UNDERSTANDING AIRCRAFT DE-ICING: How it works and why it matters

Most passengers boarding a flight on a cold winter morning don’t give much thought to the trucks and equipment moving around their aircraft. Among them are de-icing teams – carrying out a procedure that is absolutely essential to flight safety in cold weather.

CRUISES CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE

By Wallace Immen/ With the Middle East conflict spreading at an epidemic rate, cruise lines are scrambling to avoid disruption and planning far ahead to steer clear of an epic storm. Some were caught in the crosshairs. Three cruise ships in the United Arab Emirates cancelled upcoming sailings.

CANADA SECURES LIMITED SEATS FROM LEBANON

Ottawa says it has secured “a limited number of seats” on commercial flights out of Lebanon for Canadians trying to flee the region, though the government is not offering assisted departures.

MORE WOES FOR BELEAGUERED CUBA

A blackout hit the western half of Cuba on Wednesday, leaving millions of people in Havana and beyond without power in the latest outage to affect an island struggling with dwindling oil reserves and a crumbling electric grid. At the same time, another critical international airline said it was suspending service to the beleaguered island.

SPAIN SETS TOURISM RECORD (AGAIN): Plus new Canadian podcast

Spain set a new tourism record in 2025 when it welcomed 96.8 million foreign visitors, according to figures released by the National Statistics Institute. The number of international visitors increased 3.2% compared to 2024, when there were 94 million tourists.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY

Trinidad and Tobago declared a new state of emergency Tuesday, only about a month after the end of the previous one, as authorities in the Caribbean nation continue to grapple with high levels of violent crime.

CAPE TOWN IN TWO KEYS: Oceanfront seclusion and urban heritage

By Cindy-Lou Dale/ Cape Town, South Africa’s appeal lies in its range: mountain, ocean, heritage districts, and a food culture rooted in local identity. Consider two unique hotels – contrasting but complimentary – from which the city unfolds in manageable, memorable chapters: walkable neighbourhoods, historic sites, and signature culinary experiences, each adding depth to a stay that blends relaxation with meaningful exploration.

FRAUD ALERT: World body warns travel agencies to take NDC precautions

The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance is alerting the global travel agency community to a sophisticated fraud scheme involving the unauthorized use of agency IATA accreditation numbers to obtain airline NDC access and issue fraudulent tickets. The world body (of which ACTA is a member) says travel agencies should review NDC registrations and closely monitor accreditation activity following confirmed incidents across multiple markets, including North America.

PROXY FIRMS ADVISE AGAINST PELADEAU TRANSAT BID

Media magnate Pierre Karl Péladeau has failed to convince a pair of leading proxy advisory firms to back his bid to overhaul the board at Transat A.T. Inc. and seize effective control of the travel company.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives

This week: ACTA announced regional chairs and vice chairs, and promotes a key exec; a first for Marlin Travel; TTAND signs new luxury suppliers; Ensemble has a new cruise partner; and Direct Travel launches a host luxury division

TOOLKIT HELPS NARROW GAP WITH INDIGENOUS TOURISM

Building respectful, mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities and advancing tourism systems that are owned, guided and governed by Indigenous Peoples is the objective of a new trade toolkit unveiled at the recent 2026 International Indigenous Tourism Conference in Edmonton.

GULF AIRLINES RESUME LIMITED FLIGHTS, AIR CANADA DELAYS RETURN

Several international airlines cautiously resumed a small number of flights from the United Arab Emirates on Monday, offering some relief for travellers stranded by sweeping airspace closures after the U.S. and Israel bombarded Iran, and Iran struck back at targets across the Middle East.

GOWAY CELEBRATES WOMEN’S MONTH: Offers agent incentive for tours booked in March

Goway is celebrating women and marking International Women’s Month with an exclusive incentive for travel advisors booking solo women travel. Throughout March “every travel advisor who helps women discover their passions in far-flung destinations” by booking a solo women travel tour with Goway will earn $100 with the GowayPro Loyalty Program.

ALL IN THE FAMILY: A practical guide to family-friendly Nassau & Paradise Island

Travelling with children is a balancing act: high energy for the thrill-seekers, shade breaks for the nappers, and experiences that feel like vacation rather than a generic beach break. Luckily, in Nassau & Paradise Island, visitors can pair a big water-park day with wildlife encounters, hands-on sweets, and a quick taste of local flavour – all without overplanning.

FLIGHTS CANCELLED, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS STRANDED

Hundreds of thousands of stranded travellers scrambled to make new connections and get through to airlines on jammed phone lines Sunday after the attack on Iran by the United States and Israel shut down much of the Middle East to air travel. Iran’s retaliatory strikes directly hit several airports in the region, which resulted in at least five deaths and more injuries.

EMERGENCY MODE: Israel issues statement on operation ‘Roaring Lion’ and tourist safety

With the launch of operation “Roaring Lion” against Iran, and with explosions rocking Jerusalem on Sunday night as Iranian missiles attempted landfall, Israel’s Ministry of Tourism said it is operating in emergency mode, providing accommodation to residents evacuated from their homes and assisting tourists currently staying in Israel with departing from the country.

JAPAN DELVES DEEP INTO CANADIAN MARKET

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) welcomed 64 members of the Canadian travel Friday at the Vancouver edition of “Japan: Delve Deeper.” The event, hosted at Vancouver’s Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, brought together a cosmopolitan group of Japan’s top travel suppliers and partners for a compelling mini trade show.

ROUND-UP: Feb. 23-27, 2026

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.

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