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
Porter Airlines pilots have filed membership cards with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), taking the next step toward joining the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA). If certified, which is expected to take three to four weeks, Porter pilots will become ALPA’s 43rd pilot group. Porter Airlines represents the fourth-largest pilot group in Canada and is currently the largest non-unionized carrier in the country.
Iran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport welcomed its first foreign flight since the resumption of international air travel after a 20-day suspension. The Flydubai flight from the United Arab Emirates landed on Wednesday, after extensive security and diplomatic coordination. International flights will gradually resume to specific destinations, in coordination with authorities, to meet public needs and restore air links, authorities said.
EVENTS
ACTA members are invited to join the association’s next ACTA Townhall on July 14 at 1 p.m. EDT. The event will be hosted by ACTA’s new President, Suzanne Acton-Gervais, along with Avery Campbell, ACTA’s Director of Advocacy and Industry Relations. On the agenda will be ACTA’s latest advocacy efforts, including an update on the new federal government, Canada-US relations, and how ACTA is supporting travel advisors and agencies across Canada. Non-ACTA members are also welcome to attend. A French Townhall will take place on July 16. Register HERE.
BY THE NUMBERS
According to IATA, International air demand rose 6.7% compared to May 2024. Capacity was up 6.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.2%. This is a record load factor on international flights for May.
AIR
WestJet and Saudia have signed a new interline partnership agreement that will enhance global connectivity to more than 100 destinations across both carriers’ networks and includes single-connection access to Jeddah via Toronto Pearson as well as both Jeddah and Riyadh from London Heathrow and Paris Charles-de-Gaulle. Guests can now book a single ticket with a connected itinerary between WestJet and Saudia’s networks with single point check-in and through-checked bags.
Air Canada has extended its codeshare agreement with Lufthansa to include Lufthansa Express Rail services at Frankfurt Airport, operated by Deutsche Bahn. The agreement enables a seamless, intermodal itinerary to 24 stations in Germany as part of their flight itinerary and booked in one reservation. Air Canada offers up to five-times daily flights to Frankfurt Airport. The codeshare expansion enhances Air Canada’s international rail and bus intermodal network, which includes intermodal interlining partnerships in seven European countries and South Korea.
Air Inuit will take over Canadian North’s route between Kuujjuaq and Montreal starting Aug. 6. The transfer will take place ahead of schedule – it was originally planned for Oct. 1.
TOURS
Downunder specialist AAT Kings has launched a new range of small group tours (photo above) limited to groups of up to 24 guests per departure, which are designed to provide a more intimate and personalized experience for travellers. To celebrate the launch, the company is offering savings of up to 10% on selected land-only Small Group Tours booked by July 8.
TTC Tour Brands is launching a new Price Drop Promise 2026 and ahead of annual fall sales. The new value offer is designed to drive early bookings across Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Brendan Vacations and Costsaver. Launched as part of the 2026 Early Booking Deal, Price Drop Promise allows travellers to book with confidence knowing they’ll receive the best available price, even if the cost of their tour drops later. When travellers pay in full within seven days of booking, they’ll be eligible for a refund of the price difference should the cost of the same tour be lower on TTC Tour Brands’ sites before departure. The offer applies to new bookings made with code PDP26 by Sept. 2.
DEALS
Air Transat is offering its summer deals on flights to Europe, the South and on a selection of destinations departing from Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City. Amon them are Liberia, Montego Bay and Fort Lauderdale. The promo applies to new individual bookings on select routes made by July 13 for travel by April 30, 2026. For more details, travel agents are invited to visit airtransat.com or Agent Direct.
Expedia TAAP’s (Travel Agent Affiliate Program) Summer Sale for travel agents continues through July 21 (for travel through Oct. 31), enabling partners to take advantage of exclusive offerings of at least 25% off thousands of hotels in top global destinations.
The ‘Stay More, Save More,’ sale from Sandals Resorts offering guests up to $1,300 in credits on stays of seven nights or more for travel at any of the company’s 17 beachfront resorts through Dec. 25 when booked by July 14.
July 7 is the last day to take advantage of this limited-time promotion from Dominican airline Arajaet: 50% off round-trip flights for customers in Toronto and Montreal (taxes and fees not included). The travel window is Aug. 15 to Oct. 31 when using the promo code “CANADA25.”
The July Savings event from Quark Expeditions offers up to US$9,000 off Antarctic 2025/26 and Arctic 2026 voyages. The limited-time promotion – available until July 14 with a select number of cabins available — delivers savings on expeditions to the less-frequented reaches of Antarctica, Greenland, Svalbard, and Patagonia.
