It’s complicated. Air travel up, car travel down. And vice-versa. Big drops, steady gains. Anecdotal evidence, statistical counterpoint. So, where exactly does Canadian travel to the U.S. stand – where has it been (down, we know, but how much) and where is it headed? Statistics Canada tells all in a “year in review” report, which we present here.
For years, the world’s business travel map was largely defined by financial centres and corporate headquarters. Today, professionals are increasingly drawn to destinations that combine economic relevance with lifestyle appeal.
Travel Leaders Network will launch a dedicated two-day conference created exclusively for Canadian travel advisors and preferred partners this fall. Set to take place on both sides of the country, ELEVATE Canada will be held at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown on Oct. 20-21 and at the Pearson Convention Centre in Toronto on Oct. 28-29.
WestJet has appointed Todd Lindey Director, Sales. Reporting to Amanda Ierfino, Vice President, Sales & Cargo, Lindey will lead the Corporate, Agency, Specialty and International Sales teams, along with Sales Operations & Performance and Sales Planning & Governance.
Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality, Inc. today announced it has acquired Eagle Wing Tours, a Victoria, BC-based whale watching and marine wildlife experience, expanding its portfolio into one of Canada’s most visited and resilient tourism destinations and advancing its strategy of investing in iconic experiences in markets with strong long-term demand.
Boeing has been cleared once again to take responsibility for certifying all of its 737 Max and 787 planes. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration says that after months of review the agency decided that Boeing’s final safety checks on its planes are good enough to ensure they are airworthy.
A new category of luxury travel is forming at sea, and it is not coming from the cruise industry. According to new 2026 booking data from Global Travel Collection (GTC), part of the Internova Travel Group, iconic hotel and hospitality brands now account for 5% of all future cruise bookings, with the average branded voyage priced at US$40,000. That is four times the cost of a traditional ocean cruise.
Effective Friday (July 24) Meliá Hotels International says it will terminate all operations in Cuba. The Spanish hotel chain’s portfolio consisted of 34 hotels on the island, some of which had already closed (or transferred to Cuban operators) as part of a partial withdrawal announced in June.
Customers paid a lot more for travel services last month, particularly in Toronto and Vancouver – the country’s host cities for the World Cup – Statistics Canada says. The cost of traveller accommodation in June rose 10% overall, and about 20% year-over-year in Ontario and British Columbia. Combined, their two biggest cities played host to 10 FIFA games in a 15-day span that month, plus three more in July.
Five new routes and expanded vacation offerings will highlight WestJet’s offering this winter, including first-time flights from Calgary to Mérida, Mexico, as well as new non-stop connections between Belize City, Belize (BZE) and Winnipeg (YWG); Punta Cana, D.R. (PUJ) and Winnipeg; San José del Cabo, Mexico (SJD) and Regina (YQR); as well as Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) and Ottawa (YOW).
The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) has launched a new initiative designed to shorten the runway for advisors with 10 or more years experience to earn Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) or Certified Travel Manager (CTM) designation.
A man stabbed and wounded two tourists Tuesday morning near the ancient Acropolis in Athens, Greece’s top tourist attraction, police said.
Bargaining between WestJet and the union representing its flight attendants was due to resume Monday after the 4,400 members of CUPE 8125 voted 99% in favour of authorizing a strike if they are unable to reach a new deal on contract demands. A question mark dangling over the ongoing WestJet talks is how Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government might intervene.
Even as the United States and Iran inch closer to all-out war, glimmers of hope appeared on the diplomatic front, as two regional officials said Iran’s interior minister was expected to arrive late Monday for a two-day visit in Pakistan, which is a key mediator in the conflict.
Those of us who knew Brian Brodber know that the industry lost a valuable member, a helpful and supportive co-worker and an all around great guy. His years at Sunquest/Alba Tours/MyTravel/Thomas Cook and his more recent creative work with The Travel Agent Next Door kept him kept him busy but still left him time to enjoy his talents as a musician. Brian, sadly is no longer with us, but his friends are gathering next Monday to celebrate his life and lift a glass in his honour.
Air Canada and Airbus will invest nearly $14 million to support a commercial-scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry in Canada. The companies say the jointly funded Sustainability Co-Investment Platform reflects their shared commitment to aviation decarbonization and desire to “lead the way” in advancing these goals.
With the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games kicking off Thursday (July 23), Scotland’s largest city is set to shine on the global stage again following its standout success in 2014.
A surge in premium-class travel highlights the findings from IATA’s just-released World Air Transport Statistics (WATS), which provides comprehensive statistical data on the global aviation industry through to 2025.
Archaeologists have unearthed a set of ancient artifacts in Egypt including Pharaonic funerary furniture, remains of a Roman basilica and a marble head of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty.
Israel’s military says Iran has launched missiles toward neighbouring Jordan and warned that fire could spill over across its borders. The military warned people Sunday to expect the first air raid sirens in weeks. It said Iran launched missiles toward the nearby Jordanian port city of Aqaba.
Video footage of two Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents tackling a man at the airport in Las Vegas last week drew public outrage and criticism from elected officials.
Ottawa will bar foreign nationals who set foot in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the past 21 days from entry to Canada due to the risk of importing the deadly Ebola disease.
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Grenada was recently ranking the No. 2 ‘Best Island in the Caribbean, Bermuda and The Bahamas’ by Travel + Leisure in its ‘World’s Best Awards 2026,’ marking a major rise for the Spice Island in one of the travel industry’s most respected reader-voted rankings. Not only that, but the delightful destination was also named the No. 15 Best Island in the World.
Launching across all its cabins beginning this month, Air Canada is introducing a new collection of premium bedding and amenities designed to elevate rest and comfort for customers on international flights.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You got art in my peanut butter. No, you got peanut butter on my art.
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.