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
Business travellers believe travel for work will get easier over the next five years with optimists (44%) outnumbering naysayers (17%) by more than two to one. And they expect AI to play a key role in improving the business travel experience and trust AI to streamline expense management, according to new research from Amex GBT. The research reveals a generational divide, with Gen Z business travellers (aged 30 and under) leading the optimism charge. More than half (54%) of Gen Z believes travel for work will get easier – compared to 45% of Millennials and just 20% of Gen X.
2026 is proving to be an exceptional year for the Dominican Republic, with official data showing that an amazing 1.22 million visitors arrived in January alone. This “unprecedented surge” represents an 8.7% increase over the previous year and a 61% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels
BY THE NUMBERS
IATA released its Long-Term Demand Projections (LTDP) for air travel, showing that global air passenger demand is expected to more than double by 2050. Under the mid range scenario, demand is forecast to reach 20.8 trillion revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), based on a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1% (2024-2050) from the 9 trillion RPKs seen in 2024.
AIR
WestJet and Air Transat are extending their suspension of flights to Cuba, which was struggling with an island-wide blackout this week amid a ballooning energy crisis. WestJet says most Cuba trips are cancelled through October, though two of its tour package divisions aim to start up again in June. Air Transat says in a notice to travellers it plans to resume flights on June 20, with refunds available to affected passengers at both carriers. Air Canada has suspended flights to Cuba until November.
Starting June 15, the Ontario communities of Niagara, Sarnia and Muskoka will be linked directly to Toronto Pearson International Airport thanks to extended Air Canada Landline luxury motorcoach service. This summer, Landline will operate 26 daily departures to and from Toronto Pearson across six Ontario communities, including added frequencies on Landline’s existing motorcoach services for Kingston and Kitchener-Waterloo.
Canadian North pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), announced they have reached a tentative agreement with Canadian North management after over six months of negotiating their seventh collective agreement. Over the next few weeks, the agreement will be shared with the entire pilot group, then a member ratification vote will take place.
DEALS
TTC Tour Brands, which includes Trafalgar, Insight and Costsaver amongst its brands, is offering discounted departures on every itinerary across the portfolio through its ‘Best of Summer Sale,’ available through April 16 for travel June 1 to Sept. 30, 2026. Sample offers include up to $4,000 off per couple, plus a $300 flight credit per couple on select Trafalgar departures.
Windstar’s “Beyond Inclusive” Wave Season promotion is available for bookings made by March 31 on select voyages sailing through March 31, 2027. The offer gives travellers a limited window to lock in added value and secure preferred stateroom categories on popular itineraries.
Highlights of the offer include complimentary all-inclusive upgrade (select beverages, Wi-Fi and gratuities); a pre-cruise hotel night with transfer to yacht (where available); up to US$1,000 onboard credit per guest
TOURS
As solo and small-group travel among women continues to grow, Tauck is introducing three women-only departures in in Ireland, Italy and Portugal in 2026. Each of the three departures will be led by a female Tauck Director and is a Small Group journey, averaging between 20 and 24 guests. The departures are scheduled consecutively in late September and October 2026, allowing guests the option to extend their travels across multiple journeys. For more information, travel advisors and guests may contact groupsales@tauck.com or call 800-241-1365.
Intrepid Travel’s non-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has just released its 2025 Impact Report, marking its biggest year of global giving to date. In 2025, more than CAD $3.2 million was disbursed to over 58 partner organizations across 45 countries, supporting initiatives that tackle inequality, protect the environment and strengthen local communities.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Fort Myers is the first Florida destination to partner with Kind Traveler, an innovator in sustainable travel. Participating hotels and their nonprofit partners offer a chance for visitors to give back with a portion of their booking going to a local organization that supports sustainable travel. Check accommodations and their nonprofit partners at visitfortmyers.com/kind-traveler
Opening on Edinburgh, Scotland’s legendary Princes Street this spring, the new Ruby Hotel will redefine urban chic with around 300 elegantly designed rooms spread across seven floors. Guests can unwind on the rooftop terrace while soaking in panoramic views of the city’s crown jewels, Edinburgh Castle and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town
CRUISE
Celebrity Cruises has relaunched Celebrity Solstice marking the beginning of a major revitalization across its Solstice Series ships that redefined elevated travel. Reimagined from bow-to-stern, the vessel features eight new experiences spanning dining, entertainment, outdoor living and wellness, all designed to make the ship feel entirely new while honouring the legacy of the Solstice Series of vessels.
The next ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet will be named the ‘Disney Believe’ – named to honour “the dreamers and doers who dare to pursue their own happily ever after.” The Disney Believe is the fourth installment in Disney Cruise Line’s Wish class. A signature design feature of the Wish class is each ship’s distinctive motif – an imaginative theme that represents every part of the guest experience, from live entertainment to venues and décor.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
The Blue Man Group makes its return to Orlando with a brand-new resident production at ICON Park, opening May 1. Hosted in the new Blue Man Theater, the reimagined show blends classic Blue Man Group moments with new content exclusive to Orlando. Audiences can expect a high-energy, multi-sensory experience filled with music, humour, cutting-edge technology and interactive surprises for all ages.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Agents completing the Bermuda specialist program by April 30 will qualify for a chance to win a four-night fam trip to the island, inclusive of air, accommodation, meals and experiences. There will be two Canadian winners. For more, go to https://bermudaspecialist.com/login .
EVENTS
Collette Vacations’ Quarterly Travel Advisor Update will be held on Thursday, March 26 at 1 p.m. ET. Hosted by Jaclyn Leibl‑Cote, President & CEO, and Christian Leibl‑Cote, Executive VP of Global Sales, the virtual event is designed to give travel advisors an exclusive look at the strategies, investments, and global initiatives driving the company’s continued momentum. Travel advisors will have the chance to ask questions in real-time in a relaxed and interactive format and can register HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Unique Vacations Canada has named Antoine Gordon as the new Sandals and Beaches Resorts BDM for Alberta, Manitoba and Northwest Territories. Based in Calgary, the TICO-certified travel advisor can be reached at antoine.gordon@uvisandals.ca .
DESTINATIONS
Prominent Toronto Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia has joined the cast of Visit California’s ‘Keeping Up With The Canadians,’ and his debut episode on Instagram helps showcase why the Golden State is the “ultimate playground for sports fans.” Through a sports-fuelled road trip, Bhatia explores the passion, fan culture and some of the iconic sites of California, which boasts an epic upcoming two-year lineup of sporting events the state, including Super Bowl LXI, the FIFA World Cup, U.S. Open Golf at Pebble Beach, the BNP Paribas Open, the Toyota SaveMart 350 NASCAR race, and the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Watch Nav’s episode HERE.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1944, the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) was created to regulate air traffic among nations.
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