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.
NEWS
Intrepid Travel has launched an emergency appeal through its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, following catastrophic flash flooding in Nepal that has devasted communities along the Trishuli River corridor Aug. 25. The tour company says it will dollar match all funds raised up to AUD100,000. To donate to immediate humanitarian response efforts, go HERE.
Europe is the world’s leading leisure travel destination, capturing one-third of all global leisure travel spending in 2025, according to new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The latest figures show that global leisure travel spending reached $6.15TN in 2025, up 3.5% year-on-year and accounting for 80.5% of total global travel expenditure. Of this, Europe attracted $2TN, equivalent to $1 in every $3 spent worldwide on leisure travel. Leading the way are France, Spain, Italy and Türkiye.
Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour is set to be in Gander, N.L., on Sept. 11 to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. As the 9/11 terror attacks were unfolding across the U.S., dozens of flights were diverted to the Gander airport. Some 7,000 stranded passengers were welcomed by the local residents, who helped provide food, shelter and essentials.
BY THE NUMBERS
Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest hubs, said it saw a sharp drop in passengers during the second quarter as the Iran war disrupted air travel and prompted many travellers to choose routes that avoided the Middle East. The airport recorded 13 million passengers during the second quarter, following 31.5 million passengers in the first half. That was a 31.3% drop over passenger traffic in the first half of 2025, the airport said.
AIR
The Canadian Transportation Agency said WestJet must scrap its 300-pound weight cap on mobility aids before July 2027. The airline is imposing an “undue barrier” on travellers living with a disability by effectively barring some power wheelchairs from its planes, said the transport regulator.
Following their booking, Paris Stopover allows eligible Air France customers to choose from a range of packages designed by Extime Travel. From transfers, accommodation to curated activities, Paris Stopover can be tailored to suit individual preferences and the length of the stopover, from one to four nights. The aim is to provide a seamless experience thanks to comprehensive support from Extime Travel throughout the experience.
DEALS
Windstar Cruises’ (photo above) ‘More Reasons to Say Yes’ booking offer that a complimentary All-Inclusive upgrade worth more than US$1,300 for two guests on a 7-night voyage, a reduced $300 per stateroom deposit and additional Yacht Club Member savings – Windstar’s loyalty program — with select voyages sailing through the end of 2027. The offer must be booked by Nov. 17.
Canadian-owned Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences in Saint Lucia is inviting Canadians to take advantage of its ‘Stay & Play’ offer with up to 35% savings on select stays and a US$150 Adventure Credit toward excursions with Jammin Tours for stays of five nights or more. Available on both Bed & Breakfast and Premium All-Inclusive stays, the offer is valid for stay through Dec. 18, 2027.
TOURS
New Stay Flexy Adventure Plans program gives G Adventures travellers booking options designed to provide confidence and peace of mind when making their travel decisions. The new Flexy, Flexier and Flexiest options give travellers greater choice over what happens to their money if their plans change, with enhanced cancellation terms, Future Travel Credits and additional pre-departure perks available on the higher tiers. Full details at www.gadventures.com.
Canadians are interested, but Indigenous-led experiences are not always making it into their trip planning, says a new Angus Reid poll commissioned by Intrepid Travel. Among Canadians who have not participated, about four in 10 (42%) say they have not come across an Indigenous-led experience while planning a trip, while three in 10 (30%) do not know where to find one. And nearly one-quarter (24%) are unsure which experiences are genuinely Indigenous-owned or led. The research comes as Intrepid expands Indigenous-led experiences across its Canadian trips, including a new direct partnership with Talasay Tours, an Indigenous-owned tourism company offering land-based, Indigenous-led experiences across British Columbia.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Set along the sheltered waters of La Sagesse Bay on the island’s southeastern coast, InterContinental Grenada-La Sagesse is scheduled to open on the Caribbean island in November. The property will feature 120 rooms and suites with bay or resort views, complemented by distinctive culinary concepts, a serene spa and wellness programming, family-friendly amenities, and more than 1,850 sq. m. of versatile indoor and outdoor event venues.
