RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: Lovell is leaving Travel Leaders Network; TTAND is tops at TLN; FAM winners discover Nevada; and Tully’s Crystal vision.
MARGARITAVILLE AT SEA BOOSTS TRAVEL TRADE FOCUS
Margaritaville at Sea says it is implementing a series of “impactful initiatives” designed to strengthen its commitment to the trade, including a full-scale push to reward, engage and empower travel advisors through an expanded Travel Trade team, improved sales tools, and exclusive perks, including FAMs and advisor rates.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT NEW NIMBUS VARIANT
The COVID-19 variant that may be driving a recent rise in cases in some parts of the world has earned a new nickname: “razor blade throat” COVID. That’s because the variant – NB.1.8.1. or “Nimbus” – may cause painful sore throats. The symptom has been identified by doctors in the United Kingdom, India and elsewhere, according to media outlets in those countries.
WAR WREAKS HAVOC ON MIDDLE EAST AIR ROUTES
Dozens of airlines – including Air Canada – are cancelling more flights to the Middle East as the war between Israel/the U.S. and Iran escalates, including an attack by the latter on a U.S. military base in Qatar on Monday.
COUNTDOWN BEGINS TO FORT LAUDERDALE’S MOMENT IN THE SUN
With Chicago now in the books, Fort Lauderdale is now on the clock for next year’s IPW, the U.S. Travel Association’s signature inbound travel trade show, to be held at Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center from May 17-21. And as the future host, Visit Lauderdale shared a snapshot at last week’s IPW in the Windy City of what guests can expect from the South Florida destination in 2026.
AIR CANADA, TRANSAT, PORTER LEAD WAY AT WORLD AIRLINE AWARDS
Canadian airlines were once again flying high as this year’s prestigious World Airlines Awards, conducted by Skytrax. Dubbed “Oscars of the aviation industry,” the awards saw five Canadian carriers rank in the top 100 worldwide, as well as taking home hardware – including top spots – in several other categories.
FORT LAUDERDALE SERVING UP A SIZZLING SUMMER
Known as a vibrant melting pot with residents from more than 170 countries, Greater Fort Lauderdale’s richly diverse community has long shaped its inclusive dining scene. This summer, that global influence takes centre stage as Visit Lauderdale kicks off a season of culinary celebration marked by the return of Dine Out Lauderdale restaurant months, first-time MICHELIN guide recognitions, and notable new restaurant openings.
PAINFUL BUT NECESSARY: Air India flight reduction affects Canada
Air India is facing disruptions – including temporary service cuts to Canada – following the airline’s recent fatal crash. Additional safety inspections on its Dreamliner fleet have also led to flight delays and cancellations.
SELL AND SAVE AS A LAUDERDALE LOYALIST
Visit Lauderdale’s ‘Lauderdale Loyalist’ program is an interactive training and sales experience for travel advisors designed to help sell the South Florida destination, but also to provide deals and discounts that can help agents discover Greater Fort Lauderdale for themselves.
OPPORTUNITY, NOT A THREAT: How European countries are coping with overtourism
Suitcases rattle against cobblestones. Selfie-snappers jostle for the same shot. Ice cream shops are everywhere. Europe has been called the world’s museum, but its record numbers of visitors have also made it ground zero for concerns about overtourism.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: The two sides of America at IPW
By Michael Baginski/ IPW wasn’t a doozy – at least in the way I predicted in this space a week ago. To be clear, the annual U.S. Travel Association tradeshow was absolutely first rate thanks to the organizers, and particularly host city Chicago; however, any anticipated fireworks inside the show were quickly doused by a thorough glossing over by U.S. Travel and Brand USA of the affairs going on outside the convention space.
MAINE MAKES AMENDS FOR TRUMP’S CANADA STANCE
Maine’s governor is in the Maritimes today (Monday) with hopes a charm offensive will slow the rapid drop in Canadian tourist visits to her state. In a release issued Friday, Janet Mills says she’s aware the historically close relationship between New England and its northern neighbours has been challenged by U.S. president Donald Trump’s tariffs and his rhetoric about Canada becoming the 51st state.
WESTJET CYBERATTACK STILL A MYSTERY
The recent cyberattack against WestJet remains unresolved, as questions linger about the nature and fallout of the breach. The airline said last week it was working to assess whether sensitive data or customers’ personal information was compromised after hackers accessed its internal systems.
AIR TRANSAT EYES ISTANBUL
Air Transat will launch a new year-round non-stop route between Toronto and Istanbul starting Dec. 6, operating twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Air Transat and Turkish Airlines have also established an interline partnership aimed at strengthening air service between Canada and Türkiye, while offering travel options to destinations across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
NOT PRETTY IN PINK: Activist sprays paint on Picasso at Montreal museum
A climate activist group claimed responsibility for spraying pink paint on a rare Pablo Picasso painting at a Montreal museum last week. Last Generation Canada says an activist smeared washable paint on the 1901 painting L’hétaïre at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
ROUND-UP: June 16-20, 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.
