WestJet Vacations has launched a new resource portal dedicated to supporting travel advisors. The new centralized hub “for all things WestJet” offers an improved experience that’s more user friendly and “makes it easier for our partners to search and access the tools and information they need to serve our mutual guests as best as possible,” says the company.
U.S. tourism revenue saw a dip for Niagara Parks this spring, but its CEO says that revenue was “more than made up” through other international travellers, particularly coming from the U.K., France, Australia and Poland.
Goway is expanding its Northern Europe offerings with the launch of a dedicated Greenland product line that features four immersive, small-group, and independent trips that highlight the country’s dramatic landscapes, rich Inuit culture, and unique Arctic experiences.
This week: Air Canada Vacations’ advisory board convened at Sandals Montego Bay; TTAND introduces TripBuilder; MSC Cruises’ booking platform is launched in French; Rocky Mountaineer is helping agents get social; and special recognition for Mary Jean Tully.
The Grand Tour of Switzerland is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The now iconic 1,600-km. loop is more than just a scenic drive – it’s a celebration of freedom, discovery, and the joy of the open road, and inviting travellers to slow down, take the scenic route, and rediscover the beauty of Switzerland.
A wildfire that tore through a historic Grand Canyon lodge and raged out of control Monday had been allowed to burn for days before erupting over the weekend, raising scrutiny over the National Park Service’s decision not to aggressively attack the fire right away.
American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) has released its annual forecast of global car rental prices, with rate increases expected to stay broadly in line with inflation across most regions – including Canada – according to the Ground Monitor 2025-26 report.
By Michael Baginski/ Grenada continues to be a popular destination for Canadians, but with many currently looking for new destinations beyond the U.S., the island’s new CEO of tourism thinks the time is ripe to make an even stronger case for the Spice Island.
Brightline and Discover the World have announced a global strategic partnership aimed at expanding travel trade opportunities for Brightline’s high-speed rail service in Florida, while also showcasing Brightline’s service for visitors to the Sunshine State.
A restored replica of the square-rigged sailing ship that sparked a wave of Scottish immigration to Nova Scotia more than 250 years ago was relaunched Saturday with a mighty splash into Pictou harbour. After a restoration and public fundraising effort that began in 2019, the rebuilt hull of the Hector was eased into the water sideways during a colourful ceremony on the town’s scenic waterfront
Haiti’s once-illustrious Grand Hôtel Oloffson, a beloved Gothic gingerbread home that inspired books, hosted parties until dawn and attracted visitors from Mick Jagger to Haitian presidents, was burned down by gang last week.
By Michael Baginski/ ACTA’s 35th annual golf tournament last week marked a milestone on more than just the course as the association’s popular president Wendy Paradis officially celebrated her last day with the organization before retirement and passed the torch to Suzanne Acton-Gervais, who made her first official outing after being announced for the job.
Vancouver International Airport is the first airport in North America to welcome regular service from South Korean airline T’way Air. The inaugural flight on Saturday kicked off four-times weekly, year-round service between Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul and YVR.
On Saturday, government officials, community leaders and local residents of Grand Bahama received an exclusive preview of Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s new destination. The special preview event showcased the fun Carnival guests will experience and took place in tandem with the embarkation of Carnival Vista, which will make the first official visit to Celebration Key for its July 19 grand opening.
The “overshadowed” culturally rich state of Nayarit in Mexico will welcome its first-ever direct flights from Canada this December, with WestJet launching a new weekly route between Calgary and the Tepic/Riviera Nayarit International Airport and Air Canada set to do the same from Vancouver.
Sunwing Vacations is offering “partner of the month” deals with Meliá Resorts throughout July. The limited time offer is available on bookings at participating properties in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba made by July 31 for travel taken by Dec. 20.
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.
For a midweek standard room in July at Long Beach Lodge Resort overlooking Cox Bay: $659, plus tax. Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort: $649, plus tax and there’s a nightly minimum, depending on the day. Wickaninnish Inn on North Chesterman Beach: $980, with a four-night minimum. Oceanside suite at Pacific Sands: $699, with a three-night minimum. For a king bed at Hotel Zed: $714, plus tax and the two-night minimum.
Almost one third (32%) of Canadian respondents to a survey that say they are active on social media post about their plans before or while travelling, a figure that rises to 51% among those aged 18 to 34. But sharing that beach vacation selfie while away could be putting the safety of their property at risk for theft because it also shares that their home is empty.
After glamourizing tobacco for decades, France has begun its most sweeping smoking ban yet. The new restrictions, which began this month, outlaw smoking in virtually all outdoor public areas where children may gather, including beaches, parks, gardens, playgrounds, sports venues, school entrances and bus stops.
The Vatican Museums has unveiled the last and most important of the restored Raphael Rooms, the spectacularly frescoed reception rooms of the Apostolic Palace that in some ways rival the Sistine Chapel as the peak of high Renaissance artistry.
The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance – which includes ACTA as a member – says a fundamental shift in traveller expectations is driving travel advisors worldwide to adopt transparent professional fees for their consultancy services, according to a comprehensive new study.
By Michael Baginski/ Bob Harris says there’s so much more to Myrtle beach than golf. After all, Canadians who told him so. The executive VP of group sales for Visit Myrtle Beach said his own misconception that Canadians mainly admire the South Carolina destination for its world class golf (mini and masters) was quickly corrected by in-the-know visitors from north of the border.
Air Canada is adding flights to Latin America as it looks to diversify its global network this winter. The airline will resume non-stop service to Lima, Peru, this winter with twice weekly flights from both Montreal and Toronto as well as adding three new routes to Central America and Mexico including, Montreal-Belize, Toronto-Puerto Escondido, and Vancouver-Tepic, Riviera Nayarit.
The Travel Corporation (TTC) has announced a globally aligned strategic growth plan for its touring and cruise divisions that includes better support for trade partners through enhanced investment and global capability.
Hidden deep in northwest B.C.’s coast lies the lush inlet of the Khutzeymateen, bustling with grizzly bears and other rich fauna. Created in 1994 as the first specially protected area for grizzly bears and their habitat in Canada, it is widely regarded as the densest natural grizzly bear habitat in North America and is accessible only by boat or plane.
In a significant bid to boost tourism, China will now allow citizens from 74 countries to enter the country for up to 30 days without a visa. However, Canadians, are not among the beneficiaries of the unprecedented move to relax visa restrictions in a country that maintained strict COVID-19 restrictions and kept its borders closed to tourists until early 2023.
As Travel & Tourism enters the height of the summer season, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a new report calling for a more balanced approach to managing tourism in popular destinations. The new paper sets out six practical actions to help destinations grow sustainably while protecting jobs and communities.
Following of the announcement this week of WestJet’s winter 2025-26 flight schedule, Sunwing Vacations has detailed its corresponding vacation program, which marks its first full winter season with travel on board WestJet. On offer are direct flights from over 20 airports across Canada to over 25 sun destinations including new destinations Nicaragua and Samana, plus the returning island of San Andrés, Colombia, plus an expanded resort portfolio and inclusions.
This week: ACTA is set to host a townhall meeting; ACV FAM introduces northern Portugal; Total dominance and movin’ on up at TRAVELSAVERS’ Canada; Virtuoso celebrates a milestone; meet the Trevello agents who are ‘Simply the best’; and new agent tools from Explora Journeys.