News

From the soaring peaks of the Albanian Alps, featuring distinct cultures across the Balkans, to the stunning landscapes of the Orkney Islands, adventure expert Wilderness Travel has curated a list of top 10 up-and-coming destinations designed to help adventurous spirits – and those who book them – get ahead of the curve.

As we prepare to jet off on our getaways this winter, let’s address the elephant in the departure lounge: vacation etiquette. Have you ever found yourself eyeing up that spare armrest on the plane, torn between an elbow battle or simply letting the other passenger use it? And what about reclining your seat mid-flight – is it your right or a travel sin?

The Globus family of brands (Globus, Avalon Waterways and Cosmos) has announced a new “learn and earn” FAM trip program for travel advisors. Dubbed “FOR U, BY US,” the sales-focussed initiative will be administered by BDMs working directly with travel advisors, combining immersive, on-trip experiences with a comprehensive training program designed to drive sales growth and overall ROI, upon their return.

A new Agent Portal launched by Rocky Mountaineer is designed to provide a centralized, streamlined way for agents to manage bookings, access marketing tools, and stay connected with the latest Rocky Mountaineer news. And to celebrate the launch, agents can win a trip for two on the popular train.

G Adventures says it has dusted off its crystal ball, crunched booking data, tracked the latest travel trends and scoped out hot upcoming events to serve up its annual ‘Where to Travel’ list, highlighting destinations it says are – or should be – on top of travellers’ wishlists for 2025. 

After turning abroad for holiday vacations last year, more Canadians are keeping their travel plans in-country this Christmas season due to squeezed budgets, lower domestic fares and a decisive end to the post-pandemic boom in overseas travel — and now a slumping currency.

New statistics from Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) indicate that business travellers are extending stays, reflecting the enduring appeal of blending work with leisure, otherwise dubbed “bleisure.” The trend is another example of shifting travel patterns post-pandemic.

The Calgary International Airport is gearing up for a record travel season, but the effects of a devastating summer hailstorm that pummeled the city linger. Chris Miles, the chief operating officer of the Calgary Airport Authority, said all of the hail damage has not been repaired, but it won’t affect the expected holiday season rush. 

It’s been a busy season for FAM trips. Here’s a short round-up of just a few of the fall excursions, as conducted by Air Canada Vacations, Exotic Journeys, and the Vienna Tourist Board, and their bevy of willing trade partners.

Ottawa is urging Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria and to consider leaving the country if it’s safe to do so. An updated travel advisory is warning people to avoid the Middle Eastern country due to what the Canadian government calls “ongoing armed conflict, terrorism, criminality, arbitrary detention, torture and forced disappearance.”

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.

It took four years, but global tourism is finally set for full recovery in 2024, according to the United Nations, which says around 1.1 billion tourists travelled internationally in the first nine months of 2024, representing 98% of pre-pandemic levels. And according to the latest World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, a full recovery from the biggest crisis in the sector’s history is expected by the end of the year.