DRONE WARS: Munich airport reopens after mysterious overflights

Germany’s Munich Airport reopened Saturday morning after authorities shut it down the night before for the second time in less than 24 hours after two additional drone sightings, officials said. The closures are the latest after mysterious drone overflights in the airspace of European Union member countries.

ROUND-UP: Sept. 29-Oct. 06, 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.

LIVING WITH A LIMP LOONIE: Timely tips to save on exchange rates

Let’s face it, the value of our dollar sucks, hovering in the low 70s-cent range (against the US greenback) and having recently dubiously descended to near 20-plus-year lows. Remember the heady days of 2011 when the loonie was actually worth $1.06 U.S?

STORMS SPARE BERMUDA THE WORST, HEADED FOR U.K.

The core of Hurricane Imelda was moving past Bermuda early Thursday as weather conditions were expected to improve around the tiny British territory that reported major power outages and downed trees, but no injuries. A tropical storm warning remained in effect after the weather system swiped the island and then lost strength.

CUNARD CELEBRATES FASHION ON THE HIGH SEAS

By Wallace Immen/ Iconic fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie and Julien’s Auctions will join Cunard’s ‘Transatlantic Fashion Week’ voyage aboard flagship Queen Mary 2 this fall. Following Paris Fashion Week, this extraordinary journey will celebrate the world of fashion and style on the high seas.

LISTENING IN: Funk to funky, Bowie exhibit tells all in London

When David Bowie died in 2016, he left a vast musical legacy – and a trove of unrealized projects. Tantalizing details of those abandoned and unfinished ideas are revealed in Bowie’s archive, which recently opened to the public at the David Bowie Centre in London.

ADAMO TO RETIRE, TRANSAT TWEAKS LEADERSHIP TEAM

Prominent Canadian travel industry figure Joseph (Joe) Adamo has announced his intention to retire from Transat A.T. as of Dec. 31, setting in motion a reorganization of the company’s commercial leadership team.

HOW THE U.S. GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN AFFECTS TRAVEL

As U.S. Democrats and Republicans continue to wrangle over critical funding, the U.S. Travel Association warned Wednesday that a U.S. federal government shutdown could cost the U.S. travel and tourism industry $1 billion per week and that travellers could expect to face longer TSA lines, increased flight cancellations, and deteriorating conditions at national parks.

SUN RUN: Porter announces major winter expansion

Porter Airlines is announcing a significant expansion of its 2025-26 winter schedule, increasing flights to southern destinations by up to 25% during peak travel periods and unveiling four new routes, including its first transborder service from Vancouver (to Phoenix).

JAMAICA BROADENS CONNECTIVITY – INSIDE AND OUT

With year-end arrivals projected at 4.5 million – comprising 3.1 million stopover visitors and 1.4 million cruise passengers – Jamaica has secured its position as the Caribbean’s most connected destination, achieving record-breaking global linkages while advancing an ambitious agenda for inclusive and sustainable tourism growth.

TAKING ECO TO THE ALTER AT SANDALS AND BEACHES

Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts have unveiled a new eco-chic wedding inspiration for 2026. “Nature’s Vow” is rooted in the spirit of the Caribbean with a design that blends sustainable elements with elevated style, promising “a trend-forward way to honour love, nature, and purpose, surrounded by friends and family.

LESS IS MORE: Lufthansa to lop thousands of jobs thanks to AI

Citing the “profound changes” brought about by digitization and artificial intelligence, Lufthansa Group says it will shed 4,000 jobs by 2030 – even as the company is reporting strong demand for air travel and predicted stronger profits in years ahead.

THE FOSTER FILES: Chasing the perfect sale, and why it doesn’t exist

By Mike Foster/ If you’ve been in travel long enough, you’ve probably dreamed of the “perfect sale.” Mine? One delightful human who buys the same $10-million trip every year, loves every minute, and never needs me to leave a bottle of cheap wine in the room. At a 15% commission, I’m good with one sale a year. Easy, right? 

MARRIOTT BONVOY LAUNCHES OUTDOOR PLATFORM AND COLLECTION BRAND

Marriott International has introduced a new digital platform that enables travellers to discover and book their next trip based not only where they want to go, but what they love to do. Through Marriott Bonvoy Outdoors, travellers can now search across 450-plus hotels, 50,000 Homes & Villas, and curated Tours & Activities that offer immediate access to activities across several categories: Ski & Snowboard, Hike & Glamp, Bike, Scuba & Snorkel, Surf, Fish, and Paddle.

