From sports you’ve never heard of to book club retreats, salvaged hotels to farm stays, new trends in 2026 will flip the script on traditional getaways, predicts Expedia in its annual ‘Unpack’ report, which highlights shifts in traveller behaviour and the destinations set to dominate itineraries in the coming year, including several Canadian destinations and activities spotlighted throughout.  

Transport Canada has warned Air India that it faces a loss of its flight authorizations if it does not comply with rules about alcohol consumption. The warning comes after an Air India pilot was offloaded from a plane and arrested at Vancouver International Airport on Dec. 23.

The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has launched a new, enhanced Certification Program and exam for individuals aspiring to become Travel Counsellors and agency Supervisors/Managers.

‘G-Normous’ is back. The four-month competition from G Adventures is designed to supercharge advisor sales while giving agents across the country a chance to compete for a ‘G Dollar’ grand prize worth $10,000, which can be used to book any G Adventures trip globally. In total there are more than $45,000 in prizes to be won during the incentive period.

After several years of labour unrest in transport, Canadian travellers face more potential airline disruptions in 2026. The slew of work stoppages has left many wondering whether the coming year will be more peaceful on the aviation front – or if they still need to book with caution.

While stating on its web site that its flights to the Caribbean and South America are operating “normally,” Air Canada has instituted a limited time allowance for passengers worried about flying to the region to change their plans for free following the U.S.’s military action in Venezuela.

As 2026 dawns, the long-promised return of the Northlander is no longer stuck at the station. Ontario Northland has released a proposed service schedule for the Northlander, offering what travel between Timmins and Toronto could look like when passenger rail service resumes later this year.

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.

A U.S. District Judge’s ruling has cleared the way for Hawaii to include cruise ship passengers in a new tourist tax to help cope with climate change, a levy set to go into effect at the start of 2026. The decision denied a request that sought to stop officials from enforcing the new law on cruises.

New Year’s Eve notwithstanding, travellers are increasingly prioritizing authenticity, nature and mindfulness over partying and nightlife according to Global Rescue Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey. 

Each year, G Adventures releases its annual ‘Where to Travel’ list, looking at hot destinations for the upcoming year. But, this year, the travel company is doing things differently, focussing on how travel can change people, and its power to create lasting happiness. 

Trips by Americans to Canada rose for the first time in eight months in October, Statistics Canada reports. The number of trips to Canada by U.S. residents in October totalled 1,814,406, up 3% compared with 1,760,987 the same month last year.

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.

Call it the ultimate flight tracker. For 70 years, the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline has been tradition at the North American Aerospace Defense Command – a joint U.S. and Canadian operation charged with monitoring the skies for threats since the Cold War.