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
ACTA is advising that the Government of Canada’s new tax relief measures introduced to assist workers and businesses impacted by U.S. tariffs include travel agencies and independent travel advisors. Effective from April 2 until June 30, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will defer GST/HST remittances and corporate income tax payments; additionally, the CRA will waive interest on GST/HST and corporate income tax (T2) instalments and arrears payments scheduled between April 2 and June 30, 2025, and provide interest relief on existing GST/HST and T2 balances for this same period.
Global Affairs Canada warned that Canadians travelling to the U.S. should be prepared for greater scrutiny by U.S. border agents, including the possibility of having phones and laptops checked. The new travel update advised: “Individual border agents often have significant discretion in making those determinations. U.S. authorities strictly enforce entry requirements. Expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices. Comply and be forthcoming in all interactions with border authorities. If you are denied entry, you could be detained while awaiting deportation.”
Canadians travelling to Brazil again require a visa after the South American country reintroduced requirements for travellers from this country, as well as the U.S. and Australia on Aug. 10. Visas for Canadian tourists arriving in Brazil by air, sea or land are required to obtain a visa granting permission into the country for stays of up to 90 days; the documents, however, do not apply to students or those travelling to Brazil for business. E-visas may be obtained online via the authorized VFS Global site at https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/ .
BY THE NUMBERS
61% of Canadians are planning to travel this year according to a new travel sentiment survey by the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA), however a majority (70%) say they are unlikely to travel south of the border. Top reasons are support for Canada during the tariff dispute (57%); because of the political leadership (51%); or because the Canadian dollar is too weak (34%)
AIR
WestJet has announced the expansion of non-stop service between Calgary and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport to daily year-round through the winter schedule which begins on Oct. 27. The airline attributes the increase of service to the continued success of the route on both sides of the Pacific, after first having increased to daily service for its 2025 summer schedule.
Porter Airlines reports that commissions@flyporter.com inbox has been discontinued, noting that since September 2022, Flex Travel Solutions has been the first point of contact for commission inquiries, reporting, system functionalities, and related matters. Contact support@flextravelsolutions.com for inquiries, including relating to any previous matters sent to the discontinued inbox. Agents who haven’t already done so are advised to register with Flex Travel Solutions and keep your IATA/ARC list up to date by submitting it monthly to onboarding@flextravelsolutions.com and distribution@flyporter.com.
DEALS
Until April 21, kids stay and eat free at family-friendly resorts in Transat’s Family Collection. Other benefits available include deals for teens (13 to 17 years); solo parent promo for those travelling alone with kids; early check-in/late check-out; extended Kids Club hours; and access to themed pools and waterparks. Sales apply to individual bookings of South packages, for select hotels and travel dates through Dec. 15.
Throughout April, Viking’s April Sale offers generous incentives, including free airfare, reduced fares, and US$25 deposits across its River, Ocean, and Expedition fleet.
Blue Diamond Resorts’ “Summer Black Friday” campaign gives travellers early access to savings typically reserved for year-end. For booking made by April 30, for travel by Sept. 30, the promotion includes brands like Royalton Luxury Resorts, Royalton CHIC Resorts, Hideaway at Royalton Resorts, Planet Hollywood Beach Resorts, Mystique by Royalton, and Grand Lido Negril. Prices vary based on the property, season, and room type.
TOUR OPERATORS
Air Canada Vacations has launched its first-ever ‘Travellers’ Top Picks Awards’ in celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary. The awards give Canadians a chance to vote for their favourite global destinations – and enter the Travellers’ Top Picks Contest for a chance to win $5,000 in Air Canada e-gift cards towards a future vacation. Participants can vote in 10 travel categories, from beach escapes to relaxing retreats and family-friendly adventures. Voting is open until June 30, and winning destinations will be announced in September. Vote HERE.
