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.

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.

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.

ACTA LAUNCHES CTC/CTM BURSARY PROGRAM

The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA), in partnership with Atlantis Bahamas Resorts and Auto Europe, is launching the CTC & CTM Bursary Program, where 27 bursaries will be awarded to encourage ACTA travel advisors to pursue and achieve the Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) and Certified Travel Manager (CTM) designations.

ROUND-UP: March 2-6, 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.

UNDERSTANDING AIRCRAFT DE-ICING: How it works and why it matters

Most passengers boarding a flight on a cold winter morning don’t give much thought to the trucks and equipment moving around their aircraft. Among them are de-icing teams – carrying out a procedure that is absolutely essential to flight safety in cold weather.

CRUISES CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE

By Wallace Immen/ With the Middle East conflict spreading at an epidemic rate, cruise lines are scrambling to avoid disruption and planning far ahead to steer clear of an epic storm. Some were caught in the crosshairs. Three cruise ships in the United Arab Emirates cancelled upcoming sailings.

CANADA SECURES LIMITED SEATS FROM LEBANON

Ottawa says it has secured “a limited number of seats” on commercial flights out of Lebanon for Canadians trying to flee the region, though the government is not offering assisted departures.

MORE WOES FOR BELEAGUERED CUBA

A blackout hit the western half of Cuba on Wednesday, leaving millions of people in Havana and beyond without power in the latest outage to affect an island struggling with dwindling oil reserves and a crumbling electric grid. At the same time, another critical international airline said it was suspending service to the beleaguered island.

SPAIN SETS TOURISM RECORD (AGAIN): Plus new Canadian podcast

Spain set a new tourism record in 2025 when it welcomed 96.8 million foreign visitors, according to figures released by the National Statistics Institute. The number of international visitors increased 3.2% compared to 2024, when there were 94 million tourists.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY

Trinidad and Tobago declared a new state of emergency Tuesday, only about a month after the end of the previous one, as authorities in the Caribbean nation continue to grapple with high levels of violent crime.

CAPE TOWN IN TWO KEYS: Oceanfront seclusion and urban heritage

By Cindy-Lou Dale/ Cape Town, South Africa’s appeal lies in its range: mountain, ocean, heritage districts, and a food culture rooted in local identity. Consider two unique hotels – contrasting but complimentary – from which the city unfolds in manageable, memorable chapters: walkable neighbourhoods, historic sites, and signature culinary experiences, each adding depth to a stay that blends relaxation with meaningful exploration.

FRAUD ALERT: World body warns travel agencies to take NDC precautions

The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance is alerting the global travel agency community to a sophisticated fraud scheme involving the unauthorized use of agency IATA accreditation numbers to obtain airline NDC access and issue fraudulent tickets. The world body (of which ACTA is a member) says travel agencies should review NDC registrations and closely monitor accreditation activity following confirmed incidents across multiple markets, including North America.

PROXY FIRMS ADVISE AGAINST PELADEAU TRANSAT BID

Media magnate Pierre Karl Péladeau has failed to convince a pair of leading proxy advisory firms to back his bid to overhaul the board at Transat A.T. Inc. and seize effective control of the travel company.

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