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
Despite ranking seventh overall, the Canadian passport has made the biggest “losers list” of the world’s most powerful passports, having dropped three spots over the past decade, according to the influential Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. Based on data from IATA, the just-released 2025 Index ranks Canada 7th for 2025, the same as last year, however it has dropped from No. 4 in 2015, and No. 2 in 2014. Canadians can still visit 188 countries visa-free. Singapore tops the list at 195.
After only two years serving Canada from its base in Hamilton, Ont., PLAY Airlines is pulling out of the market. The Icelandic low-cost carrier’s schedule shows that starting in late April it will stop its four flights per week from YHM to its home base in Reykjavik, Iceland, which it uses as a hub for trips to Europe. While not mentioning Canada specifically, PLAY says on its website that it intends to “focus more on leisure destinations,” a strategy it has been implementing during the past few months and “plans to continue in 2025.”
Turkish Airlines will resume its flights to Damascus, Syria, next week after a halt of more than a decade, officials said last week following a visit by a delegation of Syria’s new, Turkey-backed rulers. There will three flights a week, starting on Jan. 23.
BY THE NUMBERS
On Dec. 15, Cathay Pacific and HK Express, the Cathay Group’s two passenger airlines, carried a combined total of 100,856 passengers, surpassing the 100,000-passenger mark on a single day –the most on a single day since the start of its rebuild. Since the milestone was first reached, the Group exceeded the 100,000-passenger mark on a total of eight days during the year-end travel peak ending Dec. 31.
AIR
JetBlue will launch flights between Boston and Halifax on June 26. The daily seasonal service will be the airline’s first-ever to the Nova Scotia capital.
WestJet will offer summer service between Calgary and New York LaGuardia, bolstering existing service to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport. Weekly flights between Calgary (d: 8:15 a.m.) and New York LaGuardia (d: 4 p.m.) will be available for purchase starting at 10 a.m. MST on Jan. 20, for travel from May 24 and Aug. 30, while year-round flying remains in place connecting Calgary and New York through JFK.
Direct flights to Europe by Pakistan International Airlines resumed following a decision by the European Union’s aviation safety agency to lift a four-year ban over safety standards.
Icelandair has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321LR aircraft, the first of three scheduled for delivery before summer 2025. This plane will be used as the replacement for Icelandair’s Boeing 757s and carries 187 passengers. They will also have a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles, or 7,400 km, which means the Airbus will be able to fly to all destinations Icelandair previously sent their Boeing 757’s.
DEALS
During Viking’s ‘Explorers’ Sale’ (through Jan. 31), Viking is offering special fares starting at $1,999 p.p. and up to free international airfare on select itineraries, as well as a $25 deposit for all itineraries – plus additional savings for new and returning guests.
Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program’s (TAAP) 2025 New Year Sale, empowering travel advisors to offer savings of at least 25% off thousands of hotel rooms around the world for their clients. The limited-time offer is available for booking until Jan. 26 with travel dates through Sept. 14, 2025. Expedia TAAP works with over 140,000 travel advisors globally, offering a wide-ranging inventory that includes more than three million properties, 220,000 activities, 120 car rentals and 500 airlines.
EVENTS
Travel Texas and Visit Dallas and Visit Fort Worth hosted select trade partners at a Leafs game last week to help highlight the plethora of sports opportunities and teams across every major league that can be found in the state. Among the hosts on hand were Rosalyn Hunger (VoX), Debra Bustas (Office of the Texas Governor), Colin Wood (VoX), Zane Harrington (Visit Dallas), Tim Fennell (Travel Texas), and Erin Oddleifson (VoX).
Save the date in February: Air Canada Vacations and Air Canada will host the ‘Dream Bigger, See the World’ training cinema sessions, with a special focus on Europe, Cruise, and its newest destinations beyond Europe next month. The events will take place on Feb. 18 in Toronto, Feb. 19 in Vancouver, and Feb. 20 in Montreal. The Air Canada Vacations Sales Team will showcase highlights of the 2025 product lineup and introduce new programs for Europe.
TOURS OPERATORS
Sunwing Vacations is giving advisors a chance to win 1,000,000 STAR Points and become a STAR Millionaire. And five more advisors will each receive a $100 Walmart gift card as a runner-up prize. In effect until Feb. 15, travel advisors can earn one entry per booking when booking a Sunwing vacation package (excluding groups and e-packages) to any sun destination for travel by May 5. Additionally, until Jan. 31, agents also have the chance to earn between two and 10X STAR Points when booking their clients at select properties down south, such as Marival Resorts in Mexico, Gaviota Hotels in Cuba, and select Iberostar properties in Cuba.
Contiki has launched a new active travel style designed for fitness enthusiasts and social adventurers. Believed to be an industry first, Run Club offers two itineraries that allow young travellers to explore popular European destinations while connecting with like-minded runners.
