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
The Government of Canada announced an expanded air transport agreement between Canada and Mongolia that includes up to three weekly passenger-combination flights per country.
Travelport has introduced 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.
Malaysia has extended for another year its contract with marine robotics company Ocean Infinity for a deep-sea search in the southern Indian Ocean for wreckage of MH370, the Malaysia Airlines flight that disappeared 12 years ago. The Boeing 777 plane vanished from radar shortly after taking off on March 8, 2014, carrying 239 people, mostly Chinese nationals, on a flight from Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, to Beijing
BY THE NUMBERS
North American carriers increased demand 1.0% year-on-year, reports IATA. Capacity increased 0.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.0% (+0.4 ppt compared to May 2025).
AIR
Air Canada has opened its newest Air Canada Café at Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (image above), introducing the first dedicated premium lounge experience to the airport’s terminal. The new 97-seat Air Canada Café, operated in partnership with Plaza Premium, offers eligible customers a modern, locally inspired space featuring menus that celebrate Québec City’s heritage, culture, and art de vivre.
Flair will introduce new nonstop service between Montréal and Punta Cana beginning Dec. 17 as the airline continues expanding its presence in Québec and growing its network of sun destinations. Flights between YUL and PUJ will operate three times per week, with fares starting at $224 one way.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) is expanding its North American network with additional nonstop flights to Vancouver, Toronto and New York. Beginning November and December, PAL will increase Manila-Vancouver services from seven to 10 weekly flights effective Nov. 17 and increase Manila-Toronto services from three to 4 weekly flights effective Dec. 5.
DEALS
Through July 30, Canadians can save up to 40% on select 2027 Europe river cruises with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises & Tours. Travellers looking beyond Europe’s waterways can also take advantage of special offers on luxury and ultra-luxury yacht journeys departing between 2026 and 2029. Scenic Discovery Yachts is offering savings starting at $500 p.p., plus included Business Class Airfare, Premium Economy or Economy Airfare, along with limited-time bonus savings of up to $2,000 p.p. while Emerald Yacht Cruises’ Best Available offer includes airfare and savings up to $5,500 p.p.
Viking’s Summer Sale continues throughout July, featuring limited-time offers across its river, ocean and expedition voyages. Travellers can enjoy up to free international airfare on select itineraries, plus reduced or special fares and a low $25 deposit.
Available through July 7, MSC Cruises’ Canada Day Sale is offering up to 40% off cruises, up to an additional $250 off select sailings and Kids Sail Free on select itineraries, and the option to bundle drinks and Wi-Fi for added value on sailings available across the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Europe.
TOURS
Trafalgar is expanding its guided vacation offering with the launch of Trafalgar Small Group Tours, a new collection of 22 itineraries with a maximum of 18 guests. With reduced group size and access to experiences large groups can’t do, the tours allow for an even more personal group dynamic while maintaining the ease, support and confidence of a guided vacation.
Ireland and Britain specialist CIE Tours has been awarded Gold Certification from Ireland’s Sustainable Tourism Network (STN), the country’s leading sustainability body for tourism businesses. Gold is the organization’s highest level of certification, reflecting independently verified practices across environmental, community, and cultural sustainability. This achievement follows a rigorous, independent certification audit, during which CIE Tours earned a 100% score across all mandatory criteria, reflecting its dedication to sustainability excellence.
HOTELS & RESORTS
RIU Hotels & Resorts hosted a grand gala to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the chain’s first hotel opening in Jamaica: the Hotel Riu Tropical Bay in Negril. The event was attended by more than 300 guests, including the Prime Minister of Jamaica as well as Joan Trian Riu and Naomi Riu, executive directors and members of the founding and owning family (photo above). The gala reflected the importance of this destination for RIU, features awards for employees who have been working with the hotel chain in Jamaica for 25 years.
CRUISE
For the first time, Holland America Line‘s flagship Rotterdam will sail a series of cruises in the Mediterranean, with bookings now open for fall 2027. The five itineraries span both the Western and Eastern Mediterranean with 10- and 11-day voyages calling at a mix of destinations, from Lisbon and Naples to Kotor, Rhodes and Alexandria. Select itineraries include scenic cruising through the Strait of Messina and past Stromboli, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Sailings can also be combined into longer itineraries. The season concludes with a 14-day transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale.
Celebrity River Cruises guests can now book guided multi-day Before and After Stays. The innovative versions of pre- and post-cruise experiences are available before a river cruise journey begins or after it ends. 2027 programs in Prague and Budapest will expand in 2028 to include Amsterdam and Lausanne.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Beginning Aug. 28 at Universal Orlando Resort and Sept. 2 at Universal Studios Hollywood, Halloween Horror Nights will dare guests to step beyond the threshold of pain and pleasure with all-new haunted houses inspired by the first three Hellraiser films that forever changed the genre. Since its debut in 1987, Hellraiser has become one of horror’s most influential franchises. HHN continues through Nov. 1, and tickets are now on sale.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Two weeks wasn’t enough. Both Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations are extending their Early Bird Winter Sale on packages to July 12 for travel between Nov. 1 and April 30, 2027. Advisors will earn 3% bonus commission, while clients can take advantage of reduced deposits of $100 p.p. plus package savings on popular sun destinations.
Through July 31 advisors who book five travellers on eligible Tailor-Made Eastern Europe itineraries with Intrepid will receive a sixth booking free, creating an opportunity to increase commission earnings or add value for clients. A full list of eligible departures is available through Intrepid Travel’s Agent Hub.
TTC Tour Brands is launching Tour Fest, a limited-time advisor incentive which offers $50 per passenger on eligible 2026 bookings across Trafalgar, Insight Vacations and Costsaver, for bookings made through July 31. Use the promo code TOURFEST26. Additional earning potential is also available on eligible Trafalgar River Cruises, with advisors able to earn 150 per qualifying passenger on 2026 and 2027 bookings made between by July 31 using promo code TR26EARN.
EVENTS
A virtual event hosted by Collette, “Responsible Travel: From Strategy to Practice,” will take place on July 8 at noon EST. The interactive session will provide travel advisors with a deeper understanding of how Collette’s values and passion for responsible travel shape the decisions behind every tour that is created. During the session, advisors will learn how Collette evaluates experiences, partners with local communities, and balances traveller expectations with broader business, cultural, and destination considerations. Travel advisors will have the chance to ask questions. Register here for the event.
DESTINATIONS
Belize National Celebrations season (July-September) includes carnival events, parades, concerts and cultural programming throughout the country, giving visitors the opportunity to experience Belizean culture alongside outdoor adventure. It coincides with
Green Season (June-Sept.), which offers added value for Canadian visitors, with lower accommodation rates, seasonal travel deals and fewer crowds, while still providing access to the country’s full range of experiences.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York commemorates the 25th anniversary of 9/11 on Sept. 11, 2026, with a lineup of impactful digital and in-person programming. This includes a 30-minute film (available on-demand) beginning Friday, Sept. 11, sharing accounts from those who experienced the attacks and their aftermath firsthand, and a live chat with Museum staff throughout the day. There will also be an official ceremony, a nationwide tour of a WTC steel beam, an FDNY Commemoration on Sept. 9 at the FerryHawks Stadium, and a series of hosted conversations throughout 2026 called the “Reflections Series,” to discuss the long-term impacts of the attacks with well-respected industry experts.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1886, the first Canadian Pacific Railway passenger train from Montreal reached Port Moody, B.C., after a 139-hour trip. The first eastbound train left the next day.
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