PORTER FLIGHTS CONNECT HAMILTON WITH MCO AND FLL

Porter Airlines continues expanding its network at Hamilton International Airport (YHM) with new routes to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) beginning in December. Flights to Orlando begin Dec. 12, and Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 13, both with three weekly roundtrips.

CANADA’S BEST HOTEL RESTAURANTS

Hotel restaurants are experiencing a revival among diners, evolving from convenient and comfortable options to refined dining destinations, as 61% of Canadians believe hotels have gotten better restaurant offerings in recent years.

MADAME TUSSAUDS WAXES ELOQUENT ON SWIFT LAUNCH

In news that’s sure to make every Swiftie’s wildest dreams come true, Madame Tussauds has unveiled its biggest figure launch to date, creating 13 brand new Taylor Swift wax figures. The figures will appear in 13 cities across four continents with the simultaneous multi-figure launch marking the most ambitious in Madame Tussauds’ 250-year history.

A CLASSIC HOTEL WITH AN ULTIMATE VIEW IN VENICE

By Wallace Immen/ What to gondoliers do in their time off? I had a unique chance to glimpse behind the scenes of the daily lives of those ultra-fit boat jockeys from my quintessential room with a view in Venice.

LISTENING IN: One more Radar Lover gone

By Michael Baginski/ Last week was a tough one for music with the deaths of Ozzy Osbourne and Chuck Mangione (and pop culture in general if you count Hulk Hogan*). It’s not surprising then that another loss – that of George Kooymans – sadly slipped under the radar. The Dutch rock star may not have been a well-known outside the Netherlands, but his band, Golden Earring, and their classic song “Radar Love,” certainly are.

CAN UNESCO SURVIVE TRUMP DUMP?: Why UN agency is important to tourism – and the world

With the support of international partners and $115 million in funding, the U.N. cultural agency UNESCO recently helped rebuild the Iraqi city of Mosul after it was devastated by the Islamic State group. The restoration of the historic city’s iconic Al-Nouri Mosque and Al-Hadba Minaret was just one of many programs run by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which is in the spotlight because the United States is leaving it once again.

TRIPADVISOR REVEALS BEST ATTRACTIONS IN THE WORLD

Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, has announced the winners of its annual 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do. The awards highlight the highest rated attractions and experiences around the world based on Tripadvisor reviews.

NOTHING TO SEE HERE: Travellers unconcerned about natural disasters

More than half of travellers are unconcerned about natural disasters disrupting their travel plans, despite officials predicting up to five major hurricanes during the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season and nearly 40% of respondents to a new survey admit they’ve already experienced trips interrupted by extreme weather events in the past.

CANADA COMPASS: Online guide offers inside look at Toronto

Toronto.com offers a reimagined way for longtime residents, newcomers and visitors to connect more deeply with the city. With no hard news or politics, the platform delivers stories, and insider recommendations that spotlight the best of the city, from hidden restaurants and cultural gems to weekend getaways and everyday third-place hangouts creating an advertiser brand-safe environment.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S FIRST ROYAL BEACH CLUB READIES FOR GUESTS

Royal Caribbean has opened bookings for the first-of-its-kind beach club experience in The Bahamas. The all-inclusive Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be available to guests visiting Nassau beginning late December with day passes now available to be purchased on the company’s website.

A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT: US routes hurt Air Canada net income

Air Canada says second-quarter earnings were down from last year in what it characterized as a “challenging environment.” Challenges include an 11% drop in revenue in the airline’s U.S. transborder routes that it attributed to geopolitical tensions and a lower Canadian dollar. 

CANADIAN TOURISM A BRIGHT SPOT: On track to set record in 2025

Canada’s Travel & Tourism sector is forecast to set a new record in 2025, contributing almost $183BN to the economy and continuing the country’s impressive growth streak, according to new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council.

STUDY SHOWS PAX PENALIZED FOR ONE-WAY FLIGHTS

New research and analysis from a leading travel site shows that the largest U.S. airlines have resumed charging higher fares for most one-way domestic flights than they do on roundtrip bookings.

ISRAELI CRUISE SHIP SPARKS PROTESTS IN GREECE

Demonstrators calling for an end to the war in Gaza protested the arrival of an Israeli cruise ship on another Greek island Tuesday – the third such protest on Greek islands in the last week.

TICO NAMES NEW MEMBERS TO CONSUMER ADVISORY COUNCIL

Launched in early 2024, the Consumer Advisory Council (CAC) and Industry Advisory Council (IAC) play a crucial role in advising the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) Board of Directors and management on matters related to consumer protection, challenges and opportunities affecting Ontario’s travel industry and overall emerging trends.