Intrepid Travel says it’s turning the page on traditional tourism with the launch of a new collection of experience-led travel books designed to inspire meaningful adventure and connection. Available from April 15, the Intrepid Guides will be available both online and in major bookstores, with the debut series featuring Japan, Iceland, and Australia. Each book goes beyond typical sightseeing tips and is built around experiences, not just places. Upcoming guides to Vietnam and Italy will be released later this year.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Vancouver will welcome a Le Germain Hotel to the heart of city in 2029. The landmark project will transform an office building at 1111 West Hastings St. into an elegant 180-room boutique hotel in Coal Harbour, close to the Convention Centre, and promising breathtaking views of the North Shore Mountains and waterfront. With the expansion, Germain Hotels will become a coast-to-coast company operating in 12 Canadian cities. The project will be Germain Hotels’ 22nd property and its ninth hotel under the Le Germain Hotel banner, following the recent announcement of Le Germain Hotel Casino de Montréal.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts has expanded its W.I.S.E. program with two new wedding experiences – Brewery Weddings and the Beso for Two elopement package. Couples can craft their own signature wedding beer at LandShark Brewery and serve it to their guests, creating a uniquely personal touch to their celebration, or opt for an intimate, stress-free elopement in a breathtaking setting
CRUISE
Avalon Waterways is undertaking a fleet-wide refresh designed to enhance the style, comfort and connectivity of river cruising (photo above). Over the next two years, Avalon is updating its “Better By Design” experience with top-to-bottom enhancements that promise smoother sailing and more style on every Suite Ship in Europe (with the exception of the Avalon Alegria, Avalon View and Avalon Envision, which were already built in the enhanced style leading the fleetwide refresh).
At 46,000-sq.-m., MSC Cruises’ new PortMiami facility in Florida is the world’s largest cruise terminal. It spans 4 levels and is the first terminal in the world to be able to welcome three cruise ships simultaneously and can process 36,000 guests daily. It features 7 pieces of artwork including a 1,000-sq.-m.-foot digital art installation displayed on the outside of the terminal, has 43 luggage screening machines, 18 biometric facepods to verify passport and identification, and 22 E-gates used for embarkation.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Universal has chosen the homeland of Harry Potter to build its first theme park and resort in Europe. Construction on the park planned on 1.93 sq. m. in a former brickyard in Bedford, U.K. is expected to be completed by 2031. The town is about 80 km. north of London. Universal did not say what attractions it would offer at the park, but it has built rides around many of its movie franchises, including “Minions,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Jurassic Park,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “Fast & Furious.”
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Through April 30, travel advisors can earn 5X STAR Points on every Sunwing vacation package booked for travel between May 29 and Oct. 31, to sun destinations including Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Clients who book early can take advantage of Sunwing’s Early Booking Baggage Incentive in which those who book by the first of the month, for travel at least two months following the booking deadline, will receive their first checked bag free of charge.
EVENTS
VISIT FLORIDA has announced that next year’s Florida Huddle and Encounter will take place Feb. 2-4, 2026, at Hilton Orlando. Huddle is the Sunshine State’s Official Travel Trade Show, showcasing the best of Florida to international and domestic tour operators, wholesalers and media with one-on-one-appointments, educational sessions, and networking.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Air Canada mainstay and current Specialty Sales Manager Tony Celio has announced he is retiring April 30 after 37 years at the airline. First post-retirement activity for the 57-year-old? Travelling to Europe with his daughter on May 1, he told LWTM.
During its AGM, the Discover America Canada committee elected a new executive board was announced for the 2025 and ‘26 terms. The board consisting of seven members including Susan Webb, VoX International – President; Raina Williams, Expedia Group Media Solutions- Canada – Vice President: Viktor Spysak, Manager Sales and Tourism Partnerships Air Canada – Vice-President; Stephen Fine, Snowbird Advisor – Secretary/Treasurer; Sana Keller, Pulse Communications – Director; Greg Marshall, Founder Genesee Journeys – Director; and Colin Wood VoX International – Director.
DESTINATIONS
Discover Dominica’s “Kool Escapes” summer campaign presents special discount offers on some of the Caribbean island’s top accommodations, from luxurious beachfront resorts to eco-friendly retreats, including budget-friendly options. Additionally, there are adventure and nature tours, activities like dining river tubing, motorized island excursions, whale watching, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking and more. For all the deals, visit discoverdominica.com/en/kool-escapes.
Starting Dec. 20, a new nonstop flight service between Atlanta and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will afford Canadians another way to reach the Caribbean archipelago. The new Delta Air Lines route offers a seamless same-day connection from Toronto Pearson to Hartsfield- St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVD).
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1753, the British Museum was founded in London. In 1842, the Gesner Museum, Canada’s first public museum, opened in Saint John, N.B.
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