll be playing. Yet, millions of soccer fans worldwide evidently don’t seem to mind any of those points.

A SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM: Pilot proposal grounded again

A working paper from IATA that suggested raising the retirement age of pilots to help mitigate a shortage of personnel across the industry was soundly rejected by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at its 42nd Assembly in Montreal.

U.S. GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: Past could portend future travel issues if closure continues

Hopes for a quick end to the U.S. government shutdown faded Friday as Democrats refused to budge in a Senate vote and President Donald Trump readied plans to unleash layoffs and cuts across the federal government. And with no further votes plans for a vote over the weekend, travellers faced another uncertain week with warnings that if the situation goes on long enough, it could potentially lead to longer airport wait times, flight delays and even cancellations.

GX SUMMIT IN JORDAN CELEBRATES THE POWER OF TRAVEL

G Adventures brought together over 700 “changemakers” from around the globe, including travel agents, partners, suppliers, media, and travellers, for its third annual GX World Community Tourism Summit. Taking place in Amman, Jordan, the milestone event, which marked the travel company’s 35th anniversary, coincided with World Tourism Day.

ALLIANZ TEAMS WITH AIR DOCTOR FOR TELEMEDICINE CARE

Allianz Global Assistance Canada (Allianz) has launched an expanded telemedicine service that allows customers travelling in over 80 countries to schedule both virtual and in-person medical care quickly and easily. The new digital appointment booking capability is operated in partnership with Air Doctor, providing insured customers with an additional way to access their insurance benefits and take care of common illnesses and injuries during their international trip.

DRONE WARS: Munich airport reopens after mysterious overflights

Germany’s Munich Airport reopened Saturday morning after authorities shut it down the night before for the second time in less than 24 hours after two additional drone sightings, officials said. The closures are the latest after mysterious drone overflights in the airspace of European Union member countries.

ROUND-UP: Sept. 29-Oct. 06, 2025

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.

LIVING WITH A LIMP LOONIE: Timely tips to save on exchange rates

Let’s face it, the value of our dollar sucks, hovering in the low 70s-cent range (against the US greenback) and having recently dubiously descended to near 20-plus-year lows. Remember the heady days of 2011 when the loonie was actually worth $1.06 U.S?

STORMS SPARE BERMUDA THE WORST, HEADED FOR U.K.

The core of Hurricane Imelda was moving past Bermuda early Thursday as weather conditions were expected to improve around the tiny British territory that reported major power outages and downed trees, but no injuries. A tropical storm warning remained in effect after the weather system swiped the island and then lost strength.

ADAMO TO RETIRE, TRANSAT TWEAKS LEADERSHIP TEAM

Prominent Canadian travel industry figure Joseph (Joe) Adamo has announced his intention to retire from Transat A.T. as of Dec. 31, setting in motion a reorganization of the company’s commercial leadership team.

HOW THE U.S. GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN AFFECTS TRAVEL

As U.S. Democrats and Republicans continue to wrangle over critical funding, the U.S. Travel Association warned Wednesday that a U.S. federal government shutdown could cost the U.S. travel and tourism industry $1 billion per week and that travellers could expect to face longer TSA lines, increased flight cancellations, and deteriorating conditions at national parks.

SUN RUN: Porter announces major winter expansion

Porter Airlines is announcing a significant expansion of its 2025-26 winter schedule, increasing flights to southern destinations by up to 25% during peak travel periods and unveiling four new routes, including its first transborder service from Vancouver (to Phoenix).

JAMAICA BROADENS CONNECTIVITY – INSIDE AND OUT

With year-end arrivals projected at 4.5 million – comprising 3.1 million stopover visitors and 1.4 million cruise passengers – Jamaica has secured its position as the Caribbean’s most connected destination, achieving record-breaking global linkages while advancing an ambitious agenda for inclusive and sustainable tourism growth.

