LAST WEEK THIS MORNING: July 13-17, 2026
A round-up of 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.
THE GREAT SIGH: Vancouver tourism takes stock after World Cup
As the FIFA banners come down across Vancouver and barriers are removed from BC Place, Destination Vancouver’s CEO Royce Chwin says the city is working to avoid what he calls “the great sigh.” That’s the lull in tourism that can follow a major event, with Chwin citing the quiet year that came after Vancouver hosted the Olympics in 2010.
CAN’T BEAT THE HEAT: Travellers put record temperatures in context
Despite another summer marked by record-breaking temperatures and increasingly severe weather events worldwide, most experienced international travellers are not overly concerned about extreme heat or weather-related health risks when planning trips abroad, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.
CANADA COMPASS: Canadians invited to celebrate 50 years of World Heritage
The National Trust for Canada, the country’s leading charity dedicated to protecting and promoting heritage places, is marking the 50th anniversary of Canada signing the UNESCO World Heritage Convention beginning with a series of events across the country this month.
DON’T LIE IN THE EXHIBIT: Dutch artwork could make 15,000 peanut butter sandwiches
You got art in my peanut butter. No, you got peanut butter on my art.
EMERALD GETS READY FOR INVASION OF NORMANDY
By WALLACE IMMEN/ Emerald Cruises & Tours celebrated the ceremonial launch of Emerald Lumi, a ship designed specifically to cruise the Seine River and sail right into the heart of Paris. The new ship measures just 110 metres in length, designed to navigate where few other river ships can reach.
LISTENING IN: Remembering Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler, the gravelly voiced, Grammy-nominated Welsh pop star whose 1983 chart-topping power ballad “Total Eclipse of the Heart” enchanted succeeding generations with its bombastic charms during solar and lunar eclipses, has died. She was 75.
WESTJET FLIGHT ATTENDANTS VOTE TO STRIKE
WestJet flight attendants have overwhelmingly authorized a strike that could see thousands of workers walk off the job in fewer than three weeks (Aug. 2) if they are unable to reach a new deal on contract demands.
PILOTS AT FLAIR WILL STAY IN THE AIR
In a bit of good labour news at the other end of the runway from WestJet, Flair Airlines pilots voted overwhelmingly to ratify their tentative agreement reached with company management.
AIR CANADA, HYATT LINK LOYALTY PROGRAMS
Air Canada’s Aeroplan and World of Hyatt have announced a collaboration that will give loyalty plan members more ways to earn and redeem rewards. The collaboration expands member benefits across a combined network of more than 1,300 destinations and 1,500 hotels.
TRAFALGAR INVITES ADVISORS TO BE ‘TRAILBLAZERS’: Given access to new tours before public
Trafalgar has launched Trafalgar Trailblazers, a new advisor advocacy program that gives select travel advisors the exclusive opportunity to preview new itineraries before launch to the public, and at the same time bringing their firsthand knowledge of client preferences into the company’s product development process.
‘LIKE A FAIRYTALE’: Innovative CopenPay tourist rewards program goes global
Copenhagen’s tourist reward scheme has been made a permanent, year-round platform, allowing visitors to the Danish city to earn rewards for positive actions. And the success of the innovative sustainable tourism program is expanding as destinations across Europe, North America, and Australia adopt the concept.
IN-FOCUS PUNTA CANA WELLNESS: Unwind and realign at Grand Palladium resorts
For travellers who believe a truly great vacation leaves them feeling better than when they arrived, Grand Palladium’s Punta Cana collection delivers in full.
HOW WOMEN PRESIDENTS ARE STEERING CRUISE INDUSTRY
Who runs the cruise world? Increasingly, it’s women in leadership positions throughout the industry.
BRAND USA TO BRING ‘TRAVEL WEEK’ TO CANADA
Whatever rhetoric has emanated from the political class south of the border, Brand USA has steadfastly maintained its support for and willingness to remain connected to Canadians and the travel trade here that serves them. To that end, the U.S. DMO has announced it will hold Brand USA Travel Week Canada in the country this Fall.
