Air Canada Vacations has launched a loyalty program for the travel trade. The new ACV Groups Excellence Loyalty Program, a first for ACV, is designed exclusively to reward travel partners for their ongoing support and success in selling groups.
This week: TRAVELSAVERS CANADA is celebrating 25 years; and both Tauck and Oceania Cruises introduced enhanced version of the agent specialist/rewards programs.
Six months ago, Flair Airlines announced “Flair FWD,” a series of “transparent and customer-centric” experience enhancements the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCCD) promised will “deliver the best value in the Canadian skies without losing the affordable prices.” So, where does the airline’s bold initiative stand, er, fly?
Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2025, Club Med this year accelerated its global expansion with plans for new ski resort projects in Canada and Italy. Simultaneously, Club Med plans to soon unveil major renovations at its flagship Punta Cana resort, while preparing to launch groundbreaking resorts in South Africa and Malaysia.
As evidenced by destinations such as Antarctica, Greenland, and the Arctic Circle witnessing higher demand for activities like ice climbing, glacier trekking, polar diving, and wildlife expeditions, the extreme tourism trend is fuelled by travellers’ desire for raw, pristine landscapes and the appeal of experiencing regions most affected by climate change before they transform further.
Police arrested a man at Atlanta’s bustling airport on Monday after getting a tip from his family that he was planning to shoot up the place, and found an assault-style rifle and ammunition in his truck outside, the city’s police chief said.
Hawaiʻi stands apart as a place where nature, culture, and community come together in incredible ways. Across the islands, remarkable experiences await, ranging from dramatic landscapes and iconic landmarks to distinctive flavours that reflect the islands’ history and traditions. Each island offers something unique, yet all share the same enduring spirit of aloha that defines Hawaiʻi’s greatest treasures.
By Michael Baginski/ Vienna stands out as a culture landmark of Europe, but next year the Austrian capital is sinking its teeth into a new theme – it’s food. In 2026, many of the activities of the Vienna Tourist Board will be dedicated to the theme of culinary delights. At the centre is Viennese cuisine – the only cuisine in the world named after a city.
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.