ROUND-UP: May 19-23, 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.
GOING ALONE: Safety concerns shape solo traveller behaviour
While solo travel remains popular and empowering for many, safety remains a top concern – especially when choosing destinations and accommodations The survey revealed that nearly one in three travellers (33%) have been victims of theft, scams or other crimes while abroad.
GIVE IT BACK: Ryanair demands flight attendants return raises.
A Spanish High Court judge ruled in March that an agreement over salaries between the union CCOO and Ryanair last year was not valid after rival union USO contested it in January. Now Irish airline Ryanair has asked some flight attendants in Spain to pay back thousands of euros in raises they have received since last year as part of the union deal later struck down in court.
UP IN SMOKE: Why Nevada weed tourism hasn’t taken root
Cannabis lounges were once seen as a promising new frontier in Nevada’s legal marijuana industry – the bedrock of a new Amsterdam-like weed tourism district in a Sin City on the cutting edge of hospitality innovation.
HAVANA’S UNEXPECTED DIGITAL RESTAURANT, WITH A ROBOT WAITRESS
Even as Cuba struggles with power outages and technological scarcity, Havana’s Doña Alicia restaurant has leaped into the 21st century with digital menus, Alexa-enabled assistance, touchless bathrooms and even a food-delivering robot.
CAN YOU MAKE PERFECT BADDER? Royal’s Going to Try
Bigger, badder, bolder. Those are the lofty goals Royal Caribbean wants to hit with its massive new destination for its cruises to Mexico. Perfect Day Mexico in Costa Maya will be Royal Caribbean’s largest private water park development, featuring the tallest water slides in the Americas, a river more than a mile long and six enormous pools. They’re promising 12 eateries and 24 drinkeries — including six swim-up bars.
LISTENING IN: Comedy-inspired Middle Aged Dad Jam Band no joke
Which of us aging dads hasn’t had – or at least hasn’t wanted to – have their own band out in the garage? Well, the Middle-Aged Dad Jam Band (MadJB) has actually fulfilled that fantasy. Formed during the pandemic by members of the comedy troupe The State, the project is no joke. All accomplished musicians, the group exploded on social media, formed their own YouTube channel, and enlisted celebrity friends to join them in performing a repertoire of favourite pop-rock classics, like Kristen Bell in today’s rendition of “Islands in the Stream.”
‘PEOPLE ARE JUST SCARED’: Travel agent sees drop in U.S. bookings
While the United States was once a top travel destination for Canadians looking for sunshine, shopping, and seasonal escapes, those travel patterns are changing. According to Laurie Leonard, a senior corporate travel agent with Enjoy Travel in Timmins, American destinations just aren’t drawing the same crowds anymore.
SETTLING IN WITH AI: And how it’s transforming Canada’s travel industry
By Suzanne Sangiovese/ AI is no longer just an emerging trend in travel – it’s a driving force behind smarter, more seamless experiences. It’s proving valuable in destination research and itinerary optimization, as well as transforming how businesses and travellers engage with services. From tailored trip planning to streamlined customer support, intelligent solutions are redefining how the industry operates and meets diverse travel needs.
WESTJET COMMITTED TO ACCESSIBILITY
WestJet has launched its participation in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, which allows guests with non-visible disabilities to discreetly signal that they may require more assistance while travelling, including extra time, patience and support.
LOS CABOS MARKS CANADIAN MILESTONE
Canadian arrivals in Los Cabos have jumped over 12% in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, making Canada the fastest-growing international market for the Pacific Mexican destination.
CANADA COMPASS: Top summer roadtripping routes in Quebec
Québec’s country roads are brimming with regional flavours, scenic landscapes and local culture. Here are four signature tourist routes and itineraries that encourage visitors to chart a course by car (or bike) and discover the sights and flavours of the province.
CULTURE COMES ALIVE IN JAMAICA
“Out of Many, One People” isn’t just a motto in Jamaica, it perfectly describes this vibrant yet laidback country at its core. Influenced by far-flung destinations such as Africa, Europe and Asia, the destination has a culture that is truly unlike any other. These influences are put on display at various events throughout the year, allowing vacationers to get a firsthand look at Jamaica’s colourful culture and the magic that one can find there.
THE NEXION CONNECTION: Host agency takes stock in Canada
By Michael Baginski/ Travel remains strong in 2025, according to a new survey of Nexion Travel Group (NTG) members in Canada, who report that factors such as global uncertainty, political tensions between the U.S. and Canada, as well as a weaker loonie and economic distrust, have affected where – but not whether – Canadians are travelling this year.
