FORT LAUDERDALE ROLLS UP RED CARPET AFTER SUCCESSFUL IPW

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Even as U.S. Homeland was threatening travel chaos by withdrawing U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in U.S. “sanctuary cities, the U.S. Travel Association’s signature annual travel trade show IPW 2026 wrapped up on Friday, having drawn nearly 5,000 delegates from over 60 countries, including Canada, over the event’s four full days last week in South Florida.

LAST WEEK THIS MORNING: Round-Up May 18-22, 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.

LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP: Canadians sour on social media, but continue to use

Once hailed as the future and saviour of communication for society, the ills of social media have become readily apparent to many Canadians, even as they continue to like, share, and scroll. New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds that Canadians are still overwhelmingly enmeshed in the social media environment, but that many aren’t sure about the impact it’s having on them, personally, and on broader society.

WHERE IS THE WORLD’S BEST BEACH?

As the self-proclaimed “ultimate global authority on beaches,” The World’s 50 Best Beaches has revealed its annual rankings for 2026. Driven by The World’s 50 Best Beaches team’s first-hand, year-round exploration as well as collaboration with over 1,000 elite travel professionals worldwide, the list highlights the planet’s most spectacular beaches.

WHERE’S THE BEEF? At the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, of course

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ The Big Texan Steak Ranch and Brewery Is more than a restaurant, it’s an empire. The family-owned establishment in Amarillo serves over 600,000 lbs of beef a year to more than 600,000 guests and ranks as arguably the top attraction in the Texas Panhandle city that is also home to the famed Cadillac Ranch art installation immortalized in song by Bruce Springsteen.

WHY SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL ISN’T TAKING ROOT: Cost and convenience trump conscience

New insights reveal into how sustainability is shaping travel decisions worldwide, according to data from the Holafly eSIM & Travel Report, which says 42% of travellers surveyed say they actively take steps to travel more responsibly, highlighting a growing awareness of environmental impact among global explorers. However, the data also reveals a clear hierarchy between intention and decision-making.

7 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW NOW ABOUT CELEBRITY ASCENT.

Has Celebrity Cruises evolved to the point where the ship can be the destination? We’re about to find out on a cruise aboard the Celebrity Ascent, which offers a range of daily activities for every age and interest. But is it right for you? Here’s a look at the ups (and some downs) on the recent addition to Celebrity’s Edge Class of ships:

LISTENING IN – RANDY MEISNER’S SOARING EAGLES HIT

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ The Eagles were blessed with three great singer-songwriters: Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Joe Walsh. And then there as Randy Meisner, who quietly penned, or contributed to some memorable efforts, not least one of the band’s signature hits, “Take It to the Limit.”

INTREPID BRAND EVOLVES: Offers properties with purpose

Intrepid Travel has launched ‘Stay Intrepid,’ a new brand extension featuring a curated collection of six properties that offer experience-led, community-driven stays. The range includes five signature properties across Australia, as well as a riad in Morocco, with plans to grow into new destinations in the coming years.  

LIVING LA PURA VIDA: Costa Rica brings special energy to Canada

The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), alongside Costa Rican tourism partners and the Canadian team at VoX International, welcomed travel advisors, tour operators and airline representatives to an immersive “Energía Pura Vida” trade networking event last week at Arcadia Earth in Toronto’s The Well.

CHEERS: Ontario extends alcohol service for World Cup

Licensed Ontario restaurants and bars will be allowed to sell alcohol until 4 a.m. during the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The province announced the temporary extension Tuesday morning, saying it would help support tourism and local businesses during the international soccer tournament.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives

This week: Ensemble is picking up the pace; a first for TRAVELSAVERS Canada; Travel Counsellors earns royal approval, Brendan Vacations plans Ireland FAMS, Oceania Cruises adds to its Canadian sales team, travel learning platform KORE arrives in Quebec …………

SALT, STEAM AND SOY: Discovering Tokyo’s culinary DNA

By CINDY-LOU DALE/ Tokyo’s food is layered: Edo pragmatism, Meiji experimentation, post-war reinvention. These 15 dishes trace the capital’s culinary DNA – but they are only a beginning. In Tokyo, every neighbourhood writes its own menu.

JET FUEL FLEXIBILITY: Canadian model gives industry options, says IATA exec

By STUART FOX/ The recent pressure on the supply of aviation fuel globally due to the war in the Middle East has put a spotlight on something most passengers never think about: the fuel in the aircraft. If the war continues, it won’t be long before we see fuel shortfalls in parts of the world. Flexibility could help the industry to make better use of the fuel we have, and airlines keep schedules intact.

ON THE GROUND AT IPW: Sussing out the latest in U.S. travel

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ IPW, the U.S. Travel Association’s signature annual trade show, kicked off Monday in sunny Fort Lauderdale with thousands of industry delegates from around the world on hand to buy and plan future product, but also to suss out for themselves just what’s happening in America at this moment, and yes, to enjoy the incredible warmth and hospitality (and entertainment) that is always on display from both the hosts and exhibitors from across the entire country.

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