This week: Amex GBT powers eco-conscious choices; Ensemble powers Rwandan woman; ACTA posts key 2025 event dates for; incentives from Sunwing/Blue Diamond, Encore Cruises, G Adventures, and Africa Travel; and a Bob Marley-based trip contest by the Jamaica Tourist Board.
Airlines expect a strong tailwind from travel demand in 2025. United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and several other US-based carriers have all given investors strong forecasts for the year and Wall Street expects major airlines to increase revenue and profit in 2025. (Air Canada will present its present its fourth quarter and full year 2024 results on Feb. 14).
Tainted alcohol is becoming a problem for foreign travellers in some small tourist areas in South East Asia. A bartender in a popular Vietnamese tourist town has been arrested in relation to the deaths of two foreign tourists. Authorities in Hoi An say they died of methanol poisoning from tainted alcohol.
Set in the ancient Wychwood forest in the Cotswolds (about 30 minutes from Oxford), TreeDwellers takes modern accommodation to new heights with seven eccentric “treehouses” that seamlessly blend both luxury and nature.
Luxury cruise line Cunard has unveiled its 2026 Alaska program, which will operate between May and September, offering 15 roundtrip voyages from Seattle, ranging from seven to 12 nights. Guests looking for a longer vacation that combines contrasting destinations can choose extended voyages of up to 42 nights that includes the Caribbean.
Jackie Friedman, President of host agency Nexion Travel Group, has absorbed Mike Foster’s role as President of Nexion Canada. Esther Roemmele, a seasoned leader and long-time member of the Nexion team, will step into the role of Director of Canadian Operations, managing daily operations. She previously served as Director of Member Services. Jenny Lloret will become Supervisor for Member Services.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Playa Hotels & Resorts for approximately US $2.6 billion, including approximately $900 million of debt, net of cash. Playa is a leading owner and operator of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
BermudAir will launch new nonstop service between Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Bermuda (BDA), beginning June 12. The two-hour flight will provide the only direct service between Montréal and Bermuda.
The pandemic saw the day pass industry leap to life at resorts, spas, water parks and hotels. From luxury to lower end, more people craved a way to break the isolation monotony while trying to maintain social distance. The passes are a win-win-win. Locals soak up some rest time on the cheap, travellers don’t have to commit to an overnight stay – but can still check out a place that may be sold out, or a little too expensive to stay all week.
The Islands of the Bahamas welcomed a record-breaking 11.22 million international visitors in 2024, making it the best year ever, far exceeding the 9.65 million arrivals in 2023.
Part art gallery, science exhibition and 21st century funhouse, the Paradox Museum Miami takes guests on a tour through optical illusions and other enigmas geared for the age of Instagram. Housed in Miami’s trendy Wynwood arts and entertainment district, the attraction features more than 70 exhibits that challenge the imagination,
TravelBrands has announced the return of Jeff Carpenter as Strategic Account Manager, a newly created position designed to enhance TravelBrands’ positioning with retail partners across Canada. One of the key focuses of this role is to provide enhanced support to home-based consortium accounts.
A magnitude-7.6 earthquake shook the Caribbean Sea south of the Cayman Islands Saturday, according to the US Geological Survey. Several islands and countries urged people near the coastline to move inland but authorities in most places later lifted the tsunami alerts.
Every year Kathy Rowe and her husband exchange the same Christmas gift: plane tickets to the United States. The couple from Torbay, N.L., had planned to do the same last holiday season, and used points to purchase non-refundable plane tickets to Dallas, where they would rent a car for a road trip in May.
Renowned as a “City of Spires” and for its historic university, Oxford has never suffered for profile, notably as a daytrip delight for visitors from London. And in recent years, the city has attracted a new cohort of Harry Potter fans intent on seeing sites used in the smash film series – namely Christ Church college and the Bodleian Library.
The spate of recent aviation disasters and close calls have people worried about the safety of flying. The midair collision that killed 67 near Washington, the fiery plane crash in Philadelphia and a commuter plane crash on Friday in Alaska are only the most high-profile disasters.
AmaWaterways and Smithsonian Journeys – the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution specializing in small-group travel – have announced an alliance, starting in 2026. Beginning in April, select European river cruises will feature exclusive experiences, drawing on the Smithsonian’s 175-plus-year history as the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex.
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.
US President Donald Trump’s targeting of Canada has left people feeling hurt and betrayed in central Newfoundland, where on Sept. 11, 2001, residents famously dropped everything to care for thousands of people stranded by terrorist attacks against the United States.
The National Travel Agent Survey will now be closing on Sunday, Feb. 15, and it is making a last call for participants. Conducted by Rob Glennie Consulting of Winnipeg, the survey is designed to obtain invaluable insights into the industry and travel agents across Canada.
A mountain in New Zealand considered an ancestor by Indigenous people has been recognized as a legal person after a new law granted it all the rights and responsibilities of a human being. The pristine, snow-capped dormant volcano is the second highest on New Zealand’s North Island at 2,518 metres and a popular spot for tourism, hiking and snow sports.
The Scottish government wants everyone to know it does not plan to ban cats. First Minister John Swinney was forced to issue the statement after a report by independent experts branded felines a threat to Scotland’s wildlife and suggested “containment” measures be considered to reduce the damage.
The travel industry on both sides of the border continues to hold its breath after announced tariffs on Canadian goods entering America – set to take effect on Tuesday – were delayed 30 days. Such was the anger in Canada that the threat of a 25% tax by Donald Trump (10% on energy) prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to urge Canadians to “choose Canada,” including “changing your summer vacation plans to stay here in Canada.”
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has barred WestJet from telling travellers their reimbursement for meals and accommodations is capped. The ruling states that “passengers would suffer harm” if WestJet continued to communicate the policy to customers or post it on its website, which laid out fixed dollar limits on repayment amounts.
Ecuador’s rich natural heritage, diverse culture, and wide range of adventure activities – with natural wonders including the Amazon rainforest, the Galapagos Islands, and the Avenue of the Volcanoes – is no secret. But with so many options, what is right for clients? A handful of Goway’s destination expert are eager to share their insider’s tips to help insure they get the most out of their South American adventure in one the world’s most remarkable destinations.
Braving tariff-related sentiment, a travel trade mission from the state of Colorado called in Toronto Tuesday night inviting Canadians to discover – or return to – a state with an endless, and sometimes surprising, array of attributes for visitors.
Sunwing Airlines, embarked on its second annual celebratory flight in honour of Black History Month on Tuesday. Departing from Toronto to Montego Bay, the flight was led by a Black flight deck and cabin crew.
Despite its uncertain status in the US, TikTok continues to shape travel trends, providing travel sellers a golden opportunity to captivate new audiences and ignite interest. Through vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and immersive experiences, travel is perfectly positioned to shine on this fast-growing platform.
Vancouver-based birth tourism operator Liga Lin says her phone has been buzzing with inquiries from expectant mothers since US President Donald Trump moved to end American birthright citizenship.
Porter Airlines is bringing new air service to Hamilton, Ont., with four routes launching in June. John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) will be connected coast to coast through daily flights to Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG), Halifax (YHZ) and Vancouver (YVR), starting this June.