OVERTOURISM INCREASINGLY WORRIES TRAVELLERS
Overtourism is a rising concern among the world’s most experienced travellers. Three out of four travellers (76%) expressed concerns about overtourism, while 31% personally experienced it in 2024.
AIRPORTS FACE THE MUSIC
Background music is no longer an afterthought at many airports, which are hiring local musicians and carefully curating playlists to help lighten travellers’ moods. London’s Heathrow Airport built a stage to showcase emerging British performers for the first time in 2024 and the program was so successful the airport hopes to bring it back in 2025.
ROUND-UP: Jan. 20-24, 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.
WHAT NOW?: Trans activist wants federal guidance on U.S. travel after Trump orders
A prominent trans activist wants Canada to update its travel safety guidelines for the United States following Donald Trump’s executive order limiting gender expression to male or female.
JUST LIKE THE JETSONS: Flying taxis are no cartoon caper for airline industry
As CEO of Joby Aviation, JoeBen Bevirt is getting closer to turning his boyhood flights of fancy into a dream come true as he and latter-day versions of the Wright Brothers launch a new class of electric-powered aircraft vying to become taxis in the sky – vehicles that whisk passengers to a destination in a matter of minutes, and create a new class of airport transfers upon arrival.
THE BENEFITS, AND RISKS, OF AI TRAVEL PLANNING
With artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly playing a role in trip planning, it only follows that the technology is also increasingly subject to misuse and as a source of scams.
PUBS, PATIOS & BARS: Singapore whisky museum a rare treat
Visitors to Singapore can view (and sample) some of the world’s rarest and priciest whiskies at the Grande Whisky Museum (TGWM), which was recognized by Guinness in 2023 for having (at the time) the world’s most valuable whisky/whiskey collection and the most valuable bottle as well, priced at approximately CDN$134 million and $3.8 million respectively.
A DAY WITH THE CRUISE GANG AT THE COZU-MALL
We’re told that Cozumel Island, where Sun Princess is docked alongside four more of the biggest cruise ships ever built is the place the ancients came to get into the mood for love. Cozumel island was considered sacred to the Maya moon spirit Ix Chel, so women made pilgrimages to temples here in hopes of boosting their fertility and finding a mate.
LISTENING IN: Mother, will they like this song?
‘The Wall’ was arguably Pink Floyd’s best album, and ‘Mother’ arguably it’s best song (though we’ll accept votes for ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ and ‘Comfortably Numb’ respectively). There is, however, no argument that the classic Roger Waters’ tune, as rendered here by Sinead O’Connor, isn’t equally as compelling.
ONCE IN A LIFETIME: Southern snow shatters records
Sun-soaked Florida and other southern states appear to have shattered snowfall records in what many are calling a once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness sandy snowscapes on, of all places, beaches.
SURPRISING ECUADOR: South America’s hidden gem is flying high
From the jungles of the Amazon to the ecologically unique islands of the Galapagos in the Pacific, and the Andes mountains in between – not to mention the name-giving Equator running through it – Ecuador packs unprecedented diversity into its small frame. And that, says Goway Travel, makes it a wonderland for travellers, not least those drawn to adventure and the natural world.
ONE GUN IS TOO MANY
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reports that it intercepted a total of 6,678 firearms at airport security checkpoints south of the border in 2024, equating to 7.4 firearms per million people. Shockingly, 94 percent of them were loaded.
STARRING GREAT BRITAIN: VisitBritain raises curtain on screen tourism at annual showcase
VisitBritain is set to host more than 120 international travel trade on educational visits across the UK as part of its flagship ‘Showcase Britain’ event. Starting today (Jan. 23) at Hampton Court Palace outside London, the showcase event will include a delegation of a dozen Canadian retail tourism representatives and VisitBritain staff, along with Travel Industry Today.
KEEPING UP WITH CLUB MED: What’s new in 2025
Club Med is celebrating record-breaking growth in 2024 driven by its expanding mountain and luxury product offerings. Looking ahead, the resort chain is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable tourism with ambitious goals, including plans to operate all European resorts on low-carbon energy by the end of the year. From Cancun to Greece, and Punta Cana to the French Alos, here’s a sampling of what’s new in 2025
B.C. BEARS BENEFIT FROM ECO-TOURISM ‘DONE RIGHT’
Grizzly bears that visited ecotourism areas along a river on the province’s central coast were less likely than others to encounter conflict with people in communities downstream, a new study by British Columbia-based researchers has found. Jason Moody with the Nuxalk Nation’s fisheries and wildlife program said the research shows ecotourism done right is not a driving factor in conflict between bears and humans.
WILL TARIFFS TAKE TOLL ON BUSINESS TRAVEL?
A recent Corporate Traveller Canada survey conducted by YouGov, reveals that 85% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would reduce cross-border travel for business if tariffs or trade restrictions are imposed by the Donald Trump’s new administration in the US.
