AmaWaterways and Smithsonian Journeys – the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution specializing in small-group travel – have announced an alliance, starting in 2026. Beginning in April, select European river cruises will feature exclusive experiences, drawing on the Smithsonian’s 175-plus-year history as the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex.
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.
US President Donald Trump’s targeting of Canada has left people feeling hurt and betrayed in central Newfoundland, where on Sept. 11, 2001, residents famously dropped everything to care for thousands of people stranded by terrorist attacks against the United States.
The National Travel Agent Survey will now be closing on Sunday, Feb. 15, and it is making a last call for participants. Conducted by Rob Glennie Consulting of Winnipeg, the survey is designed to obtain invaluable insights into the industry and travel agents across Canada.
A mountain in New Zealand considered an ancestor by Indigenous people has been recognized as a legal person after a new law granted it all the rights and responsibilities of a human being. The pristine, snow-capped dormant volcano is the second highest on New Zealand’s North Island at 2,518 metres and a popular spot for tourism, hiking and snow sports.
The Scottish government wants everyone to know it does not plan to ban cats. First Minister John Swinney was forced to issue the statement after a report by independent experts branded felines a threat to Scotland’s wildlife and suggested “containment” measures be considered to reduce the damage.
A new concept on the coming Celebrity Xcel will be unlike anything at sea, offering guests activities to “explore the world before you even get there,” Celebrity Cruises promises. The Bazaar is is a three-level, multi-sensory space designed to physically transform several times over the course of each sailing to introduce travellers to experiences inspired by the destinations they visit.
Great Scottish band The Waterboys are set to release their 16th album on April 4. Including such stellar guests as Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle and Fiona Apple. ‘Life, Death And Dennis Hopper’ is said to be “the epic story of the trailblazing American actor and rebel told through a song cycle depicting not only Hopper’s story but the saga of the last 75 years of western pop culture.” Hmm.
The travel industry on both sides of the border continues to hold its breath after announced tariffs on Canadian goods entering America – set to take effect on Tuesday – were delayed 30 days. Such was the anger in Canada that the threat of a 25% tax by Donald Trump (10% on energy) prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to urge Canadians to “choose Canada,” including “changing your summer vacation plans to stay here in Canada.”
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has barred WestJet from telling travellers their reimbursement for meals and accommodations is capped. The ruling states that “passengers would suffer harm” if WestJet continued to communicate the policy to customers or post it on its website, which laid out fixed dollar limits on repayment amounts.
Ecuador’s rich natural heritage, diverse culture, and wide range of adventure activities – with natural wonders including the Amazon rainforest, the Galapagos Islands, and the Avenue of the Volcanoes – is no secret. But with so many options, what is right for clients? A handful of Goway’s destination expert are eager to share their insider’s tips to help insure they get the most out of their South American adventure in one the world’s most remarkable destinations.
Braving tariff-related sentiment, a travel trade mission from the state of Colorado called in Toronto Tuesday night inviting Canadians to discover – or return to – a state with an endless, and sometimes surprising, array of attributes for visitors.
Sunwing Airlines, embarked on its second annual celebratory flight in honour of Black History Month on Tuesday. Departing from Toronto to Montego Bay, the flight was led by a Black flight deck and cabin crew.
Despite its uncertain status in the US, TikTok continues to shape travel trends, providing travel sellers a golden opportunity to captivate new audiences and ignite interest. Through vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and immersive experiences, travel is perfectly positioned to shine on this fast-growing platform.
Vancouver-based birth tourism operator Liga Lin says her phone has been buzzing with inquiries from expectant mothers since US President Donald Trump moved to end American birthright citizenship.
Porter Airlines is bringing new air service to Hamilton, Ont., with four routes launching in June. John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) will be connected coast to coast through daily flights to Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG), Halifax (YHZ) and Vancouver (YVR), starting this June.
Lynda Falcone is retiring after a remarkable 48 years in the travel business. Having served for the past 17 years as national travel trade manager for VisitBritain, Falcone plans to say cheerio in April (actual date TBA).
This week: Big news at Trevello; new ownership at the Stewart Travel Group; a new and familiar name at Travel Leaders Network; Ensemble kicked off its 2025 event schedule; and incentives from TravelBrands and Brand USA.
The Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau has engaged Toronto-based VoX International for Canadian representation, specifically to the assist the Florida destination with public relations, marketing and travel trade outreach across the country.
Intrepid Travel has acquired leading Dutch tour operator Sawadee Reizen from Travelopia in a landmark deal, signalling a major step into a new market and an ambition to grow its style of responsible small group travel in Europe.
Despite a last-minute reprieve (for 30 days at least), travel trade organizations on both sides of the border are condemning the prospects of tariffs (which were to take effect Feb. 4) by the US on Canadian goods, agreeing that the tax could impact the number of Canadian travellers south of the border and result in industry job losses in both countries.
Emergency crews deployed on the volcanic Greek island of Santorini on Monday after a spike in seismic activity raised concerns about a potentially powerful earthquake. Precautions were also ordered on several nearby Aegean Sea islands — all popular summer vacation destinations — after more than 200 undersea earthquakes were recorded in the area over the past three days.
Despites concerns about impacts on tourism, British Columbia is launching a registry for short-term rentals to further crack down on “speculators” operating illegally. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says the concerns over tourism are “overblown,” adding, “People still want to visit BC. People still want to live in BC.”
WestJet has begun to gear up for a major growth spurt this year, with a focus on in-country travel brought on by a low loonie and pinched pocketbooks. Flight volumes from the country’s second-largest airline will increase by 10 percent this summer compared to last, WestJet says.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced Tuesday that the “Mona Lisa” will get its own dedicated room inside the Louvre – the world’s most-visited museum – under a major renovation and expansion of the Paris landmark that will take up to a decade.
Visitors to Tokyo and Kyoto might not realize it, but Osaka – one of Japan’s biggest and oldest cities, known more as a business hub than a tourist destination – is gearing up to host this year’s World Exposition. The city has been plastered with the Expo’s red-and-blue “Myaku-Myaku” mascot for months and is abuzz with preparations.
Based on the highest ratings and best reviews from shared by a global community of millions of travellers over the past year, Tripadvisor has revealed its Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2025, celebrating the world’s top-rated destinations. And with a nod to its 25th anniversary this year, Tripadvisor has also added a category reflecting its top destinations of the last 25 years, based on all-time reviews since inception.
The airspace around Washington, D.C., is congested and complex – a combination aviation experts have long worried could lead to catastrophe. Those fears materialized last Wednesday night when an American Airlines plane collided with a military helicopter in a crash that has been called “stunningly preventable.”
The rare unfurling of an endangered plant that emits the smell of decaying flesh recently drew hundreds of devoted fans to a greenhouse in Sydney, Australia, where they joined three-hour lines to experience a momentous bloom – and a fragrance evoking gym socks and rotting garbage.
An aircraft developed by Boom Supersonic has become the first independently funded jet to break the sound barrier. The XB-1 aircraft accelerated to Mach 1.05 at about 35,000 feet during a test flight on Jan. 29 in the same Mojave Desert airspace in California where Charles “Chuck” Yeager was the first person to break the sound barrier in 1947.