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
Air Canada flight attendants voted to give their union a strike mandate “if necessary” effective Aug. 16. The Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees concluded voting earlier this week and members voted 99.7% in favour of a job action. The mandate does not mean that a strike is guaranteed, only that union members support the measure if the bargaining team decides to call for a work stoppage.
The US State Department is proposing requiring applicants for business and tourist visas to post a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the United States. It is not clear whether the action would affect Canadians. The notice said the bond would not apply to citizens of countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which enables travel for business or tourism for up to 90 days, however Canada is not among the 42 listed VWP countries. Nevertheless, most Canadians similarly do not require visas, as was confirmed in a recent U.S. immigration update in April. The countries affected will be listed once the program takes effect.
Aeroplan is changing the way it allocates points. Starting Jan. 1, members will earn their loyalty points on eligible Air Canada flights based on dollars spent rather than the distance they travel. The company says the changes are designed to better recognize Aeroplan members who “spend more and travel more” with Air Canada and who actively engage across the program “while keeping Aeroplan Elite status truly special.” The changes will also favour more “holistic” Air Canada customers – ones who “earn with our partners, choose flexible fares, and carry Aeroplan credit cards.”
BY THE NUMBERS
The Travel & Tourism sector in Canada is forecast to set a new record in 2025, contributing almost $183BN to the economy and continuing the country’s impressive growth streak, according to new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council. WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research (EIR) reveals that the sector is also set to support 1.8MN jobs this year, representing a “a major milestone that cements tourism’s role as a pillar of the Canadian labour market and reflects a continued strength in the sector.”
AIR
Non-stop service to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will be offered by Air Transat this winter from both Toronto and Montreal. The flights are part of a fortified 2025-26 winter program that includes a total of 14 new routes. Starting Feb. 4, flights to Rio will be operated with the Airbus A330 aircraft; twice weekly from Toronto (on Wednesdays and Saturdays) and once weekly from Montreal (on Thursdays), where Air Transat will be the only carrier offering a non-stop service.
Air Canada is expanding its multi-modal Landline service to Kingston, Ont., enabling customers at Norman Rogers Airport (YGK) to seamlessly connect with Toronto Pearson. Starting Sept. 23, the daily departures on the luxury motorcoach service will leave Kingston airport at 6:50 a.m. (AC2514) and 5:30 p.m. (AC2515), with returns from Toronto at 8:10 a.m. (AC2516) and 7:10 p.m. (AC2517). It is the third Air Canada Landline service in southern Ontario after Hamilton and Waterloo.
AlFursan, Saudia Airlines’ loyalty program, has introduced a new “Cash + Miles” payment option – making travel more flexible and rewarding for members. The new feature allows AlFursan members to split the cost of their airline tickets using a combination of loyalty miles and cash. Integrated directly into Saudia’s digital booking journey, the payment option provides greater flexibility and convenience with no seat limitations per flight.
DEALS
The ‘Summer Sale’ at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas (photo) is available for booking by Aug. 14 for stays from Aug. 15 to Oct. 31 with savings of 25% savings up to US$1,200 in resort credit (based on length of stay). The all-inclusive offer includes access to Aquaventure water park, marine habitats and over 40 restaurants.
Also in Nassau, World of Hyatt members can save up to 25% on qualifying stays at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar through Sept. 30. The oceanfront resort offer includes luxurious rooms, access to the Baha Mar Casino, golf course and multiple pools with added perks like complimentary kids’ club entry.
TOURS
Citing increased demand, Contiki is expanding its Africa portfolio with the launch of four new trips in Africa. Designed to make bucket-list safaris more accessible to younger audiences, each new itinerary, across Kenya, Tanzania and Eswatini and South Africa, delivers the classic safari experience with added adrenaline and cultural immersion. In addition to the trips in East Africa, Contiki has announced a new nine-day version of its popular “Cape, Safari & Falls” itinerary, now featuring the Bushfire Festival – one of Africa’s most celebrated music events. Contiki’s Africa portfolio now includes over 30 itineraries across the continent.
Tauck will launch four new European land journeys in 2026, expanding into less-visited regions of Greece, the Scottish Highlands, and quaint-yet-cosmopolitan Scandinavian capitals, with itineraries designed for both families and adult travellers. The expansion comes amid incredible demand in all three regions, says the tour operator, with many of Tauck’s itineraries there selling out completely in both 2024 and 2025.
