Whatever rhetoric has emanated from the political class south of the border, Brand USA has steadfastly maintained its support for and willingness to remain connected to Canadians and the travel trade here that serves them. To that end, the U.S. DMO has announced it will hold Brand USA Travel Week Canada in the country this Fall.
Air Canada Vacations annual DreamMakers 2026-27 winter product launch tour is returning in September as the popular in-person events call in seven Canadian cities including, new for 2026, Calgary and Quebec City.
This week: Following the success of its Rookie Camp, Transat launched Group Camp to attendees help further their business in that segment; BermudAir makes a “pledge” to Canadian travel advisors; Roam by Tauck partners with Approach Guides; and St. Kitts & Nevis launches the SKY incentive program, and TICO names its industry advisory council members.
The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) has launched “Summer the Nature Island Way,” a new seasonal travel initiative under its ‘Nature of Love’ destination campaign. The initiative features eight curated itineraries designed to help visitors explore Dominica through adventure, wellness, culture, and nature-based experiences.
Say goodbye to contrails, the symbolic, sometimes beautiful, markers of travel dreams. American Airlines and Google say they have significantly reduced the climate impact of some of the airline’s flights using an AI-based forecasting tool to help prevent the iconic condensation trails.
Canadian visits to the U.S. are continuing to climb, rising in June for the third straight month year over year, according to Statistics Canada. Canadian-resident return trips from the United States totalled 1.7 million – an increase of 3.2% from the same month in 2025.
An Ontario Superior Court judge has struck down a rule that blocks travellers from sharing the outcome of passenger complaints made to the country’s transport regulator.
Air Canada has launched the Air Canada City Shuttle, an expansion of its multi-modal partnership with The Landline Company. Now operating, the new service provides a fast, frequent and direct motorcoach connection for Air Canada customers between the Palais des congrès de Montréal and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) for $9 one way, plus applicable taxes.
A man was partially sucked out of a dislodged airplane window shortly after takeoff on a Ryanair flight from Greece to Germany, but nearby passengers pulled him back inside.
Carnival Cruise Line marked a major milestone with the traditional steel-cutting ceremony for its newest ship, Carnival Destiny – arriving in summer 2029 as the first of three vessels in its next-generation of ships, officially named Ace Class.
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.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Ontario to Michigan will open July 27, the federal government has confirmed (again). A planned ribbon-cutting ceremony last month was delayed as the Trump administration looked to renegotiate a long-standing agreement between Canada and the U.S.
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.