Fewer Canadians have been heading south in recent months in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada, his comments about annexing the country and because of fears among travellers about treatment at the border. In the duty-free industry, less border traffic directly correlates to fewer sales.
Allianz Global Assistance Canada has announced that Shannon Lofdahl has joined the Cambridge, Ont.-based travel insurance and assistance company as Vice President and Head of Field Sales for North America.
In celebration of National Waffle Day on Aug. 24, Choice Hotels International, one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, and its flagship hotel brand, Comfort Hotels, cast a spotlight on North American’s love for waffles with a survey that revealed the breakfast staple is far more than a morning meal – rather a cherished symbol of travel, connection, and joy.
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.
This year, as a trade war grinds on with the United States, Canadians who decide to vacation within their country are realizing their patriotism comes with a hefty price tag – and some are choosing to scale back their plans as costs spiral “out of control.”
Air Canada expected most of its North American routes to be back up and running on Thursday after resuming operations Tuesday following the conclusion of a strike by its flight attendants.
From Venice to Barcelona to Amsterdam, European cities are struggling to absorb surging numbers of tourists. Some residents in one of Paris’ most popular tourist neighbourhoods are now pushing back.
While turbulence-related fatalities are quite rare, the number of injuries has grown over the years. Some meteorologists and aviation analysts note that reports of turbulence encounters also have been increasing and point to what climate change may be doing to flying conditions. Several turbulence-impacted flights have been reported this year.
With Labour Day weekend fast approaching, many pet owners are gearing up for one last summer road trip. Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is launching a campaign to encourage Canadians to reconsider how they travel with their furry family members and prioritize their safety.
By Wallace Immen/ Dare we say super star? Royal Caribbean’s biggest-ever ship promises even more of the “adventures for all ages” than her sister in the fleet.
By Michael Baginski/ We recently introduced Imelda May (if an intro is in fact needed) in a guest starring role with the legendary late guitarist Jeff Beck. It’s only fair then to give the powerhouse Irish vocalist her own turn in the spotlight, in this case belting out a raucous version of the Soft Cell favourite “Tainted Love.”
Air Canada says it is adopting a policy to cover “certain transportation expenses” incurred by customers while getting to their destinations during the recent work stoppage. The airline says it will reimburse customers for those costs if they had a cancelled flight originally scheduled to depart from Aug. 15 to Aug. 23, Air Canada was unable to rebook them, and they then made alternative arrangements themselves.
By Robin Lawther/ Today’s travellers are exploring the world in more diverse ways than ever before – from solo getaways and multi-generational trips to “bleisure” travel and wellness retreats. This shift is creating new opportunities for travel advisors to stand out by offering options that reflect how people actually want to travel.
Flight delays and cancellations at major airports are prompting many travellers to adjust their plans according to the Global Rescue Summer 2025 Traveller Safety and Sentiment Survey.
Mariah Erkloo remembers as a child watching massive, gleaming vessels glide into her hamlet of Pond Inlet, Nunavut, bringing strangers to her Arctic home for a few hours before vanishing over the horizon. It wasn’t an altogether positive experience, she recalls.
Dedicated to uplifting communities through tourism, non-profit Planeterra has released its 2024 Impact Report, demonstrating the immense power of travel to fuel local economies and preserve cultural traditions worldwide. The report reveals that communities earned almost $3 million ($2,896,802) from the non-profit’s travel company partners in 2024, directly benefiting over 30,000 people across 51 countries.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced a landmark collaboration with four premier New York City cultural institutions – the American Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art – that will transform the new US$4.2 billion Terminal 6 (T6) at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) into a distinctly New York arts district within the airport.
Air Canada is taking flight “in earnest” today (Wednesday) after the company reached a tentative deal with the union representing its flight attendants to end a strike that began Saturday morning. A full resumption of service may take up to 10 days, says the airline.
In announcing its tentative deal with the Air Canada on behalf of the airline’s flight attendants yesterday, the Canadian Union of Public Employees declared “unpaid work is over” after making it a central issue in its push for a new contract.
With Canadian and Mexican visits reduced to “just a drip,” tourism in Las Vegas is slumping this summer, with resorts and convention centres reporting fewer visitors compared to last year. And some officials are blaming the Trump administration’s tariffs and immigration policies for the decline.
Following a year of record bookings and what it is says is soaring demand for meaningful, connection-focused travel, Women Travel Tribe (WTT) will run 50 trips for women over 50 in 2026, tripling its women-only offerings, which are designed to embrace the notion that “the most meaningful part of travel is not the place, but the people they share it with.”
Lethbridge Airport (YQL) is taking measures to combat human trafficking by joining the “notinmycity” initiative. This initiative founded by country singer Paul Brandt in 2017 provides training for employees and the symbol of a yellow rose will soon be found in both the airport and the website to help give victims hope and spread awareness of human trafficking.
Visit California has launched a new Accessibility Hub, a comprehensive online resource designed to empower travellers with disabilities to explore the Golden State with greater ease and confidence. The initiative supports both travellers and industry professionals with tools, tips and curated content aimed at making California more inclusive and navigable for all.
Air Canada and the union representing its flight attendants have reached a tentative deal to end a strike that began on Saturday morning. The airline said it will gradually begin operations Tuesday.
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) is sharing important information for consumers who booked packaged travel that include flights on Air Canada. This includes packages booked with Air Canada Vacations and other TICO-registered businesses whose packages include Air Canada flights.
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) has opened a new office in Canada with the Toronto venue having the distinction of being the destination’s first independent overseas office. On hand for the official opening last week was the twin island nation’s minister of tourism Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez, along with ABTA CEO Colin C. James.
A judge on Monday fined Qantas Airways AU$90 million (CDN$80.8 million) for illegally firing more than 1,800 ground staff at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The penalty is in addition to the AU$120 million ($108 million) in compensation that Australia’s biggest airline had already agreed to pay its former employees.
Together with Visit Europe (European Travel Commission), New Deal Europe is launching an ambitious campaign to introduce North American tour operators and travel advisors to Europe’s culturally and naturally diverse Alps2Adriatic region of Europe. The campaign will include an extensive visit to Canada in September, including 11 cities across the country.
National galleries and museums across the country have seen a 15% in attendance so far this summer after the federal government introduced free or discounted admission through the new Canada Strong Pass. The pass, which took effect on June 20 and is available until Sept. 2, offers free national museum admission to children 17 and under, and a 50% discount for those aged 18 to 24.
Air Canada says it expects flights to resume Monday night, even as its striking flight attendants were refusing a federal back-to-work order that the airline deemed “illegal.” The flight attendant union’s defiance forced the company to scrap plans to restart operations on Sunday causing the cancellation of nearly a thousand more flights.