Air Canada has announced the only non-stop flights from North America to Sapporo, Japan, will begin in December – just in time for travellers to take advantage of a wide range activities in the well-known cold-weather hotspot, which came to prominence after hosting the Winter Olympics in 1972.
From local roundtables to its golf summer tournament, and cross-country Summits to the annual international destination conference, ACTA has released its 2026 calendar of events, while encouraging members to save the date(s) for the association’s busy roster of educational and networking activities.
The sudden closure of a major ski resort because of a labour dispute has thrown Quebec’s Charlevoix region into uncertainty. Le Massif is a major draw for skiers and a key economic engine for the region northeast of Quebec City.
A former flight attendant for a “Toronto-based airline” posed as a commercial pilot and as a current flight attendant to obtain hundreds of free flights from U.S. airlines, authorities said.
This year will bring a standout slate of hotel openings, from restored heritage properties in the Alps and new city addresses in London to modern mountain retreats in Aspen and ultra-private villa estates in the Seychelles.
By Michael Baginski/ Some Canadians are rethinking plans to visit parts of the Caribbean in the wake of military action and threats from the United States in the region. Among the affected destinations are Aruba and Curaçao, two islands off the coast of Venezuela, where the U.S. launched a strike and captured its president about two weeks ago.
Starting this fall, WestJet will offer the only non-stop flight between Western Canada and South America, operating three times weekly between Calgary and São Paulo, Brazil. The service to the vibrant city – dubbed “the New York of South America” – and a gateway to iconic Brazilian landmarks such the Amazon Rainforest, Patagonia and the Iguaçu Falls, marks the airline’s 100th destination from YYC Calgary Airport.
Air Canada and its flight attendants have begun an arbitration process to settle wages under their deal reached last year to end a strike that halted flights around the world.
The Sandman Hotel Group has unveiled the transformation of its popular West Georgia Street hotel, officially reintroducing the property as Sandman Signature Vancouver Downtown Hotel following a comprehensive, full-property reimagining.
The Granite Travel Trade Expos are set to return in 2026, kicking off in Ontario in April and return to the Maritimes in May, before visiting western Canada in October and concluding in Ontario again in November.
A 145-km (90-mile) section of California’s Highway 1 along the famous Big Sur coast has fully reopened after three years of closures and repairs following a series of landslides and a roadway collapse that hampered tourism on the scenic route.
A handful of platforms now specialize in pairing sellers who have to call off non-refundable trips with buyers eager for a bargain and willing to reserve last-minute. But are they safe?
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Friday urged aircraft operators to “exercise caution” when flying over the eastern Pacific Ocean near Mexico, Central America and parts of South America, citing “military activities” and possible satellite navigation interference.
ACTA has a launched a new referral program for 2026 in where one lucky travel advisor or agency will win a once-in-a-lifetime Antarctic expedition courtesy of ACTA partner, Aurora Expeditions (banner photo).
Air Transat has announced plans to start a new loyalty program with Desjardins Group and Visa. The launch, planned for the second half of this year, will offer travellers exclusive benefits and an improved experience, the airline said.
Visitors to Parliament Hill soon won’t be able to see the iconic Peace Tower, once it’s covered with scaffolding to enable renovations and repairs later this year. The Peace Tower is set to be sheathed so that workers can repair its interior and exterior – part of sprawling renovations to the nearly 100-year-old building.
In the wake of a backlash sparked by a viral video, WestJet says it will scrap a new seat configuration that squeezed an extra row on board many of its planes and left passengers with less legroom – and the airline with a budding customer exodus.
Flair Airlines is revamping its ultra-low-cost brand in a bid to attract more business travellers, despite a lack of frills on board – and will court travel advisor networks to do so. Company CEO Maciej Wilk says Flair is attempting a strategic shift away from a pure-play budget airline and toward what he dubbed a “value carrier.”
Fears of Porter Airlines joining the ranks of Canadian carriers affected by a strike (or threat of) have diminished with agreement between the company and its flight dispatchers, represented by the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA).
While cars and canola garnered the most attention during Mark Carney’s trade visit to China last week, the meeting between the prime minister and Chinese President Xi Jinping also changed the tourism landscape between the two countries.
TravelBrands has announced the appointment of Janita Hubbard as Business Development Manager for British Columbia. She brings more than 13 years of experience in the travel industry to the role.
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.
What if the most uplifting remedy for modern-day overload wasn’t found on a therapist’s couch, but in a boarding pass? Moving into 2026, travel is emerging as an important form of non-medical therapy, says Flight Centre, citing a growing number of Canadians who are planning escapes that help them recharge, reconnect and feel more like themselves.
By Michael Baginski/ As up to 30 cm. of snow was dropping my head (and all southern Ontarians) on Thursday, I was reminded of the travel wisdom of a long-ago president of Signature Vacations, who exclaimed: “We’re hoping for a lot of snow – but not so much that people can’t drive to the airport to leave.”
Air Canada is set to launch a third weekly flight to Grenada next Thursday (Jan. 22). Operating seasonally through April 23, the additional frequency reflects strong demand from this country and Canada’s status as one of Grenada’s fastest-growing source markets.
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has unleashed its downloadable 2026 Canine Calendar, an annual tradition honouring the agency’s more than 1,000 explosives detection canines working at airports across the United States – and more simply a dozen handsome (and cute) dogs to brighten the months for dog lovers.
By Michael Baginski/ It’s been quite a time for Cuba: blackouts, hurricane, mosquitos, and now Donald Trump, the latter vowing this week to cut off Cuba’s oil supply from Venezuela (amongst other vague threats) in a bid to damage the country’s economy.
The CEO of a planned high-speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City says construction on the eastern and western parts of the line is expected to begin by 2032. Construction of the first phase, set to kick off in 2029 or 2030, would link Montreal and Ottawa and act as a test case for a multibillion-dollar infrastructure project intended to transform rail travel in Canada’s most densely populated region.
Wave Season – traditionally considered to be January through March – is underway and cruise lines, in addition to some of the suppliers that sell them, are out to make a splash with incentives for clients, and in some cases travel advisors as well in the name of boosting bookings. Here is a sampling of some of the offers currently available.
Air Inuit has a new aircraft that promises to deliver better service to Nunavik says CEO and president Christian Busch. The Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft went into service Tuesday on the airline’s Montreal-Kuujjuaq route.