WILL WAR GROUND FREQUENT FLYER POINTS? Here are some strategies to help
First, the bad news. Users of credit cards that accrue airline miles and points toward various travel perks are likely to find their balances won’t take them as far this summer.
MID EAST CRISIS DENTS, DOESN’T DERAIL, TOURISM: And which region is thriving
Despite disruption caused by the crisis in the Middle East, International tourist arrivals grew 2% over the first quarter of 2026, according to the United Nations.
CAUGHT PACKING: Airport authorities foil ill-disguised bomb threat
A man carrying what authorities described as an explosive device powerful enough to damage a plane, as well as a torch lighter, knife, zip ties and other items, was arrested after trying to pass through a Sacramento International Airport security checkpoint over the weekend, federal prosecutors said.
SHELTER IN PLACE VS. LOCKDOWN: Why the distinction matters in crisis
By FERNANDO LOPEZ MEDINA/ Security threats have a way of reminding us how fragile normal life can be. They erupt without warning, escalate quickly and force people, governments and organizations into rapid decision-making.
WINTERTIME’S THE NEW TIME FOR CRUISING IN EUROPE
By WALLACE IMMEN/ With global conflicts seemingly never-ending, more cruise lines are shifting winter itineraries away from the Middle East and Africa to offer guests the security of Europe. And they’re seeing strong bookings because despite the cooler temperatures, the off-season promises a relief from tourist crowds.
LISTENING IN: Good, old-fashioned Freddie
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ A casual conversation at an industry luncheon the other day (long story) revealed that my considerably younger colleagues were oblivious to the existence of Live Aid, the epic, generational concerts in London and Philadelphia in 1985 that were organized to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief. (Woodstock was vaguely recognized).
U.S. AIRPORT PLAN CALLED ‘INSANE’
Democrats hammered U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during a heated Senate hearing this week, calling his threats to pull officers from some airports in so-called sanctuary cities “insane” and accusing his department of recklessly spending billions of dollars.
MORE CUBAN HOTELS TO CLOSE: Meliá pulls out of 15 Cuban hotels
Though most of the hotels in Cuba are not currently operational, Meliá says it is formally ceasing operations at 15 properties across the island, operating primarily under the Meliá, Sol and Paradisus brands.
COMMITMENT ISSUES: World Cup fans waiting for best games, playoffs
With the 2026 World Cup of Soccer set to kick off on June 11 in Mexico City and continue through July 19 across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, travellers are increasingly treating the mega event like a last-minute luxury purchase, waiting longer to commit while spending significantly more on customized experiences surrounding the tournament’s semifinals and championship match, says luxury sports travel company Roadtrips.
MAKING AMERICA COWBOY AGAIN: Amarillo, Texas embraces a different vibe
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Never mind MAGA, Amarillo, Texas has embraced a different vibe: Make America Cowboy Again. Located in the heart of the state’s northern Panhandle, the city is having a moment in the West Texas sun thanks in part to the booming interest in western and cowboy culture generated by the hit TV show “Yellowstone.”
STEADY AS SHE GOES FOR NORTH AMERICAN CARRIERS
While the war in Iran has led to a significant downturn in air travel, North American carriers have held steady, posting exactly the same numbers for total demand (0.0% gain/loss) in April over last year, reports IATA.
PAWS-ITIVE NEWS: Air Canada launches certification path for service dogs
Air Canada has launched Cabin-Ready Canines, a new, industry-leading initiative to enable customers with owner-trained service dogs to travel with confidence on Air Canada flights.
YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE UNTRUTH: U.S. Travel boss says ‘misperceptions’ behind downturn, Trump has done some good
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Despite a precipitous drop in the number of international visitors to the U.S. – not least from Canada – U.S. Travel Association president and CEO Geoff Freeman says there are many misperceptions and “untruths” about travel to the country amongst travellers, and that the Trump administration has actually done plenty of good to boost the country’s travel industry.
SHORT NOTICE SHIFT: Late booking trend creates new opportunities
New first-party search data from Expedia Group reveals a clear shift toward shorter booking windows, with travellers increasingly planning trips closer to departure than they did a year ago.
BERMUDAIR TO SERVE TURKS & CAICOS, ANGUILLA FROM YYZ
It may seem counterintuitive, but BermudAir wants Canadians to think not only of Bermuda for their next winter holiday, but Turks and Caicos, and Anguilla too. That’s because the carrier is launching flights to the two Caribbean destinations from Toronto Pearson starting in December.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: Transat Distribution Canada says ‘Bravo’ to agency owners; ACTA has a new board; Travel Leaders Network celebrates POP winners; Tully Travel is tops with Crystal; First in Service (F1S) introduces a hotel program; and Aurora Expeditions gives agents a chance to win a trip
NIAGARA HYATT TO REFLECTS RYTHYM OF THE REGION
At the gateway to Old Town Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Clayfield will be a new option for visitors to one of Canada’s prettiest towns when it opens in late summer as part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, a curated portfolio of independent hotels recognized for their strong sense of identity and place.