BOEING BACKED TO CERTIFY MAX JETS AGAIN AFTER CRASHES

Boeing is getting back the ability to perform final safety inspections on 737 Max jetliners and certify them for flight more than six years after crashes of the then-new model killed 346 people.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives

This week: TRAVELSAVERS Canada is headed to San Antonio in 2026; Marco Pozzobon is moving on up at ACTA; Nexion names its award winners for the year; a Groups and Charters module has been added to Quark Expeditions’ learning platform for travel advisors; and Britain’s The Great West Way touring route has released a helpful, new trade directory.

PHILLY CALLS ON CANADIAN EX-PATS TO EXTEND BROTHERLY LOVE

Philadelphia is extending its brotherly love to Canadians and urging them to visit the city at the time when they “might need extra encouragement to return to the U.S.” by utilizing an impressive lineup of Canadians who know the city well – because they have made it their home.

ISLAND INDULGENCES: A look at luxe in Nassau & Paradise Island

No one does luxe like Nassau & Paradise Island. From swank hotels to fine dining, relaxing spa treatments, high-end shopping, and a host of private experiences for just you and a few, the Bahamas destination – more accessible than ever this winter from Canada – has something to inspire everyone’s ideal indulgences. Here’s a guide to finer side of Paradise.

PORTER, AMERICAN AIRLINES INTRODUCE CODESHARE

American Airlines and Porter Airlines are teaming up on a new codeshare partnership to give customers more options for cross-border travel. Porter will place its code on select American transborder and domestic flights, giving passengers seamless access to more destinations when travelling from Canada.

SUNWING BOOSTS COMMISSION OPTIONS WITH NEXUS TOURS INTEGRATION

Sunwing Vacations Group (SVG) has integrated the NexusTours Agent Portal into all three of its brands’ travel agent portals: Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Quebec. The integration creates a new earning opportunity for travel advisors, with 10% commission available on all excursion bookings and, in October, agent are being offered a chance to win a trip to Mexico.

DOMESTIC TOURISM RISE OFFSET BY U.S. DECLINE

Statistics Canada says total tourism spending in the country in the second quarter totalled $26.5 billion, marking a marginal 0.9% increase based on a rise in domestic travel that was offset in part by fewer visitors from the U.S.

VICTORY WON, CAN THEY DO IT AGAIN IN 2026

By Wallace Immen/ John Waggoner is taking a Victory lap. The CEO of Victory Cruise Lines says its inaugural season on the Great Lakes was a race run from a literal standing start, but Victory lived up to its name. He’s confident lessons learned this year will make the 2026 season even stronger.

INTREPID NAMES NEW HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS IN CANADA

Intrepid Travel has promoted Caroline Tinsley to the newly created role of Head of Partnerships, Canada, marking a key strategic investment in the company’s growth across the Canadian market. 

U.S. PRECLEARANCE AT RISK: Ambassador warns numbers now not working

U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra says the administration might have to “take a look at” customs preclearance at Canadian airports for U.S.-bound travellers, given the drop in cross-border visitors. Preclearance, which has been in place since 1952, enables travellers to be inspected before their departing flights, bypassing officers at their U.S. destination. 

SPAIN TALKS SUSTAINABILITY, AND TOURISM, IN TORONTO

With the travel industry preparing to mark World Tourism Day on Saturday (Sept. 27), it was fitting that just a couple of days prior, the Tourist Office of Spain welcomed close to 75 tourism leaders and members of the Canadian trade to “Spain Talks” in Toronto – a thought-provoking exploration of contemporary challenges and innovative solutions in sustainable tourism.

COPA PROMOTES PANAMA AT CANADIAN TRADE EVENTS

Copa Airlines, in partnership with Visit Panama, took part in a two-city roadshow in Toronto and Montreal last week, showcasing Panama´s unique tourism offerings and stopover program to the Canadian travel trade. The roadshow featured over 17 key Panamanian suppliers, including hotels, DMCs, rental car companies, and attractions.

RIU ARRIVES IN CANADA: Opens new four-star in Toronto

RIU Hotels & Resorts has opened its first hotel in Canada: the Riu Plaza Toronto. The newly built four-star hotel has 352 rooms and is located at 30 Widmer St. in the bustling Entertainment District, walking distance from the Rogers Centre and other downtown attractions.

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