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
The federal government is set to announce details of its promised “Canada Strong Pass” this week and the tourism initiative is expected to take effect June 20 until the end of August. During the recent federal election, Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to introduce a single pass that would give young people under 18 free access to Canada’s national galleries and museums and free seats on Via Rail when travelling with their parents. Carney also said that Canadians would have free access to national parks and historic sites during the summer.
Transat A.T. Inc. reported a net loss of $22.9 million in its latest quarter compared with a loss of $54.4 million in the same quarter last year as its revenue rose 5.9 percent.
With 28 active wildfires in the province – 10 of them out of control – and the province under a state of emergency, Manitoba’s government urged urging tourists to reconsider visiting as it worked to find shelter for a flood of wildfire evacuees now reaching 21,000.
AIR
WestJet and Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) announced a new interline partnership agreement that enhances seamless connectivity across the Atlantic and throughout the Nordic countries. WestJet guests will gain single-ticket access to 29 destinations across Denmark, Sweden and Norway including key cities such as Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Luleå and Malmö. This interline agreement is the first phase of co-operation between the airlines, which intend to expand the partnership to codeshare in the coming months. Both airlines will have bookings for sale on June 26.
East coast connectivity is being boosted by the launch of two new routes from Porter Airlines – Toronto to Deer Lake, Nfld., and YYZ to Charlottetown. The former began June 10, the latter June 13. Deer Lake service will feature three weekly roundtrips (Tues-Thurs-Sat) for the season, through Sept. 13, while Charlottetown flights offer four weekly roundtrips (MON-Wed-Fri-Sun), increasing to daily service on June 26, and ending Sept. 14.
Air Canada’s inaugurated its newest international flight from Toronto to Prague, Czech Republic. The service is operated on Airbus 330-300 aircraft with thrice weekly seasonal departures from YYZ Tues-Fri-Sun (returning the next day) through Sept. 29.
BY THE NUMBERS
On June 12, the Cathay Group celebrated the milestone of 100 passenger destinations across the globe with Cathay Pacific and HK Express. Hong Kong Secretary for Transport Mable Chan said: “Today, we celebrate a very important milestone in Cathay’s long journey over the past years – 100 destinations, 100 routes covering the four corners of the world. This is no small accomplishment.”
TOURS
Air Canada Vacations is expanding its winter offering with a series of new and additional non-stop flights to sunny destinations, now available for booking. Travellers can now fly directly from Quebec City to Fort-de-France, Martinique; from Halifax and Ottawa to Nassau; from Montreal to Guatemala City; from Toronto to Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe and Guadalajara, Mexico; while . Vancouver adds a non-stop flight to Huatulco, Mexico. Rounding out the list are new sun routes from Ottawa to Montego Bay, Jamaica, starting Dec. 7, and from Halifax to Montego Bay, starting Dec. 4. ACV is also bringing back Cartagena (photo) for Winter 2025/26, now with non-stop flights from Montreal and Toronto. EBBs are in effect through June 29 and agents can earn
4X ACV&ME points (on travel Nov. 1-April 30, 2026).
Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations Québec are set to introduce Managua, Nicaragua, as an exclusive sun destination for Quebecers this winter. Beginning Dec. 18, weekly nonstop service from YUL to MGA will be operated on board WestJet every Thursday until April 9, 2026.
Clients can book Barceló Montelimar for the winter season through both tour brands. The expansive all-inclusive beachfront resort is set on lush grounds with direct beach access and guests can choose from varied accommodations types including private bungalows, plus a host of amenities, including three pool, a Jacuzzi, kids’ club, tennis and basketball courts, mini-golf, and much more.
HOTELS & RESORTS
The Nobu Hotel Toronto is now officially open. Following the opening of its popular restaurant in 2024 and the debut of its residences, the hotel completes the Nobu’s first integrated property under one roof, located in the city’s entertainment district. Offering luxury through a distinctly Nobu lens, the 36-room/suite boutique hotel is perched atop the west tower of Nobu Residences on floors 41 to 45 and is highest in the city offering panoramic views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline.
Saint Lucia’s Canadian-owned Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences has joined The Leading Hotels of the World, an exclusive global collection of luxury, independent hotels. It is currently the only resort on the island to earn this prestigious recognition. Leading Hotels of the World represent a curated collection of more than 400 hotels in over 80 countries with just 12 properties in the Caribbean, each recognized for their exceptional quality, distinct character, and unwavering dedication to hospitality.
CRUISE
MSC Cruises announced the addition of MSC Opera year-round in the South Caribbean for the Winter 26/27 and Summer 2027 seasons, with sales now open for brand-new itineraries from three embarkation ports: La Romana, Dominican Republic; Fort-de-France, Martinique; and Bridgetown, Barbados.
Cunard will once showcase a line-up of speakers from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) on board select voyages of the newly refit Queen Elizabeth for the Alaska 2025 season. They include explorers, naturalists, topographical experts, astronauts, and indigenous advocates who will custom-curate exclusive programming for Cunard guests. Additionally, there will be a range of other expert speakers, among them TV host Robson Green of Extreme Fishing: Alaska; and accomplished mountaineer Peter Hillary, who has completed all of the Seven Summits.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Scheduled to launch summer of 2028, Top Gun Las Vegas (working title) will be a fusion of daring rides and cinematic storytelling. The new venture will seamlessly combine breathtaking visuals, high-energy entertainment, and the spirit of the ‘Top Gun’ movie franchise, complete with fighter jet simulators and more. There will also be a reimagined Top Gun: Maverick’s Hard Deck bar and restaurant.
EVENTS
Skal International Toronto reports that it still has availability – for golfers, prize donors and sponsors – for it 69th Annual Golf Tournament, taking place on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at Toronto’s Royal Woodbine Golf Club. A portion of all funds raised will be given to the Daily Bread Food Bank. Specials rates apply for foursomes, and non-golfers can come for lunch. For more details, contact Kimberly Hartley at kimberly@hartleymarketing.ca or visit https://skaltorontogolf.eventbrite.ca.
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) will hold its Annual Meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 5 p.m.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
After a 39-year career at Air Canada Vacations, VP of Operations Lucy Sabella has announced her retirement effective Aug. 1. “She’s been a driving force behind our evolution and a steady, inspiring presence through decades of change,” ACV VP Nino Montagnese said. “On behalf of the entire organization, I want to thank Lucy for 39 incredible years and wish her all the best in this exciting new chapter.”
At the same time, ACV has announced the appointment of Sylvia Costa as Senior Director, Operations, effective Aug. 1. She has been Director, Customer Contact Center Excellence at Air Canada since 2022 and has previously led key departments at ACV as Director, Customer Experience (2014–2022) and Interim Head of Operations (2019–2020).
DESTINATIONS
A Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) Canada-focused B2B tourism mission took take place last week with events in Toronto (photo above) and Vancouver. Designed to foster tourism partnerships and showcase the latest travel opportunities in Taiwan, the events brought together leading travel advisors, tour operators, and media for a fully immersive experience of Taiwanese culture, including colourful dance performances and authentic Taiwanese cuisine, including bubble tea and Taiwan Beer. More than 112,000 Canadians visited Taiwan in 2024, an increase of 22% over the year previous. There are 14 weekly direct flights to Taipei from Vancouver and seven from Toronto, operated by Taiwanese carriers, EVA Air and China Airlines.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1753, Britain’s King George II gave his assent to an Act of Parliament establishing the British Museum.
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