THE BEET GOES ON: ‘Completely ridiculous’ Lithuania festival has global appeal
A festival honouring Lithuania’s iconic cold beet soup brought tens of thousands of visitors Saturday to its capital city, which was fully decked out in pink. The colourful three-day Vilnius Pink Soup Fest featured a synchronized “Pink Break” lunch of revellers from across the globe all sharing in the beet soup, known as šaltibarščiai (also called cold borscht) sitting at long tables.
SOARING PRICES PUT ASIAN TRAVEL AT RISK
Soaring prices and other complications from the Iran war are putting Asia’s peak tourist summer season at risk as elevated jet fuel costs coupled with ceasefire uncertainties prompt flight cancellations and higher ticket prices.
FORT LAUDERDALE LEAVES LASTING IMPRESSION: Wows travel trade at IPW event
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ At IPW – U.S. Travel’s biggest event of the year – it’s the host destination that always resonates with regular attendees long after the business part of the signature trade show ends. News comes and goes year after year, and meetings have a business-as-usual demeanor, but it’s the events and galas, the weather, the food, the vibe, that stick.
WHY I’M TRAVELLING TO CUBA NOW
By JEFF MCDONALD/ Unless there are flight cancellations, by the time you read this, I’ll be in eastern Cuba in the country’s second biggest city, Santiago de Cuba. Why travel to Cuba now, with the much-publicized fuel shortages and power outages? Several reasons.
CREATURE COMFORT: Unique jellyfish museum a gem in South Florida
Visitors to the Jellyfish Museum in Pompano Beach, Fla. – the first attraction in the United States dedicated entirely to unique ocean creatures – invites visitors to the Greater Fort Lauderdale and South Florida to explore the beauty and mystery of the fascinating marine creatures through glowing aquariums, immersive exhibits, and interactive displays.
‘CANCEL FOR ANY REASON’ ARRIVES AT WESTJET
HTS’ (Hopper Technology Solutions) Cancel For Any Reason ancillary product is now available on WestJet.com and the WestJet app. Cancel For Any Reason allows guests to instantly cancel their flight up to 24 hours before departure and receive a refund percentage of their trip cost back to their original form of payment, no questions asked.
RESCUES ON THE RISE: Parks Canada urges caution
Parks Canada is urging tourists and hikers to exercise caution this spring and summer and ensure they are properly prepared for backcountry travel as search and rescue crews respond to an increasing number of incidents across the mountain parks.
WHAT’S NEW AND NOTEWORTHY IN GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE
The beauty of an ever-growing destination like Greater Fort Lauderdale is that there are always new places to try, whether it’s your first visit or your 100th. Maybe it’s a smashburger joint with a devoted following, a new hotel dotting the skyline, or a restaurant devoted entirely to caviar, the luxury delicacy taking over menus everywhere.
WHERE TRAVELLERS ARE HEADED THIS SUMMER – AND WHY
Demand for domestic travel is dominating summer vacation planning, according to new data from the Expedia Group. Social conversation about domestic vacations has increased by 77% year-over-year globally, and 53% of Canadian travellers are planning a domestic trip this summer, says the ‘Unpack ’26 Summer: The Trends in Travel’ report.
NOT COOL: U.N. forecasts temperature surge for next five years
In the next five years, the Earth is overwhelmingly likely to surge again and again past the international climate threshold set as safe and shatter its hottest-year record along the way, according to new United Nations climate projections.
INDIGENOUS TOURISM FACES ‘UNCERTAIN’ FUTURE: Tour operators urge support for ‘important’ association
A funding crisis at Canada’s national Indigenous tourism agency is raising concerns about the future of the industry in this country, says the organization’s president.
TRANSAT TO LAUNCH ISTANBUL ROUTE FROM YUL
Air Transat will launch of a new non-stop route between Montreal (YUL) and Istanbul (IST), starting Oct 29. Operated year-round on an Airbus A330, the service will run twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
ARE YOU QUALIFIED?: WestJet Airlines president to retire, replacement sought
A global search is underway for a new president for WestJet Airlines. Diederik Pen, who is also Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) announced his retirement last week, with his departure expected to be in the first quarter of 2027 at the latest pending the integration of his replacement.