There’s a cold front at the border and it’s not just Canada’s now arrived winter weather. According to a new poll from Angus Reid, Canadians are giving the U.S. the cold shoulder as the once reliable relationship between the two countries appears to have entered a new phase of elevated enmity.
The travel industry is set to grow at a faster pace than the global economy over the next 10 years, according to the World Travel Market Global Travel Report. Released at WTM London – the world’s largest English language travel show last week – the report’s optimism comes as the global travel industry reaches record levels in 2025, with international arrivals set to top 1.5 billion, surpassing the previous record achieved in 2019.
WestJet says its is encouraged by the government’s plans to unlock the economic potential of affordable air travel through increasing the affordability of Canada’s aviation ecosystem.
On Jan. 5, 2026, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario is launching a new, enhanced Certification Program and exam for individuals aspiring to become Travel Counsellors and agency Supervisors/Managers. The interactive online education program will replace the existing static study manual with a new fee structure.
Shaikha Al Nowais has been confirmed as the new Secretary-General of UN Tourism. Meeting in Riyadh, the Organization’s General Assembly formally ratified her nomination and showed their strong support. Al Nowais will be the first woman to lead the United Nations Specialized Agency for tourism in its 50-year history.
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 Federal Aviation Administration is forcing airlines to cut 10% of their flights at 40 of the busiest airports across the nation to reduce pressure on air traffic controllers during the ongoing government shutdown and ensure that flying remains safe.
Digital travel tools such as smartphone-based passports, smart glasses and live translation apps are gaining traction among global travellers, especially younger respondents. But widespread adoption still faces resistance due to privacy concerns and technological limitations, according to the Global Rescue 2025 Traveller Safety and Sentiment Survey.
On the Mercator projection, one of the world’s most popular maps, Greenland and Africa appear to be about the same size. But on the Equal Earth projection showing continents in their true proportions, 14 Greenlands would easily fit inside the African continent.
Getting there isn’t half the fun if a poorly packed suitcase yields an unexpected mess, or damaged, items upon arrival. With this in mind, experts at Global Work & Travel, an Australian work-travel brand (with offices in Canada), has a assembled a list of 10 everyday items that can crack, burst, spoil or disappear entirely by the time you land.
By Wallace Immen/ Want a unique winter experience? How about sailing from Barcelona to Rome – in January. Or, trading ski season for a cruise in the Greek Isles? While most cruise ships migrate to warmer oceans in the winter. Windstar is joining a new homing trend with plans to sail its newest ship, Star Explorer year-round in Europe.
By Michael Baginski/ Hawaii is many wonderful things: long sand beaches (both white and black), blue water, white caps and surfing, impossibly dramatic coastlines and fragrant valleys, Polynesian beauties (both female and male), and of course, Israel Kamakawiwoʻole.
Air Canada is looking beyond the U.S. as Canadians continue to shun their neighbour amid the trade war.
A new report that forecasts a significant lodging shortage in Vancouver next summer during the 2026 World Cup games is being used as a pitch by Airbnb for governments to loosen regulations on short-term rentals. Other experts agree that the city isn’t ready for the part it will play in what is arguably the world’s biggest sporting event (along with the Summer Olympics).
Suzanne Acton-Gervais, President of the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA), issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s federal budget:
With 2026 marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the first Lufthansa, Germany’s national airline says it is using milestone as an opportunity to fundamentally redesign its onboard experience. Dubbed FOX – short for Future Onboard Experience – the reset will be introduced next Spring on long-haul routes with the aim of reinforcing Lufthansa’s premium claim.
A new AI-powered tech suite has boosted growth exponentially for the HotelPlanner, which says it can do the same for travel advisors and other travel planners. Reservations.ai delivers natural phone conversations with an AI agent that can handle search pricing and bookings. It also offers omni channel chat (including Whatsapp) that can take the customer right from inspiration to booking.
Towering over Victoria Harbour on the Kowloon waterfront, Rosewood Hong Kong was named the World’s Best Hotel at a gala ceremony last week in London, jumping from third spot in the prestigious The World’s 50 Best Hotels list. The third annual accounting of the best properties around the globe featured 22 destinations across six continents, although, alas, none from Canada.
After well over a century under construction, Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica is ready to raise its immense central tower and become the tallest Christian church in Europe. The basilica’s General Director Xavier Martínez says that “the tower will be finished at the end of this year or the beginning of 2026.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted Tuesday that there could be chaos in the skies next week if the government shutdown drags on and air traffic controllers miss a second paycheck.
The biggest shift in travel this year isn’t where people are going – it’s why. Dubbed the year of the “whycation,” this global mindset marks a move away from simply checking destinations off a list.
By Michael Baginski/ A delegation from Seattle conducted a five-day mission Montreal, Toronto and Edmonton last week, emphasizing the importance of the Canadian market to the cross-border city, which, like much of the U.S., has seen a decline in visitors from their northern neighbours this year.
Air Transat is enhancing its summer 2026 program with a new non-stop service between Montreal (YUL) and Agadir (AGA). This addition strengthens Air Transat’s presence in Morocco and responds to the strong demand from leisure travellers and the Moroccan community in Quebec.
Travellers planning a trip to Halifax can now use Halifax AI, which provides instant answers to any travel or tourism questions about the city and surrounding Nova Scotia region.
From rooftop mulled wine to Northern Lights pop-ups, new festive markets are shaking up the classic winter break in Europe. And according to a new survey, the new entries play to a new theme: less about ticking off touristy Christmas markets, and more about finding something original, local, and TikTok-worthy – particularly for younger travellers.
By Michael Baginski/ Despite some rhetoric south of the border, Visit Lauderdale says Canada is still – and always will be – the destination’s most important international market and, more importantly, “our dear neighbours to the north.”
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s tourism minister has set a firm target for Jamaica’s tourism industry to be fully back in operation by Dec. 15, 2025. To deliver on that goal, Edmund Bartlett activated a high-level Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force and a companion Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee (“Tourism Cares”) to synchronise public and private sector action.
The world’s biggest English language travel trade show – WTM London (otherwise known as World Travel Market) – kicks off today (Nov. 4) at ExCel in London. Building on last year’s turnout, which saw more than 46,000 attendees, 4,000 exhibitors and 50 tourism ministers in attendance, the 2025 edition of WTM London is on track to be the largest in its history.
Visit Lauderdale’s free, award-winning trade platform, Lauderdale Loyalist, powered by TravPRO Mobile, connects travel advisors with interactive training, ready-to-use marketing materials, and a variety of other tools to help them confidently sell Greater Fort Lauderdale.
After two decades of anticipation and countless delays, the Grand Egyptian Museum has finally had its grand reveal, opening in full on the weekend. Located just outside Cairo next to the Giza Pyramids, the $1-billion facility is the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization with over 50,000 artifacts detailing the life in ancient Egypt.