By Michael Baginski/ With thousands of travel trade professionals from around the world – typically including well over a hundred Canadians – set to descend on Chicago this weekend for the U.S. travel industry’s signature IPW trade show (June 14-18), the U.S. Travel Association has issued a notable and sign-of-the-times guide to entering the country for delegates.
East coast connectivity is being boosted by the launch of two new routes from Porter Airlines – Toronto to Deer Lake, Nfld., and YYZ to Charlottetown. The former began yesterday (June 10), the latter takes flight Friday (June 13). The flights open up additional travel possibilities across the country, with connecting options via Toronto linking to Western Canada.
By Michael Baginski/ It was a nice gesture – cruising around the islands of Toronto harbour (on a still chilly night in June, egads) – but the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s (BTA) trade event on Monday night certainly made one thing crystal clear: It would have been better to be in those islands (there are in fact, 181 of them).
This week: Carnival Cruise Line is celebrating travel advisors in June; Travel Leaders’ Edge conference has been a SNAP for Canadian advisors; TRAVELSAVERS Canada adds new agencies; Direct Travel unveiled a new commission tracking tool; and WestJet Vacations was busy entertaining and educating travel advisors both at home and abroad.
A new survey south of the border says a growing number of American travellers are deliberately steering clear of certain countries – including Canada – due to fears of being unwelcome. The attitude is driven largely by concerns over the global fallout of US foreign policy, according to the Spring 2025 Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey conducted by Global Rescue.
Thailand plans to tighten regulations on cannabis sales after cases of tourists attempting to smuggle the drug out of the country soared in recent months. Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis in 2022, which has boosted Thailand’s tourism and farming and spawned thousands of shops.
Ontarians are travelling this summer, but confidence is low that their plans will go as expected according to new data from the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), which also shows a strong domestic travel trend across all age groups in 2025. At the same time, international and U.S. travel intentions reveal a clear generational divide, with older Canadians more likely to steer clear, according to the provincial regulator.
With 28 active wildfires in the province – 10 of which are out of control – and the province under a state of emergency, Manitoba is urging tourists to reconsider visiting as it works to find shelter for a flood of wildfire evacuees now reaching 21,000.
President Donald Trump’s new ban on travel to the U.S. by citizens from a dozen countries took effect Monday with relative calm, as some travellers with valid visas reported extra scrutiny at American airports before being allowed entry.
Air Canada’s newest international flight from Toronto launched service to Prague, Czech Republic, on the weekend, the latest of the carrier’s newly inaugurated European routes, which also included Montreal-Porto, Portugal last week.
The Nobu Hotel Toronto is now officially open. Following the opening of its popular restaurant in 2024 and the debut of its residences, the hotel completes the Nobu’s first integrated property under one roof, located in the city’s entertainment district.
Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations Québec are set to introduce Managua, Nicaragua, as an exclusive sun destination for Quebecers this winter. Beginning Dec. 18, weekly nonstop service from YUL to MGA will be operated on board WestJet every Thursday until April 9, 2026.
The American ambassador to Canada is pushing back on Ottawa’s travel advice on travel to the U.S. that warns Canadians should “expect scrutiny” of electronic device when entering the country. “I’m not denying that it happened, but I’m saying it’s an isolated event and it is not a pattern,” said U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra. He further stated that some Americans are complaining about getting a frosty reception at Canadian customs.
The U.S. State Department instructed U.S. embassies and consulates on Friday not to revoke visas previously issued to people from 12 mainly African and Middle Eastern countries now under President Donald Trump’s new travel ban, which went into effect today (Monday).
By Michael Baginski/ More than 250 travel advisors turned out last week in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to experience the La Pura Vida lifestyle as a delegation of more than a dozen suppliers from Costa Rica, plus the country’s tourism minister, made the case that there’s no better time for Canadians for visit.
Transat AT Inc. says it has restructured its pandemic-era debt in a deal that forgives hundreds of millions of dollars owed. Most of that reduction is due to about $380 million of debt forgiven under the agreement in principle. The Montreal-based company, which owns Air Transat, said it had cut its total debt with a federal Crown corporation by more than half to $334 million from $772 million.
A man who was going to miss his flight to Los Angeles called in a false bomb threat with the hope that a delay at the airport in Detroit would allow him to get there in time to board the plane, according to U.S. authorities.
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.
Despite nearly nine out of 10 reviews (87.8%) meeting standards for publication, influential travel review site TripAdvisor says it continues to fight ever-evolving fraudulent schemes in its domain, which now includes misleading communication generated by artificial intelligence.
U.S. President Donald Trump has resurrected a hallmark policy of his first term, announcing that citizens of 12 countries would be banned from visiting the United States and those from seven others would face restrictions starting June 9. Here’s what you may need to know, including its effect of dual citizenship Canadians.
Being at least a little nervous about flying is understandable. As Mel Brooks once said: “If God wanted us to fly, He would have given us tickets.” But for some people it causes deep anxiety that could require professional help.
A new report from the Conference Board of Canada argues that Canada’s trade war with the United States might come with a silver lining for the domestic tourism industry with the board estimating that estimates that Canadians boycotting the U.S. for cross-border vacations could net the country’s tourism sector up to $8.8 billion in extra business this year as travellers stay closer to home.
Overwhelmingly, Canadians want the space to enjoy travel without the negative impacts of overtourism – among them high prices, environmental damage, and noise – says a new survey commissioned by Flight Centre.
With new and expanded airlift options from multiple gateways across Canada, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism says getting to the Caribbean islands will be easier than ever for Canadians this summer and fall.
Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) recently hosted 30 franchise and affiliate agency owners from across Canada and their guests on the organization’s Bravo Excellence Club reward trip – this year a seven-night Peruvian adventure that was conducted in collaboration with Transat and G Adventures.
As Nova Scotia gains ground as one of Canada’s top golf destinations, Fox Harb’r Resort, Eastern Canada’s only four diamond, five- star resort is marking its 25th anniversary with a sweeping transformation designed to elevate the guest experience on and off the course.
While Jamaica is famous for its pristine beaches and reggae culture, there’s much more that travellers can experience than meets the eye. Beyond Jamaica’s best all-inclusive resorts are a variety of natural wonders that highlight the island’s incredible beauty and where visitors are virtually guaranteed to get wet!
By Michael Baginski/ I recently spent a minute (several, in fact) in New York – a visit that transpired during the nascent times of tariffs and the 51st state. Perhaps not surprisingly, I was asked by some why I went, and what my experience was like. Simply put, it was New York – no more, no less. Frenetic, mesmerizing, limitless, a world unto itself. And utterly unconcerned, even oblivious, of my Canadianness and critical gaze.
Health officials in the U.S. have changed their advice about measles, saying international travellers should be vaccinated against the virus no matter where they’re going. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously emphasized the importance of vaccination for travellers going to countries with outbreaks.
Later this year, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) will launch a new online education program and exam to become Travel Counsellors and agency Supervisors/Managers, with the changes focussing on having learners apply the program’s regulatory and consumer protection content, enhancing regulatory knowledge and professionalism.