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
Kenora, Ont. will very soon have passenger air service again. Officials with the Kenora Airport Authority and North Star Air held a ribbon cutting celebration on Dec. 20 to announce the launch of flights between Kenora and Thunder Bay by the regional carrier starting in January.
On Jan. 1, Bulgaria joined the euro currency union, with money now in line with most of the rest of Europe. People will still be able to pay in levs for about a month, but they will start getting their change in euros. Old notes and coins are expected to be out of the economy in a matter of weeks. Until June 30, old money can be exchanged for no fee at banks, post offices and the Bulgarian Central Bank, and indefinitely at the central bank.
AIR
The new Emirates Asia Pass allows customers can book and customize itineraries across Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore and Laos, all under one ticket. The pass is available to travellers booking an international Emirates flight arriving in the countries and travellers can select from one to 10 flights within Southeast Asia. For added flexibility, customers can make changes to their flights after purchase with a nominal fee of US$15 per change on flights included in their pass.
Starting May 23, WestJet will operate four flights per week between Cardiff and Toronto, giving travellers from Canada a fast, convenient new gateway to Wales and England. The addition of WestJet’s Toronto service marks Cardiff Airport’s first new Canadian connection since 2008 opening up more travel opportunities by discovering the regions of Britain beyond London.
BY THE NUMBERS
Embraer delivered its 50th E195-E2 aircraft to Porter Airlines, marking a major milestone in the airline’s fleet expansions. Porter has firm orders for 75 aircraft, with purchase rights for an additional 25, potentially bringing its fleet up to 100 E2s. The E195-E2 has enabled Porter’s network expansion across Canada, the U.S., and now the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.
DEALS
Portugal’s national carrier TAP Air Portugal is celebrating the end of the year with a mega campaign with roundtrip fares from Toronto and Montreal to Portugal starting from $649 roundtrip, to Lisbon, Porto and Faro, and from $699 to Madrid and Barcelona. Further afield, fares to Israel from $749, to Morocco from $759 roundtrip, and to Africa from $1,099. The promotion ends Jan. 13 for travel between Jan. 13 and May 31, 2026.
Available for booking through Jan. 30 for travel in 2026, Bermuda’s ‘Pink Sale’ features exclusive promotions at select hotel properties across the island, with including savings of up to 35% off hotel stays, resort credits and complimentary room nights. Participating hotels include Azura, Cambridge Beaches, Grotto Bay, The Rosedon, and many more.
Margaritaville at Sea is rolling out its 2026 Wave Season deals with up to 60% off cruise fares, free guests on select dates, up to $800 in onboard credit, and new itineraries across The Bahamas, Mexico and Caribbean. Travellers can also take advantage of preview pricing for the cruise line’s newest ship, Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, debuting from PortMiami in 2027.
TOURS
London’ National Gallery (photo) has introduced a series of new themed tours for the trade in 2026, including Icons of the Italian Renaissance, British Art: Icons & Legends, Impressionism, and Northern European Treasures, featuring iconic works by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Monet, Van Eyck and Rembrandt. These additions complement a number of existing tours, along with private tours that are available during opening hours as well as exclusive out-of-hours tours. Special discounted groups and FIT rates are available for the trade. For details, email TravelTrade@nationalgallery.or.uk.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Club Med plans to expand its footprint in Québec with the announcement of a second property planned for Mont Tremblant. Developed in partnership with Brivia Group, the 300-room property is slated to begin construction in 2026 with a projected opening date of 2028. The high-end all-inclusive resort will be located on the Versant Soleil side of the mountain with year-round offerings for outdoor adventure seekers.
Bermuda’s Fairmont Southampton is set to reopen this spring 2026 after a US$550-million renovation that will include upgraded guest rooms, meeting spaces, ballrooms, and dining outlets, as well as a brand-new outdoor pool at the Beach Club. Meanwhile, The Loren Group, owners of The Loren Pink Beach have recently acquired the Elbow Beach Resort with plans to rejuvenate the historic property, blending its storied past with The Loren’s signature style.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep is coming to SeaWorld Orlando. The suspended family dark ride will see guests journey through immersive underwater ecosystems aboard a submersible, discovering inspiring stories of the sea. The innovative attraction blends adventure, education, and storytelling for a one-of-a-kind experience the whole family can enjoy.
CRUISE
With longer cruises and new overnight stays in Australia and Fiji, Holland America Line has launched its 2027-28 Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific season. Itineraries range from 14 to 35 days, with three ships sailing in the region from September 2027 through March 2028, Highlights include overnight stays in Melbourne and Cairns, Australia, and Lautoka, Fiji. Limited time EBBS are on offer, including $400 onboard credits for Mariner Society members through Feb. 16, 2026.
Four new ships and six itineraries are coming to Uniworld Boutique River Cruises in 2027. New ships include three brand-new Super Ship builds, the S.S. Audrey, S.S. Marlene, and S.S. São Rafael on Portugal’s Douro River, as well as exclusive sailings on the Aqua Blu, marking the brand’s debut in Singapore and Indonesia. The new Itineraries will include Europe and Asia.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Polar expedition specialist Quark Expeditions is giving travel advisors a chance to win a one of six berths on the company’s 14-day “South Greenland Adventure: The Majestic Alpine Arctic” voyage, sailing Aug. 29-Sept. 11, 2026. The “This is Polar” sweepstakes runs through March 31. To participate, travel advisors must register on the official entry page and begin collecting points. The more points earned, the more entries submitted. For details and to register, click HERE.
DESTINATIONS
Experience Kissimmee has launched the Latin Culinary Trail, a new immersive experience celebrating Osceola County’s rich Hispanic and Latino food culture. The trail features 20 handpicked restaurants, cafés, and food trucks – each highlighting the stories, flavours, and traditions that shape the region’s vibrant culinary landscape. From family-owned favourites like El Cilantrillo and La Mexicana Restaurant to community staples such as Food Trucks Heaven and Susana’s Café, the trail offers visitors a delicious way to explore Kissimmee’s cultural diversity. This collaboration also includes digital storytelling elements such as videos, podcasts and recipes, inviting travellers to experience the heart of Kissimmee through its food and the people.
On Aug. 12, 2026, there will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to view a total solar eclipse over the rugged landscape of Western Iceland, which is directly in the path of totality. The eclipse will be visible across the western part of Iceland between the tips of the Westfjords and Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Visitors can view it by joining a truly unique tour, scaling and summiting one of Iceland’s most iconic volcanoes, Snæfellsjökull. For info, click HERE.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 2020, the European Union recommended all 27 member countries discourage non-essential travel to and from the United Kingdom until further notice, following the emergence of a new coronavirus variant. But authorities said people in the U.K. and Europe should not be barred from returning to their homes.
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