News

MSC MARKS MILESTONES FOR THREE NEW SHIPS

MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique marked significant milestones for three World Class ships on Friday in Saint-Nazaire, France, with the delivery of MSC World America, the coin ceremony of MSC World Asia, and steel cutting for the newly named MSC World Atlantic.

ROUND-UP: Mar. 24-28, 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.

FAA SAYS IT MUST DO BETTER AFTER DEADLY DC AIR COLLISION

The head of the Federal Aviation Administration told Congress during a hearing Thursday about a midair collision over Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people that the agency must do more to ensure flying remains safe. “We have to do better,” Chris Rocheleau said. “We have to identify trends, we have to get smarter about how we use data, and when we put corrective actions in place, we must execute them.”

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS: Canadians job loss anxiety lessens

Unemployed clients are bad for business, so it may be some measure of relief that a new poll by Leger is suggesting that Canadians are feeling less anxious about losing their jobs as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to pursue his trade war with Canada and much of the world. However, worries persist, including the notion that Canadians are merely growing numb to the everyday chaos.

PORTER-PASCAN PARTNERSHIP BOOSTS EASTERN CDN. CONNECTIVITY

A new partnership between Porter Airlines and Pascan Aviation will improve access to air travel across Eastern Canada, taking advantage of Porter’s growing North American network and Pascan’s Québec and Maritimes-focused regional flights. Primary connecting airports are in Halifax and Québec City, with other hubs serving as secondary options.

MAPLE LEAF MOMENTS: Syrup season a sweet spot for Canadian agritourism

Every morning, Tom Stehr wakes up and heads straight into his maple shop. As he walks through the Huntsville, Ont., building, he passes displays of syrup memorabilia, Canadian flags and maple leaf decor. “I just fell in love with everything about maple,” Stehr says. “It’s totally Canadian. It’s iconic.”

SUNWING VACATION VAN SURPRISES IN MONTEGO BAY

Sunwing’s Vacation Van is back in action. Following its launch in Toronto last fall, the van has gone international, making the journey to Montego Bay, Jamaica, for an activation starring Canadian game show host, Adam Growe (“Cash Cab”).

WATCH YOUR STEP: ‘You are a guest,’ American embassies warn visa-seekers

Some US embassies in European nations are taking to social media with pointed warnings to would-be visitors: Watch your step. Embassies in at least 17 countries have put up posts featuring images of administration figures, including Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, warning those seeking visas that engaging in behaviour deemed harmful by the government could get deported.

FEDS UPHOLD AIR CANADA ACCESSIBILITY DECISION

The Federal Court of Appeal is upholding a decision by the country’s transport regulator that aims to boost accessibility for air travellers living with a disability. A judicial tribunal has dismissed an appeal by Air Canada that sought to overturn a requirement to fully accommodate passengers whose wheelchairs are too large to fit through the cargo doors of some aircraft.

LAS VEGAS SHARES ITS MAGIC ON CANADA MISSION

The Las Vegas Visitor and Convention Authority (LVCVA) is visiting Canada this week, with its Eastern Canada mission concluding in Winnipeg Thursday, following gala events in Montreal and Toronto earlier in the week,

TDC GETS PERSONAL AT CONFERENCE IN SPAIN

Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) is hosting its national leadership conference at Club Med Marbella on Spain’s Costa del Sol this week, with the key theme of personalized development. On hand are owners and managers of franchised and affiliated agencies of the TDC network, regional managers of Transat/Travel agencies, members of the TDC management team, as well as a host of preferred partners.

UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF ARUBA’S BEACHES

When travellers think of beach getaways, their first thought may be to spend their days relaxing under the sun, and while white-sand lounging certainly has a place on tropical vacations, it’s not the only way to experience the sands of paradise. With dozens of beaches to explore in Aruba, there’s no limit to what vacationers can do, from ocean exploration to enjoying the lively nightlife.

THE HARD TRUTH: Canadians in the mood for ‘soft’ travel

Tariffs, Trump, an election – 2025 has has gotten off to a tumultuous start as Canadians face an uncertain political and economic future. But, according to Flight Centre, Canadians are still eager to travel – albeit with a new priority: simplicity, connection and escape from the relentless news cycle and pace of modern life. Or put another way, “prioritizing peace over politics.”

