Artificial Intelligence is shifting power in travel distribution away from visibility and toward trust, redefining how travellers discover, evaluate and book experiences. Rather than eliminating intermediaries, AI is reshaping where value – and control – sits across the travel ecosystem.
A new survey by the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA) says that among Canadians who plan to travel this year, nearly two‑thirds (61%) of the Gen Z generation (aged up to 29 years) say the U.S. is on their itinerary. That leads older generations, including Millennials (48%), Gen X (28%), and Boomers (14%).
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Nothing says love like tender sliced brisket, smoked ribs, corn bread and a hearty helping of “the best mac and cheese in the city.” And while served up in T.O. rather T.X. (at the delightful SmoQue N’ Bones on Baldwin), the feast was designed to provide a literal taste of the State – or, put another way, perhaps, “barbecue tourism.”
A person who jumped a fence and was on a runway at Denver International Airport was struck and killed by a Frontier Airlines plane during takeoff, airport authorities said. The collision sparked an engine fire and forced passengers to evacuate.
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.
Health authorities across four continents Thursday were scrambling to track down and monitor passengers who disembarked a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship before its deadly outbreak was detected, and trying to trace others who may have come into contact with them since then.
Airlines in Canada and worldwide are cancelling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up prices – but the disruption doesn’t end there. For travellers, it can mean having to navigate a confusing web of passenger protections that vary widely depending on where they’re flying.
A life jacket worn by a passenger on RMS Titanic as she escaped the sinking steamship on a lifeboat sold recently at auction in the U.K. for 670,00 pounds ($1.3 million). The flotation device was worn by Laura Mabel Francatelli, a first-class passenger on the doomed ocean liner, and is signed by her and other survivors from the same lifeboat.
The flowers in that bright-purple lei you received on your last Hawaii visit almost certainly weren’t grown in the Aloha State. The vast majority of those odorless orchids are imported from Thailand, where it is cheaper to grow and string them into the garlands synonymous with Hawaiian culture.
By WALLACE IMMEN/ Cruisers choosing to stay close to home, repeat guests and smoother sailing have cruise lines planning a long future in the Great Lakes.
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Some situations just call for Bad Manners. The band, that is. And I think the world could use a little more of the effervescent British “two-tone” outfit led by the irrepressible singer Douglas Trendle (aka Buster Bloodvessel) right about now.
A new Flight Centre Canada survey reveals that eight in 10 Canadians (78%) agree adventure travel today is defined by discovery, not adrenaline. In fact, 91% say a trip can feel adventurous without any thrill-seeking at all. This mindset is shaping how Canadians plan travel ahead of the busy summer season.
Air Canada marked the observance of Red Dress Day in Canada this week (May 5) by sharing a video created to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit peoples (MMIWG2S+).
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Surprising San Antonio – which offers its own unique twist on what it is to be a Texas town – at last boasts direct service from Canada – courtesy of Air Canada, which now flies three times weekly (through Oct. 23) from Toronto to the state’s most colourful destination.
Porter Airlines has partnered with HTS (Hopper Technology Solutions) to introduce a new product that gives passengers more flexibility with day-of-departure flight disruptions. Available as an optional add-on, the Delay and Cancellation Assistance product offers passengers real-time solutions if their flight is disrupted by more than two hours or cancelled within 24 hours of departure.
Ottawa has announced an increase in the number of direct flights permitted to bring passengers and cargo to and from China. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon says there will be “an incremental increase” in flights between the countries in response to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s outreach visit to Beijing in January.
Giselle Williams is the new Marketing Manager, Canada for the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA). She arrives with more than eight years of experience in destination marketing, business development, and travel trade engagement in the Canadian market having held senior roles with organizations including Unique Vacations Canada and a leading Caribbean Tourism Authority.
The demise of Spirit Airlines in the U.S. serves as a warning to smaller carriers north of the border that remain beleaguered by high fuel costs and low demand for travel to America.
It’s Travel Advisor Day (the first Wednesday of May) – and month – and suppliers and friends of agents from near and far are showing the love with a host of special incentives designed to make their efforts feel more appreciated, and, better still, a little more lucrative. Here’s a sampling of some of the heartfelt sentiment, and offers, ranging from bonus gifts cards to resort stays and love letters to cruise trips.
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Finnair celebrated the inauguration of a new direct flight from Toronto to Helsinki on Monday (May 4) with the arrival of Finnair flight AY 31 to a traditional water salute at Pearson airport in the early evening. The service marks a return of Finland’s national carrier to Canada after an 11-year absence.
With travellers increasingly prioritizing value when planning vacations, Visit Myrtle Beach is launching a new destination-wide promotion designed to help visitors get more from their getaway. Through the new “Make More Myrtle Moments” campaign, participating accommodations across South Carolina’s Grand Strand are offering complimentary lodging nights on qualifying stays, making it easier for travellers to extend their time at The Beach while keeping their trip budget-friendly.
To mark its 70th anniversary in 2026, Skål Toronto will host a special anniversary luncheon on May 26 at the Boulevard Club in Toronto. The event will bring together past presidents, industry professionals, political leaders, Skål members, and guests for an afternoon of recognition and reflection.
José Luis Amate López hasn’t had a customer in almost two weeks, not counting the scrawny brown kitten that slinks around the bodega where he works in central Havana. The shelves once laden with goods during his childhood sat nearly empty in late April, with barely anything to offer the 5,000 clients who depend on the state-run store for subsidized food.
According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of Canadian travellers, 57% of them report U.S. government policies, trade practices and political statements make them less likely to travel to the U.S. in the next 12 months.
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ There’s no better time to be a travel advisor, says the head of one of Canada’s leading IC organizations, Trevello. In fact, it’s sexy, laughs Zeina Gedeon, who has seen both sides of the coin – as a top gun at Air Canada/ACV and now as CEO of the former TPI – which has been around for over 30 years in Canada, yet is still energetically building for the future.
A Dutch cruise ship with nearly 150 people aboard, including 17 Americans, was waiting for help off the coast of Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday after a suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus killed three passengers and left at least three others seriously ill, the World Health Organization and the ship’s operator said.
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Canadian travel to the U.S. may be down, but tourism types from the Big Apple regard the dip simply as a momentary “pause” in long-standing relationship between neighbours and friends that has withstood the test of time, and will withstand current circumstances.
This week: Trevello advisors convene in Belfast, Northern Ireland; Maritime Travel boosts its tech platform; Collette hosts its BDMs Down Under; Utah tourism’s three-city Canadian sales mission; and Visit Malta’s new agent training program.
Transat and Porter Airlines are taking another step forward in their commercial partnership by launching new Transat packages that combine Porter non-stop flights to Nassau, Grand Cayman, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. Packages feature a curated selection of hotels in each destination, with a mix of all-inclusive and European Plan offerings depending on the property.
Air Canada says it continues to see strong demand and bookings despite higher fuel-driven fare increases. The Montreal-based airline reported net income of $48 million during the first quarter, compared with a net loss of $102 million during the same period last year.