TICO RELAUNCHES TRANSPARENCY TOOL
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has relaunched its public agency search tool, a real-time directory of the 1,900 travel agencies, booking websites and tour operators that are registered with TICO.
INTREPID DOUBLES DOWN ON DIVERSITY
As companies across the US continue to distance themselves from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in response to political pressure and shareholder concerns, Intrepid Travel says it is doing the opposite.
WHERE TO SHACK UP IN QUEBEC THIS SPRING
Through the end of April, Québec’s ‘sugaring season’ is in full force with charming sugar shacks taking advantage of Spring’s flow of maple syrup production to offer a traditional Québécois dining experience in a rustic setting.
ALASKA THREATENS B.C. CRUISE PORTS
British Columbia Premier David Eby says he is standing firm behind the legislation granting the province the ability to levy new fees on US commercial trucks heading to Alaska, despite political threats involving the cruise ship sector from an Alaskan senator.
CUBA BACK IN THE BLACK
Power was gradually returning for millions of people in Cuba Sunday after another failure of the nation’s electric grid left the island in the dark. The massive blackout was the fourth in the last six months as a severe economic crisis plagues the country.
AIRPORT PRIVATIZATION A ‘BAD IDEA,’ WARN FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
A government proposal to increase the privatization of airports in Canada threatens to make travel more expensive and ‘a bad idea,” says the union for 18,500 flight attendants across the country.
ACTA-AVALON CRUISE SUMMIT REGISTRATIONS OPEN
Applications are now open for this year’s ACTA-Avalon European River Cruise Summit. Interested ACTA members have until March 31 to register their interest for the ‘Christmas Market Cruise’ on the Rhine River, which sails from Nov. 22 to 29.
EXPEDIA TAAP’S SPRING SALE
The Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program’s (TAAP) 2025 Spring Sale gives travel advisors exclusive offerings with at least 25% off hotel bookings that enable agents to pass on big savings to their clients. The offer features discounts of at least 25% on thousands of hotels in top global destinations and is valid for bookings through March 31 for travel through Sept. 8.
SPIRIT LIFTED FROM BANKRUPTCY: And what the future looks like for US discount carrier
Discount carrier Spirit Airlines has emerged from bankruptcy protection. The budget airline – known for its no-frills, low-cost flights on a fleet of yellow planes – said that its parent, Spirit Aviation Holdings, exited Chapter 11 after finalizing debt restructuring.
ROUND-UP: March 10-14, 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.
U.S. DENTS, DOESN’T DAMAGE, CANADIANS’ TRAVEL APPETITE
The head of Transat A.T. Inc. says Canadians’ appetite for travel remains unsated even as pocketbook worries grow amid a trade war with the United States. Travellers continue to book transatlantic flights with the tour company, says CEO Annick Guérard, though she acknowledges demand for American destinations dropped sharply over the past few months.
VOLCANO ACTIVITY PROMPTS ALASKA WORRY
With Alaska’s cruise season approaching, a volcano near Anchorage is showing new signs of unrest, with experts saying the likelihood of an eruption at Mount Spurr in the next few weeks or months has increased.
‘THAT’S A NEW ONE!’: Turtle concealed in traveller’s pants
A Pennsylvania man who was going through security at a New Jersey airport was found to have a live turtle concealed in his pants, according to the US federal Transportation Security Administration.
TRIPADVISOR’S BEST BEACHES OF 2025, AND ALL TIME
Tripadvisor has unveiled the latest edition of its Travellers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Beaches for 2025. The list is based on a comprehensive analysis of global beach reviews on Tripadvisor over the last year, aggregated into the highest-rated beaches that reflect stunning sands and clear waters, perfect conditions for snorkeling and watersports, and more.
THE ULTIMATE AUSTEN: Bath celebrates 250th anniversary of Jane’s birth
2025 is a special year for fans of Jane Austen, one of literature’s most beloved authors, who was born in 1775. 250th anniversary events and celebrations are taking places across the UK, but notably in Bath, which counts Austen as its most famous former resident.
