With Chicago now in the books, Fort Lauderdale is now on the clock for next year’s IPW, the U.S. Travel Association’s signature inbound travel trade show, to be held at Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center from May 17-21. And as the future host, Visit Lauderdale shared a snapshot at last week’s IPW in the Windy City of what guests can expect from the South Florida destination in 2026.
Canadian airlines were once again flying high as this year’s prestigious World Airlines Awards, conducted by Skytrax. Dubbed “Oscars of the aviation industry,” the awards saw five Canadian carriers rank in the top 100 worldwide, as well as taking home hardware – including top spots – in several other categories.
Known as a vibrant melting pot with residents from more than 170 countries, Greater Fort Lauderdale’s richly diverse community has long shaped its inclusive dining scene. This summer, that global influence takes centre stage as Visit Lauderdale kicks off a season of culinary celebration marked by the return of Dine Out Lauderdale restaurant months, first-time MICHELIN guide recognitions, and notable new restaurant openings.
Air India is facing disruptions – including temporary service cuts to Canada – following the airline’s recent fatal crash. Additional safety inspections on its Dreamliner fleet have also led to flight delays and cancellations.
Visit Lauderdale’s ‘Lauderdale Loyalist’ program is an interactive training and sales experience for travel advisors designed to help sell the South Florida destination, but also to provide deals and discounts that can help agents discover Greater Fort Lauderdale for themselves.
Suitcases rattle against cobblestones. Selfie-snappers jostle for the same shot. Ice cream shops are everywhere. Europe has been called the world’s museum, but its record numbers of visitors have also made it ground zero for concerns about overtourism.
By Michael Baginski/ IPW wasn’t a doozy – at least in the way I predicted in this space a week ago. To be clear, the annual U.S. Travel Association tradeshow was absolutely first rate thanks to the organizers, and particularly host city Chicago; however, any anticipated fireworks inside the show were quickly doused by a thorough glossing over by U.S. Travel and Brand USA of the affairs going on outside the convention space.
Maine’s governor is in the Maritimes today (Monday) with hopes a charm offensive will slow the rapid drop in Canadian tourist visits to her state. In a release issued Friday, Janet Mills says she’s aware the historically close relationship between New England and its northern neighbours has been challenged by U.S. president Donald Trump’s tariffs and his rhetoric about Canada becoming the 51st state.
The recent cyberattack against WestJet remains unresolved, as questions linger about the nature and fallout of the breach. The airline said last week it was working to assess whether sensitive data or customers’ personal information was compromised after hackers accessed its internal systems.
Air Transat will launch a new year-round non-stop route between Toronto and Istanbul starting Dec. 6, operating twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Air Transat and Turkish Airlines have also established an interline partnership aimed at strengthening air service between Canada and Türkiye, while offering travel options to destinations across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
A climate activist group claimed responsibility for spraying pink paint on a rare Pablo Picasso painting at a Montreal museum last week. Last Generation Canada says an activist smeared washable paint on the 1901 painting L’hétaïre at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
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.
The federal government will help Canadians in Israel and Iran to fly home once they reach neighbouring countries, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Thursday. With airports closed across the region, Ottawa has stationed consular officials on the other side of certain crossings on the Israeli and Iranian borders to help those fleeing either country to get home.
Canada should allow up to 100% foreign ownership of domestic-only airlines, the Competition Bureau says in a new report highlighting the country’s “highly concentrated” aviation industry. In a market study released Thursday, the watchdog suggested a new class of airline that operates only in Canada but could have owners from outside its borders, opening the gate to global expertise – and cash.
If you haven’t heard, smartphone snatching is a thing. A friend of TIT recently had hers snatched out of her hand while walking down a busy sidewalk in a major European city, describing two young people hopping a curb on a scooter in broad daylight and absconding with the device in a lightning quick drive-by strike.
Quintonil is not your typical Mexican restaurant. Clients book tables months in advance to celebrate special occasions. The World’s 50 Best list ranked it as the most acclaimed venue in the country in 2024 – and No. 7 worldwide. But once in a while something unexpected happens: food brings guests to tears.
