Virtuoso has announced the appointment of Úna O’Leary as VP, global partnerships. Based in Toronto, O’Leary has been the organization’s first general manager, Canada, playing a pivotal role in establishing this country as its own market within the Virtuoso network. In her new role, O’Leary will oversee the continued expansion of Virtuoso’s preferred partner portfolio across the world.
AmaWaterways has announced a robust lineup of exclusive incentives and rewards in celebration of Travel Advisor Appreciation Month. Throughout May, AmaWaterways is thanking its valued travel advisor partners with a series of special offers, including enhanced booking rewards, reduced deposits on 2025 sailings, and the opportunity to win a complimentary river cruise for advisors to experience AmaWaterways firsthand.
By Michael Baginski/ A “reverse” trade mission hosted by New York City Tourism + Conventions last week took on important new meaning as members of the city’s travel trade strived to reverse the current feeling by some Canadians that they are not appreciated or welcome south of the border – a perception perpetuated by well-documented words and deeds of the U.S. president directed towards Canada since taking power (again).
Air Canada’s winter sun schedule for 2025-26 reflects the carrier’s largest network expansion to Latin America to date with 16% more seat capacity over last winter. Highlights of the carrier’s new services include new destinations Rio de Janeiro, Cartagena, Guatemala City, and Guadalajara.
Elvi is leaving the building. TravelBrands’ beloved Elvi Cal is retiring after 38 years at the company. And joining him in a new chapter after 43 years in the business (and 23 years at the company) is the equally admired Lina Côté – both of them feted as industry leaders and having provided “exemplary service” for decades, according to the company.
Air Transat is adding a Latin touch to its winter 2025/26 route network with the addition of new service between Montreal and Guadalajara, Mexico, and extended service between Montreal and Madrid, Spain, to cover part of the winter season.
This week: A quartet of key SkyTeam airlines operating in Canada hosted top tier agencies at a gala in London; TTAND partners with Farenexus; Uniglobe expands; American Express Global Business Travel helps clients reduce carbon emissions; and Virtuoso homes in on its ever-expanding Hotels & Resorts portfolio; and Direct Travel enhances its technology platform.
As the launching point for the famed Agawa Canyon Tour Train, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has long held a prominent place in the province’s tourism landscape, not least with international visitors. But with many in this country seeking homegrown options this summer, the city sees an opportunity to attract even more Canadians to the northern Ontario destination, perched at the central point between lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron.
The wife of a Canadian man who was arrested in the Dominican Republic after he was accused of smuggling drugs says all charges against him have been dropped, but he remains stuck there indefinitely.
By Michael Baginski/ Clients flying to New York with Porter now have a new option with flights to LaGuardia complementing the carrier’s existing Newark service. And with LGA flights departing from Pearson, travellers can also choose an alternative departure point to the Big Apple than Billy Bishop island airport.
The travel industry on both sides of the border was shocked and devastated to learn of the sudden death of Brand USA’s popular Director of Global Trade Development (Canada) on Thursday. Canevari, a familiar figure amongst the trade in Canada, fell ill in Toronto at the start of Brand USA’s second annual trade mission to Canada on April 28, which was to also call in Montreal later in the week.
To show appreciation and celebrate its travel trade partners, WestJet is running a Travel Advisor Appreciation Month contest throughout May – giving advisors a chance to win prizes while being recognized for all they do – year-round.
Passengers with flights to or from Newark Liberty International Airport encountered long delays and cancellations Saturday due to an air traffic controller shortage. The busy airport outside New York City experienced disruptions all week and will continue to face more in the future, according to the CEO of United Airlines.
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 new report says automated bot traffic surpassed human-generated traffic for the first time in a decade, constituting 51% of all web traffic in 2024. And while some bot traffic is from good bots, bad bots can have a huge negative impact on a website or application. And that’s bad news for the travel industry, which saw API-directed attacks surge to 44% of advanced bot traffic, with the travel sector topping the list for bot attacks overall.
