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
ACTA has a launched a new referral program for 2026 TO support the growth and strength of Canada’s national travel trade association. A grand prize incentive will see one lucky travel advisor or agency win a once-in-a-lifetime Antarctic expedition courtesy of Aurora Expeditions (value $45,000). Full contest rules and program details are available HERE.
In the wake of a backlash sparked by a viral video, WestJet says it will scrap a new seat configuration that squeezed an extra row on board many of its planes and left passengers with less legroom. The carrier announced it would return the cabins to a more spacious layout – a pricey reinstallation process – after harsh feedback from travellers and employees.
Porter Airlines and its flight dispatchers, represented by the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA), jointly announced that the parties have reached a tentative collective agreement. This is subject to a ratification vote for its members.
AIR
Air Canada has announced the only non-stop flights from North America to Sapporo, Japan, will begin Dec. 17 – just in time for travellers to take advantage of a wide range activities in the cold-weather hotspot, which came to prominence after hosting the Winter Olympics in 1972. Starting Dec. 17, the new service from Vancouver will take travellers directly to Hokkaido prefecture, marking the carrier’s third route to Japan.
Starting Nov. 8, WestJet will offer the only non-stop flight between Western Canada and South America, operating three times weekly between Calgary and São Paulo, Brazil. The service to the city – dubbed “the New York of South America” – and a gateway to iconic Brazilian landmarks such the Amazon Rainforest, Patagonia and the Iguaçu Falls, marks the airline’s 100th destination from YYC Calgary Airport. Onward connections will be available from WestJet partner LATAM.
Plans to start a new loyalty program with Desjardins Group and Visa have been announced by Air Transat. The launch, planned for the second half of this year, will offer travellers exclusive benefits and an improved experience, the airline said. The announcement comes after Transat suspended its BonBon rewards program in August of last year.
Flair Airlines is revamping its ultra-low-cost brand in a bid to attract more business travellers, despite a lack of frills on board – and will court travel advisor networks to do so. Company CEO Maciej Wilk says Flair is attempting a strategic shift away from a pure-play budget airline and toward what he dubbed a “value carrier.” The goal is to attract more work travellers – mainly from small businesses – via affordable fares and by plugging into networks linked to travel agents, booking sites and hotels.
BY THE NUMBERS
Tourism is worth £147 billion (CDN$274 billion) annually to the UK, about 5% percent of the national economy, says a new report in the U.K. The research from VisitBritain/VisitEngland shows that tourism is larger than the insurance and pensions sectors put together and employs more people than those and financial services combined; and further that tourism generated £52 billion ($97 billion) in tax revenues for the UK Government in 2024, while supporting nearly one in every 15 jobs across the UK (about 2.4 million jobs).
DEALS
Through Feb. 4, travellers can save up to $1,500 per couple on all tours worldwide with Collette. Stackable savings apply across land, air, and tour extensions. Use the code NEWYEAR26.
Instant savings of up to $1,000 on all new Air Canada Vacations bookings at select Sandals and Beaches Resorts made through Feb. 15. The incentive applies to air-inclusive packages of six nights or longer for travel through the end of the year Sandals Ochi and Beaches Negril in Jamaica, as well as Sandals Royal Curaçao and Beaches Turks and Caicos. Travel advisors can also earn double rewards by registering the ACV booking on the Sandals TA Portal within 30 days of making it and as part of the ACV&ME Program.
Until Jan. 31, the ‘Viking Savings Event’ provides 35% off all-inclusive voyages, up to free international airfare, and a $25 deposit for all itineraries – plus additional savings for returning guests – on select 2026-2028 river, ocean and expedition itineraries.
TOURS
In 2026, Tauck will again waive the single supplement on all Category 1 riverboat cabins; and solo travellers exploring the world on Tauck land itineraries will see single supplements reduced by up to US$600 on 105 departures of 37 itineraries.
Active England has officially unveiled Adventure by AE, a new B2B-focused, trade-facing brand created to serve tour operators and travel advisors seeking expertly operated, active adventure experiences across the U.K., with Ireland set to launch in 2027. As part of the launch, Scotland is now fully operational complimenting existing operational bases in the Cotswolds, the Southwest England, and Northern England. Sample itineraries under the Adventure by AE portfolio include Luxury Cotswold Hiking; Classic Scotland Biking; and The English Wine Route. For info, go to www.adventurebyae.com.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Wellness resort pioneer BodyHoliday is expanding beyond the Caribbean. Opening in 2029, BodyHoliday Algarve will be a five-star sanctuary on Portugal’s Eastern Algarve, 45 minutes from Faro International Airport. The 10.5-hectare beachfront resort (rendering above) will be integrated into its natural surroundings. Plans include 175 guest rooms and suites, five dining concepts, a 3,700-sq.-m. Wellness Center with more than 40 treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness complex, and multiple pools – including a dramatic negative-edge dune pool embedded in the landscape. Additional amenities will include a lush garden, FIFA-standard soccer field, racquet centre with tennis and padel courts, and BodyHoliday’s signature health and fitness programs.
CRUISE
In honour of its ‘Golden Anniversary’ (50 years), Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will celebrate throughout 2026 with a collection of exclusive onboard experiences and commemorative moments, including an elegant evening ‘Golden Party.’ To mark the milestone, a special 5oth anniversary sale also offers up to 30% off select 2026 departures. The anniversary year will also introduce two new Mystery Cruise sailings, plus the brand’s first-ever Grand Mystery Cruise combining both departures – a fitting 50-night ‘Rivers of the World’ cruise spanning three continents and four ships and additional ‘Generations Collection’ family sailings, among other new itineraries.
Avalon Waterways is adding seven new Christmas Market cruise departures for 2026 – a 15% boost in capacity and the company’s largest-ever lineup of festive sailings. Avalon says its Christmas Market cruises are among its most popular – selling out earlier each year. Avalon’s expanded 2026 festive fleet of Suite Ships now features more than 40 departures along the Danube, Rhine and Main Rivers.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Agents can earn $50 bonus rewards on every new booking made to the Philippines with Goway until Jan. 31. As well, $50 bonus rewards for every new booking made to South Australia until Feb. 28 with Club100 members earning double rewards.
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, go to https://www.quarkexpeditions.com/partners .
EVENTS
The Granite Travel Trade Expos are set to return in 2026. Here are the dates: London, April 13;
Kitchener, April 14; Barrie, April 15; Oshawa, April 16; St. John’s, NL, May 25; Halifax, NS, May 27; Moncton, NB, May 28; Winnipeg, Oct. 6; Red Deer, AB, Oct. 7; Kelowna, BC, Oct. 8; Ottawa, Nov. 2; Kingston, Nov. 3; Markham, Nov. 4; Hamilton, Nov. 5. Registration will open one month before each Expo.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
TravelBrands has announced the appointment of Janita Hubbard as BDM for British Columbia. She brings more than 13 years of travel industry experience to the role. Founder of Flying Solo Travel Club, Hubbard most recently worked as an independent contractor with Travel Leaders. She can be reached at Janita.Hubbard@travelbrands.com.
DESTINATIONS
Downtown Las Vegas hotels Circa Resort & Casino, the D Las Vegas (photo above) and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino are launching a new “At Par” commitment that will treat Canadian dollars as U.S. dollars across select gaming, hotel and beverage offerings through Aug. 31. Under the At Par program, eligible Canadian guests receive $1 USD in value for every $1 CAD spent, regardless of daily exchange rates across the Vegas properties.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1972, Canadian air traffic controllers went on strike, grounding most commercial flights. The walkout lasted 10 days.
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