CRUISE
Princess Cruises reports that fan favourites Cynthia Lauren Tewes and Charo will join The Love Boat Celebration at Sea aboard Regal Princess, sailing Nov. 16-23, 2025, on a seven-day Western Caribbean voyage. The cruise departs from Galveston, Texas, with calls to Cozumel – with an overnight stay at port – and Roatán. In addition to meet-and-greets, themed activities, and special tributes to the iconic series, guests will be treated to exclusive live performances by Charo, whose blend of Flamenco guitar and high-energy stage presence helped make her a standout guest star on the show.
Celebrity Cruises has announced its 2027-28 season featuring more than 175 sailings across Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, Japan, Canada and New England – reaching over 180 destinations spanning from Sydney to Santorini. Highlights for the upcoming season include Celebrity Xcel returning to Europe for a second Mediterranean season, an extended Alaska season for Celebrity Edge, and unique cultural experiences tied to Japan’s Gion and Nebuta festivals. The season also features more than 60 overnight stays and over 115 port days of 12-plus hours across European destinations, giving travellers significantly more time to explore.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Club Med Punta Cana, one of the brand’s flagship North American resorts (photo above), is set to unveil a major renovation this fall that include new social spaces, reimagined culinary experiences, and refreshed accommodations.
Hilton’s Tapestry Collection has expanded into Northern Ireland for the first time with the debut of The Marcus Portrush, a whimsical 80-room new hotel on the country’s rugged North Atlantic coast, near Royal Portrush Golf Club. Like all Tapestry Collection hotels, the property celebrates the spirit of its surroundings through design, character, and unexpected storytelling.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
TravelBrands has unveiled significant enhancements to its Loyalty Rewards Program. Now in effect, they include a new sales-based tier structure, expanded redemption options, and elevated benefits across all product lines. The enhanced program introduces three new sales-based tiers: PRO: $0-$49,999.99 in annual sales; PLUS: $50,000-$149,999.99 in annual sales; and ELITE: $150,000+ in annual sales. There are also added value and richer redemption opportunities, including exclusive perks and recognition at every tier, with incremental rewards as agents advance. Visit www.travelbrandsaccess.com.
Sunwing Vacations‘ August Partner of the Month, Blue Diamond Resorts, is offering travel advisors special incentives throughout the month, as well discounted rates for clients at the brand’s collection of properties across Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Antigua, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Costa Rica. Travel advisors can earn up to 6X STAR Points on every booking with a minimum of seven nights at participating Royalton Luxury Resorts, Hideaway at Royalton Luxury Resorts, Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts, Royalton CHIC Resorts, and Grand Lido Resorts between through Aug. 31 for travel until Oct. 31. They’ll also be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two hotel stays at Planet Hollywood Cancun or Royalton Punta Cana.
EVENTS
Ontario’s tourism industry is launching a new strategic plan. Stakeholders and those with a vested interest are invited to join a Zoom launch of the plan by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) today (Aug. 11) from 10 a.m. to noon, by registering HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
iryo and Discover the World have announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing awareness of Spanish high-speed train travel among international audiences. iryo is Spain’s leading private high-speed rail operator by number of frequencies and fleet volume and is owned by partners Trenitalia, Air Nostrum and Globalvia. The company started operations in 2022 with a fleet of new state-of-the-art trains.
DESTINATIONS
Europe’s largest annual street festival – London’s Notting Hill Carnival – is set to break out again Aug. 25-26, attracting more than two million people from around the world. The cultural phenomenon – a celebration of the diversity multicultural identity of the British capital – is rooted in Caribbean heritage and features colourful parades, live steel bands, elaborate costumes, and food stalls lining the streets of West London
The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) has launched Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026, which aims to position Malaysia as a premier medical tourism destination by showcasing its advanced healthcare services and hospitality. The campaign also seeks to attract international health travellers by highlighting the nation’s advanced medical facilities, skilled professionals and holistic wellness offerings. In 2024, Malaysia welcomed 1.6 million healthcare travellers, reflecting a 14% year-on-year increase.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 2005, an Air France passenger jet carrying 309 people skidded off the runway in a fierce thunderstorm at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. All on board escaped before the jet burst into flames.
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