Despite a long list of obstacles and setbacks, Travel & Tourism strengthened its position as the world’s fastest-growing sector in 2025, with new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealing the sector significantly outpaced global economic growth – and accounted for one in three new jobs created globally.
An arbitrator has ordered Air Canada to grant back pay to seven pilots denied religious exemptions from the airline’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. The decision states that Air Canada violated the Canadian Human Rights Act when it placed the pilots on unpaid leave because they failed to meet the company’s bar for “sincere religious belief,” while other pilots who cleared it received more than six months of paid leave.
Canadian travel to the U.S. continued to slide in March, according to Statistics Canada; however, the decline was offset by more Canadians going overseas compared to the year before.
This week: Transat Distribution Canada reveals Rendez-vous 2026 details; TTAND introduces a new preferred partner; Ensemble is putting on the Ritz; Virtuoso makes key C-suite appointments; and Sandals/Beaches Resorts is offering cash bonuses in April.
The Dominican Republic hosted its fourth signature Trade Show in Miami last wee with more than 1,200 travel industry professionals from the U.S., Canada, and Latin America in attendance.
Citing growing interest in travel to the North, the Government of the Northwest Territories reported an increase in annual passenger traffic at Yellowknife Airport for 2025 when compared to the previous year.
A new research series by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) examines how adventure travel continues to evolve beyond its traditional niche in four major outbound regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Together, these travellers represent a global adventure-oriented outbound market valued at approximately $1.16 trillion, highlighting the growing influence of experience-driven travel worldwide.
From cities at sea to overwhelming destinations with mass tourism, cruising sometimes gets a bad name. But a new report from the World Travel & Tourism Council highlights the positive impact of the sector, including supporting 1.8 million jobs worldwide and generating US$199 billion in global economic output.
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ More than 70 members of the Canadian travel trade turned out – or up, more accurately – for a Bermuda Tourism Authority event at the top of the CN Tower last week that, fittingly, offered the latest updates on what continues to make the mid-Atlantic island a top travel destination.
Air Canada Vacations has launched its second annual Travellers’ Top Picks Awards, inviting Canadians once again to have their say by voting for their most beloved travel destinations. Building on the huge response of last year’s inaugural edition, the program returns with even more opportunities for travellers to share their stories and inspire others across the country to discover new places.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin says his government will offer new fuel tax cuts to try to end crippling protests over soaring gas costs that have largely brought the country to a standstill.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku was expected to make landfall today (Tuesday) in the Northern Mariana Islands, bringing destructive winds, widespread heavy rain and flooding. Power outages on the islands could be lengthy, forecasters warned.
Surging energy prices driven by conflict in the Middle East have meant airlines are dolling out more for jet fuel while motorists are seeing huge price spikes at the pump. It also means travellers, whether they’re embarking on a road trip or a flight to a far-flung destination, have to open their wallets even wider.
Cuba’s president says the U.S. has no valid reason to carry out a military attack against the island or to attempt to depose him. But should it happen, Miguel Díaz-Canel says Cubans would defend themselves.
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Grenada Tourism Authority director of sales Sekou Stroude was holding forth at an event in chilly Toronto last week when he surmised that many of those in the audience might just be wondering, “Why am I here in this cold?”
Most travellers say they generally feel safe travelling alone, but a significant portion still modify their behaviour and avoid certain destinations due to security concerns, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2026 Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey. Mexico and the Middle East are the most frequently cited destinations travellers avoid due to safety concerns.
Canada is short an estimated 200 air traffic controllers, but and is working on building its capacity, says Nav Canada, the privately run, non-profit corporation that is responsible for training and employing the specialized workers who play a critical role in the safety of Canada’s air travel system.
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.
A new reality is setting in for travellers worldwide: rising fees, fewer flight options and difficult decisions about whether a trip is worth the cost. The culprit is volatile oil and jet fuel prices, which have spiked sharply since the war in the Middle East began and fighting near the narrow Strait of Hormuz created a chokepoint for global oil supplies.
With a theme of “Resilience and Renewal,” the Cuba Tourist Board is set to host a hybrid version of its International Tourism Fair, FITCuba 2026 and members of the Canadian trade are invited to attend.
Canada Place is celebrating 40 years as one of Canada’s most recognizable landmarks on Vancouver’s waterfront. Since opening on May 2, 1986, as the Canada Pavilion for Expo 86, it has become a popular destination for residents and visitors, a venue for major public events, and home to the Port of Vancouver’s award-winning cruise terminal, which is the largest in Canada.
By JOE KONECNY/ If everything goes as planned, St. Thomas, Ont., world traveller Syed Hasan will be in Nigeria now, beginning a six-country solo tour of the African continent, on his way to increasing his lifetime total for independent nations visited to 193.
By WALLACE IMMEN/ Oceania Cruises plans a transformation of its classic ship Oceania Marina. In a dry dock in October 2026, every stateroom will be redesigned, along with enhancements across all public spaces, ensuring that the ship reflects Oceania Cruises’ signature blend of residential luxury understated elegance.
By Michael Baginski/ The song is over a decade old, but there’s something that just seems very current about The Record Company’s “Hard Day Coming Down.”
In the survey of 112 travel companies worldwide conducted by Responsible Travel, almost 80% (79.5%) of respondents reported a drop in holiday enquiries since the start of the Iran war, with 56% reporting ‘no sign’ of improvement.
WestJet guests now have the ability to book interline itineraries comprised of both WestJet and interline partner segments through the airline’s website and contact centre. The “significant enhancement” for bookings is “in addition to existing options through our travel trade partners,” says the airline.
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Virtuoso On Tour Canada events concluded Wednesday in Toronto, with the leading luxury network welcoming member agencies, advisors and preferred partners over two days at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. The gathering followed a similar event in Vancouver at the Fairmont Pacific Rim March 31-April 1. Together, 180 advisors and 135 partners took part.
Air Canada has launched an alternative process to resolve compensation claims in a pilot project that seeks to avert the massive backlog at the country’s transport regulator.
Flight Centre Canada has strengthened its leadership team with two strategic appointments as the business continues a period of sustained growth. Angela Bokma joins the business as Director of Marketing, while David Ardagh steps into the role of Commercial Financial Manager, transitioning from his previous position as Senior Financial Analyst within Flight Centre Travel Group.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Alberta is enjoying a recent uptick in interest spurred by a random shout out on a popular American television show – and its head of marketing hopes that curiosity translates into a bustling summer season.