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 21 people taken to hospital after a Delta Air Lines plane crashed at Toronto’s Pearson airport were released by Thursday and the wreckage of the plane moved to a hangar as the Transportation Safety Board of Canada continued to lead the investigation into the cause of Monday’s crash.
The federal government is moving ahead with a high-speed rail network between Quebec City and Toronto. The new system – to be called Alto – will slash travel times in half and get travellers from Montréal to Toronto in just three hours. Additionally, there will be stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Laval, and Trois-Rivières. The planned rail network – the largest infrastructure project in Canadian history, and which is expected to take several years to design and build – will span approximately 1,000 km and reach speeds of up to 300 kph.
Air Canada says it may reduce flights to certain US destinations later this year if demand from travellers begins to lag, as the airline acknowledged it is coping with uncertainty from the current economic environment, including the threat of tariffs.
BY THE NUMBERS
On an average day, approximately 47% of Air Canada‘s flights and 46% of its customers pass through Toronto Pearson – the airline’s global hub. Normally at Pearson, approximately 44 flights are normally allowed to take-off each hour. Despite restrictions during the recent storms in eastern Canada, which saw take-offs reduced to as few as 16 per hour, the airline was able to than 650,000 customers during the six-day period.
AIR
Summer flights from Montreal to Fort-de-France, Martinique, are being added by Transat. The Saturday service, beginning June 7, joins four-times weekly flights from Oct. 25 to make the route year-round.
Starting May 29, all Sunwing Vacations package customers will travel on board WestJet Airlines as the airline fully transitions its aircraft to its parent company’s fleet. The latest step in the integration of the companies coincides with the launch of Sunwing’s initial 2025 summer schedule, which will offer more than a dozen popular sun destinations with direct flights from six key Canadian gateways. Included in the program will be Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic,, Montego Bay, Varadero,St. Maarten and more.
Virgin Atlantic, which will launch service from Toronto Pearson (Terminal 3) on March 30, and WestJet have announced an expanded codeshare agreement that will facilitate connections on Virgin between London Heathrow and 13 Canadian gateways via YYZ. Passengers can also connect beyond London in the UK and further, including India. The two airlines will also co-locate at the airport’s Terminal 3.
Porter Airlines is continuing to expand its presence across Atlantic Canada with new flights connecting Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to Charlottetown Airport (YYG) and Deer Lake Regional Airport (YDF) starting in June. Seasonal service between Toronto and Deer Lake starts June 10with three weekly roundtrips, while Toronto-Charlottetown starts June 13, with four weekly roundtrips. Flights will operate on Porter’s new, 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.
DEALS
Through March, clients can save up to US$1,250 at all seven Sandals resorts on Jamaica, with rates starting from US$199 p.p., per night, plus included perks like a free catamaran cruise for two (a value of $230). Travel dates eligible for the “Jamaica Sale” are until the end of the year and include a US$650 instant credit, a US$100 web booking bonus, plus a flight credit based on length of stay (US$500 air credit for stays of seven nights or longer or US$250 credit on stays of five to six nights). Registration is required within 72 hours of booking in order to receive the free catamaran cruise for two.
Collette is offering a discount for select departures to Italy and France as a part of February’s Hot Deals. Travellers can save up to $550 when booking the July 7 departure of “Italy’s Treasures” and up to $500 the June 25 June departure of “Essence of France.”
Extended until Feb. 28, Viking’s Explorer’s Sale offers savings on voyages across all seven continents. Rates start at US$1,999 p.p., while other perks include up to free international airfare on selected itineraries; $25 deposit; and additional savings for new and returning guests.
TOURS
A new product line from Goway is designed to help travellers “renew, refresh, and recharge.” The tour company’s first eight “Ultimate Wellness” packages feature a diverse set of travel experiences from Japan and Thailand to Morocco and Peru. They also provide a holistic approach to wellness, catering to the diversity of travellers and the experiences they seek. Package can also be customized for groups of 10 or more travellers. Visit Goway.com/wellness.
The new 2025 Asia, South America, Oceania & Beyond Travel Agent Toolkit from Air Canada Vacations features an expanded portfolio of destinations and cruises across Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, Dubai, and Central and South America. The comprehensive resource simplifies trip planning while showcasing the latest itineraries and offerings. Features include a “Flying at a Glance” overview, top cruise options in the region, and summary of ACV offerings, including car rentals, Aeroplan, travel protection, the Vacation and Cruise Promises, the ACV&ME Rewards program and more. Download a copy HERE.
