THREE’S A CHARM: Grenada gets third flight from Canada

Air Canada is set to launch a third weekly flight to Grenada next Thursday (Jan. 22). Operating seasonally through April 23, the additional frequency reflects strong demand from this country and Canada’s status as one of Grenada’s fastest-growing source markets.

AS THE WORLD CHURNS, CRUISES SAIL AROUND TROUBLE

By Wallace Immen/ Cruises get planned years in advance, but ship itineraries can be changed overnight. So, there’s some comfort behind the turmoil of the past few weeks that’s seeing cruise lines hastily alter course.

TOTALLY PAW-SOME: Airport Canine Calendar now available for download

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has unleashed its downloadable 2026 Canine Calendar, an annual tradition honouring the agency’s more than 1,000 explosives detection canines working at airports across the United States – and more simply a dozen handsome (and cute) dogs to brighten the months for dog lovers.

LISTENING IN: This song is about Carly

By Michael Baginski/ It doesn’t seem right that it was only as recently 2022 that the great Carly Simon was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. After all, the New York (City)-born singer had 13 top 40 hits in the 1970s and ‘80s, notably including the theme song for the James Bond film “Nobody Does It Better” – song that summed up her career

CUBA REASSURES CANADIANS AFTER TRUMP COMMENTS

By Michael Baginski/ It’s been quite a time for Cuba: blackouts, hurricane, mosquitos, and now Donald Trump, the latter vowing this week to cut off Cuba’s oil supply from Venezuela (amongst other vague threats) in a bid to damage the country’s economy.

HIGH SPEED RAIL LINE ON TRACK FOR CONSTRUCTION: Second leg slated for 2032 start

The CEO of a planned high-speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City says construction on the eastern and western parts of the line is expected to begin by 2032. Construction of the first phase, set to kick off in 2029 or 2030, would link Montreal and Ottawa and act as a test case for a multibillion-dollar infrastructure project intended to transform rail travel in Canada’s most densely populated region.

CRUISE LINES MAKE A SPLASH WITH WAVE SEASON INCENTIVES

Wave Season – traditionally considered to be January through March – is underway and cruise lines, in addition to some of the suppliers that sell them, are out to make a splash with incentives for clients, and in some cases travel advisors as well in the name of boosting bookings. Here is a sampling of some of the offers currently available.

AIR INUIT ENHANCES NORTH QUEBEC OPERATIONS

Air Inuit has a new aircraft that promises to deliver better service to Nunavik says CEO and president Christian Busch. The Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft went into service Tuesday on the airline’s Montreal-Kuujjuaq route.

WISHLIST ’26: Postcard-pretty Paros, Greece

When it comes to postcard-pretty Greek Islands, Paros ticks all the boxes – white-washed cubist villages, blue-domed churches, waterfront seafood tavernas and countless golden-sand coves. All that’s missing are the crowds, who flock instead to nearby Santorini and Mykonos – Paros’s glitzier cousins.

SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR INNOVATIVE BANGKOK PARK

In a bustling city where space is at a premium, Bangkok has unveiled a new rooftop park that serves as the city’s newest landmark. Part of the Central Pattana mixed-use development in the heart of the city, Central Park blends nature, culture, dining, and commerce into one integrated precinct.

IN TRAVEL WE TRUST: Canadians more confident about travel in 2026

Canadians are feeling optimistic about travel in 2026, according to Allianz Global Assistance Canada (Allianz). In its 9th annual Vacation Confidence Index Study, the insurance provider revealed that seven in Canadians say they are confident they will take a vacation this year, marking a significant nine-point increase from last year.

SMITHSONIAN FACES TRUMP PRESSURE ON U.S. NARRATIVE

The Smithsonian Institution gave the White House new documents on its planned exhibits Tuesday in response to a demand to share precise details of what its museums and other programs are doing for America’s 250th birthday.

ACTA PROMOTES BOWEN

The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA) has announced the promotion of Fiona Bowen to Senior Manager Membership, recognizing her outstanding contributions and more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry.

RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives

This week: TRAVELSAVERS’ Affluent Traveler Collection marks 20 years; Transat Distribution Canada celebrated the 2024-25 winners of its Bravo Excellence Club; a new addition at Zebrano Travel; Ensemble has a new partnership; Intrepid has prizes galore for agents; Travel Nevada is planning special events for its specialists; and Atlas Ocean Voyages has a new website for agents.

MASTER OF ITS DOMAIN: Tiny Anguilla cashes in on lucky, unexpected URL

For Anguilla – the quiet Caribbean gem most widely known as a sun-and-sand snowbird haven – it all started with a little bit of luck. Assigned the .ai domain name all the way back in 1996, the then-residents of Anguilla could scarcely predict that the rise of ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Gemini almost three decades later would turn .ai into one of the world’s most desirable domains.

OFFICIAL MEXICO GUIDED TOURS AN UNDER-THE-RADAR GEM

Amid the constant blare of car horns in southern Mexico City, it’s hard to imagine that Cuicuilco was once the heart of a thriving ancient civilization. Yet atop its circular pyramid, now surrounded by buildings and a shopping centre, a pre-Hispanic fire god was revered.

HIGHER COSTS EQUALS TRAVEL TRADE-OFFS

Rising travel costs across key segments of the industry are reshaping how North Americans plan, book and prioritize trips, according to research from Internova Travel Group (ITG), one of the world’s largest travel services companies, which includes Travel Leaders Network in its portfolio.

CANADA COMPASS: New indigenous experiences for 2026

As interest and the demand for authentic Indigenous experiences across the country continues to rise, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has created a list of new and notable experiences where visitors can discover the resilience and vibrancy of Indigenous cultures and communities through events range from revitalized traditions and sustainable stays to culinary storytelling and community-led adventures.

REEF TO RUNWAY: Hawaiian airports to benefit from airline investment plan

Hawaii’s airports are slated to get a fresh look as part of Hawaiian Airlines’ newly announced investment plan of more than US$600 million over the next five years, designed to comprehensively enhance the experience for guests travelling to, from, and within the islands.

WISHLIST ’26: Secret towns of the Algarve

Portugal’s Algarve is by no means unknown to world travellers, but the southern region of the country still allows for unspoiled experiences, with Visit Algarve touting to visitors the authentic beauty of its lesser-known towns, scenic trails and nature.

FLYWAY TO HELL: A Maritime traveller’s ‘ridiculous’ journey home

By Sean Ridgeley/ Kaylee Clarke was making her way back to school in Truro, N.S. from Newfoundland after the holidays when it quickly became clear it was not going to be a straightforward trip. Ultimately, a journey that should have taken a few hours took a few days, hampered by airline delays and reroutes, damaged luggage, and 14 hours just to get back where she started.

WESTJET BOSS TRIED CONTROVERSIAL SEATS

Last November, WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech stepped onto a plane bound for Toronto along with five other executives, the chairman of the board and several union representatives to try out the airline’s new compacted seating at the back of the cabin.

FOR LAUDERDALE ROLLS OUT WELCOME MAT FOR IPW: No. 1 Canadian trade invited

By Michael Baginski/ U.S. Travel’s signature inbound travel trade show IPW – running since 1969 – is set to take place for the first time ever in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and organizers are putting out the welcome mat for Canadians for an event that organizers promise will be like none before.

HOLY MOLY, ROME JUBILEE ATTRACTS OVER 33 MILLION

As the final pilgrims of the 2025 Holy Year passed through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome last week, the Vatican claimed success after more than 33 million people participated in what was the rarest of Jubilees: opened by one pope and closed by another.

ROUND-UP: Jan. 5-9, 2026

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.

THE FOSTER FILES – A DAY IN THE LIFE 2026: Travel advisors at a crossroads

By Mike Foster/ As we dive deeper into the themes introduced in my last column (and series opener), I want to share a practical vision of the near future. We are standing at a crossroads: AI is already part of our daily lives, and by 2026 it will be far more ubiquitous in the workflows of travel professionals. 

Scroll to Top