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
Sunwing Vacations Group extended its pause of operations to Cuba for the summer season to include Varadero (VRA) and Cayo Coco (CCC). As such, all operations in Cuba have been cancelled from June 20 through Oct. 9, 2026 (inclusive) for all gateways/airports across its three brands: Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations and Vacances WestJet Quebec. STG says Cayo Coco (CCC) will resume as scheduled on Oct. 10 and service to Holguin (HOG), Santa Clara (SNU), Cayo Largo (CYO) and Cienfuegos (CFG) will resume on Oct. 25. Clients scheduled to depart between now and Oct. 31 will receive a full refund to their original form of payment and commissions will be recalled.
Pacific-Asian inbound travel is poised to exceed pre-pandemic levels starting this year, and reach 761.2 million visitors by 2028, according to the latest forecast from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). However, in light of evolving geopolitical developments and macroeconomic volatility, the outlook also considers a lower bound the forecast scenario, where international visitor arrivals could reach 599.7 million by 2028, representing approximately an 88% recovery compared to 2019 levels.
AIR
Flair Airlines has launched nonstop service between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL). Flights will operate daily during the summer season.
Travel between Canada and Antigua and Barbuda will be more flexible this summer with expanded nonstop flight options. WestJet’s Wednesday service returns for the months of July and August, adding to its year-round Sunday route from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to VC Bird International (ANU) and complementing non-stop Sunday service from Air Canada.
On May 4, Finnair, Finland’s national carrier, will launch Canada’s first and only direct connection to Helsinki to Toronto’s YYZ. Service will operate Thrice-weekly operation: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday until the end of August. It is the first time Finnair has flown to Canada since 2015.
Following a network review, Virgin Atlantic says it will continue its expansion in India, increasing services to Bengaluru from seven to 13 flights per week, supporting strong connectivity for Canadian and US customers connecting via London Heathrow. This complements double-daily, year-round services to both Mumbai and Delhi. Capacity to Mumbai will also increase, with the VS358/359 operating on an A350 aircraft, adding 30% more seats.
BY THE NUMBERS
Avianca reminds that is network connections feature 10 of the tournament’s 16 host cities across the U.S. (Miami, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas and Houston), Mexico (Mexico City and Monterrey) and Canada (Toronto), including more than 3,000 flights and nearly 600,000 seats.
DEALS
Price reductions for travellers under 18 of up to $1,875 from Trafalgar, combined with “Best of Summer Sale” savings and a newly launched Family Travel Selling Guide, are designed to support advisors in planning and booking family travel during the peak summer season. Available on bookings through May 28 for select June through August 2026 departures, the new family offers can be found HERE.
Elite Islands Resorts has launched “A Love Letter to Antigua,” a campaign designed to aid travel professionals in showcasing Antigua’s culture, history, and natural beauty. The initiative includes premade itineraries, the 360° Antigua interactive map, and a 5th Night FREE that can be booked through May 31 for travel from May 1 to Sept. 30. Participating properties include Galley Bay Resort & Spa, Hammock Cove Antigua, Pineapple Beach Club Antigua, The Verandah Antigua, and St. James’s Club & Villas. For full details, visit www.eliteislandresorts.com
PONANT EXPLORATIONS has extended its limited time offer on voyages in alliance with Smithsonian Journeys through May 31. The added value of $1,000 shipboard credit will allow guests to easily elevate their experience by indulging in spa treatments, premium beverages, and onboard boutique shopping. Meanwhile, travel advisors will receive up to $500 for every newly deposited booking they secure.
TOURS
Air Canada Vacations has launched its second annual Travellers’ Top Picks Awards, inviting Canadians to vote for their most beloved travel destinations. Participants can cast their votes across 10 distinct travel categories, ranging from dream-worthy bucket-list destinations to sun-kissed beaches, foodie favourites, and family-friendly escapes. Top prize in the contest is $5,000 in Air Canada eGift Cards that can be used towards their next vacation. Voting and contest are open until June 30, and winning destinations will be announced in September. Votes can be cast HERE.
Tauck celebrated the christening of its newest riverboat, ms Lumière, during a recent ceremony in Lyon, France, welcoming some 50 guests including Tauck leaders, travel advisors, supplier partners and media. Purpose-built to expand Tauck’s presence on the Rhône and Seine, ms Lumière and her sister ship ms Serene were built to take advantage of the temperate climates and scenic beauty of Europe’s wine regions and bucolic rivers, with both new ships featuring resort-style Sun Decks with swimming pools and full-service bars, striking sky-lit atriums, and panoramic lounges.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Garner Hotels, a midscale conversion brand within the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio (IHG) portfolio, has reached 100 open hotels globally since its August 2023 launch – IHG’s fastest ever brand to scale globally. Garner’s rapid expansion includes a global pipeline of almost 80 hotels that will nearly double its reach in the coming years. With open or pipeline properties in 12 countries, Garner continues to welcome guests in more key markets ranging from the US and Mexico to Italy and Japan.