WHERE TO FIND JAPAN’S BEST-KEPT SECRETS

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is inviting Canadian travellers to venture beyond the bustling hubs of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka and discover some of the country’s best-kept secrets.

COME TOGETHER: Feds reduce Confederation bridge toll, Maritime ferry fares

Tolls on the Confederation Bridge linking Prince Edward Island to Canada’s mainland will drop sharply starting Aug. 1, along with several other Atlantic travel fees, the prime minister said Monday. Fulfilling a promise the Liberals made during the April election campaign, Mark Carney said the toll for an average vehicle will drop to $20 from $50.25 to cross the bridge.

EUROPEAN TRAVEL INDUSTRY OBJECTS TO ETIAS FEE HIKE

Europe’s Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) isn’t in effect yet and already the fee for visitors may potentially go up, prompting a coalition of organizations representing the European travel sector to warn that a price hike will put the continent’s travel competitiveness at risk.

AS THE WHEEL TURNS: European travel trends and hidden gems for cyclists

With overtourism affecting many popular destinations, finding the road less travelled is a priority for many travellers, not least cyclists, whose enjoyment – and safety – can depend on rolling down the right route, far from congestion and crowds. The good news, says British-based Epic Road Rides, is that the world is not short of amazing cycling destinations that can be every bit as good as their more famous counterparts. 

A FRESH APPROACH: Calgary Airports unveils new brand identity

Calgary Airports has unveiled a refreshed brand identity that the company says reflects its optimistic and ambitious strategic direction, and deep connection to the Calgary region. The rebrand introduces a new logo, visual identity, tone and naming convention – each element inspired by YYC’s operation, the people who run it and the guests it serves.

CUNARD AND BEATLES COME TOGETHER ON QE2

Cunard has “come together” with Abbey Road Studios to bring a new and exclusive Listening Lounge experience to music lovers on board Queen Elizabeth. The luxury cruise line has partnered with the famed recording studio of The Beatles to create a series of curated playlists packed with iconic recordings, each specially handpicked by the Abbey Road team.

RESORTS WORLD ROLLS DICE ON MASSIVE NYC EXPANSION

Resorts World New York City – the city’s only casino-hotel – has made a US$5.5 billion “once in a generation proposal” that would transform the historic 30-hectare Aqueduct racing site in Queens into the single-largest fully integrated resort and entertainment hub in the state with a possible opening date of July, 2026.

REASON TO BE WORRIED: Trump could complicate 2026 World Cup for Canada

With less than a year to go until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, political tensions and U.S. policy threaten to pose problems as Canada, the United States and Mexico prepare to co-host tournament. With millions of fans expected to cross borders to attend the games, U.S. President Donald Trump’s harsh immigration policies – which include travel bans on some countries, immigration raids and mass deportations – are generating anxiety.

AIR CANADA FLIGHT ATTENDANTS BEGIN STRIKE VOTE

The union representing Air Canada flight attendants is urging a “strong mandate” to strike by members in voting that beings today.  The process begins after the close to eight months of bargaining and the two sides completing the conciliation process without resolution last week. Voting continues through Aug. 5 and members will be eligible to strike effective Aug. 16.

SOBER AND KIDS-FREE TRAVEL ON THE RISE

School’s out for summer, and a growing number of Canadian adults want to be where the kids aren’t. According to a Flight Centre survey conducted by YouGov, 57% of Canadian travellers are prioritizing adults-only travel, while 75% would consider taking a booze-free trip this year.

MAUI TO LIMIT VACATION RENTALS

Lawmakers on Maui have passed legislation aimed at eliminating a large percentage of the Hawaiian island’s vacation rentals to address a housing shortage exacerbated by the wildfire that destroyed most of Lahaina two years ago.

THE TRAIN IN SPAIN IS NOW REPPED BY DISCOVER THE WORLD

iryo and Discover the World have announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing awareness of Spanish high-speed train travel among international audiences. The collaboration will focus on promoting iryo’s extensive network and onboard offerings to travel trade partners around the globe.

ROUND-UP: July 21-25, 2025

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.

HOW AND WHY CANADIAN TRAVELLERS ARE USING AI

Canadian travellers appear to be embracing the role of artificial intelligence in the travel planning process, according to a new survey by Booking.com. The Global AI Sentiment Report reveals that nearly eight in 10 Canadians (78%) want to use AI in their future travel plans; however, only 4% fully trust it.

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