Expedia Group’s latest research reveals significant shifts in how travellers plan and book travel compared to previous years, including a surge in social media influence and the impact of trust. Drawing on insights from over 11,000 consumers across 11 global markets including Canada, the 2025 Traveller Value Index offers a valuable roadmap for travel brands seeking to meet evolving expectations.
Following an extensive and thorough recruitment process, the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Suzanne Acton-Gervais as its new President, effective July 10, 2025. She succeeds Wendy Paradis who announced her retirement earlier this year following a successful tenure leading the association.
Each morning, travellers and cargo take off from Montreal’s Trudeau airport for a 1,600-kilometre flight to Puvirnituq in northern Quebec aboard a nearly 50-year-old Air Inuit plane. This seasoned Boeing 737 previously cruised the skies above Europe and Central Africa for now-defunct carriers in France, Gabon and the Congo. But now its trips are all-Canadian, shuttling people, food and building materials between the country’s second-biggest city and a village of 2,100.
By Nicole Evatt/ As we darted through Addis Ababa’s morning rush hour, my jet lag couldn’t dull the energy of Ethiopia’s capital. We wove through crowds of office workers headed to high-rises and families leading goats home for Orthodox Christmas feasts while our guide explained how one needs at least three weeks to fully experience his country.
Since starting in 2011, the Jasper Dark Sky Festival has steadily grown in popularity and become a signature event for Jasper National Park. Dark sky tourism, a subset of ecotourism, is focused on experiencing the night sky in areas with minimal light pollution and allowing visitors to appreciate natural phenomena such as auroras and eclipses.
The Dominican Republic’s reputation for pristine beaches and luxurious resorts is well-established, but beneath this polished exterior beats the heart of an adventure seeker’s paradise.
Kensington recently released its inaugural Kensington Travel Trends Report, offering an extensive list of insights and trends on traveller behaviours that are currently influencing client preferences. They range from off-peak and off-the-beaten-path travel to solo and personalized journeys. With this in mind, the Toronto-based travel company has highlighted five special destinations it says are poised to stand out this year and beyond.
This week: Virtuoso hosted its first Impact Summit and named a new GM for Canada; Celebrity celebrated TTAND; the top agencies and partners of TRAVELSAVERS was revealed; and Air Canada Vacations is set for ‘Simply the Best’ awards for at-home agents.
A new survey of global business travellers (including Canada) reveals a significant majority (79%) are engaging in risky behaviours they wouldn’t consider at home – raising concerns about personal safety on work trips and the responsibility of employers to uphold their duty of care.
Cambodia expects that its new airport serving the capital will open in July in a major step forward in boosting the country’s lucrative tourism sector, whose growth was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
With miles of coastline, plus impossibly scenic highlands and valleys, Scotland rates as one of the world’s great hiking destinations. And with the northern European country easier to get to than ever for Canadians thanks to new direct Air Canada flights launching from Montreal to Edinburgh this month (June), plus existing direct flights from YYZ to EDI, it’s an ideal time for those looking to lace up the hiking boots and hit the trails.
Spain could receive as many as 100 million tourists this year – twice as many people as live in the country – which the nation’s economy minister says poses challenges for residents that the government can no longer afford to ignore. Last year, Spain received a record 94 million international visitors making it one of the most visited countries in the world.
Canada continues to be recognized as a global leader in Indigenous tourism, with several Pow Wows celebrated annually. More recently, Indigenous tourism and experiences have gained greater attention as travellers increasingly seek meaningful and culturally rich experiences.
In celebration of World Ocean Month in June Sandals Resorts and its philanthropic arm, the Sandals Foundation, have unveiled an expansion of the company’s coral restoration efforts across the Caribbean, with new experiences in The Bahamas and Curaçao. The programs join existing conservation efforts in Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Grenada, inviting resort guests to become part of the brands’ commitment to protecting the region’s precious underwater ecosystems.