From a scenic jog around the crystal-clear waters of Lake Lucerne to local parks in Amsterdam and Florence and the picturesque vineyards of the Beaujolais wine region, each route offers a unique blend of fitness, exploration, and cultural immersion. The innovative offering taps into the booming trend of fitness as a social connector.
HOTELS & RESORTS
The former Tropicana Inn in San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos, Mexico) has officially converted to Tropicana Los Cabos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. The boutique 70-room property opened to locals in August and is now officially welcoming guests following a complete renovation, expanding the number of rooms, adding a pool and jacuzzi, incorporating a wellness centre and enhancing the food and beverage offerings on property – all while retaining its charm and scale – and is now officially welcoming guests.
Blue Diamond Resorts reports that Royalton CHIC Barbados will join Marriott International’s distinguished Autograph Collection upon its opening as an adults-only retreat in Spring 2026.
This new property will be known as Royalton CHIC Barbados, An Autograph Collection All Inclusive Resort – Adults Only. Located 30 minutes from Barbados International Airport, the all-inclusive resort will have 220 suites featuring either oceanfront views, swim-out access, or expansive ocean vistas.
CRUISE
Cunard’s newest luxury ship, the Queen Anne, embarked on her historic 107-night maiden world voyage from Southampton, UK, on Jan. 9, marking a new chapter in the cruise line’s distinguished history. The 3,000-guest ship becomes the 14th ship in Cunard’s long history to undertake a full world voyage. Notably, Queen Anne will also be the largest Cunarder to achieve a full circumnavigation of the globe.
Carnival Cruise Line’s enriched Learn & Earn training platform gives travel advisors new curriculum options, as well as access to more than 50 video-based courses designed to sharpen expertise on a variety of topics, including ship overviews and industry trends, as well as tools like social media training. Participation provides a variety of benefits, such as double Loyalty Rocks! reward points for each course completed and a 50-point bonus at graduation. Points can be redeemed for a variety of items including gift cards, Travel Agents Rock t-shirts and other merchandise.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Universal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras: International Flavours of Carnaval (photo), returns to Universal Studios Florida Feb. 1 through March 30. The event features a nightly parade with colourful floats, hundreds of street performers and tons of beads; cuisine inspired by New Orleans favourites and international flavours; and on select nights live performances by popular musical acts.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
To show appreciation for travel advisors, Quark Expeditions is offering a $250 gift card to advisors who book Arctic 2025 expeditions by Jan. 31.
Canadian travel agents can earn up to US$300 for tour operator and direct bookings as part of the Serenity Resort REWARD$ program at Saint Lucia’s all-inclusive Serenity at Coconut Bay. Agents will also earn 15% commission. At the same time, clients can save up to 65% off rates.
The Double Rewards Offer is valid for seven-night stays booked through Jan. 31 for travel March 1 through April 30. To qualify, agents must enroll in the resort’s reward program using their IATA number at SerenityRewards.com.
PEOPLE
Travel Leaders Network has hired Eva Damato as Senior Director, Luxury Lifestyle Marketing. Damato will be responsible for overall strategy and growth of the Luxury Leaders Alliance, Travel Leaders’ community for top-selling luxury sellers. Additionally, she will serve as an expert resource for luxury-focused suppliers and members and advise the executive team on the latest trends and issues in the luxury travel marketplace. Damato joins Travel Leaders Network from Seabourn Cruise Line.
DESTINATIONS
New York City Tourism + Conventions, the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, has opened reservations for NYC Winter Outing 2025. The program runs from Jan. 21 through Feb. 9, offering savings on experiences across all five boroughs, including prix-fixe NYC Restaurant Week menus at more than 500 restaurants; 2-for-1 tickets to 27 NYC Broadway Week shows; and 2-for-1 tickets to 60 museums, attractions, tours and performing arts for NYC Must-See Week. NYC Hotel Week, also part of NYC Winter Outing, is already underway offering 25% off standard retail rates at more than 140 hotels through Feb. 9. Reservations for all four programs are bookable at nyctourism.com/winterouting.
The summer opening of Buckingham Palace in London will take place from July 10 to Sept. 28 September 2025. Visitors will see the opulent State Rooms used by members of the Royal Family for official entertaining, including the White Drawing Room, Throne Room and Ballroom. The East Wing will also be open again for guided tours from mid-January to late May and as part of the summer opening following a successful trail in 2024. A visit to the State Rooms can be combined with a Garden Highlights Tour, which takes in areas of the Palace Garden. Tickets and visitor information can be found at www.rct.uk.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1908, the Grand Canyon National Monument was created with a proclamation by US President Theodore Roosevelt. (It became a national park in 1919.)
In 1935, aviator Amelia Earhart began a trip from Honolulu to Oakland, Calif., that made her the first woman to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean.
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