CRUISE
Viking named its newest ocean ship, the Viking Vesta, with a traditional ceremony in Split, Croatia. Serving as ceremonial godmother of the Viking Vesta was the Norwegian journalist, Lene Tangevald-Jensen, who, in keeping with the naming tradition, Lene used a Viking broad axe to cut a ribbon that allowed a bottle of Norwegian aquavit to break on the ship’s hull. Following the ceremony, the ship continued her inaugural season sailing in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
Margaritaville at Sea says it is implementing a series of “impactful initiatives” designed to strengthen its commitment to the trade, including a full-scale push to reward, engage and empower travel advisors through an expanded Travel Trade team, improved sales tools, and exclusive perks, including FAMs and advisor rates. For news, updates and access to all advisor resources, visit the Margaritaville at Sea Trade Agent Resource Portal HERE.
ATTRACTIONS
Located on the city’s Magnificent Mile (at 875 N. Michigan Ave. in the former John Hancock Center), the 360 CHICAGO observation deck has announced that it will expand from the 94th floor to include the 95th and 96th floors (latter for events and weddings), becoming Chicago’s first multi-story observation deck. After a multimillion-dollar renovation, the new spaces are expected to open to the public in 2027. New features planned include a grand staircase connecting floors 94, 95 and 96 – ascending through a dramatic triple-height space with striking views of Lake Michigan.
HOTELS & RESORTS
One of the Dominican Republic’s best-kept secrets is being added to Sunwing Vacations’ roster this winter. Nestled on the island’s northeastern peninsula, Samana is a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path destination suitable for families, groups and couples, offering a blend of activities and eco-experiences from snorkelling to whale watching and beaches to waterfalls. Properties include the revamped Eurostar Grand Cayacoa (formerly the popular Bahia Principe Grand Cayacoa); Xeliter Balcones del Atlantico’s all-ages resort ideal for long-stay vacations; and adults only Viva V Samana by Wyndham. WestJet Vacations Quebec will also offer two new hotels from Principe Hotels & Resorts.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa opened on July 3 as the first fully integrated Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in the country. Located at 4837 Albion Rd., about 10 minutes from the airport and half an hour from downtown, the new destination features 150 guest rooms, including 22 luxury suites, more than 14,000 sq. m. of entertainment and gaming space, 1,500 slot machines, up to 40 table games, and 10 restaurants and bars including a Hard Rock Café. There is also a 2,200-seat auditorium, with promises of “star studded” acts.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Travel advisors are invited to experience New Orleans firsthand this summer through New Orleans & Company’s 2025 ‘Independent Summer Travel Advisor FAM’ program. Through August, participating hotels across the city are offering exclusive rates for travel professionals (with flexible options and limited blackout dates) and agents can also request a VIP pass that provides exclusive access to discounts and special offers at restaurants, museums, and other popular attractions around New Orleans. Register HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Mississauga-based Huntington Travel Group has appointed two industry veterans to its leadership team: William “Bill” Duplak as Sr. VP – Operations & Client Management and Robert Cole as VP – Global Business Development, effective immediately. The strategic hires signal a new phase of growth for the company, combining Duplak’s airline and commercial expertise with Cole’s global partnership acumen to elevate advisor support and expand market reach.
John Lovell, President of Travel Leaders Network left the organization at the end of June to join Virgin Voyages cruise line. Since joining the TLN in 2002, Lovell held several leadership positions. He has been replaced Sr. VP and COO Lindsay Pearlman, who joined the company in 2019 to work with international partners and later took on responsibility for managing relationships with Associate members. He previously served as Co-President of Ensemble Travel Group and held executive roles at American Express.
DESTINATIONS
St. Maarten offers several ways that visitors can make a meaningful impact while engaging with the local culture on the island. Among them is the “pack with purpose” program at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, which invites guests to bring essential supplies such as clothing, school materials, or medical items, and drop them off at the resort for donation. Another is volunteering with the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten on early morning beach patrols to monitor sea turtle nests along the island’s shorelines.
The MICHELIN Guide is expanding into Saudi Arabia. This new selection will focus on Riyadh and Jeddah, while also beginning to explore the diverse regions of the Kingdom, including Khobar and AlUla. The guide says its independent, anonymous inspectors have been thoroughly exploring these areas to identify the most outstanding dining establishments. No date has been announced for the guide’s release.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1886, the first Canadian Pacific Railway passenger train from Montreal reached Port Moody, B.C., after a 139-hour trip. The first eastbound train left the next day.
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