FEDS, ISRAEL, HELP CANADIANS FLEE MIDDLE EAST
The federal government will help Canadians in Israel and Iran to fly home once they reach neighbouring countries, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Thursday. With airports closed across the region, Ottawa has stationed consular officials on the other side of certain crossings on the Israeli and Iranian borders to help those fleeing either country to get home.
COMPETITION BUREAU RECOMMENDS MAJOR AIR INDUSTRY REFORM
Canada should allow up to 100% foreign ownership of domestic-only airlines, the Competition Bureau says in a new report highlighting the country’s “highly concentrated” aviation industry. In a market study released Thursday, the watchdog suggested a new class of airline that operates only in Canada but could have owners from outside its borders, opening the gate to global expertise – and cash.
SMART TRAVEL WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE: How to avert swipe-and-run phone-snatching trend
If you haven’t heard, smartphone snatching is a thing. A friend of TIT recently had hers snatched out of her hand while walking down a busy sidewalk in a major European city, describing two young people hopping a curb on a scooter in broad daylight and absconding with the device in a lightning quick drive-by strike.
A TRUE TASTE OF MEXICO AT CITY’S TOP RESTAURANT
Quintonil is not your typical Mexican restaurant. Clients book tables months in advance to celebrate special occasions. The World’s 50 Best list ranked it as the most acclaimed venue in the country in 2024 – and No. 7 worldwide. But once in a while something unexpected happens: food brings guests to tears.
SPARING THE CHANGE: The new travel money realities
“I have a friend who just returned from a month in Thailand, China and Vietnam and she dealt exclusively with cash. Brought a wad of C-notes and paid on the spot. Used safes in the hotels for passport, and a belly bag for the day’s cash. Is this something I should do on my coming river cruise on the Rhine?”
LISTENING IN: Linda Ronstadt rolls the dice on Stones classic
By Michael Baginski/ “Tumbling Dice” is often cited as one of the Rolling Stones top songs, so it’s of little surprise that it has been covered by many artists over the years and, surprisingly perhaps, none so capably as Linda Ronstadt. That’s no insult to clearly one of the greatest vocalists of all time, but one tends to recall her softer offerings like “Blue Bayou.”
THE NEW TRAVEL PRIORITIES: Expedia reveals forces fuelling travel bookings in 2025
Expedia Group’s latest research reveals significant shifts in how travellers plan and book travel compared to previous years, including a surge in social media influence and the impact of trust. Drawing on insights from over 11,000 consumers across 11 global markets including Canada, the 2025 Traveller Value Index offers a valuable roadmap for travel brands seeking to meet evolving expectations.
ACTA appoints Suzanne Acton-Gervais as new President
Following an extensive and thorough recruitment process, the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Suzanne Acton-Gervais as its new President, effective July 10, 2025. She succeeds Wendy Paradis who announced her retirement earlier this year following a successful tenure leading the association.
AGE HAS IT’S BENEFITS: Elderly aircraft still provide essential services.
Each morning, travellers and cargo take off from Montreal’s Trudeau airport for a 1,600-kilometre flight to Puvirnituq in northern Quebec aboard a nearly 50-year-old Air Inuit plane. This seasoned Boeing 737 previously cruised the skies above Europe and Central Africa for now-defunct carriers in France, Gabon and the Congo. But now its trips are all-Canadian, shuttling people, food and building materials between the country’s second-biggest city and a village of 2,100.
72 HOURS IN ETHIOPIA
By Nicole Evatt/ As we darted through Addis Ababa’s morning rush hour, my jet lag couldn’t dull the energy of Ethiopia’s capital. We wove through crowds of office workers headed to high-rises and families leading goats home for Orthodox Christmas feasts while our guide explained how one needs at least three weeks to fully experience his country.
CANADA COMPASS: Jasper Dark Sky Festival
Since starting in 2011, the Jasper Dark Sky Festival has steadily grown in popularity and become a signature event for Jasper National Park. Dark sky tourism, a subset of ecotourism, is focused on experiencing the night sky in areas with minimal light pollution and allowing visitors to appreciate natural phenomena such as auroras and eclipses.
ADVENTURE THE DOMINICAN WAY
The Dominican Republic’s reputation for pristine beaches and luxurious resorts is well-established, but beneath this polished exterior beats the heart of an adventure seeker’s paradise.
TRENDING DESTINATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO WATCH
Kensington recently released its inaugural Kensington Travel Trends Report, offering an extensive list of insights and trends on traveller behaviours that are currently influencing client preferences. They range from off-peak and off-the-beaten-path travel to solo and personalized journeys. With this in mind, the Toronto-based travel company has highlighted five special destinations it says are poised to stand out this year and beyond.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: Virtuoso hosted its first Impact Summit and named a new GM for Canada; Celebrity celebrated TTAND; the top agencies and partners of TRAVELSAVERS was revealed; and Air Canada Vacations is set for ‘Simply the Best’ awards for at-home agents.