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
Canadian travellers (53%) are now conscious of travel’s impact on communities as well as the environment, and two thirds (66%) now want to leave places better than when they arrived, according to a new survey by Booking.com. The research also shows that behaviours relating to community and economic impact now sit alongside these environmental choices, with travellers consciously considering ways they can minimize the impact of the destinations they visit, such as visiting at less popular times of year (33%) or visiting alternative destinations to avoid overcrowding (28%).
ACTA has opened nominations for its the 2025 ACTA Awards – six awards that recognize travel agency leaders and travel advisor nominees across a variety of categories. Criteria for each of the categories can be found on the ACTA website at https://actaevents.ca/acta-awards-criteria/ . The nomination form can be found HERE. Deadline for nomination is June 13. For info, e-mail Lesley Berry at actaawards@acta.ca.
In other ACTA, the association is adding another experiential learning opportunity and has partnered with the Jamaica Tourist Board, Air Canada and Sandals Resorts to offer an Immersive Destination Experience to Sandals Dunns River Jamaica from Aug. 23 to 27. The agenda can be found HERE. And registration application HERE.
Deadline to apply is May 16. The cost to participate is $849.99 and includes return air from Toronto and single accommodation.
AIR
This summer, Air Canada will introduce expanded seasonal non-stop service between Toronto and Grenada. The second weekly flight starts June 2 (departs 3:35 p.m., arrives 9:25 p.m.) with the new Monday service complementing the existing Sunday flight through Aug. 31. To further entice travellers, Grenadian hotels are offering exclusive summer deals for the Canadian market, such as up to $1,300 off at Sandals Grenada,
WestJet has announced a major expansion of its domestic network with new non-stop service between Halifax and St. John’s and three western Canadian cities for summer 2025 – all boosting domestic travel options as well as connections to transatlantic services from the eastern seaboard. Starting July 1, new routes include non-stop service from Saskatoon and Regina and the return of flying between Vancouver and Halifax. In addition, new flights between Winnipeg and St. John’s have been added, while frequency will increase on Halifax routes from Winnipeg and Edmonton, as well as between Calgary and Deer Lake, Alta.
HOTELS & RESORTS
TOOR Hotel, part of JdV by Hyatt, has opened its doors in downtown Toronto (above).
Located in the heart of the city, the upscale property is a striking architectural landmark set out over 33 storeys, offering 232 guest rooms and suites. Amenities include dining at the Muse Bistro + Bar, valet parking, fitness centre and yoga studio, and 280–sq.-m. southern terrace on the 14th floor.
Canada’s first Hard Rock Hotel is officially open for business. Located within 100 Kellogg Lane, Hard Rock Hotel London, Ont., the 164-room luxury property is part of Canada’s largest indoor entertainment complex and sits in the heart of London’s Old East Village, just minutes from the Western Fair District and a short drive from downtown.
DEALS
April 30 is the final day for Cunard’s ’Adventure Awaits Sale,’ which offers up to 50% off (first two guests booking) on more than 100 voyages in 2025 and 2026, including Alaska cruises from Seattle, and Caribbean itineraries from Miami, on the recently transformed Queen Elizabeth. Offers can also be found on their newest ship Queen Anne and voyages to New England, Canada, the Panama Canal, and the truly iconic Transatlantic Crossings on the world’s only ocean liner, Cunard’s – flagship Queen Mary 2.
TAP Air Portugal has a new fare sale with roundtrip fares to Europe from Toronto and Montreal from $579 roundtrip. Sale fares are available through May 4, for travel from Sept. 15 through March 22, 2026, except for holiday black-out dates from Dec. 15-Jan. 12. Sample fares include Toronto to Lisbon from $579 roundtrip; Montreal to Paris from $599 roundtrip; and Toronto to Dublin from $699 roundtrip. The promotion also includes a 15% discount on the first bag checked as well as surf, windsurfing, long-boarding, kite-surfing or biking equipment.
More information is available on the sale at https://www.flytap.com/discount-flights.
