The final cruise ship of the 2025 season, Coral Princess, departed from the Canada Place cruise terminal in Vancouver today (Tuesday) marking the end of a cruise season in which 301 cruise ships called in the city, delivering 1.2 million passengers since March 5. The successful 2025 season follows several record seasons, with preliminary bookings indicating another strong year to come in 2026.
A German museum was unexpectedly overrun last week by Taylor Swift fans because one of its paintings bears a striking resemblance to the opening scene of Swift’s current No. 1 hit video, “The Fate of Ophelia.”
By Michael Baginski/ Given the “current environment,” it’s not surprising that Canadian travel to the U.S. is suffering a “serious decline,” says an executive for Brand USA, who nevertheless suggests that things could be worse, even if Mexico has recently surpassed Canada as the U.S.’s top international source market for visitors.
Sunwing Vacations Group (SVG) reports that advance bookings this winter are strong and trending ahead of last year, with customers particularly keying in on Caribbean and Latin American destinations as demand shifts from transborder.
With a substantial and welcome increase in airlift from this country to the Bahamas this winter – and the need to put more Canadian bums in seats – the islands’ ministry of tourism conducted a sales mission in three secondary, though important, markets last week, opting for Ottawa, Halifax and Calgary (ahead of more populated, and more frequently visited, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver).
Travel South USA has launched a new campaign for both Canadian travellers and travel trade.
In a minutes-long strike Sunday inside the world’s most-visited museum, thieves rode a basket lift to the Louvre, forced a window into the Galerie d’Apollon – while tourists pressed shoulder-to-shoulder in the corridors – smashed display cases and fled with priceless Napoleonic jewels, officials said.
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.
Did you stay for a week in a hotel room right next to the boiler room? Did your lucky hat get eaten at a local petting zoo? Did a translation error with your rideshare driver result in getting dropped off at a funeral parlour instead of the ice-cream parlour? Travel Insurance provider Travel Guard says it’s heard them all.
Travellers are flying with more lithium battery-powered devices than ever before. An IATA passenger survey found that 83% carry a phone, 60% bring a laptop, and 44% travel with a power bank. While these items are generally safe when handled properly, improper packing or damage can pose serious risks.
Dog owners often face a dilemma before travelling: leave your beloved pet with a sitter or at a kennel? Both require quite some planning and logistics, which can be stressful and time-consuming for fur parents.
Century-old wreaths made from human hair fill the walls of Leila’s Hair Museum, and glass cases overflow with necklaces and watch bands woven from the locks of the dead. There also are tresses purported to come from past presidents, Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe and even Jesus.
By Wallace Immen/ Did you know that Royal Caribbean Cruise Line came within hours of being bought by its rival, Carnival? Know what made them decide to cut ships in half? Or why the Swedish Air Force was ready to shoot down a thrill ride planned on the Oasis of the Seas?
By Michael Baginski/When Rockin’1000 says it’s the Biggest Rock Band on Earth, it ain’t kidding – it’s a group comprised of 1,000 members – singers, drummers, and guitarists – that astonishingly come together in unison to play rock anthems at mega stadium concerts around the world.
In its 2026 Virtuoso Luxe Report, the travel agency network concludes that modern luxury travellers are no longer satisfied with luxury for its own sake. Rather, they are pursuing exotic encounters, slowing down to savour each moment, and curating journeys that are meaningful, restorative and deeply personal. And they need a travel advisor to help do it (better).
Jamaica’s minister of tourism has set bold new targets for the Canadian market, aiming to welcome 600,000 Canadian visitors annually and generate US$750 million in tourism earnings by 2030. This ambitious goal comes as the destination experiences a significant 22% increase in Canadian airlift capacity for the upcoming winter season.