CRUISE
MSC Cruises’ latest flagship, MSC World America (photo) successfully completed her deep-water intensive systems tests during a final sea trial in the Atlantic Ocean. Set to become MSC Cruises’ 23rd ship, the vessel will now receive final finishing touches in Saint Nazaire, France, before being officially delivered to the cruise line on March 27, then officially named on April 9 at the new MSC Cruise Terminal in PortMiami.
Bookings are now open for Disney Cruise Line 2026 summer itineraries, featuring a full slate of global journeys aboard a newly expanded eight-ship fleet. Highlights include a second ship out of Vancouver for Alaska, and first-time destination, Cagliari, in Sardinia, Italy, aboard the Disney Dream. Also, the Disney Adventure, setting sail in December, will offer a lineup of three- and four-night itineraries from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore from April through summer 2026.
HOTELS & RESORTS
In West Virginia, The Outpost in the New River Gorge, offers upscale camping, unique lodging and live music, all surrounded by the natural beauty of the state. From tent platforms tucked within the forest to vintage campers, the stay is part of the experience. Fireside Jam sessions are free to the public and other special music events with local performers are included with a stay.
Luxury brand Kimpton has announced plans for a new boutique luxury hotel and branded residences in Monterrey, Mexico. As the brand’s sixth property planned for the country, Kimpton Monterrey will be located in the new-build mixed-use Torre Rise, set to be the tallest tower in Latin America. It is slated to open in 2026.
EVENTS
Travel agents, tour operators, and industry buyers are invited to register for the 17th Annual St. Maarten/St. Martin Regional Tradeshow (SMART), taking place March 31 to April 4. The event brings together tourism professionals from the Northeastern Caribbean and beyond for a program of networking, meetings, and cultural experiences with delegates from around the world, including Canada. For full details and to register, email office@shta.com .
Agents are invited to join a live webinar designed to help maximize their Orlando sales with the new experiences can be offered to customers. Hosted by Visit Orlando and Disney, the sessions will take place on Feb. 27 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. EST. During the session, participants will learn about new attractions, parades, ships, events and promotions that are available this year and have a chance top win a Disney World Sway Bag. Register for the early webinar HERE
or the later one HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) today announced the transfers Oral Chambers and Sedrecia Francis from its offices in the US and Jamaica respectively, to the organization’s Regional Office in Toronto. Chambers will act as a BDM for Eastern, Northern, and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) East territories, and Francis, will serve as BDM for Western Canada. Contacts are ochambers@visitjamaica.com and sfrancis@visitjamaica.com .
The destination marketing organization for the United States, Brand USA, has appointed Toronto-based Faulhaber as its new agency of record (AOR) for public relations in Canada. Faulhaber, which also has locations in Montreal and Vancouver, will work closely with the Brand USA team to share stories that highlight the USA as a culturally rich, diverse, and inclusive destination.
Collette has named industry veteran Stephanie Mirando as Sr. VP. of Global Marketing, overseeing the strategic direction and execution of global marketing initiatives for the tour company.
DESTINATIONS
Close to 200 participants (some of them shown above in Toronto) turned out last week for Atout France’s annual Destination France 2025 road show, which called in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. Nearly two dozen French suppliers were on hand to meet with guests, followed by dinner, awards and prizes. France is expecting a banner year in 2025 following its stellar 2024 which notably included the Paris Olympics, 80th anniversary of D-Day, and re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral.
The Los Cabos Tourism Board has launched a digital platform designed to enhance trip planning for both travellers and travel advisors. Featuring AI-powered tools, 360-degree virtual tours, interactive maps, and customizable itineraries, the platform simplifies the process of exploring the destination’s offerings. Check it out HERE.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 2020, Canadian passengers who spent weeks stuck in their cabins aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship as part of measures to contain the novel coronavirus arrived in Cornwall, Ont. They were flown out of Japan overnight, then bused to a NAV Canada centre to be quarantined for 14 days. Forty-seven Canadians remained in Japan for treatment after they tested positive for the new virus.
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