News

China is dropping its visa requirement for Canadian tourists and business visitors, after moves by Prime Minister Mark Carney to put relations with Beijing on a better footing. China’s Foreign Ministry says Canadians will no longer be required to get visas for 30-days stays, starting today (Tuesday) until at least the end of this year.

Longer customs lines could be in the cards for travellers in the U.S. as a shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that took effect early Saturday impacts the agency responsible for screening passengers and bags at airports across the country.

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. 

A majority of travellers believe international travel in 2026 will be either more dangerous or increasingly unpredictable compared to pre-2020 travel, underscoring persistent global security concerns and heightened risk awareness, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2026 Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey. 

This year, nearly 10,000 travel partners in Canada have been recognized with a Traveller Review Award from online travel agency Booking.com – an increase of 24% award recipients over the last two years. Foremost among them is Newfoundland & Labrador, which scored as the second “most welcoming” region in the world.

ACTA has wowed members with the announcement that the association will hold its third annual International Destination Conference this year in Japan. Following massively successful events in Spain and Azores/Portugal the past two years, ACTA is partnering with the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) to host qualified travel advisors in Yokohama, Nov. 29-Dec. 4.

By Michael Baginski/ With the likes of Arizona, Colorado, Miami, and Myrtle Beach in town over the past week, the time was perfect for Brand USA to tag along on its own trade mission to Toronto – an effort designed to help “keep the lights on,” according to the US destination marketing organization.

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) Canada office has opened applications for its newly established Travel Agent Advisory Committee, inviting Canadian travel advisors, agency owners, and consortia leaders to apply. At the same time, St. Kitts has unveiled its board.

U.S. federal officials abruptly closed the airspace over El Paso, Texas, for several hours early Wednesday due to what the Trump administration said was Mexican cartel drone activity, temporarily grounding flights and angering local officials who said they were given no advanced warning.

ACTA is calling on airline and supplier partners to ensure clear, timely communication, flexible policies, and the protection of travel agency and travel advisor commissions in the wake of the recent decisions by Air Canada, Air Transat, and WestJet to suspend service to Cuba amid an island-wide fuel shortage.

It’s only fitting that the new border bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit is named after Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe, whose “elbows up” philosophy personified his robust style of play, after Donald Trump threatened this week to stall the opening of the soon-to-open mega structure.

As Canadian airlines and tour operators suspend operations in Cuba due to the nation’s ongoing fuel crisis, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario is providing guidance on registrants’ responsibilities.

This week: ACTA releases its Accessible Travel Advisor Directory; Nexion benefits from industry interest; Kensington commits to travel agents; Visit Orlando introduces a new tool for agents; Atout France announces trade show dates; and Emerald and Scenic Cruises hit the road to host info sessions in 25 Canadians cities.

Anxieties simmered in Havana over the weekend as Cuban President Migual Diaz-Canel warned that U.S. efforts to block oil supplies would take a heavy toll on the Caribbean nation and asked Cubans to endure further sacrifices to weather the impending hardship.

Air Transat operated its first flights to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) last week, including marking the only service between Montreal and the Brazilian city. Flight TS272 departed Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on Wednesday evening, Feb. 4, while flight TS274 took off from YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport on Thursday evening, Feb. 5.

Tourists to Milan during the Winter Olympics hoping to see Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” were in for an unwelcome surprise: Access to the masterpiece was closed to the public for 3-1/2 days.