ACV REVEALS DREAMMAKERS PRODUCT LAUNCH DATES, INTRODUCES GUATEMALA
Air Canada Vacations annual DreamMakers 2026-27 winter product launch tour is returning in September as the popular in-person events call in seven Canadian cities including, new for 2026, Calgary and Quebec City.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: Following the success of its Rookie Camp, Transat launched Group Camp to attendees help further their business in that segment; BermudAir makes a “pledge” to Canadian travel advisors; Roam by Tauck partners with Approach Guides; and St. Kitts & Nevis launches the SKY incentive program, and TICO names its industry advisory council members.
THE NATURE OF THINGS: Dominica makes it easy with curated itineraries
The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) has launched “Summer the Nature Island Way,” a new seasonal travel initiative under its ‘Nature of Love’ destination campaign. The initiative features eight curated itineraries designed to help visitors explore Dominica through adventure, wellness, culture, and nature-based experiences.
CONTRAILS CONUNDRUM: AA, Google test reducing harmful jet trails
Say goodbye to contrails, the symbolic, sometimes beautiful, markers of travel dreams. American Airlines and Google say they have significantly reduced the climate impact of some of the airline’s flights using an AI-based forecasting tool to help prevent the iconic condensation trails.
CANADIAN VISITS TO U.S. CONTINUE TO CLIMB: June trips increase for third straight month
Canadian visits to the U.S. are continuing to climb, rising in June for the third straight month year over year, according to Statistics Canada. Canadian-resident return trips from the United States totalled 1.7 million – an increase of 3.2% from the same month in 2025.
COURT QUASHES GAG ORDER: Passengers free to discuss airline complaints
An Ontario Superior Court judge has struck down a rule that blocks travellers from sharing the outcome of passenger complaints made to the country’s transport regulator.
AIR CANADA LAUNCHES MONTREAL-YUL SHUTTLE
Air Canada has launched the Air Canada City Shuttle, an expansion of its multi-modal partnership with The Landline Company. Now operating, the new service provides a fast, frequent and direct motorcoach connection for Air Canada customers between the Palais des congrès de Montréal and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) for $9 one way, plus applicable taxes.
MAN NEARLY SUCKED OUT OF AIRPLANE: Passengers pulled him back in
A man was partially sucked out of a dislodged airplane window shortly after takeoff on a Ryanair flight from Greece to Germany, but nearby passengers pulled him back inside.
DESTINY AWAITS: Carnival introduce new ship
Carnival Cruise Line marked a major milestone with the traditional steel-cutting ceremony for its newest ship, Carnival Destiny – arriving in summer 2029 as the first of three vessels in its next-generation of ships, officially named Ace Class.
LAST WEEK THIS MORNING: July 6-10, 2026
A round-up of 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.
HOWE NOW: Canada-U.S. bridge set to open again (maybe)
The Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Ontario to Michigan will open July 27, the federal government has confirmed (again). A planned ribbon-cutting ceremony last month was delayed as the Trump administration looked to renegotiate a long-standing agreement between Canada and the U.S.
ACTA EVENT ON COURSE, DESPITE THE STORM
By Michael Baginski/ It wouldn’t have been an ACTA golf tournament without a monsoon, but despite the irritatingly inclement weather, which cut the round short by a few holes, 154 members and friends of the association (220 in all including dinner) enjoyed a full day of industry unity, support, and fun on July 9.
TAKE OFF, EH!: Palm Beach airport changes name to Trump Int., bridge named after president too
A South Florida airport officially changed its name on July 9 to the President Donald J. Trump International Airport. Signs for the Palm Beach International Airport have been removed, while new signage goes up.
WHAT ME WORRY?: Cayman offers peace of mind program in case of hurricane
The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism’s “Worry Free Hurricane Guarantee” is designed to ensure that visitors have peace of mind during their “vaCay” by providing a refund of fees or a generous re-booking window at participating hotels, villas and condominiums across all three islands should a severe storm affect plans.
SUNWING ADDS MSC OPERA TO CRUISE LINEUP
Sunwing Vacations is expanding its winter cruise offering with the addition of MSC Opera, providing Quebec guests with additional options to escape the winter. Beginning Dec. 14, the tour company will offer weekly Monday departures from Montreal to La Romana, D.R., connecting guests to seven-night Caribbean sailings with key inclusions bundled into one booking.