News

Walking, hiking, and trekking offer a uniquely human way to experience and connect to a place. Whether following world-renowned routes like the Tour du Mont Blanc or detouring on day hikes through beautiful landscapes, the hiking holiday continues to grow in popularity among the North American traveller, according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), which also reports that hiking, walking and trekking continue to be the primary activities that adventure travellers undertake on guided trips.

Most Canadians would be proud to be considered mean and “nasty” for standing up for their sovereignty and economy in the face of U.S. threats, B.C. Premier David Eby said Tuesday – a day after the U.S. ambassador said Canadians avoiding travel south of the border and banning American alcohol have raised the ire of President Donald Trump, and adding that such steps “don’t send positive signals” about Canada treating the United States well.

An uptick in last-minute bookings has travel advisors at TRAVELSAVERS Canada encouraged that summer and fall travel is still in the cards for many clients as they navigate economic circumstances and misgivings about travelling to the U.S.

This week: Air Transat and partners were Berlin bound; the world’s largest AI summit for the travel industry is set to return in October; and Fora Travel has put down roots in British Columbia.

The Trump administration has imposed new restrictions on flights from Mexico and threatened to end a longstanding partnership between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico in response to limits the Mexican government placed on passenger and cargo flights into Mexico City several years ago.

Bleisure travel is no longer just a Gen Z trend; it’s booming across age groups, including among Canadians in the Gen X age bracket. New data from Corporate Traveller Canada, based on a national survey conducted by YouGov reveals that 24% of Canadian business travellers ages 45 to 60 are mixing work with pleasure all or most of the time – just slightly less than their Gen Z counterparts (28%).

North Korea is banning the entry of foreign tourists to a recently opened mega beach resort, a move that dims prospects for the complex that leader Kim Jong Un hailed it as “one of the greatest successes this year.”

Canadian permanent residents must now pay a US$250 “visa integrity fee” to enter the U.S. as part of the government’s new “Big Beautiful Bill” legislation, which in part aims to tighten border security.

Despite facing growing economic uncertainties, trade wars and many other moving pieces, Canadians are finding alternative ways, including how they travel and making lifestyle trade-offs, to sustain their ability to travel, according to a recent survey for FlightHub.

When limits on liquids were introduced at airport checkpoints across North America in 2006, bins overflowed with bottled water, toothpaste, shaving cream and so much more. Nearly two decades later, travellers are much more accustomed to the regulations governing the size of the liquids they’re flying with, but scenes of passengers guzzling a beverage before putting their bags through the screening machines are still common.

Citing its ongoing commitment to deepening engagement with one of its fastest-growing international markets, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation has announced the appointment of Siren Communications as its agency of record in Canada, effective immediately.

G Adventures is relaunching sailing adventures along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline after a five-year pandemic pause. The catamaran trips are designed to combine adventure and relaxation in a destination dubbed the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean,’ and known for its natural beauty, cultural richness, and marine wonders. With first departures in December, the seven-day ‘Sri Lanka Sailing – South Coast’ trip can also be combined with land-based trips to create an extended two-week Sri Lanka experience.

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.

Expedia has released its first-ever Island Hot List, a definitive guide to island travel based on verified data and traveller insights. The inaugural report for 2025 reveals global interest for islands is up on average 30 percent.

The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) reports that former travel agency owner Mohamed Hachemi Bensaci of Holy Destinations Travel Inc., has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for defrauding consumers of religious travel packages.

Whether you’re jetting off on a city break or embarking on a long-haul adventure, what you eat before flying can have a major impact on how comfortable you feel in the air. Senior travel expert Jessie Chambers from Global Work and Travel shares top tips on foods and drinks to avoid before boarding – and some may surprise even seasoned travellers.

With the first of its three regional Canadian Travel Industry Summits now less than two months away, ACTA has announced its keynote speakers for its events in Toronto (Sept. 11), Montreal (Sept. 18) and Vancouver (Oct. 1). From technology to accessibility and adventure travel, speakers will offer insights designed to help attendees enhance, or simply fine tune, their skills to help drive sales success.

Arachnophobes beware: Customs officials on Monday released photos from a seizure of roughly 1,500 young tarantulas found inside plastic containers that had been hidden in chocolate spongecake boxes shipped to an airport in western Germany.