By Michael Baginski/ One of the true characters of the Canadian travel industry has died. Duncan Bureau reportedly had a heart attack Dec. 2 in Mexico, age 58. Having started his career at Greyhound Bus Lines, he was most recently chief commercial officer at the Farenexus travel services company.
After years of volatility and transformation, the Asia Pacific region’s tourism sector has not only rebounded but is entering a new phase of sustained growth, says the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). In its recently released annual tourism report for 2025, the association cites a near-complete recovery from the COVID years, underscoring the travel industry’s vital adaptability and resilience in navigating a dynamic global landscape.
Close to 450 travel advisors joined Air Canada Vacations for the tour company’s annual ACV@HOME Virtual Holiday Cheer on Tuesday. The 30-minute celebration featured interactive games, prizes, and a heartfelt moment of recognition through a photo collage showcasing memorable highlights from 2025.
Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) has named Stuart Morcombe as Manager, Business Development and Network Support. In his new role, the 20-plus-year Canadian travel industry veteran will oversee the organization, planning, and growth of TDC’s franchisee and affiliate business across Canada (excluding Quebec).
Cuban culture thrives through time-honoured traditions that have shaped the island’s identity for generations. The blending of indigenous customs with Spanish influences has created unique experiences that continue to captivate visitors today. These deeply rooted cultural practices offer travellers authentic glimpses into the heart of Cuban society and the island’s history.
The Travel Agent Next Door has entered into an equity partnership with UK-based Travel Counsellors effective Dec. 2. Vitruvian-backed Travel Counsellors is the UK’s largest and fast-growing technology platform for travel entrepreneurs that connects over 2,200 independent business owners, ultimately enabling them to deliver exceptional levels of customer service.
G Adventures has two new members of its executive leadership team, signifying a new chapter of growth and strategic evolution for G Adventures and its sister brands within the G Travel Community (GTC), including G Touring (Travelsphere and JustYou) and TruTravels
The iconic Vancouver waterfront fireworks festival that has been held for more than three decades has been cancelled indefinitely due to financial difficulties – news that Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim called “devastating.”
By Michael Baginski/ With new Air Canada flights to Guatemala from Montreal now flying high, there’s no reason now for Canadians not to discover the Central American country, hope Guatemalan tourism execs, who point out the Central American destination has it all – from beaches to ancient Mayan ruins and lush rainforests to active volcanoes.
This week: Trevello talks Turkey, Travel Leaders Network takes stock at year-end, Air Canada Vacations’ groups loyalty program gets going, and Kensington reminds travel advisors there’s still time to earn 2025 bonuses.
Marriott International has debuted Series by Marriott, an addition to its 30 hotel brands that is designed to celebrate regional character while delivering the consistency of the hotel company’s global standards. The first phase in the series – The Fern Hotels & Resorts, Series by Marriott –includes 26 hotels across key destinations in India.
The International Air Transport Association’s 2025 Global Passenger Survey (GPS) highlights two key trends that are redefining the passenger travel experience: More travellers are managing every stage of their journey using smartphones; and use of biometrics and digital identity is expanding to enable more seamless airport processing – and travellers like it.
Air Transat has a new interline partnership with GOL Airlines that will significantly expand the Canadian carrier’s network by providing convenient onward connections across Brazil and to key destinations throughout South America with one of the country’s largest airlines.
By Michael Baginski/ The Aruba Tourism Authority is eager for Canadians to discover – or revisit – the destination dubbed “One Happy Island,” but with a caveat: a commitment to helping preserve the very reason they go there in the first place: white sand beaches, vibrant culture and history, and unparalleled outdoor activities.
The Travel Agent Next Door has launched a premium brand called LUXE by The Travel Agent Next Door to cater to the growing demand for luxury product and services – and to differentiate from mass marketing initiatives that do not appeal to affluent travellers.
TTC Tour Brands has expanded its Canadian sales team with two new managers in Western Canada. Both boasting strong industry experience, Jordan Harris takes the helm in Alberta and Manitoba, and Nicole Davey in British Columbia, Yukon and Saskatchewan.
International visitors are being asked to pay the price for renovations and to improve security at the Louvre after the Paris museum was notoriously exposed during a Oct. 19 robbery that saw US$102 million in artifacts looted in a brazen daylight heist. The museum has approved a ticket hike from 22 to 32 euros (CDN$35 to $51), but only for non-European visitors, starting Jan. 14.
According to the latest edition of UN Tourism’s World Tourism Barometer, Africa is leading the way in regional arrivals in 2025 as the global tourism sector blasts past 1 billion travellers in only the first nine months of the year. Brazil, meanwhile, is surging even higher, taking top spot as an individual country.
By Michael Baginski/ It may appear self-serving, Eric Rodriguez admits, but the best way to help Jamaica and Jamaicans recover from Hurricane Melissa is for people to travel there. And Sunwing’s executive VP President of Partner Development says the company is all in on facilitating that – and more.
A US$100-per-person charge for international tourists entering Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and other popular national parks is stoking apprehension among some tourist-oriented businesses that it could discourage travellers.
Lisa Pierce, a figure synonymous with Air Canada for nearly four decades, has announced her retirement at the end of the year. Currently VP of Global Sales, the popular Pierce has held a variety of positions with the airline during her lengthy tenure. She will be replaced by François Choquette, who is currently Managing Director, Revenue Management.
Friends and colleagues of Casey Canevari are being invited by Discover America Canada to an event honouring the memory of the late Brand USA Director of Global Trade Development (Canada). The DAC’s annual holiday season gathering in Toronto, dedicated to Canevari, takes place on Thursday (Dec. 4) and will raise funds for his family.
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.
The Dominican Republic has authorized the arrival of 800 new flights to accommodate a surge in tourists who were originally planning to vacation in Jamaica and other nearby islands but were rerouted following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. And potential visitors have been warned prices are going up in the destination because of it.
Christmas has come early, literally, for close to 120 Canadian travel advisors who are currently sailing the Rhine on ACTA’s 3rd annual European River Cruise Summit – an Avalon Waterways roundtrip cruise from Basel, Switzerland, calling in many of the fabulous Christmas markets of Europe.
Black Friday is here – one of the biggest shopping days of the year (including travel). To help sort the myriad supplier deals available for the day, many of which extend into next week (Cyber Monday, Travel Tuesday, and beyond), here’s our final version of a continually growing list. Among the new entries since last posted are Sunwing, TravelBrands, Transat, Rocky Mountaineer, Booking.com, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Viva Resorts, Amtrak Vacations, Club Med, and many more.
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact, Air Canada Vacations has announced a special humanitarian initiative launching on ‘Giving Tuesday’ to support recovery efforts in affected communities across Jamaica.
By Wallace Immen/ Crystal Cruises’ first new ship in a quarter of a century, Crystal Grace, promises to live up to her name said Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, who announced the name choice.
Jimmy Cliff, the charismatic reggae pioneer and actor who preached joy, defiance and resilience in such classics as “Many Rivers to Cross,” “You Can Get it If You Really Want” and “Vietnam” and starred in the landmark movie “The Harder They Come,” has died at 81.
The U.S. National Park Service says it is going to start charging the millions of international tourists who visit U.S. parks each year an extra $100 to enter some of the most popular sites, while leaving them out of fee-free days that will be reserved for American residents. The fee change will impact 11 national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.