MSC READY TO REVEAL A NEW WORLD IN THE CARIBBEAN
The countdown is the final hours for what MSC Cruises is promising is a world of experiences in its biggest ship yet – MSC World America. As its name implies, the 22-deck tall ship featuring 2,614 staterooms is aimed for the interests and tastes of North Americans. And it offers seven onboard districts designed to help guests choose their own holiday experience.
LISTENING IN: The Irish Rovers and the amusing case of Mick Maguire
Monday is St. Patrick’s Day, but festivities of course will transpire throughout the weekend. For some of us the days of drinking (swilling?) green beer may be long past, but dancing a jig or two to a fine Irish tune will never be out of fashion.
A BILLION-DOLLAR EXPANSION: Beaches unveils big news at NY Gala
Sandals Resorts has a lot of friends, and close to a thousand of them turned out for a gala gathering in New York Tuesday evening to celebrate all things Sandals, but notably major news that its Beaches all-inclusive family brand is embarking on a US$1-billion expansion over the next five years.
PARADIS TO STEP DOWN AS ACTA PRESIDENT: Search for replacement underway
ACTA president Wendy Paradis announces her retirement after nine years at the helm of the national travel agency association. Paradis plans to step down later this year once a replacement is found but will stay on in a consulting position throughout 2025 to ensure a smooth transition.
AN INTOLERABLE RISK: Helicopter ban at Washington Regan urged
Federal investigators looking into the cause of the January collision between a passenger jet and an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people recommended a ban on some helicopter flights Tuesday, saying the current setup “poses an intolerable risk.”
MOVING RIGHT ALONG: YYC to consolidate security screening for speed and convenience
Construction is underway at the Calgary International Airport Domestic Terminal building to consolidate all domestic security checkpoints into one centralized screening process. The updated infrastructure will eliminate the need to remove laptops, and permitted liquids, aerosols and gels from carry-on bags, making the screening process faster, more efficient and convenient.
A NEW ERA: Hostels aren’t how you remember them
When you picture hostels, you might envision worn-down buildings, dorm rooms packed with up to 30 beds, a non-stop party atmosphere, and exclusively for youth. However, over the past few years, this has changed dramatically with many hostels providing travellers with a modern, clean, and private setting that puts old ideas of hostels to bed.
HERB MUST BE TURNING IN HIS GRAVE
Well, it finally happened. They caved. As of May 28 no more “Two Bags Fly Free” for Southwest flyers. Well at least not for all of them. As recently as last September, the airline that the iconic Herb Kelleher built, was denying that such a move would ever happen.
MORE CONSUMERS TURN TO TRAVEL AGENTS
Travel Leaders Network (TLN) says it has seen a notable increase in website traffic to its consumer-facing site, TravelLeaders.com. Notably, analysis of search patterns and user behaviour revealed a growing interest in using travel advisors for the first time, as well as offering insights into evolving consumer travel trends and preferences throughout the year.
WATCH OUT WTM: ITB to launch Americas edition
ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel trade show, is set to launch an Americas edition in 2026. Focussing on “the entire American continent(s),” the show will take place in Guadalajara, Mexico, from Nov. 10 to 12. Notably, it will take place a week after the annual World Travel Market in London.
‘A MINOR SETBACK’: SpaceX Starship explodes over Florida
SpaceX’s latest Starship test flight last week ended with another disaster. This time, wreckage from the explosion was seen streaming from the skies over Florida. The space-skimming flight was supposed to last an hour. The latest failure comes after the Federal Aviation Administration gave SpaceX approval to launch despite an ongoing investigation into a previous explosion.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams and incentives
In the news this week: Transat Distribution, Trevello, Nexion, Virtuoso, Flight Centre, Ensemble-Windstar, and Air Transat-Morocco.
WOMEN ON THE WING: Sunwing celebrates empowerment in aviation
In honour of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, Sunwing Airlines took the skies with two all-female crews on service to the south out of Toronto and Montreal. The annual initiative was meant to serve as a powerful symbol of women’s achievements in travel and the company’s longstanding dedication to fostering an inclusive environment.
AN EVENT-FUL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM ONE CARIBBEAN CANADA
One Caribbean Canada has launched its first Caribbean events calendar, now available on its website. The comprehensive new resource, offered in both English and French, highlights the diverse and vibrant events taking place across the Caribbean throughout the year.