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.
NEWS
Europe has “maybe six weeks or so” of remaining jet fuel supplies, the head of the International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol warned of possible flight cancellations “soon” if oil supplies remain blocked by the Iran war.
Despite some strong headwinds, Travel & Tourism was the world’s fastest-growing sector in 2025, with new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealing the sector significantly outpaced global economic growth – and accounted for one in three new jobs created globally. According to the WTTC, T&T’s global GDP contribution reached a record US$11.6 trillion in 2025, accounting for 9.8% of the global economy. The sector’s growth (4.1%) exceeded overall global economic growth (2.8%) by almost 50%, underscoring its role as a primary engine of global expansion.
The strike involving the technical flight crew of Air Tahiti ended on Monday with flight operations progressively resuming and schedules gradually returning to normal.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Cayman Islands welcomed over 49,000 stayover visitors in February, representing a 10.1% increase year over year and marking the second-strongest February on record. That included 6,102 visitors from Canada in February – a 47% increase year over year and the highest monthly visitation total ever recorded from the market. Canada’s performance reflects sustained demand and significant airlift expansion, including increased service from Toronto and new service from Ottawa as well as strategic investment in advertising and public relations in the market by the department of tourism.
AIR
Air Canada raised the curtain on its new long-haul cabin designs at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, last week. The first major expression of its new ‘Glowing Hearted’ standard design aims to deliver a distinctly Canadian experience and is the culmination of what the company says its “most significant” cabin investment. Among the features are new ergonomic seats; larger 4K OLED screens; high-powered USB-C and AC power outlets at every seat; and extended privacy wings in Premium Economy.
Porter Airlines is expanding service at Boston Logan International Airport with new direct routes from Montréal-Trudeau International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport beginning May 14.
WestJet and Petro-Canada have announced a new loyalty program that will allow WestJet Rewards and Petro-Points users the ability to link accounts for enhanced earning opportunities and exclusive promotions. When launched in early 2027, members with linked accounts will have the ability to earn their preferred loyalty currency on fuel, car wash and convenience store purchases; earn 20% more Petro-Points on purchases at Petro-Canada; redeem WestJet points at Petro-Canada for eligible purchases – including fuel – and more.
DEALS
Sandals Royal Curaçao is featured in an exclusive new Instant Savings offer for Canadian travel advisors and their clients, available for a limited time. All new Air Canada Vacations bookings (air-inclusive packages of six nights or longer) made by May 3 (within specific travel dates) will enjoy instant savings of CDN$1,000. The offer is valid in all room categories. Travel dates are May 5- Sept. 6, 2026. Advisors can also earn double rewards on every new booking, plus ACV&ME Rewards points.
A new all-inclusive offer from Windstar Cruises includes Wi-Fi, gratuities and select unlimited cocktails, wine by the glass and beer. It’s a value of more than $1,300 on a seven-day voyage for two guests when booked by June 30 for travel through June 30, 2027.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
‘The Hand & The Eye,’ a new world-class destination built by and for curious minds who love magic has opened in Chicago (photo above). The US$500-million, 3,300 sq.-m. venue contains multiple performance spaces, from intimate rooms to grand salons, along with parlours and drawing rooms throughout, and invites guests to become part of the magic, where no two visits are ever the same. The experience features magicians from around the world performing intimate shows and elevated dining, providing a unique view into the legacy of magic. The experience is open to the public and advanced reservations are required. For more, visit: thehandandtheeye.com.
TOURS
The return of Air Canada Vacations’ ‘Buy a package, get up to 50% off the 2nd traveller – Made for Two’ summer offer runs through May 3 for travel through Oct. 31. Travellers can save up to 50% on the second traveller when booking select vacation packages to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America – and new for Europe, Palma de Mallorca (savings are on the second traveller’s flight). Savings also apply to Flight & Hotel packages to Orlando, Hawaii, and California, based on a minimum 7-night stay, and double occupancy with non-stop Economy Class flights on select packages and departure dates.
Collette’s new 2026 Italy brochure features crafted itineraries and immersive experiences designed by destination-based teams; a strong focus on secondary cities and lesser-known regions, including Matera, Umbria, Puglia, Treviso, and the Aeolian Islands; a focus on seasonality; premium hotels; and immersive experiences; and worry-free travel protection. Travel advisors will have the opportunity to direct mail this brochure to their clients using the tour operator’s travel advisor portal.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Antigua’s Hermitage Bay has completed a comprehensive refurbishment program that includes the remodelling of 30 villa suites, enhancements to the Hillside Pool Villa Suites, and upgrades to the Garden Pool Villa Suites, which now feature private pools. Additional enhancements have also been made to the Beachfront Signature Spa, further elevating the resort’s luxury wellness offering. Also in Antigua, Curtain Bluff has undertaken a series of accommodation and restaurant upgrades for 2026: among them, 42 junior suites have been remodelled, and new Signature Pool Suites have been added to the accommodation portfolio.