TOURISM TRACKING FOR CONTINUED GAINS BEYOND FULL RECOVERY
International tourist arrivals are expected to grow three to five percent in 2025 compared to 2024, according to UN Tourism. This after an estimated 1.4 billion tourists travelled internationally in 2024, indicating a virtual recovery (99%) of pre-pandemic levels.
TAHITI TIME: Island road show touts alternative to cold Canadian winter
If I didn’t know before, I know it now: I want to live in Tahiti – as do, I’ll warrant, the three dozen or so travel advisors who turned out on the coldest day of the year (can you say polar vortex?) in Mississauga Tuesday to get the latest news on the South Pacific destination courtesy of The Islands of Tahiti, a collection of a dozen suppliers whose job it is to inspire people, if not to live, but at least visit the idyllic islands.
THE BENEFITS OF ALL-INCLUSIVE TRAVEL INSURANCE
With the start of a new year, many Canadians are making travel plans and are being reminded to prioritize preparation and protection. Experts at InsureMyTrip.ca highlight the growing popularity of All-Inclusive travel insurance – a comprehensive coverage option that offers financial security and logistical support for travellers throughout the year.
PONANT CONQUERS THE WORLD WITH SURPRISE MOVE
In an unexpected but very strategic move, Ponant Explorations Group is buying majority stake in small adventure ship line Aqua Expeditions to expand its range to South America and Asia. Aqua Expeditions operates small ships in ecologically diverse areas including the Galápagos, Indonesia, the Mekong River and the Peruvian Amazon.
BOEING’S BAD YEAR
Boeing’s aircraft deliveries and orders in 2024 reflect the company’s rough year. Boeing delivered less than half the number of commercial aircraft to customers than its European rival in 2024 as the American aerospace giant’s output suffered under intensified government scrutiny and a factory workers’ strike, according to data released last week.
THE HIDDEN DANGERS – AND TOP MISTAKES – OF DIY ONLINE BOOKINGS
One in three Canadians make errors when planning trips online, according to a new survey commissioned by Flight Centre Canada. Moreover, the research reveals that critical errors made are costing travellers thousands of dollars.
BREAKING THE ICE ON ST. LAWRENCE WINTER CRUISING
An icebreaker cruise ship set sail on last Friday for a frosty journey that will bring passengers along the St. Lawrence River, a new route that tourism officials hope will usher in a new era of winter cruises in the province. Ponant, the French company that owns the vessel, says it is the first international passenger cruise ship to venture onto the St. Lawrence River during the winter.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Virtuoso, MSC Cruises, TravelBrands
Virtuoso members around the world honoured Martin Luther King, Jr. – with a full day of pay to do so; MSC Cruises Canada announced its annual travel partners awards; and TraveBrands has rolled out its “Wheel of Rewards” promotion for travel advisors.
U.S. TRAVEL AGENCY SALES SOAR IN ‘24
US-based travel agency air ticket sales totaled US$99.2 billion in 2024, growing four percent from the year previous, according to the Airlines Reporting Corp. It is the highest ever total recorded by ARC.
ACV LAUNCHES BRAZIL PROGRAM
Packages to “vibrant and diverse” Brazil are now available for booking with Air Canada Vacations, with tours departing from Toronto and Montreal to São Paulo (GRU). The tours program offers 13 Curated, fully guided packages with private transportation in key destinations such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador, Foz do Iguaçu, and Porto de Galinhas.
THE GAINS IN SPAIN CAME MAINLY FROM THE PLANES
The world’s second-most visited country got even more popular in 2024, with Spain’s tourism minister announcing that a record 94 million international travellers visited last year, making it the best year for tourism in the country since records started.
WHY TRAVEL’S BEHIND BLUE MONDAY
The designation of Blue Monday – the third Monday of January – as the saddest day of the year was debunked soon after it was created about 20 years ago, yet it continues to resonate culturally. Experts say it’s a testament to how the travel company that made up the annual date as a ploy to get people to buy a plane ticket tapped into a relatable feeling – mid January can be a low time of year.
SELL YOUR WAY TO THE USA: Earn a spot on Brand USA FAMs
Canadian travel advisors are being urged to unleash their selling potential with an exclusive opportunity to “Sell Your Way to the USA.” The incentive program will see 12 top-selling agents invited on one of a series of FAM trips in 2025 sponsored by Brand USA, in collaboration with Travel Nevada, Travel North Tahoe, Visit Reno, Utah Office of Tourism, Visit Salt Lake, Visit Seattle, and Travel Oregon.
DON’T DRINK AND FLY: Pilot charged with DUI before flight
Police at a Georgia airport arrested an airline pilot on a DUI charge as he was making pre-flight checks aboard a Southwest Airlines flight with bloodshot eyes and reeking of what smelled like alcohol, according to a police report. Passengers had boarded the Southwest Airlines flight from Savannah to Chicago and were awaiting takeoff when police boarded the plane and took the pilot away in handcuffs.