TOURS
G Adventures has launched a new Rail Collection, featuring both popular and lesser-known routes across the globe. The collection of 60 trips across 20 countries includes trips from across G Adventures’ travel styles, from Solo-ish to Geluxe – all offering stress-free transport logistics and the promise of spontaneous encounters along the way. Some sample itineraries include “Highlights of Poland,” “Solo-ish China,” “Back Roads of Japan,” and “Uncover India: High Deserts & Markets.”
CRUISE
Emerald Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours have launched of their complete 2026 Europe River Cruises Collection, accompanied by a limited-time savings event. Through June 30, Canadian travellers can take advantage of bonus savings of up to $2,000 per couple that can be combined with their Best Available and Flexi Fare promotions. Travel advisors also benefit from a 2% bonus commission during the promotion.
Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled plans to reimagine Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas, with new experiences debuting in the fourth quarter of 2025, including an expansive pool area with a dedicated bar, kids splash zone, new tram service and more.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Debuting May 1, SeaWorld Orlando’s Expedition Odyssey is a first-of-its-kind attraction that combines cutting-edge ride technology, breathtaking real-world footage and close-up encounters with Arctic wildlife to deliver “the most immersive Arctic experience ever created.” Combining dynamic motion, state-of-the-art visuals and real-world animal encounters, Expedition Odyssey blurs the line between simulation and reality, taking guests on an exhilarating journey through towering glaciers, vast tundra and the icy depths of the Arctic Ocean, encountering some of the planet’s most awe-inspiring wildlife along the way.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Quark Expeditions’ Arctic Sweepstakes offers six lucky travel advisors the chance to experience the wonders of the Arctic aboard the ‘Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway’ expedition, taking place May 29 – June 8, 2026. By booking Arctic voyages for their clients, advisors will earn entries into the contest. Putting them in the running for the trip to one of Earth’s most wildlife-rich regions. To participate, travel advisors must first register by completing a simple sweepstakes registration form, after which every eligible Arctic booking earns them entries: Each Arctic 2026 booking earns 3 entries per person for each Arctic 2025 booking and 1 for each in 2026. The sweepstakes ends June 30. Register HERE.
EVENTS
Explore Worldwide is inviting agents to mark the official launch of its new North America home base in Toronto on May 8 with a “laid-back evening of good vibes, great food and drinks, and even better company” at La Plume (near Union Station). In attendance will be Katy Rockett (Regional Director, North America), Aaron Fitzpatrick (BDM North America), and the rest of the North America team. Tickets are limited, register HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Travel industry veteran Pat Brady has started a new position as Director, Commercial Operations with Sunwing Vacation Group. Brady had left Transat after 30 years last November, having spent the past 10 years as national director of sales at Transat Tours Canada. Hailing “new beginnings,” Brady says she is excited to start to a chapter in her career, writing on Linkedin, “This opportunity comes at a particularly exciting time, as the group is integrating two of Canada’s leading travel companies, among others, under one dynamic organization.”
DESTINATIONS
Toronto-based VoX International Inc. has been named Canadian representation for Experience Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI), the official destination marketing and management organization (DMMO) for the Caribbean islands. Jazmin Jimenez will lead travel trade sales efforts for Experience Turks and Caicos as Account Manager, bringing experience from Exoticca and Sunwing Vacations. Erin Oddleifson, Director of Client Services, will oversee consumer marketing and Rosalyn Hunter, Director of Communications, will handle public relations.
The Croatian National Tourist Board has launched the ‘Croatia Full of Life Certificate,’ a new initiative designed to equip travel advisors with in-depth knowledge of Croatia’s diverse tourism offerings. Through a series of five themed webinars, participants will gain exclusive insights into Croatia’s key attractions, emerging destinations, luxury accommodations, sustainable tourism efforts, and off-the-beaten-path experiences. The program will culminate in an online quiz, after which successful participants will receive an official specialist certificate. Participation in the certification program is free of charge, with early adopters and top-performing participants eligible for special incentives. Register HERE.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1950, the federal and provincial governments agreed to build the Trans-Canada Highway. It was officially opened in 1962 but not completed for a few more years.
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