Reservations are now open for Royalton Vessence Cancun, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort, ahead of its March 1, 2027, opening. Following the successful debut of the Royalton Vessence brand in Barbados, the resort brings its signature approach to mindful, elevated all-inclusive travel to the beachfront Cancun’s Hotel Zone.
CRUISE
Upscale adventure company andBeyond will launch the first ever Peruvian Amazon river expedition yacht in September. The luxury vessel will feature 15 spacious suites, a wellness centre and gym, swimming pool, and a Pisco bar and lounge. The curated expeditions will take travellers through the mirrored waterways of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, with three-, four-, and seven-night itineraries available in both high water and low water season.
For the first time, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is keeping a ship in the Mediterranean for a full winter season in 2026 and 2027, sailing through Italy, Greece, Malta, Egypt and more. This decision is a direct response to the growing demand from luxury travelers who are intentionally opting to visit Europe outside of peak season, drawn by fewer crowds, milder weather, and the opportunity for a more immersive experience in each destination.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights is paying tribute to pioneer heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne this year in the all-original haunted houses, “Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness.” No underway, guests can anticipate a wild ride as they climb aboard the Crazy Train for a terrifying trip through his disturbing world of rock and roll at Universal Orlando Resort and at Universal Studios Hollywood. Developed as a living horror movie through the lens of Halloween Horror Nights, this non-traditional memorial to Ozzy Osbourne will span 45 years, transporting guests on a twisted journey though the artist’s outrageous and eccentric solo career in unique experiences across both coasts. HHN runs through Nov. 1.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
MSC Cruises is enhancing its air-inclusive offerings for Canadian travel advisors with expanded Fly & Cruise and Flex Air and programs that create new opportunities to increase earnings while delivering greater convenience, flexibility and customization for clients. Travel advisors can also earn an additional 10% commission on the air portion of bookings through both programs, providing a valuable new revenue opportunities within a single vacation transaction.
EVENTS
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced details of its 2027 RiverView Conference, which will celebrate the event’s 15th anniversary with a two-night sailing through three of the Danube’s iconic capitals. Taking place from March 5-8, delegates will be hosted onboard one of three ships – AmaSofia, Riviera Radiance or VIVA TWO – each sailing a two-night cruise from Budapest to Vienna. Registration begins the week of Sept. 14.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) has announced the appointment of Michèle Rauzon as Business Development Representative for Québec, further strengthening Barbados’ presence in the Quebec market. A highly respected tourism professional with more than four decades of industry experience, Rauzon brings an exceptional depth of knowledge and an extensive network of relationships across Québec’s travel trade. She can be reached at Micheler@visitbarbados.org.
Park’N Fly has appointed Edmonton-based sales veteran Sara Norris as its new Account Executive for Alberta, as the national airport parking company looks to build on strong growth in the corporate and leisure markets.
DESTINATIONS
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has announced that Guggenheim Abu Dhabi contemporary art museum will open its doors on Dec. 11, reenforcing the emirates’ position as a leading global capital for the arts. The museum joins a growing community of museums and cultural institutions in Saadiyat Cultural District, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, positioning the district as one of the world’s most significant concentrations of cultural institutions.
Sightings of humpback whales off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s coast are surging as they recover from decimation due to commercial whaling, prompting an acceleration in the demand for whale-watching excursions to spot the huge marine creatures during their annual migration.
The species’ population has jumped from around 2,000 to around 35,000 in approximately 40 years, close to their population before whaling, said Enrico Marcovaldi, co-founder of the Humpback Whale Project. That means they are increasingly being posted in Rio’s postcard Guanabara Bay.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1892, guests at the Windsor Hotel in Ottawa ate the first dinner cooked on an all-electric stove.
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