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
All three major Canadian airlines suspended service to Cuba following a warning by the government of Cuba to airlines and pilots that jet fuel would not be available at nine airports across the island, including José Martí International Airport in Havana, starting Tuesday and continuing until March 11. Air Canada, WestJet and Transat all began bringing clients home.
ACTA will hold its annual International Destination Conference this year in Yokahama, Japan. Following massively successful events in Spain and Azores/Portugal the past two years, ACTA is partnering with the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) to host qualified travel advisors Nov. 29-Dec. 4. Travel advisors must apply online before midnight PST, Tuesday, March 3. The registration form can be found at ACTA – Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors .
VisitBritain is advising that the UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) scheme will be strictly enforced for visitors – including Canadians – effective Feb. 25. From that date onward, travellers without an approved ETA will not be permitted to board transportation to the UK or enter the country. Enforcing it in full will mean that everyone who now travels to the UK must have digital permission through either the ETA or an eVisa, which will be checked by carriers before passengers travel. That includes passengers in connecting flights that require going through UK passport control.
BY THE NUMBERS
Global business travel professionals are cautiously optimistic this year despite concerns over costs, traveller safety, and potentially stricter U.S. border and visa requirements. Six in 10 (59%) industry professionals polled by the GBTA say they are optimistic for 2026 and about a third (31%) cite a neutral outlook. One-third of travel buyers (35%) expect the number of business trips taken at their company to increase in 2026, while almost half (47%) expect levels to remain the same as 2025.
AIR
WestJet is expanding its domestic network with new non-stop summer service between Calgary (YYC) and Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. (YAM), North Bay, Ont. (YYB) and Campbell River, B.C. (YBL). The airline is also adding non-stop seasonal service between Terrace, B.C. (YXT) and Edmonton (YEG), strengthening domestic connectivity within Western Canada. Beyond the four new routes, WestJet is also increasing domestic capacity at Halifax Stanfield by almost 50% with significant increases in flight frequencies to Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary, Toronto, Regina and Saskatoon.
Porter Airlines has extended service through summer from Toronto Pearson to Cancun (CUN), Costa Rica (LIR) and Nassau (NAS), Hamilton to Fort Lauderdale (FLL), as well as from Ottawa to Cancun.
Starting in October, Icelandair will introduce direct flights from Reykjavik to Tromsø, Norway alongside additional year-round service to Bergen. Canadians travelling to Norway can utilize the route with Icelandair’s stopover program allowing them to stop in Iceland for up to seven days at no extra airfare.
DEALS
From Feb. 25-22, “Luxury Rail Week” offer savings on Railbookers’ collection of luxury rail vacation, including an additional $600 per couple on select luxury train journeys, which may be combined with other available offers. The limited-time offers give travellers the chance to experience legendary rail routes around the world, such as Maharajas’ Express, Rocky Mountaineer; Rovos Rail; Venice Simplon-Orient-Express; and VIA Rail Prestige Class. Visit www.railbookers.ca/luxury-rail-week.
Ireland and Britain specialist CIE Tours is offering savings of up to 20%, or up to CDN$2,000 per couple, on select 2026 guided tours. The promotion is available for new bookings between Feb. 9 and 27 for travel between April 1 and Dec. 31 with no blackout dates.
TOURS
Sunwing Vacations is expanding its portfolio with five new and renovated all inclusive resorts across Mexico and the Dominican Republic, offering travel advisors new options for clients seeking family vacations, adult-only escapes or elevated beachfront relaxation. Riu Jalisco, Mexico – newly expanded family resort; Ocean Allure Costa Mujeres, Mexico – New adults-only five-star property; Bakour Punta Cana Suites, Dominican Republic – new to Sunwing, Intimate family-friendly experience; Iberostar Selection Riviera Cancun, Mexico – new resort built for family and couples; and Royalton Riviera Cancun An Autograph Collection All Inclusive Resort and Casino and Royalton Hideaway Riviera Cancun, An Autograph Collection All Inclusive Resort Adults Only, Mexico – newly renovated dual-resort experience for families and adults.
‘National Geographic Signature with G Adventures’ is a new collection of high-end travel experiences offering rare access to the world through the lens of National Geographic, focused on expert education and immersive experiences that ensure meaningful benefits for local communities. Designed for culturally curious travellers, the collection opens up the world “through the richness of expert knowledge and education, special access to rarely seen places, meaningful immersion into local culture and a sense of purpose.” trips can be viewed here.
By the end of 2026, 75% of Intrepid’s Canadian tours will include at least one Indigenous experience with a long-term goal of 100% inclusion across all itineraries.
HOTELS & RESORTS
<<Venice
Following meticulous restoration, Venice’s legendary Hotel Danieli (photo above) is set to debut as a Four Seasons experience this summer. Located on the laguna waterfront on the famous Riva degli Schiavoni, steps from Piazza San Marco, the Danieli unites three interconnected palaces and will feature 120 rooms and suites. Reservations are being accepted for Aug. 26.