TAKING ECO TO THE ALTER AT SANDALS AND BEACHES

Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts have unveiled a new eco-chic wedding inspiration for 2026. “Nature’s Vow” is rooted in the spirit of the Caribbean with a design that blends sustainable elements with elevated style, promising “a trend-forward way to honour love, nature, and purpose, surrounded by friends and family.

LESS IS MORE: Lufthansa to lop thousands of jobs thanks to AI

Citing the “profound changes” brought about by digitization and artificial intelligence, Lufthansa Group says it will shed 4,000 jobs by 2030 – even as the company is reporting strong demand for air travel and predicted stronger profits in years ahead.

MARRIOTT BONVOY LAUNCHES OUTDOOR PLATFORM AND COLLECTION BRAND

Marriott International has introduced a new digital platform that enables travellers to discover and book their next trip based not only where they want to go, but what they love to do. Through Marriott Bonvoy Outdoors, travellers can now search across 450-plus hotels, 50,000 Homes & Villas, and curated Tours & Activities that offer immediate access to activities across several categories: Ski & Snowboard, Hike & Glamp, Bike, Scuba & Snorkel, Surf, Fish, and Paddle.

BOEING BACKED TO CERTIFY MAX JETS AGAIN AFTER CRASHES

Boeing is getting back the ability to perform final safety inspections on 737 Max jetliners and certify them for flight more than six years after crashes of the then-new model killed 346 people.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives

This week: TRAVELSAVERS Canada is headed to San Antonio in 2026; Marco Pozzobon is moving on up at ACTA; Nexion names its award winners for the year; a Groups and Charters module has been added to Quark Expeditions’ learning platform for travel advisors; and Britain’s The Great West Way touring route has released a helpful, new trade directory.

PHILLY CALLS ON CANADIAN EX-PATS TO EXTEND BROTHERLY LOVE

Philadelphia is extending its brotherly love to Canadians and urging them to visit the city at the time when they “might need extra encouragement to return to the U.S.” by utilizing an impressive lineup of Canadians who know the city well – because they have made it their home.

PORTER, AMERICAN AIRLINES INTRODUCE CODESHARE

American Airlines and Porter Airlines are teaming up on a new codeshare partnership to give customers more options for cross-border travel. Porter will place its code on select American transborder and domestic flights, giving passengers seamless access to more destinations when travelling from Canada.

SUNWING BOOSTS COMMISSION OPTIONS WITH NEXUS TOURS INTEGRATION

Sunwing Vacations Group (SVG) has integrated the NexusTours Agent Portal into all three of its brands’ travel agent portals: Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Quebec. The integration creates a new earning opportunity for travel advisors, with 10% commission available on all excursion bookings and, in October, agent are being offered a chance to win a trip to Mexico.

DOMESTIC TOURISM RISE OFFSET BY U.S. DECLINE

Statistics Canada says total tourism spending in the country in the second quarter totalled $26.5 billion, marking a marginal 0.9% increase based on a rise in domestic travel that was offset in part by fewer visitors from the U.S.

INTREPID NAMES NEW HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS IN CANADA

Intrepid Travel has promoted Caroline Tinsley to the newly created role of Head of Partnerships, Canada, marking a key strategic investment in the company’s growth across the Canadian market. 

U.S. PRECLEARANCE AT RISK: Ambassador warns numbers now not working

U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra says the administration might have to “take a look at” customs preclearance at Canadian airports for U.S.-bound travellers, given the drop in cross-border visitors. Preclearance, which has been in place since 1952, enables travellers to be inspected before their departing flights, bypassing officers at their U.S. destination. 

SPAIN TALKS SUSTAINABILITY, AND TOURISM, IN TORONTO

With the travel industry preparing to mark World Tourism Day on Saturday (Sept. 27), it was fitting that just a couple of days prior, the Tourist Office of Spain welcomed close to 75 tourism leaders and members of the Canadian trade to “Spain Talks” in Toronto – a thought-provoking exploration of contemporary challenges and innovative solutions in sustainable tourism.

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