New research by Roch Dog, a global certification body for dog-friendly hotels, has revealed a growing gap between what hotels say about being pet-friendly and how they actually treat canine guests. Based on an analysis of 1000 pet-friendly hotels, their research finds that the vast majority of hotels charge dog owners significant pet fees and impose severe restrictions while offering little to no amenities in return.
A few extra inches of legroom and a comfier seat can make a big difference on a flight – and it’s even more enjoyable if it’s free. So, to help maximize the chances of a seat upgrade, frequent flyer experts Flight Hacks have identified some top tips for getting a free flight upgrade and understanding some of the mysteries behind the seat allocation system – helping travellers get the most out of their plane tickets.
Who’s number one? It depends who you ask as Florida’s big cruise ports keep going for records. Greater Miami and Miami Beach have just branded the city the ‘Cruise Capital of the World’ to celebrate milestones that include the opening of the world’s largest cruise terminal and the arrival of several huge new cruise ships.
It’s been over 40 years since the heyday of Triumph, but the great Canadian band is still revered, garnering virtually every honorific possible in this country, and now again in the news thanks to the upcoming release (in June) of a tribute album featuring the likes of band devotees Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Ann Wilson (Heart), Larry Gowan, (Styx), and Sebastian Bach (Skid Row).
Spring’s hotel headlines point to thoughtful growth in the industry, with new openings, innovative ownership models, and seasonal experiences that reflect evolving traveller priorities such as design, connection and a sense of place. Here are five highlights of note.
Yesterday marked the expiration of the Air Transat pilots’ collective agreement that had been in place for over 10 years. Over the last decade, the Air Transat pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have twice put their needs on hold to help their employer—first through the unsuccessful merger attempt with Air Canada and later through the effort to restart the airline following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ponant Explorations is planning a world-first circumnavigation of Antarctica aboard the cruise company’s luxury icebreaker, ‘Le Commandant Charcot’ – a journey the company calls an “unprecedented feat” that will take place between January and March 2028.
As global heatwaves push summer travellers to reconsider their go-to getaways, coolcations are on the rise. Choosing milder destinations over blazing heat, more travellers are seeking out temperate escapes, with the Nordics fast emerging as a frontrunner for summer 2025.
Edmonton International Airport (YEG) has a new sensory room to support passengers with sensory sensitivities, including autism, anxiety and other cognitive or neurodivergent challenges. Developed in collaboration with Autism Edmonton, the space is located post-security in the domestic-international departures lounge across from Gate 49.
Unclaimed Baggage, a retailer of lost luggage, has released its annual 2025 “Found Report,” offering a glimpse into the most curious, costly and common items discovered in unclaimed luggage during the past year. And what happens to those items.
A US senator has asked top Trump administration officials to reconsider policies that are impacting travellers arriving in the United States, particularly in light of upcoming sporting events like the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in part in the country.
Famed rail operator Orient Express has opened its first hotel. Located in Rome, the Orient Express La Minerva reflects the company’s iconic history and refined approach to travel as befitting its home in a revived a 17th-century palazzo in a city that has been an essential stop for Orient Express travellers dating back to 1883.
This week: TTC Tour Brands announced its next tour week, featuring FAMs from Trafalgar, Insight, Contiki, and Costsaver; Travel Leaders Network started off 2025 well; and Ensemble has a new cruise partner.
In 2024, Colombia welcomed a record-breaking 6.7 million international visitors – an increase of around 8.5% from the previous year. So, with the South American country fully back on the tourism map, the president of ProColombia, the promotion agency of Colombia, weighs in on where – and when – to visit in 2025.
SeaWorld Orlando recently reached a historic milestone – 1,000 manatee rescues – marking a significant step in the ongoing fight to protect the vulnerable species. In 2024 alone, SeaWorld Orlando rescued 61 manatees and was able to rehabilitate and return 38 manatees.