In the latest sign of the times, Virgin Voyages and Google Cloud have announced a strategic partnership to embed generative AI across the cruise line’s business, with more than 50 specialized AI “agents” on Gemini Enterprise now deployed company-wide. “Email Ellie,” the first agent from this collaboration, has already driven significant business impact, contributing to a record-breaking sales month and validating the company’s ambitious AI strategy, says the cruise line.
India’s prime minister inaugurated a new international airport in India’s financial capital, Mumbai, last week, marking a step forward in expansion of the country’s fast-growing aviation network. Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to begin operating in December and will make Mumbai the only metropolitan area in the world’s most populous country to have a second international airport.
Whether by car, coach or luxury train, experiencing the lochs and glens and cultural highlights of Scotland has long been celebrated as one of Europe’s most stunning touring adventures. From the Edinburgh Festivals and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to community and Highland Games events, summer in Scotland is never short of great events and experiences.
Independent rail vacation provider Railbookers has unveiled a new and expanded collection of itineraries that celebrate travelling around the world by luxury train. The 2026 collection includes four new itineraries ranging from 29 to 48 days aboard some of the world’s most desired trains.
Whether booking a stay inspired by a favourite novel, or flying across the world for a viral snack, Canadians are seeking experiences that reflect their identities, according a new 2026 travel trends report by global travel platform Skyscanner, which declares, “This marks the year where travel becomes more personal than ever.”
The opportunity to open new markets is just one reason Air Canada network planners are eagerly anticipating the arrival into its fleet of the airline’s first Airbus A321XLR in 2026. While the first delivery of the aircraft is “on the horizon,” logistically it won’t likely be drafted into service before next summer, says the company.
ACTA is launching a special Accessible Travel Advisor Directory, a first-of-its-kind resource designed to connect Canadians with travel advisors specializing in accessible travel for both visible and non-visible disabilities. Agents are now able to apply for inclusion in the guide.
This week: Direct Travel realigned its management structure (banner photo); Voyzant and Ensemble named new VPs; and Travelport-connected agencies now have full access to Air Canada NDC content; and agents will find themselves in a fine pickle with Sandals’ new incentive.
With St. Vincent and the Grenadines proving to be one the fastest-growing destinations in the Caribbean, the islands’ government has announced the injection of some USD$20 million on the upgrade and development of new tourism sites and four new hotels – one of them being a new Beaches resort that represents the largest single tourism development in the nation’s history.
Léonardo Fiori has been appointed as Transat’s account manager for the territories of Montréal, Laval, Lanaudière, Laurentides, and Abitibi. Fiori has held several positions at Transat Tours Canada, including Special Groups and Events Coordinator, Group Agent, and Reservations Agent.
As summer comes to an end, Myrtle Beach is the ultimate place to keep the season alive with a nostalgic autumn escape. Golden sunshine, gentle breezes and 100 km of shoreline set the stage for a second summer that pairs seaside traditions with modern experiences, making it easy to have seasonal fun in the South Carolina destination.
By Michael Baginski/ A day of celebrating with industry was hardly enough to contain 25th anniversary celebrations for RIT Royal Irish Tours and the company’s affable founder Ian Duffy, who started the suburban Toronto-based tour operator in the tumultuous days after 9/11, but nevertheless saw the business thrive and grow, and is now looking to the next a quarter century with a second generation of Duffys in the fold.
Canadians notably know Myrtle Beach in the Spring when the city’s iconic Can-Am Days come to life. In 2026, the 65th annual event will take place from March 13 to 22 with a celebration of the friendship between the South Carolina destination and Canada, and where visitors from north of the border are “welcomed, expected, appreciated and embraced” and offered a comprehensive program of activities and deep discounts on accommodations, attractions, shopping and more.
Air Canada resumed flights to Israel late last week (Oct. 9), the latest carrier to return to Israel following similar moves by United and Delta. The Canadian carrier had been scheduled to resume service to Tel Aviv (TLV) on Sept. 8 but postponed implementation by a month due to what it called “geopolitical uncertainly in the region.”