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.
In the wake of a backlash sparked by a viral video, WestJet says it will scrap a new seat configuration that squeezed an extra row on board many of its planes and left passengers with less legroom – and the airline with a budding customer exodus.
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.”
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).
While cars and canola garnered the most attention during Mark Carney’s trade visit to China last week, the meeting between the prime minister and Chinese President Xi Jinping also changed the tourism landscape between the two countries.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.