TRINADAD AND TOBAGO EXTEND STATE OF EMERGENCY
Trinidad and Tobago’s government has received House of Representatives approval to extend a state of emergency for three months, as the twin-island Caribbean nation struggles with a high level of crime.
ROUND-UP: March 09-23, 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.
BILLION DOLLAR BOONDOGGLE: WTTC reveals costs of Iran conflict to travel sector
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that the escalating conflict in Iran is impacting the Travel & Tourism sector across the Middle East by at least US$600 million per day in international visitor spending, as disruptions to air travel, traveller confidence and regional connectivity affect demand.
AIR CANADA ADDS MORE YYZ LANDLINE OPTIONS
Starting June 15, the Ontario communities of Niagara, Sarnia and Muskoka will be linked directly to Toronto Pearson International Airport thanks to extended Air Canada Landline luxury motorcoach service.
BLUE TRUMPS RED IN FLORIDA TOWN: Jays fans help keep Dunedin economy afloat during turbulent times for tourism
The Toronto Blue Jays have made Dunedin, Fla., into a virtual oasis during turbulent economic times in Florida. Canadians’ broad grassroots boycott of the United States has had a massive impact on the tourism industry, especially in states like Florida. But Dunedin, home of the Blue Jays’ spring training facility, seems to be have been spared thanks to the loyalty of Canadian baseball fans.
LEAVE THE JAMMIES AT HOME: Tampa airport prohibits PJs – or does it?
Tampa International Airport said on social media recently that it wanted to ban people from wearing pajamas at the Florida facility. A post on the airport’s official X account said that after successfully going “Crocs-free,” Tampa International had “seen enough” of pajamas too.
SCENIC ADDING THREE MORE SHIPS TO FLEET
By Wallace Immen/ Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Scenic Group has announced another fleet expansion, with three new luxury river ships to join its award-winning portfolio. This includes one new Emerald Star-Ship and two ultra-luxury Scenic Space-Ships, extending their presence across Europe and Asia in 2027 and 2028.
LISTENING IN: If Stevie and Lindsey were Irish
By Michael Baginski/ If you frequent the Internet, you’ll no doubt have come across the new “if such and such was performed by so and so” trend. Pink Floyd as Dire Straits, Perry Como as Metallica, and so forth. Don’t hate me, but I’ve pulled one of these stylistic AI remakes to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) this year: Fleetwood Mac if it was an Irish folk song.
UP, UP AND AWAY: Surging oil prices spur rising airfares
Airlines across the globe have started to hike fares and fuel surcharges in response surging oil prices sparked by the war in Iran, and Canada is no exception. Several carriers indicated this week that higher ticket prices are likely – or already a reality – thanks to cost pressures caused by fallout from the conflict, which entered its 12th day on Wednesday.
U.S. LIFTS SUSPENSION OF GLOBAL ENTRY: Trade groups decry DHS shutdown, long lines
The U.S. Global Entry program was reinstated Wednesday amidst public and travel industry backlash. U.S. customs and immigration clearance program for pre-approved, low-risk travellers entering the United States was suspended by the Department of Homeland Security on Feb. 22 amidst the U.S. government shutdown.
FRENCH FLAIR: Destination France 2026 roadshow continues across Canada
Following its launch in Vancouver, Atout France and Air France’s Destination France 2026 annual tour rolled into Toronto Tuesday with over 30 French and local exhibitors in attendance. The event featured a trade show that generated over 386 face-to-face meetings with travel advisors designed to strengthen connections and deepen knowledge of France’s tourism leading to new or renewed itineraries and travel products for Canadian travellers.
LUFTHANSA OFFERS LONG-HAUL HUB ALTERNATIVE: Added flights reflect Middle East instability
With global transit significantly impacted by the war in the Middle East/Gulf region, the Lufthansa Group says its airlines will be offering numerous extra flights, particularly to Asia and Africa.
FRIENDSHIP FESTIVAL: Myrtle Beach kicks off annual Can-Am Days
Visit Myrtle Beach has rolled out the welcome mat this week for Canadian visitors. Each March, Myrtle Beach honours its long-standing friendship with its snowbird neighbours during Can-Am Days, a tradition that has welcomed generations of Canadians to the Grand Strand for more than 60 years.
‘WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP’: Renewed search for MH370 fails to find missing aircraft
Twelve years after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished with 239 people aboard, a renewed deep-sea search in the southern Indian Ocean has so far failed to locate the missing aircraft, Malaysian authorities say, as families press for the effort to continue.
BIG PLANS FOR TORONTO ISLAND AIRPORT: City needs two airports like New York, Chicago, says premier
Calling Toronto’s island airport an underutilized “crown jewel” in the city, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province is taking over the city’s stake in facility with the simple rational that Toronto needs two (major) airports in order to compete with other cities around the world.
