Canadian permanent residents must now pay a US$250 “visa integrity fee” to enter the U.S. as part of the government’s new “Big Beautiful Bill” legislation, which in part aims to tighten border security.
Despite facing growing economic uncertainties, trade wars and many other moving pieces, Canadians are finding alternative ways, including how they travel and making lifestyle trade-offs, to sustain their ability to travel, according to a recent survey for FlightHub.
When limits on liquids were introduced at airport checkpoints across North America in 2006, bins overflowed with bottled water, toothpaste, shaving cream and so much more. Nearly two decades later, travellers are much more accustomed to the regulations governing the size of the liquids they’re flying with, but scenes of passengers guzzling a beverage before putting their bags through the screening machines are still common.
Citing its ongoing commitment to deepening engagement with one of its fastest-growing international markets, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation has announced the appointment of Siren Communications as its agency of record in Canada, effective immediately.
G Adventures is relaunching sailing adventures along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline after a five-year pandemic pause. The catamaran trips are designed to combine adventure and relaxation in a destination dubbed the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean,’ and known for its natural beauty, cultural richness, and marine wonders. With first departures in December, the seven-day ‘Sri Lanka Sailing – South Coast’ trip can also be combined with land-based trips to create an extended two-week Sri Lanka experience.
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.
Expedia has released its first-ever Island Hot List, a definitive guide to island travel based on verified data and traveller insights. The inaugural report for 2025 reveals global interest for islands is up on average 30 percent.
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) reports that former travel agency owner Mohamed Hachemi Bensaci of Holy Destinations Travel Inc., has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for defrauding consumers of religious travel packages.
By Wallace Immen/ U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have removed and apparently plan to deport crew members from at least four ships cruising the Great Lakes and others on ships sailing from U.S. ports, even though they held valid work visas, according to industry sources.
Whether you’re jetting off on a city break or embarking on a long-haul adventure, what you eat before flying can have a major impact on how comfortable you feel in the air. Senior travel expert Jessie Chambers from Global Work and Travel shares top tips on foods and drinks to avoid before boarding – and some may surprise even seasoned travellers.
Hercules and Ned have quite the spacious office at West Virginia’s busiest airport. The border collies and their handler make daily patrols along the milelong airfield to ensure birds and other wildlife stay away from planes and keep passengers and crew safe.
By Michael Baginski/ I sometimes feel like I was a little AWOL in the ‘90s – culturally that is. In my defence there was marriage, new home, kids (towards the end of the decade), dog, first job in travel (and lots of travelling) … You get the idea. And it’s how I undoubtedly utterly missed Primal Scream – my absolute favourite musical discovery of this year, 2025.
Digital identity protection may be taking a more prominent spot on the packing checklist with nearly half of global consumers (44%) lacking confidence in the travel industry’s ability to protect them from AI-powered fraud including identity theft and account takeover fraud, according to a recent study.
The Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and surrounding area is set to undergo a $10-billion transformation over the next decade. The airport authority for the greater Montreal area says it has negotiated a $1-billion loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to support its plan for the city’s main air hub.
With the first of its three regional Canadian Travel Industry Summits now less than two months away, ACTA has announced its keynote speakers for its events in Toronto (Sept. 11), Montreal (Sept. 18) and Vancouver (Oct. 1). From technology to accessibility and adventure travel, speakers will offer insights designed to help attendees enhance, or simply fine tune, their skills to help drive sales success.
Three locations used by Cambodia’s brutal Khmer Rouge regime as torture and execution sites 50 years ago have been added by UNESCO to its World Heritage List. The three locations were inscribed to the list by the United Nations cultural agency Friday during the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris.
There is a history-rich part of London that few people have seen, where the city braced for the Blitz, James Bond’s creator got inspiration and secret Cold War messages passed between Washington and Moscow. It’s a network of tunnels 30 metres below the streets that was secret for decades — but could be the city’s next big tourist destination.
Arachnophobes beware: Customs officials on Monday released photos from a seizure of roughly 1,500 young tarantulas found inside plastic containers that had been hidden in chocolate spongecake boxes shipped to an airport in western Germany.
WestJet Vacations has launched a new resource portal dedicated to supporting travel advisors. The new centralized hub “for all things WestJet” offers an improved experience that’s more user friendly and “makes it easier for our partners to search and access the tools and information they need to serve our mutual guests as best as possible,” says the company.
U.S. tourism revenue saw a dip for Niagara Parks this spring, but its CEO says that revenue was “more than made up” through other international travellers, particularly coming from the U.K., France, Australia and Poland.
Goway is expanding its Northern Europe offerings with the launch of a dedicated Greenland product line that features four immersive, small-group, and independent trips that highlight the country’s dramatic landscapes, rich Inuit culture, and unique Arctic experiences.
This week: Air Canada Vacations’ advisory board convened at Sandals Montego Bay; TTAND introduces TripBuilder; MSC Cruises’ booking platform is launched in French; Rocky Mountaineer is helping agents get social; and special recognition for Mary Jean Tully.
The Grand Tour of Switzerland is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The now iconic 1,600-km. loop is more than just a scenic drive – it’s a celebration of freedom, discovery, and the joy of the open road, and inviting travellers to slow down, take the scenic route, and rediscover the beauty of Switzerland.
A wildfire that tore through a historic Grand Canyon lodge and raged out of control Monday had been allowed to burn for days before erupting over the weekend, raising scrutiny over the National Park Service’s decision not to aggressively attack the fire right away.
By Mike Foster/ After nearly five decades in the travel industry, I’ve learned that sometimes the most profitable word in your vocabulary is “no.” But it took me years to understand that saying no to the wrong opportunities isn’t limiting your business – it’s focusing it.
American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) has released its annual forecast of global car rental prices, with rate increases expected to stay broadly in line with inflation across most regions – including Canada – according to the Ground Monitor 2025-26 report.
By Michael Baginski/ Grenada continues to be a popular destination for Canadians, but with many currently looking for new destinations beyond the U.S., the island’s new CEO of tourism thinks the time is ripe to make an even stronger case for the Spice Island.
Brightline and Discover the World have announced a global strategic partnership aimed at expanding travel trade opportunities for Brightline’s high-speed rail service in Florida, while also showcasing Brightline’s service for visitors to the Sunshine State.
A restored replica of the square-rigged sailing ship that sparked a wave of Scottish immigration to Nova Scotia more than 250 years ago was relaunched Saturday with a mighty splash into Pictou harbour. After a restoration and public fundraising effort that began in 2019, the rebuilt hull of the Hector was eased into the water sideways during a colourful ceremony on the town’s scenic waterfront
Haiti’s once-illustrious Grand Hôtel Oloffson, a beloved Gothic gingerbread home that inspired books, hosted parties until dawn and attracted visitors from Mick Jagger to Haitian presidents, was burned down by gang last week.