Sabre has launched SabreMosaic Concierge IQ for airlines, an all-in-one generative AI chat solution that helps travellers plan, book, and manage trips in one seamless conversation. Moreover, according to the travel technology giant, it does so with the “same empathy and judgement as a skilled human agent” while accomplishing what otherwise would be hours-long work in seconds.
With Black Friday here (Nov. 28), global travel app Skyscanner has released new insights into Canadian travel patterns and pricing for one of travel’s busiest savings periods of the year. This year’s analysis uncovers destinations with the most significant flight price drops.
By Michael Baginski/ As Dominica’s game-changing cable car – the longest detachable cable car in the world at 6.6 km. – prepares to open in December, the Caribbean island continues to aim high when it comes to tourism and punch above its weight with respect to its tiny size.
Traditional Christmas markets opened across Germany on Monday, drawing revellers to their wooden stands with mulled wine, grilled sausages, potato pancakes or caramelized apples. And with memories of two deadly attacks on Christmas markets still fresh for many Germans, amid increased security.
Starting today (Nov. 25) first checked bags are free with Sunwing Vacations all-inclusive package bookings. Following feedback from travel partners and customers, the tour company says it is including the amenity, plus one free carry-on bag per person, on both new and existing bookings.
WestJet led North American airlines in on-time performance in October, according to respected aviation firm Cirium. And with Air Canada ranking third in the region, it was the first time in months that two Canadian carriers ranked among the top three (Delta was second).
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is inviting the trade – and all Jamaica lovers – to a special benefit concert in support of recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa in Toronto on Dec. 10. The event, which promises to bring tother “music, community, and passion” to assist those affected by the hurricane will take place at the Meridien Arts Centre in North York, starting at 7 p.m. with a reception to follow.
By Michael Baginski/ I went to a travel presentation and a dance party broke out. But that was sort of the point, Viva by Wyndham Resorts VP of sales and marketing Amanda Santana told close to 125 travel advisors at the Sunwing Vacations-organized lunch event north of Toronto on Friday. “I’m not here to give a big presentation, you have to dance,” she laughed.
A new interline agreement between Air Transat and Turkish Airlines is now in effect, the airlines have announced. The partnership enables travellers to book itineraries combining flights from both airlines, enhancing connectivity between Canada and Türkiye, and key destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
International airlines increasingly cancelled flights to Venezuela on Sunday after t he U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warned pilots to use caution when flying in the country’s airspace because of worsening security and heightened military activity.
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.
Brand USA, which saw its funding cut by 80% earlier this summer, has received a possible lifeline with the introduction of the VISIT USA Act, a bipartisan effort designed to fully fund the nation’s public-private destination marketing organization, thereby restoring its capacity to attract international visitors.
From travel choices to tech trends and bold sacrifices, Contiki’s just-released ‘Voice of a Generation 2025’ survey breaks down the unique travel behaviours of young travellers shaping travel in 2026.
Air Canada has unveiled its 2025 Top 10 Best New Restaurants in Canada – a coast-to-coast sampling of the freshest venues in the country designed to “inspire Canadians to explore through food.”
Forgetting to renew one’s passport before travelling may just be the ultimate faux pas before heading off on holiday. But according to travel search engine and fare aggregator Skyscanner, this is just one of many passport problems Canadians have experienced – often turning travel excitement into last-minute stress.
It depends on how you look at it: According to a new survey from Snowbird Advisor, the number of Canadians who intend to head stateside this year fell 12% from 2024. On the other hand, some seven in 10 respondents still expect to go to the U.S., which represents a much smaller decline than other travel segments to the U.S. have reported.
Air Canada and Emirates – the world’s largest international airline – have signed a memorandum of understanding to extend their reciprocal codeshare and loyalty partnership until Dec. 31, 2032. The renewed agreement will deepen their cooperation, lead to enhanced services for customers and cargo shippers, and create the potential for new gateways within Canada in the codeshare network.
As Black Friday approaches, travel companies continue to drop their annual sales events, most of which extend to dates both before and after the actual day. Here are some of the latest and ongoing offers. New entries include ACTA, Sunwing, Transat, Collette, Expedia TAAP, Hyatt, and more.
Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, has had 70.1 million passengers already this year and is on track to break its own records again, officials said Wednesday. The rapid growth of passengers at the airport underscores Dubai as a key hub for East-West travel in global aviation and the need for its $35-billion project to build a massive, five-runway airport at Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a new tourism campaign, redefining luxury through the lens of personal healing, sustainability, and cultural connections for a new generation of travellers. With the “Unforgettable Experience: Healing is the New Luxury” campaign, TAT aims to position the Asian destination a place where travellers can slow down, recharge, and reconnect with themselves and nature in a world where speed, stress and uncertainty dominate daily life.
U.S. News & World Report, publisher of the Best Hotels, Best Vacations and Best Travel Rewards Programs has released its 2026 Best Cruise Lines rankings. The prestigious 12th installment of the Best Cruise Lines rankings expands to highlight 19 of the most popular ocean cruise lines across 10 categories catering to cruise interests. Notably, one cruise line (Viking) scored four firsts – 40% of the top accolades.
WestJet has revealed five new seasonal international destinations from Toronto, three new transatlantic destinations from Halifax, as well as new domestic and Nordic connections from Western Canada as part of its summer 2026 schedule. Headlining the route roster is WestJet’s first South American non-stop connection from Toronto: Medellín, Colombia.
Hundreds of Air Transat pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), conducted informational picketing Monday in three key locations, the same day that the pilots began voting on a strike authorization ballot.
Cities are seeing particularly strong growth for international tourism – reversing a shift to more rural destinations during and following the pandemic, says a new report released at WTM London (World Travel Market).
The tiny Faroe Islands in the north Atlantic could be a poor choice for travellers with vertigo, seasickness or a fear of enclosed spaces. There are crumbling cliffs, sudden gale-force winds and hillsides so steep that even the sheep can tumble.
Airfares are expected to remain broadly stable through 2026, according to the newly released Air Monitor 2026 from American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT). The annual forecast analyzes global airfare trends and provides insight to help organizations manage their travel programs in a shifting airline landscape.
According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of Canadian travellers, while 56% of them do not intend to travel to the U.S. in the next 12 months, that figure is down from 61% in April.
WestJet has launched a new hotel booking platform that will enable both WestJet members and customers to book hotels worldwide and earn WestJet points. In partnership with digital travel platform Agoda, WestJet Hotel aims to enhance the WestJet customer experience by expanding hotel bookings with flight services, encouraging loyalty through the WestJet Rewards program.
By Michael Baginski/ With December set to mark the 75th anniversary of the first Air Canada flight to Barbados (its first Caribbean destination), the airline is set to the host the 2025 edition of its Air Canada Race on the island with 20 qualified Canadian travel advisors set to take part in the five-day event starting Thursday (Nov. 20). Suitably it is the first island destination for the Race.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration lifted all restrictions on commercial flights that were imposed at 40 major airports during the country’s longest government shutdown. The unprecedented order, which had been in place since Nov. 7 and had affected thousands of flights across the country, went into effect Monday.