EMIRATES, MSC CRUISES COMBINE TO DEVELOP DUBAI TOURISM
Emirates and MSC Cruises have extended their long-term strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the air-sea traveller experience, supporting Dubai’s cruise ambitions to become a major cruise hub, and exploring future opportunities for joint growth across the airline’s extensive network.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: Travel Oregon host Brand USA FAM winners; Virtuoso and Uniglobe Travel Canada members gathered in exotic locals; First in Service enhanced support for members; and a Toronto TRAVELSAVERS advisor received a uniquely prestigious award.
SKYROUTE, FARENEXUS INTRODUCE NEW NEXT-GEN BOOKING PLATFORM
Toronto-based Skyroute Travel Group has partnered with travel technology provider Farenexus Group to launch NetFaresHub, a next-generation, intelligent booking platform designed to empower travel agencies across the Canadian market.
TORONTO EVENT REVEALS THE SECRETS OF SRI LANKA
The travel trade is being invited to discover Sri Lanka at a unique event taking place May 31 as part of the World Travel Expo at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Supported by the Sri Lanka High Commission, the event is being hosted by Prestige Discoveries in partnership with the Global Tourism Film Festival, and will feature the documentary film ‘Realm of Paradise,’ by filmmaker and avid traveller Anna Leonti.
CANADIANS HELP DRIVE CARIBBEAN TOURISM GROWTH
By Michael Baginski/ With Canadian visitations rebounding and a continued strong interest from the U.S., the Caribbean tourism sector is continuing robust recovery and expansion, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).
I WANT MY BAG AND I WANT IT NOW
Travellers like to get their bags. So declares the International Air Transport Association, which has launched a Global Baggage Roadmap to modernize baggage operations. To be developed with airlines, airports, and industry partners over a mere 10-year timeframe, the roadmap sets a clear path, says IATA, to improve both operational efficiency and traveller satisfaction
ORLANDO SET FOR FIRST NEW THEME PARK IN 25 YEARS
From Harry Potter to Super Mario Bros. to Frankenstein’s monster, Universal Orlando Resort is pulling out all the pop culture stops at its newest and largest theme park in Florida – the multibillion-dollar Universal Epic Universe, opens this week (May 22) with five distinctively themed sections and a 500-room hotel.
CRUISE LINES OFFER $1,000 BOOKING INCENTIVE
Ponant Explorations and Paul Gauguin Cruises are celebrating the “indispensable role of travel advisors” during Travel Advisor Appreciation Month in by offering a special booking incentive that gives agents the opportunity to earn up to US$1,000 in gift cards per new booking made in May.
FAMED LOUISIANA PLANTATION DESTROYED BY FIRE
Flames ripped through Nottoway Plantation House in Louisiana last Thursday, destroying much of a historic structure said to be the southern U.S.’s largest remaining antebellum mansion. Used as a plantation house when it was completed in 1859, the site was described as a “a cornerstone of our tourism economy and a site of national significance,” by local officials, having served before the fire as a resort and event venue.
ROUND-UP: May 11-15, 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.
WHERE THE BUFFALO DON’T ROAM
Call it a canary in the coal mine: Canada’s Big Three telecommunications carriers say they are taking in less revenue from international roaming so far this year as fewer Canadians travel to the U.S. amid the ongoing trade war.
AIR TRANSAT ADDS TRIO OF NEW CANADIAN GATEWAYS
Air Transat has announced the addition of three new departure points in Canada for winter 2025-26. Travellers from Windsor (YQG) will have access to weekly flights to Punta Cana (PUJ), while those directly connect clients in Charlottetown (YYG) and Fredericton (YFC) to Cancún (CUN).
THE REEL THING: Expedia converts social media into bookable travel
Expedia Trip Matching is a new first-of-its-kind feature that allows travellers to seamlessly build an itinerary based on reels found on Instagram and then book directly on Expedia. Travellers can share any publicly available travel-related reel – whether from content creators they follow or trending posts – directly with Expedia and receive customized itineraries, destination ideas, and travel tips based on the video.
CANADA COMPASS: Delayed Niagara City Cruises launches for summer
Following a colder-than-usual winter, Niagara City Cruises has launched its 2025 ‘Voyage to the Falls boat tour,’ welcoming guests back to one of Niagara’s most iconic experiences.
REGENT’S DRAMATIC NEW SHIP CELEBRATES PAST AND FUTURE
They call the atrium Starlight and its design swirls into the heavens. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is taking inspiration from the past and looking to the future with the showy interiors of its newest ship Seven Seas Prestige.
LISTENING IN: We’re with The Band
I heard this song – this version, at least – walking through an airport somewhere and it stopped me in my tracks. Almost missed my flight. I’m kidding, of course, but The Band’s folksy, Appalachian treatment of the Bruce Springsteen classic “Atlantic City” did give me a “what is this?” moment and sent me searching on the Internet when I got home.