TRADING VOLUME FOR VALUE: Longer, higher spend trips are driving strong summer

Canadian travellers are prioritizing longer, higher-value trips that are driving strong growth for the summer, according to new data from Virtuoso. Notably, while demand for travel to the U.S. has softened, the travellers who are going are spending significantly more, and Canadian summer travel overall is pacing well ahead of last year. 

WESTJET POSTS TOP ON-TIME PERFORMANCE

Hailing the ranking as a “major milestone in operational excellence,” WestJet reports it has earned a place among the world’s most on-time airlines in the latest Cirium On-Time Performance Report.

WESTJET HITS NEW HEIGHTS WITH JAYS: Unveils branded plane to mark partnership renewal

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ With nearly 1,000 WestJetters, Toronto Blue Jays representatives – including legendary players Pat Borders and Edwin Encarnacion – and community members in attendance, WestJet celebrated the renewal of its long-standing partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday by unveiling a new co-branded plane that will take the iconic Jays logo to 35,000 feet, and wherever the plane flies.

FIRST DOMINO TO FALL? Porter reduces fuel surcharge

With fuel prices dropping in the wake of an apparent agreement between the U.S. and Iran to end the war in the Middle East, Porter Airlines says it is reducing its temporary surcharge for new reward flight bookings to $20.

FRENCH FRY AND EUROPE WITHERS UNDER RECORD HEAT

France recorded its hottest day ever Tuesday as an early heat wave gripped Europe, prompting the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum to restrict visiting hours and disrupting school and transportation schedules in multiple countries.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives

This week: ACTA is concerned over cuts, Ensemble ups tech ante, Utah Office of Tourism hosts Canadian travel advisors, Flight Centre Canada gets a gift partner, and Collette collects food donations.

UNPRECEDENTED MEASURES: Cuba aims to open up economy

Citing economic models in China and Vietnam, Cuba’s Communist Party has approved an emergency economic package featuring unprecedented free-market measures aimed at opening up the struggling island’s economy following heightened pressure from the United States.

À BIENTÔT À TOULOUSE: France’s Ville Rose awaits culture-loving Canadians

Toulouse is one of France’s most underrated gems – a mid‑sized, culturally rich, high‑value city that consistently delights travellers without overwhelming them. And it’s easily accessible for Canadians via direct Air Canada flights from Montreal, now on the airline’s sparkling new Airbus A321-XLR aircraft.

CONTEXT IS KEY: The most important skill in the age of AI

By Mike Foster/ One of the most valuable lessons I learned in business is that the first answer is not always the best answer. Over time, I came to understand that good decisions usually come from understanding context before evaluating options. I was reminded of that lesson years ago when I began looking for a new office location.

FIRST LOOK: Sandals offer glimpse of Jamaican resort 2.0 makeovers

New guest experiences, dining concepts and accommodations will highlight the US$200 million Sandals 2.0 transformation of three of the company’s most popular resorts beginning this fall: Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Caribbean Cay (renamed from Sandals Royal Caribbean), and Sandals South Coast.

FIRE DESTROYS PACKED D.R. RESORT: 1,700 tourists evacuated, one died

A large fire almost completely destroyed a luxury resort in the Dominican Republic on Friday, forcing the evacuation of almost 1,700 tourists. Local media reported an Italian tourist died in the fire and several other tourists required medical assistance.

ALBANIA MANIA: Transat flights a first from Canada

One of Europe’s emerging “it” destinations now has direct service from Canada courtesy of Transat, which officially inaugurated its new non-stop service between Toronto and Tirana late last week. The first flight (TS422) marked the launch of the first air link between Canada and Albania.

EMIRATES OFFERS ‘INDUSTRY FIRST’ INSURANCE COVERING CONFLICTS

In response to recent global airspace disruptions, rising jet fuel costs, and heightened travel uncertainty amid the U.S.-Iran conflict, Emirates has introduced Comprehensive Travel Cover, a product the company says is an industry-first travel insurance offering broad, multi-risk protection for travellers throughout their journey.

‘TRULY STUNNING’: Parthenon restoration reveals new-old look

Visitors to the Acropolis can now see the Parthenon’s western side looking whole for the first time in about 220 years. Officially unveiled last week (June 18), restorers have slotted two new marble blocks into long-empty gaps high on the temple’s western end – the view visitors see when they first enter the ancient monument in Athens.

LAST WEEK THIS MORNING: June 15-19, 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.

MIND THE GAPS: Booking security threats that agencies often overlook

Booking flights and accommodation online means vacationers share a lot of sensitive information with travel businesses – names, addresses, passports, and more besides. However, this data may be at high risk of hacker interception – especially if travel firms don’t take steps to protect it adequately enough.

A CONTROVERSIAL CRUISE SHIP FACES TROUBLE AGAIN

By WALLACE IMMEN/ A cruise ship with a checkered history, Gemini is reported to have been arrested in Greece due to unpaid debts the owner owes to a Turkish financial institution.

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