WAIT FOR IT: Cruise ships getting ordered 10 years in advance

By Wallace Immen/ Talk about ordering ahead. Two upscale cruise lines have just inked contracts for new ships not due to arrive for more than a decade. It’s the kind of optimism that comes from seeing record-breaking sales across the entire cruise industry.

LISTENING IN: That hypnotizin’ David Wilcox

By Michael Baginski/ I’ve certainly never forgotten David Wilcox, but it took a Petro-Canada commercial during the Winter Olympics backed by “Do the Bearcat” to nudge the Canadian treasure back into my current consciousness.

U.S SENATORS TAKE ON TRUMP OVER TOURISM

In the face of declining tourism numbers to the U.S. – especially from Canada – two American senators (a Democrat and a Republican) have introduced a bill designed to eliminate Trump administration policies that are detrimental to tourism and ensure that the U.S. is working to officially support the sector through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

AIR CANADA UPDATE: Flight attendants disappointed with arbitrator settlement

An arbitrator reviewing wages for flight attendants at Air Canada has finalized rates at the airline, bringing an end to the labour dispute that saw travel disrupted for thousands of people last summer. But the bargaining committee for the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees says it was not the outcome the union fought to achieve.

WESTJET, VIRGIN ATLANTIC EXPAND SHARED LOYALTY BENEFITS

WestJet Rewards and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members can now earn points with their preferred loyalty program on each other’s entire network including VS-WS codeshare flights. The update to the partnership particularly benefits WestJet guests travelling on Virgin Atlantic’s Toronto-London (LHR) route, which connects Canadians travelling through Pearson airport to Virgin Atlantic’s primary hub at London Heathrow.

PANAMA’S PACIFIC COAST – WHERE THE BEACHES ARE BOSS

Panama’s Pacific shoreline delivers a carefree beach escape, with wide sandy beaches, warm surf and a laid-back atmosphere. From resort-lined beaches to quiet coastal towns, the region offers space to unwind without feeling remote, with consistent conditions that make it easy to enjoy any time of year.

CANADA URGED TO SUPPORT CUBA

Prime Minister Mark Carney is facing mounting calls to speak out against the United States for widening its restrictions on fuel reaching Cuba, or to send aid to the country.

AGENT, ADVISOR, ARCHITECT: The advisor’s real job (and why it’s changing)

By Mike Foster/ Early in my career, I thought I understood exactly what a client wanted. I was bidding for the travel account of our city. City hall, the mayor, senior leadership. It felt like an important piece of business, not just financially, but reputationally. I assumed – confidently – that cost savings would be the deciding factor. After all, this was public money, and always open to scrutiny.

MORE MEXICO FOR AIR CANADA

Citing growing travel to and from Mexico by Canadians, Air Canada says it is strategically expanding its summer schedule to the destination with 18% more seat capacity than last summer.

SIMPLY THE BEST: Virtuoso honours top Canadian members, partners

Luxury and experiential travel specialist Virtuoso presented its third annual regional Virtuoso Awards at its recent Canada Forum at Fairmont Palliser in Calgary. The event brought together more than 100 attendees, including owners and managers from Virtuoso’s travel agency members in Canada and preferred partners from around the world.  

COLLETTE CANADA WELCOMES BACK COUPLAND

Collette has introduced Shane Coupland as its new Head of Sales, Canada, overseeing sales strategy, partner engagement, and market growth across the country. 

AIR CANADA FLYING HIGH DESPITE U.S. DECLINE

Air Canada says it’s seeing strong momentum in bookings for this year largely based on the introduction of new markets – both domestic and international – that are mitigating the impact of reduced Canada-U.S. demand.

BEIJING DROPS VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR CANADIANS

China is dropping its visa requirement for Canadian tourists and business visitors, after moves by Prime Minister Mark Carney to put relations with Beijing on a better footing. China’s Foreign Ministry says Canadians will no longer be required to get visas for 30-days stays, starting today (Tuesday) until at least the end of this year.

PACK YOUR PATIENCE: Shutdown could lead to U.S. customs delays

Longer customs lines could be in the cards for travellers in the U.S. as a shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that took effect early Saturday impacts the agency responsible for screening passengers and bags at airports across the country.

KUNG HEI FAT CHOY: Hong Kong welcomes Year of the Horse

By Michael Baginski/ Few cities embrace the Chinese New Year with the same energy and colour as Hong Kong. It even extends to foreign lands, including Canada, where the Hong Kong Tourism Board celebrated last week with a lengthy list of trade friends atop the Scotia Plaza in Toronto.

AIR TRANSAT CUTS SUMMER FLIGHTS TO FLORIDA

Air Transat says it’s cancelling its U.S. flights for the 2026 summer season as it looks to better manage its resources. A spokeswoman for the airline says flights to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando in Florida will start gradually winding down in the spring. 

ROUND-UP: Feb. 09-13, 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. 

PROFOUND SADNESS: Returnees lament state of beloved Cuba

Ryan Profid was enjoying a karaoke night at a resort near Cayo Coco in Cuba when he was approached by a staff member who had some bad news. They told him his vacation was over and he’d have to fly home the next day.

THINKING IT OVER: Global uncertainty shaping traveller choices

A majority of travellers believe international travel in 2026 will be either more dangerous or increasingly unpredictable compared to pre-2020 travel, underscoring persistent global security concerns and heightened risk awareness, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2026 Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey. 

CANADA’S MOST WELCOMING PLACES: Newfoundland leads way with global recognition

This year, nearly 10,000 travel partners in Canada have been recognized with a Traveller Review Award from online travel agency Booking.com – an increase of 24% award recipients over the last two years. Foremost among them is Newfoundland & Labrador, which scored as the second “most welcoming” region in the world.

PORTER TAKES SAFETY SERIOUSLY

Porter Airlines reports it has achieved a significant operational milestone with registration in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program.

LISTENING IN: Boston and 1976 still more than a feeling

By Michael Baginski/ In case you missed it, I regret to inform that 50 years have transpired since 1976 – a fact I myself realized when I read that it’s been half a century since Boston’s classic debut record, but also a year that featured dozens of bands and songs that still resonate today (read on!)

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