TRANSAT STAYS THE COURSE: Shareholders back board, thwart peeved Peladeau
Transat A.T. Inc. shareholders have rejected media magnate Pierre Karl Péladeau’s bid to seize effective control of the company’s board on Tuesday, opting instead to stay the course.
NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT IT: Noted Ig Nobel Prize shuns U.S. over visa worries
The noteworthy Ig Nobel Prize – a satirical award for scientific achievement dubbed the “bizarro cousin of the Nobel Prize” – is shifting for the first time from the United States to Europe due to concerns about attendees getting visas, organizers have announced.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: Travel Masters celebrated its top performers; Tully Luxury Travel takes its “next step”; Ensemble publication earns kudos; Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) Canada hires in Quebec; and a chance to win a FAM trip to Bermuda.
AA GETS APPROVAL TO RESUME VENEZUELA FLIGHTS
American Airlines has received approval to become the first U.S. airline to resume flights to Venezuela. Even though the State Department continues to warn Americans not to travel to the South American country, the government cleared the way for the airline to begin scheduling flights there.
CANADA COMPASS: Quebec sugar shacks to suit every taste
Springtime is Québec’s sweetest season as the province welcomes visitors to its famed cabanes à sucre to sample glistening maple syrup, decadent meals, and authentic French-Canadian hospitality. Québec is home to more than 100 sugar shacks that offer distinctly unique sweet escapes for various types of travellers.
U.S. PRECLEARANCE OPENS AT BILLY BISHOP: What to expect.
Long-awaited, much anticipated U.S. preclearance operations open today (March 10) at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility requires all travellers to complete U.S. immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections before departure. The result – a faster, more seamless arrival in the United States.
THE PRICE OF ESCAPE: Wealthy travellers pay huge sums to leave Middle East war zone
Frustrated and anxious travellers continue to clamour for flights out of the Middle East and other regions where a widening Iran war has stranded tens of thousands of people, closed major airports and caused widespread cancellations. However, some wealthy travellers are getting out – by paying large sums for luxury flights to Europe via airports that are safe from Iranian drone and missile attacks.
CANADIAN HEARTS IN SAN FRANCISCO: City rolls out red carpet for hosted travel trade mission
In a strategic departure from its traditional international sales missions, the San Francisco Travel Association (SFTA) brought the Canadian travel trade directly to the California city ahead of the 2026 spring and summer travel season.
STEADY GROWTH FOR GLOBAL TRAVEL: Use of AI rising fast
The ITB Travel & Tourism Report 2026/2027 shows that the mood in the industry is optimistic, but that strategic preparation often lags behind the challenges of an increasingly complex world. Released at ITB Berlin last week, data from the market research institute Phocuswright forecasts that global annual growth of around 5.3% until at least 2027.
GET AHEAD WITH ‘ED’: Grenada streamlines entry process
Grenada has officially launched its Online Embarkation/ Disembarkation (ED) Card Platform, designed to streamline the arrival experience for visitors while advancing the country’s border processing system. The new program went into effect March 2.
MEXICO’S ‘SWEET SPOT’: Cozumel calls for Quebeckers with Sunwing, WestJet
Sunwing Vacations and Vacances WestJet Québec now offer Canadians direct access from Montreal to Cozumel, Mexico, one of the Caribbean’s most established island destinations. The first flight departed from YUL on March 6, promising clients an ideal “sweet spot” between “do-it-all” and “do absolutely nothing.”
BANK FROM THE BRINK: Canadians return home from war zone
Canadians leaving the Middle East began arriving at Toronto’s Pearson Airport over the weekend as the war in Iran reached the one-week mark. The first were passengers arriving from Dubai aboard an Emirates flight that the government booked 51 seats on to secure travel for Canadians out of the region.
WHERE TO GO?: Australia may be just what you’re looking for.
By Jen Savedra/This is a tricky time for travel and tourism – that has to be acknowledged. Some of our holiday favourites are, for various and differing reasons, less appealing than usual. But, we do still want to travel, and right now, think about it, Australia is a very viable choice of destination. And really, It’s already popular with Canadians.
TALKING ABOUT MY GENERATION: Internova report breaks down latest trends and how age matters
Travel preferences in 2025-26 vary sharply among Millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers, shaping everything from cruise demand to tour styles and wellness vacations, according to an analysis from the ‘Internova Index: North American Traveler Insights’ report.
ALL QUIET IN QUINTANA ROO: Mexican tourism hub reports business as usual
After the recent disruption to life and travel in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara following the takedown of a prominent cartel leader on the Pacific side of the country, the Mexican state of Quintana says it’s strictly business as usual on its Caribbean beaches and at its resorts.