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100 REASONS TO LOVE ROUTE 66: Famed highway celebrates 100th anniversary

There are faster ways to get from Chicago to Los Angeles, but none have the allure or cultural cachet of Route 66. To John Steinbeck, it was the Mother Road that led poor farmers from Dust Bowl desperation to sunny California. To Native Americans along the route, it was an economic boon that also left scars. To Black travellers, it offered sanctuary during segregation. And to music fans, it was the place to get their kicks.

A CAVE TOO FAR: French “Banksy” transforms famous Paris bridge

He is known as the French Banksy – or simply JR. Now the artist popular across France for large-scale projects, from photographs to graffiti and street art, has transformed Paris’s most famous bridge, the bustling Pont Neuf, into a walk-through “cave.”

FLIGHT ATTENDANTS CRY FOUL

Canada’s main flight attendants union is crying foul on airline submissions to the federal government for its probe into unpaid work in the sector. In a letter, the head of the union’s airline division says the self-audits on wages that airlines provided to authorities this month rely on a narrow and “misleading” definition of what constitutes work in order to show that cabin crew are paid fairly.

CANADIANS HELP FUEL BRAZIL BOOM: Best-ever arrivals part of historic results

In the first four months of 2026, Embratur says Brazil achieved the best results in the history of international tourist arrivals from 10 of the main source markets to the country. In April alone, Colombia, China, Mexico, Portugal, Peru, Canada, the UK, Chile, Australia and Uruguay sent together more than 1.1 million visitors to Brazilian destinations. The total number of arrivals in the first four months of 2026, was 4,333,423.

THE RISE OF ‘GRANDMA TOURISM’

As travellers seek more meaningful and immersive ways to explore the world, a new global report reveals how “Grandma Tourism” is moving into the mainstream with experiences led by older local guides reshaping the way people travel. 

JUST THE FACTS: Brand USA initiative aims to ease travel fears

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, has launched a new initiative to encourage travel to the country while at the same combatting “misperceptions” that may give potential visitors pause.

TEMPERATURES TOPPLED IN EUROPE: Early heat wave shatters records

Temperature records toppled as a spring heat wave continued to scorch parts of Western Europe on Tuesday, triggering government warnings about risks to life. Several drownings were reported in Britain and France as people tried to cool down.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives

This week: ACTA opens summit registrations; TTAND is tops with Travel Leaders; appointments at Trevello and Flight Centre Canada; Canada; Amex GBT is plugged in; and Collette adds to its training program…

‘SUN WEEK’ SAVINGS FROM SUNWING VACATIONS

Travel advisors can unlock limited-time resort deals, added-value excursions and prizes for their clients until May 31 with the return of Sunwing Vacations’ ‘Sun Week’ event.

U.S. TRAVEL FACES ITS TROUBLING CANADA QUESTION

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Last year at IPW, the U.S. Travel Association ducked “the Canadian question.” In fact, it ducked the media altogether. But this year, full marks to the organization (and Brand USA) for facing the music and comprehensively answering the question that Travel Industry Today asked on behalf of all Canadians and the Canadian travel industry: “Where does Canadian travel to the U.S. stand at this moment and what do you have to say to Canadians that might make a difference?”

FORT LAUDERDALE ROLLS UP RED CARPET AFTER SUCCESSFUL IPW

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Even as U.S. Homeland was threatening travel chaos by withdrawing U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in U.S. “sanctuary cities, the U.S. Travel Association’s signature annual travel trade show IPW 2026 wrapped up on Friday, having drawn nearly 5,000 delegates from over 60 countries, including Canada, over the event’s four full days last week in South Florida.

LAST WEEK THIS MORNING: Round-Up May 18-22, 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.

LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP: Canadians sour on social media, but continue to use

Once hailed as the future and saviour of communication for society, the ills of social media have become readily apparent to many Canadians, even as they continue to like, share, and scroll. New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds that Canadians are still overwhelmingly enmeshed in the social media environment, but that many aren’t sure about the impact it’s having on them, personally, and on broader society.

WHERE IS THE WORLD’S BEST BEACH?

As the self-proclaimed “ultimate global authority on beaches,” The World’s 50 Best Beaches has revealed its annual rankings for 2026. Driven by The World’s 50 Best Beaches team’s first-hand, year-round exploration as well as collaboration with over 1,000 elite travel professionals worldwide, the list highlights the planet’s most spectacular beaches.

WHERE’S THE BEEF? At the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, of course

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ The Big Texan Steak Ranch and Brewery Is more than a restaurant, it’s an empire. The family-owned establishment in Amarillo serves over 600,000 lbs of beef a year to more than 600,000 guests and ranks as arguably the top attraction in the Texas Panhandle city that is also home to the famed Cadillac Ranch art installation immortalized in song by Bruce Springsteen.

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