By Michael Baginski/ It wouldn’t have been an ACTA golf tournament without a monsoon, but despite the irritatingly inclement weather, which cut the round short by a few holes, 154 members and friends of the association (220 in all including dinner) enjoyed a full day of industry unity, support, and fun on July 9.
A South Florida airport officially changed its name on July 9 to the President Donald J. Trump International Airport. Signs for the Palm Beach International Airport have been removed, while new signage goes up.
The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism’s “Worry Free Hurricane Guarantee” is designed to ensure that visitors have peace of mind during their “vaCay” by providing a refund of fees or a generous re-booking window at participating hotels, villas and condominiums across all three islands should a severe storm affect plans.
Sunwing Vacations is expanding its winter cruise offering with the addition of MSC Opera, providing Quebec guests with additional options to escape the winter. Beginning Dec. 14, the tour company will offer weekly Monday departures from Montreal to La Romana, D.R., connecting guests to seven-night Caribbean sailings with key inclusions bundled into one booking.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched the search for the ‘7 Contemporary Wonders of the World,’ and is inviting the “people of the world,” to help pick them. The global initiative is designed to identify and celebrate the landmarks and buildings created since 1801 that have had the greatest impact on Travel & Tourism, local communities and economic development, and continue to redefine the future of destinations around the world.
WestJet Mainline flight attendants have officially opened a strike vote that could precipitate a work action as early as Aug. 2. Voting continues until July 15 as the union seeks a strong mandate from members to support its position at the bargaining table as negotiations continue under federal conciliation until July 11.
The World Food Travel Association has released the inaugural Gastronomy Tourism Maturity Index (GTMI), the first global assessment designed to evaluate the long-term maturity of gastronomy tourism across 84 countries. Not surprising, Italy and France ranked one-two in the index.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of Ernest Hemingway ’s book “The Sun Also Rises,” which launched the future Nobel Laureate to literary fame and put Pamplona on the map for millions of people travellers – both real and armchair – around the world.
Air Canada has named Scandinavian Airlines head Anko Van der Werff as the Canadian airline’s next chief executive. The Montreal-based airline says Van der Werff will assume the job and join Air Canada’s board of directors by the end of January 2027.
Four Canadian city pairs rank among the world’s fastest-growing business travel routes, according to new data from American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT).
Venice’s new mayor is proposing a dynamic pricing system for the city’s three-year-old day-tripper access fee, seeking government approval to raise the charge to as much as 50 euros ($81) on the busiest days to ease overcrowding in the UNESCO world heritage city.
Elvi Cal is joining the Snowbird Advisor team, taking on the role of Director of Travel Partnerships in a consulting capacity. The travel industry veteran will be overseeing partnerships with DMOs, tourist boards, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators and other providers who want to reach the rapidly growing Canadian snowbird market.
Skijor is no more in Banff. The Alberta town has cancelled the popular snow sport from its winter festival after the community was overwhelmed in January with trash, crowds and rowdy revellers.
They may arrive at the same destination, but two passengers on the same flight can have strikingly different travel experiences. One traveller breezes through a priority security lane and heads straight to an invite-only lounge for craft cocktails and a chef-prepared meal before boarding early. A flight attendant offering a glass of champagne and a warm hand towel welcomes the passenger to a spacious seat at the front of the plane.
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ California is in the spotlight, and for all the right reasons. As the FIFA World Cup continues (with games being played in Los Angeles and San Francisco), and mega events like the Super Bowl (2027) and Olympics (2028), the Golden State is in the midst of a golden era, national news aside.
An islandwide blackout hit Cuba on Monday as the country’s fuel reserves dwindle and its electric grid continues to crumble. The blackout in the country of nearly 10 million people was reported by the state-run Electric Union, which said on X that the cause is under investigation.
This week: Air Canada Vacations introduces its new agent advisor cohort; ACTA offers referral incentive; FlightHub introduces hotels; agent contest winners experienced Oregon; Ensemble appoints a new director of destinations; and four new Utah specialists were rewarded with an upcoming a FAM.
As Los Cabos enjoys continued growth from the Canadian market, the Mexican resort destination is set to “open a new chapter,” with the debut of Aman’s first ultra-luxury retreat in the country, Amanvari, on Aug. 1.
Destination Ontario and AccessNow have announced a new partnership aimed at supporting more accessible and inclusive travel experiences across Ontario.
Air Canada is once again scaling back flights to the U.S. amid high jet fuel costs and lower demand for trips south of the border. Schedule changes by the country’s largest carrier show it is halting or delaying eight transborder routes starting this fall.
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Not to put too fine a point on it, but leading Canadian IC organization Trevello is “created by women for women,” says Zeina Gedeon. And with the retail industry in this country dominated by men, “that’s big,” says the company’s chief executive.
The Hawai’i Tourism Authority (HTA) is no longer represented in Canada, having ended it’s 11-year collaboration with Toronto-based VoX International at the end of June.
Pointing to up to 18 direct weekly flights to Martinique from Canada this winter, including service from Air Transat and Air Canada, the tourist board for the island of Martinique is hailing its strong momentum and growing stature in this country.
Starting today (July 7), travellers to Wajimi on Japan’s western Noto peninsula will arrive at Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport – the only airport in the world to officially bear the Pokémon name.
Canadians continue to hop on board airplanes this summer even as ticket prices remain well above last year’s levels – despite a recent drop in fuel costs.
Four in 10 LGBTQ+ Canadians still choose to hide their identities when travelling, according to the latest Travel Proud Research Report from Booking.com, which suggests there is “clear tension shaping LGBTQ+ travel today.”
As cruise travel continues to grow, a new trend is quietly reshaping how passengers experience their vacations: travellers are increasingly connecting with fellow cruisers before they ever step onboard.
With Canada’s decision to downgrade its travel advisory to Dubai from level 2 to yellow, Dubai’s department of economy and tourism (DET) says it is ready and eager to welcome Canadians back to the emirate.
More than 120 passengers and crew members on a Princess Cruises ship that docked in San Francisco late last week were infected with a stomach virus while on their voyage, U.S. federal health officials said.
A round-up of 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.