WESTJET PILOTS OPPOSE FOREIGN TEMPS

The union representing WestJet pilots is asking a judge to quash federal approval of temporary foreign workers in the cockpit. In an application it says was filed Monday, the Air Line Pilots Association petitioned the Federal Court to declare invalid a government decision green-lighting temporary work permits at WestJet Encore earlier this month.

POLITE CANADIANS ‘REGRETFULLY’ DECLINE TO VISIT U.S. TOWN

Mayor Tom Ross opens his laptop. He navigates through his email inbox, double-clicks on a message and turns the screen. A long paragraph is titled “Regretful cancelling visits to Minot.” The email is addressed to the mayor of the North Dakota town and extends four or five lines.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives

This week: The Travel Agent Next Door was recognized by Air Canada; FCM Travel appointments; Good deeds from First in Travel (F1S); an Ontario travel agency closure; and a Fort Lauderdale incentive for travel advisors.

SINGAPORE SMASHING RECORDS, LEADS BOOMING SOUTHEAST ASIA

A ‘transformative’ Singapore is on track to smash its all-time international arrivals record this year, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council, which forecasts that Thailand – fuelled by the White Lotus effect – is similarly on pace to break all records with 5% growth.

WESTJET BARCELONA-BOUND FROM HALIFAX

WestJet will launch new service between Halifax and Barcelona, Spain, beginning June 27. The seasonal route will operate four times per week as part of WestJet’s summer 2025 schedule, offering Atlantic Canadians a direct connection to what the airline says is one of its most sought-after European destinations.

BULLFIGHTING BROUHAHA: Mexico City ruling takes middle ground

Mexico City lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly to ban violent bullfighting, triggering outrage from aficionados and celebration from animal rights advocates. The legislation, approved by a 61-1 vote, prohibits the killing of bulls and the use of sharp objects that could injure the animals.

CANADA UPDATES U.S., CHINA TRAVEL ADVISORIES

Canadians are now facing updated travel advisories to the world’s two largest economies after Ottawa warned travellers who stay in the United States for more than 30 days to make sure they register as required. At the same time, Canadians with dual citizenship have been warned to use Canadian credentials when presenting to Chinese authorities.

A ‘HUGE EMBARASSEMENT’: The aftermath of Heathrow fire chaos

London Heathrow Airport said it was “fully operational” on Saturday, after an almost daylong closure sparked by an electrical substation fire. But thousands of passengers remained stuck, and airlines warned that severe disruption will last for days as they scramble to relocate planes and crews and get travellers to their destinations.

SATIRE, SOCIAL MEDIA FUEL FLIGHT ATTENDANTS’ CAMPAIGN

Airplanes with standing sections. An extra fee for boarding charged at airport terminals. Even smaller carry-on luggage allowances. These are a few of the features offered by ‘Unfair Canada,’ a fictional airline (based on a real one) with the slogan “where we can’t take you!” and which runs a scrolling banner on its website proclaiming “all flights cancelled because we feel like it.”

ANGUILLA A TINY ISLAND WITH A BIG HEART

By Michael Baginski/   Tiny Anguilla has a big heart. So says Kimberly King of the Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB), who visited Toronto and Montreal last week to update the trade on the most recent developments on the Caribbean island. “(Anguillans) are very, very friendly and offer warm hospitality,” she said. “(Visiting) us is a very authentic experience.”

NATASHA GEORGE NEW CANADIAN BDM AT CLUB MED

Club Med has named Natasha George as Business Development Manager for Ontario and Western Canada, reporting to Jacinda Lowry, Associate VP of Sales, Canada. She will officially start her role on April 22.

STILL SEARCHING FOR MH370

Malaysia’s government has given final approval for a Texas-based marine robotics company to renew the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which is believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean more than a decade ago.

ROUND-UP: Mar. 17-21, 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.

WHY DID DELTA PLANE CRASH IN TORONTO?

A preliminary report into a plane crash at Toronto’s Pearson airport last month says the aircraft’s alert system issued a warning about the descent rate less than three seconds before touchdown. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada released its report Thursday morning as it continues to investigate the Feb. 17 crash landing that sent 21 people to hospital, noting that it’s too early to draw any conclusions.

TRUMP TRICKLE-DOWN: Amtrak boss abruptly resigns

The boss of under-fire Amtrak abruptly resigned from his top post at the US passenger railroad with Stephen Gardner stating that he was said stepping down “to ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy the full faith and confidence of this administration.”

Scroll to Top