MGM Resorts International now has an all-inclusive experience on the Las Vegas Strip, bundling hotel accommodations, dining (three meals a day at a variety of MGM properties), entertainment (one show per stay at an MGM resort and two rides on the roller coaster at New York-New York), plus parking and daily resort fee, all into a single upfront price, which starts at US$330 plus tax based on a two-night stay for two guests at Luxor Hotel & Casino and Excalibur Hotel & Casino. Visit mgmresorts.com/allinclusive.
CRUISE
Trafalgar officially debuted its new river cruise offering last week with inaugural sailings aboard the Trafalgar Verity on the Rhine and Trafalgar Reverie on the Danube, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s evolution as it extends its guided travel expertise beyond land. The launches were celebrated with a three-day inaugural sailing aboard Trafalgar Verity in Amsterdam from April 10-12, welcoming over 100 trade partners, media, and Trafalgar team members from around the world. Meanwhile, on April 11, Trafalgar Reverie embarked on its inaugural sailing along the Danube, marking the second ship in the brand’s new river cruise portfolio.
MSC Cruises confirmed that MSC Euribia has departed Dubai, has safely transited the Strait of Hormuz, and is now en route to Northern Europe to resume her Northern Europe season, and as the ship will now be able to return sooner than previously anticipated, MSC Cruises confirms that the cruise departing on May 16 from Kiel (and May 17 from Copenhagen) will now operate as originally scheduled, with all subsequent sailings operating as planned.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Agents will receive a US$500 bonus commission on each new Swan Hellenic ‘Arctic Uncovered’ booking for remaining berths on the 2026 Arctic expedition program (photo above). Clients receive US$700 per guest, along with $300 onboard credit per person and free wi-fi upgrades. Special group pricing is also available on request.
Travel advisors can earn $50 bonus rewards on every new Goway booking made to Kenya until April 30.
The new Bermuda Specialist Program, which launched in January, provides travel advisors with an easy way to build expertise, share Bermuda content with clients, and convert interest into bookings. As an incentive to participate, advisors who complete the program by April 30 will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a spot on a trade FAM to Bermuda in Fall/Winter 2026. To register, click HERE.
EVENTS
Nexion Travel Group Canada is set to launch to CANex 2026, a conference designed give members a new opportunity to hear about the latest travel trends, connect with colleagues and network with supplier partners. The event will take place April 27-28 in Toronto with a format that will include education sessions, immersive networking to spark collaboration, along with some fun, including attending a Blue Jays vs. Red Sox game. Twenty-seven preferred partners are scheduled to attend, including representatives from cruise lines, airlines and tour operators). And Air Canada Vacations will host a post-event training session for attendees the day following CANex.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Flight Centre Canada has strengthened its leadership team with two strategic appointments as reflecting the company’s. Angela Bokma joins the business as Director of Marketing, while David Ardagh steps into the role of Commercial Financial Manager, transitioning from his previous position as Senior Financial Analyst within Flight Centre Travel Group.
DESTINATIONS
Canada Place is celebrating 40 years as one of Canada’s most recognizable landmarks. Since opening on May 2, 1986, on Vancouver’s waterfront as the Canada Pavilion for Expo 86, it has become a popular destination for residents and visitors, a venue for major public events, and home to the Port of Vancouver’s cruise terminal, which is the largest in Canada. The attraction houses Vancouver Convention Centre East, Pan Pacific Hotel, Flyover, World Trade Centre and Indigo Park Canada, and for many travellers continues to offer a spectacular first impression of Vancouver, serving as both the start and end of their cruise journey. Today, more than 20 cruise lines are served by the terminal each season, reinforcing Vancouver’s position as a leading homeport for Alaska cruises.
Switzerland will host the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, welcoming the world’s top national teams to Fribourg and Zurich. One of the most anticipated tournaments in international hockey, the event brings together elite players from Europe and North America.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1912, the “Titanic” set sail from Southampton, England, on its maiden voyage. On the night of April 14, the luxury liner struck an iceberg about 150 km south of Newfoundland’s Grand Banks and sank within hours. More than 1,500 people perished. The catastrophe prompted measures to improve safety at sea, particularly the establishment of a patrol to make known the location of icebergs.
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