Now open, the Residence Inn by Marriott Bromont is the first premium, extended-stay hotel of its kind and the only ski-in, ski-out property in Quebec’s Eastern Townships about an hour from Montreal. The property sits directly at the base of Bromont, which is home to 125 ski trails and 91 night slopes – the most illuminated ski slopes in North America.
CRUISE
The Scenic Group has combined its Scenic Club and EmeraldEXPLORER programs into one unified platform for guests. The new Scenic & Emerald Rewards global loyalty program us designed to recognize and reward member travel across all the Scenic and Emerald Cruises luxury yacht, river and escorted land journeys. Existing status points from the previous two programs will be combined into a single consolidated balance, providing members with one streamlined account and a simpler way to earn and redeem rewards on every booking.
Royal Caribbean Group has announced a series of agreements with the Chantiers de l’Atlantique (CdA) shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France to secure the construction of its new Discovery Class ships. The agreements include two firm ship orders with options for four additional ships. The first ship in the class is set to debut in 2029, while the second ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2032.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
The acclaimed fil, “Sinners,” is taking centre stage at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood with a new, limited-time exhibit, opening during Black History Month and running through March 31. The exhibit offers an up-close look at original costumes and authentic film pieces and invites tour guests to step into the world of films settings in Club Juke and Clarksville, Mississippi.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Goway GroupsOnly is sharing the love this February with a sweepstakes for travel advisors, offering the chance to earn up to $1,000 on their GowayPro Virtual Rewards Card. Every new group booking made in February a travel advisor five entries into the contest, with the chance to win one of three prizes: $1,000, $500, and $250. The three winners from all the correct entries will be randomly selected in early March. See the sweepstakes page on GowayPro.com for full details.
Kensington has relaunched its advisor appreciation campaign. Through the program, advisors can earn up to $250 on every qualified booking made in 2026 for travel through 2027 with an additional $500 awarded for every fifth booking. Full commission continues to apply. For details, go to the travel agent portal at https://fit.kensingtontours.com/Login.aspx .
EVENTS
For 30 minutes, Air Canada Vacations will detail it’s Europe and Beyond offering in webinar on Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. EST. Register HERE.
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8383269740112201813
On Feb.19 at 12 p.m. ET, advisors are invited to meet with Sam Kern, the designer behind Collette’s Explorations tour through Chile and Argentina. This immersive ‘Tours Series’ session
gives advisors a deeper look at how Collette’s tours are crafted and what makes them resonate with travellers seeking meaningful, culturally rich experiences. To register, go to Tour Series event. Access to an on-demand version will be available for those that register but are unable to attend the live event.
France’s tourist board will host its annual Destination France trade show events in four Canadian cities in March. Dates include March 9 – Vancouver; March 10 – Toronto; March 11 – Montreal; and March 12 – Halifax. The Atout France Canada events will include French partners and the announcement of the 2026 Destination France Prize for top tour operator itinerary. Travel agents and tourism professionals who subscribe to Atout France’s newsletter in Canada will be invited to vote for their favourite products between Feb 10 and 20.
Emerald Cruises & Tours and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours will host 25 upcoming information sessions taking place across Canada throughout February and March, beginning on Feb. 17. Designed to benefit both travellers and travel advisors, attendees will get a look at both Scenic and Emerald Cruises’ Europe and Southeast Asia river cruise itineraries for 2026-27, with a focus on premium luxury travel experiences. Registration is open to both travellers and travel advisors as follows:
• Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours Information Sessions: www.scenic.ca/riverevents
• Emerald Cruises’ Information Sessions: www.emeraldcruises.ca/riverevents
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Flair Airlines named Len Corrado as Chief Executive Officer. Effective Feb. 9, the former president of Sunwing Airlines replaced Maciej Wilk as part of planned transition at the company.
Coming off a record year, Goway is expanding its GroupsOnly leadership team: Jennifer Murray has been promoted to Director of Groups Sales & Reservations while Ali Rizvi joins the company as Groups Sales & Reservation Manager for Asia and the Americas and Patrick Corriveau as Groups Sales & Reservation Manager for Europe.
DESTINATIONS
<<Lighthouse
Popular Quebec tourist attraction the Sainte-Marthe-de-Gaspé Lighthouse (photo above) also known as the La Martre Lighthouse, has been designated as a Canadian heritage lighthouse for its historical, architectural, and community significance. Built in 1906, the striking red octagonal tower stands over 19 metres high on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River and is considered a highly distinctive and visual landmark for mariners and visitors alike. Its distinctive architecture, with classical detailing, panoramic views, and original wood-frame construction, reflects a style common to Canadian lighthouses of the era.
From Feb. 16 to March 12, NYC Off-Broadway Week offers savings on 2-for-1 tickets to 26 shows across New York City, including 16 newcomers. Tickets are available at nyctourism.com/offbroadwayweek.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 2003, The World Health Organization’s Beijing office received an email describing a “strange contagious disease” in Guangdong province that killed dozens within one week. The disease was later identified as SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome.
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