ONTARIO ADVANCES ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL
Destination Ontario and AccessNow have announced a new partnership aimed at supporting more accessible and inclusive travel experiences across Ontario.
News
AIR CANADA SCALES BACK MORE U.S. FLIGHTS
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.
AT TREVELLO, WOMEN HAVE THE POWER: Creating your own women-led business
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.
ALOHA AND MAHALO: Hawai’i Tourism Authority ends Canadian representation
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.
FLOWER POWER: Martinique hails growing stature, increased lift from Canada
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.
JAPANESE AIRPORT NAMED AFTER POKÉMON: ‘Brings smiles’ after earthquake
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.
WHAT GOES UP DOESN’T ALWAYS COME DOWN: Little incentive for airfares to drop despite lower fuel costs
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.
CLEAR AND PRESENT TENSION: Anxiety growing for LGBTQ+ travellers
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.”
HOW SOCIAL MEDIA IS CHANGING THE NATURE OF CRUISING
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.
ADVISORY EASED: Dubai readies for return of Canadians
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.
PRINCESS PAX STRICKEN WITH NOROVIRUS
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.
LAST WEEK THIS MORNING: June 29-July 3, 2026
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.
HOW TO TRAVEL IN EXTREME HEAT
Sizzling temperatures are more than an inconvenience: They can cause heat exhaustion and life-threatening heat stroke – especially when travelling. Being prepared is the best way to beat the heat.
BORDER BLUSTER: Despite claims, drug seizure down at Canada-U.S. border
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials told a hearing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday that there’s been a significant drop in drug seizures at the border with Canada.
VISA TAPS TRAVEL MARKET: Mobile booking platform marks expansion beyond payments
Visa has launched its own travel platform – a move the digital payment service company says marks a strategic expansion of its role beyond simply payments.
OUT OF GAS: Cuba’s famous antique cars sit idle
A worsening fuel crisis across Cuba is testing the island’s famed “almendrones,” the vintage American cars that serve as vital shared taxis and embody the island’s ingenuity and endurance.
CHORUS OF CONCERN: WTTC joins calls to fix chaotic EES system before it’s too late
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has joined the chorus of concern raised by Europe’s airport and airline community regarding the implementation of the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES), urging governments to fix the chaotic system before it turns off tourists for good.
TRAVELPORT ADDS AC FLIGHT PASS CAPABILITY FOR NDC BOOKINGS
Travelport has announced the introduction of Air Canada Flight Pass capability within TripServices API and Smartpoint enabling Travelport-connected agencies to shop and book eligible Air Canada NDC offers using Flight Pass credits directly within the Travelport+ platform.
BARCELONA WARNED OVER CRUISE TAX HIKE: Tripling fee may have unintended consequences, says WTTC
Barcelona looks to set to increase its tourist tax on cruise ship passengers – a move approved by city council that would see fees nearly triple to €30 (CDN$48) for passengers on ships that spend less than 12 hours in the Spanish city.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: ACTA agents discovered Iceland with Aurora Expeditions, First in Service agents access the effects of the Iran war; Saint Lucia gave out its Grand Piton Awards; and Transat Distribution Canada took top agents to Portugal; and Collette unveils its new Selling Playbook for Travel Advisors … more
G ADVENTURES KICKS OFF SMALL GROUP SOCCER TRIPS
New (and always) football/soccer fans can carry on the World Cub experience as G Adventures launches “Away Games,” a new series of premium trips, designed to bring football/soccer enthusiasts together to celebrate the community, traditions and the passion that comes with football culture.
JET HITS DRONE: JetBlue incident shows growing threat to passenger planes
A passenger jet reported striking a drone while approaching JFK International Airport on Monday, and just hours later, a helicopter pilot alerted a close call with a remote-control airplane near the same airport.
HOW TO RENT AN RV: And what to consider before a Canadian staycation
Canadians are hitting the road in RVs once again as summer kicks off and vacationers look for cheaper ways to get away. However, enthusiasts say those looking to rent a recreational vehicle should give careful consideration to their travel needs and budget and plan their trip with an eye to everything from RV size to campground locations to electrical hookups.
NOT JUST A TRAIL: Trans Canada Trail reaches 30,000 km, seeks to ensure future
The Trans Canada Trail – the longest multi-use trail system in the world – has reached a major milestone: more than 30,000 kilometres of trail connecting every province and territory and all three coastlines.
INTERIM SCIENCE CENTRE OPENS ON TORONTO WATERFRONT
The interim location of the Ontario Science Centre is now open to the public, as construction gets underway for a new, permanent home at Ontario Place set to open in 2029.
BIGGER IS BETTER AT NEW NUNAUT AIRPORT TERMINAL
Nunavut’s new Rankin Inlet airport building is now operational. Originally planned to open in April, the building is over three times the size of the old one.
‘A BIT OF A SMACK’: Advisors brace for July 1 commission cuts
With reduced commissions from Air Canada coming into effect this week (July 1) industry associations say the cost-cutting move attributed by the airline could hurt the income of thousands of travel advisors.
70,000 MISSING: Here’s how to help Venezuelan earthquake victims
Efforts by local and international rescue teams to pull survivors from the rubble grew increasingly desperate in Venezuela on Sunday, four days after two powerful earthquakes shook the northern state of La Guaira.
BRITISH AIRWAYS, PORTER ANNOUNCE CODESHARE
Effective July 8, a new codeshare agreement between Porter Airlines and British Airways will take effect, giving British Airways customers seamless access to travel on 17 select Porter Airlines domestic routes in Canada including Ottawa, Edmonton and Winnipeg.
EUROPE OVERWHELMED BY HEAT: Record-breaking temperatures spreads east
Temperatures soared to record highs from Switzerland to the Czech Republic and Denmark on Saturday, as a heat wave that baked western European countries last week moved to central and eastern parts of the continent.