Opening July in Conrad Nagoya introduces Hilton’s flagship luxury brand to central Japan for the first time. Occupying the upper floors of the 41-storey Landmark Nagoya Sakae tower, the hotel offers direct access to Sakae Station alongside sweeping city views. Its 170 guestrooms and 29 suites blend contemporary refinement with Japanese craftsmanship, using locally inspired materials and art to reflect Aichi’s industrial and cultural identity.
CRUISE
The first renderings of Unique Boutique River Cruises’ newest Super Ships debuting in 2027, the S.S. Audrey (image above) and S.S. Marlene, inspired by European icons Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich, have been revealed. The sister ships will bring two distinct design visions to Europe’s rivers, drawing from the iconic aesthetics of the celebrated actresses while continuing Uniworld’s tradition of design-driven ships that reflect the regions they sail. Uniworld will also welcome the S.S. Sao Rafael in 2027, a new Super Ship sailing Portugal’s Douro River.
Carnival Pride returned to service after a 22-day dry dock in Freeport, Grand Bahama, bringing with it a fresh mix of refurbishments designed to elevate the onboard experience. With the work complete, Carnival Pride resumes year-round service from Baltimore, offering seven-day cruises to The Bahamas and Bermuda, as well as select Carnival Journeys sailings to more unique destinations. Itineraries also include visits to Celebration Key, Carnival’s newest exclusive destination on Grand Bahama.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
This fall, Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights returns for its 35th anniversary with the theme “Infernal Carnival of Nightmares transforming the Florida theme park into a “decrepit, fear‑fueled carnival featuring a sinister new slate of haunted houses, scare zones and outrageous entertainment” inspired by elements from Halloween Horror Nights’ history plus some of the biggest names in horror. Ticket will go on sale “soon.” Visit UniversalOrlando.com/HHN.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Agents can earn $50 bonus rewards from Goway on bookings to Valencia (Spain), Australia’s Northern Territory, and Thailand until May 31, with Club 100 members earning double rewards.
Rocky Mountaineer is offering travel agents 20% off rail-only journeys and vacation packages for the 2026 season, which runs from mid-April through mid-October. Designed to support firsthand product experience, the program is available to accredited agents (IATA, ARC, or CLIA) who have completed the TRACKS training program. The discount applies to both the agent and one travel companion across all Canadian routes, including First Passage to the West, Journey Through the Clouds, and Rainforest to Gold Rush. It is valid for both SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf Service. Vacation packages must be booked more than 45 days before departure, and agent bookings are non-commissionable.
EVENTS
With a theme of “Resilience and Renewal,” the Cuba Tourist Board is set to host a hybrid version of its International Tourism Fair, FITCuba 2026 and members of the Canadian trade are invited to attend. Set to take place from May 7 to 9, this year’s event celebrates “Cuba’s unwavering resilience and its heartfelt commitment to welcoming back its most cherished visitors: Canadians,” says the CTB. For inquiries or professional registration, contact info@gocuba.ca.
Antigua and Barbuda are preparing to host the 44th edition of Caribbean Travel Marketplace place May 12-15, marking the second year in a row the destination has held the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association’s signature annual event.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
On the move: Amanda Morris has been appointed Director of Retail Sales for the U.S. & Canada at the Hyatt Inclusive Collection as it continues its integration with Playa Hotels & Resorts, bringing together its U.S. and Canada sales teams into one unified organization. At the same time, Brian Joseph has been promoted to Senior Sales Manager, now overseeing the Canada sales team. Joseph has been an integral part of Hyatt Inclusive Collection’s success in Canada, and he will continue to support the team and partners at a broader level. Carolina Bellina will continue in her role as Senior Director of Canadian Sales, ensuring continuity for tour operator partners nationwide.
DESTINATIONS
Malahat SkyWalk, located near Victoria, BC, will launch The Overhang (rendering above) – the first enclosed glass cube in the world to be attached to the top of a spiral tower – on the May long weekend. Suspended 250 metres above sea level, the Skywalk’s newest innovation will extend 2.13 metres beyond the summit edge of the architecturally stunning 10-storey Sprial Tower. The transparent glass cube, only inches thick, will create the illusion of defying gravity. It joins The SkyWeb and The Sizzler as attractions at SkyWalk.
Concurrent with the extraordinary global rise to prominence of Wrexham FC, the newly named ‘Football Museum of Wales and Wrexham Museum’ will open later this summer. The venue will celebrate Welsh football (soccer) past and present, highlight Wrexham’s sporting legacy, and shares the wider heritage of North East Wales. With interactive exhibits, group‑friendly spaces and culture nearby, it’s an excellent addition to North Wales itineraries.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 2009, Jamaican troops stormed a hijacked Canadian charter flight at Montego Bay airport, took the lone gunman into custody and safely released six Canadian crew members. All 159 passengers and two other crew members were able to escape less than an hour into the hijacking of CanJet Flight 918, with help of a quick-thinking flight attendant.
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