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
Canada’s travel and industry urged members to show opposition to the implementation of US tariffs on Canadian goods last week with both ACTA and CATO, suggesting people write to both US and Canadian politicians, engage policy, post on social media, and more. ACTA asked for feedback for members to help it shape its advocacy efforts and provided the following link: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
According to the Global Business Travel Association’s (GBTA) latest Business Travel Outlook Poll of 2025, almost half (48%) of travel buyers expect their companies to take more business trips in 2025, and nearly 20% more (57%) anticipate increased travel spending this year despite recent changes.
Construction at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport should be finished this fall, if all goes according to plan. A release from the Yukon territorial government said the multi-year runway reconstruction plan, which started in 2023, is continuing on schedule with crews reconstructing the southern half of the runway this summer, following completed work on the northern half last year.
AIR
New service between Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is being launched by WestJet. The new first-time flights will operate through the airline’s 2025 summer schedule, with up to six-times weekly departures starting May 29. The flight will be the first between the two cities in 30 years.
Starting June 1, Porter Airlines will expand its presence in the New York area with the addition of a new route connecting Montréal Trudeau Airport (YUL) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Service begins with one daily roundtrip flight, increasing to two times daily for the peak summer season. The route will join existing service to YTZ and YOW and will complement a new Toronto Pearson – LaGuardia route starting this spring.
In a travel industry first, Expedia Group will now offer Southwest Airlines flights, covering the airline’s entire network of 117 destinations in 11 countries, including the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean, allowing customers more booking opportunities.
DEALS
Catalonia Hotels & Resorts is Sunwing’s March’s Partner of the Month, featuring destinations in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. Reduced rate bookings made during the month are available for travel until Dec. 20, 2025. Additionally, for every booking made to a qualifying resort, advisors will earn 3X STAR Points and be automatically entered for the chance to win one of two hotel stays to Catalonia Bavaro Beach or Catalonia Riviera Maya.
To mark the 65 years of flying between Toronto and London, British Airways has launched a flash sale for customers travelling on the route, as well as select European destinations. The sale includes $30 off World Traveller (economy) fares, $65 off World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and $150 off Club World (business) fares. The sale will run until March 11 on ba.com, for travel between March and May 2025.
CRUISE
Tauck has announced the names and released artist renderings of the two new ships that will be joining its fleet of riverboats next year. The new vessels will be the ms Serene (photo), sailing on Tauck itineraries along the River Seine in France, and the ms Lumière, which will also be deployed in France and operate on Tauck’s cruises along the Rhône. The names for the new ships were chosen from more than 1,000 suggestions submitted by Tauck’s travel advisors, guests and employees.
Known for its luxury voyages across the world’s most remote destinations, Aqua Expeditions is set to expand its fleet this year with a sixth vessel that will sail to Seychelles and Zanzibar, Tanzania. Inaugural departures are slated for December with four different itineraries ranging from five- to 14-nights. Guests can expect a super-yacht experience on par with standards now expected on an Aqua ship, with an exclusive 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, personalized service, acclaimed cuisine helmed by world-renowned chefs, and small group expert-guided excursions that show off the best of each destination.
TOURS
Adventure Canada is giving Canadian residents the option to receive expedition pricing in Canadian dollars, rather than the industry standard USD. The Toronto-based operator notes that “as a globally operating company, our trip prices are displayed in US dollars for consistency across all markets,” but invites Canadians to reach out directly for Canadian rates. At the same time, the company has announced a new campaign encouraging people to explore the lesser-known corners of Canada, while continuing to offer early booking bonuses of up to 25% off the berth cost of select 2026 expeditions and up to 25% off select Arctic expeditions for 2025.
Celtic travel experts Brendan Vacations says castle stays are on the rise, with the company on pace for 70% of 2025 bookings on customizable itineraries including at least one overnight stay in a castle. In 2024 levels nearly 60% of bookings featured at least one castle overnight. “An overnight stay in a historic castle is the ultimate exclusive experience advisors can offer their clients,” says Catherine Reilly, Managing Director of Brendan Vacations, which offers 10 options stays across Ireland and Scotland including renowned Dromoland and Ashford castles.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Canada’s first Hard Rock hotel is ready to roll, opening reservations for June 1. Suitably located in Canada’s only UNESCO City of Music Hard Rock Hotel London, Ontario, is Located within 100 Kellogg Lane and part of Canada’s largest indoor entertainment complex in the heart the city’s vibrant Old East Village. The newly constructed hotel will feature 164 guest rooms and specialty suites and a host of rock and roll-inspired amenities and décor.
An expansive new resort destination opens today in Orlando. Encompassing 32 hectares on International Drive near Universal Orlando and the convention centre, Villatel Orlando Resort will offer two distinct ways to stay: The Villas and the nation’s first Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy Resort. There will also be a full-scale water park. Featuring 270 villas with immersive themed rooms, a collection of 256 apartments will welcome guests and groups of all sizes and ages, with amenities including poolside dining options, fitness centre, and sporting activities.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Intrepid Travel has overhauled its agent discount program, offering more savings and greater flexibility to encourage agents to discover the company’s small-group adventures. Key updates to the Agent Discount Program: 50% Discount on most trips for agents, regardless of duration or booking window; gents can now secure their spot with flexible payment terms, paying only the deposit upfront, with final payment due 56 days before departure (in line with regular passenger terms); 25% D=discount on Short Break Adventures and Urban Adventures; 20% companion discount for one travel companion joining the agent; and additional 10% discount for children on Family Themed Trips (stacked on top of the existing 10% family discount).
EVENTS
ACTA is inviting travel advisors to join a special online Advocacy Townhall on March 11 (English) or March 13 (French) – both from 1 to 2 p.m. EST– hosted by Avery Campbell, the association’s Director of Advocacy and Industry Relations, and Patrice Malacort, Quebec Membership Manager, respectively. Topics will include ACTA’s latest advocacy efforts, including an update on Canada-US relations, and how ACTA IS supporting travel advisors and agencies across Canada. For the English session, register HERE. And French, HERE.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Wizarding WorldHarry Potter fans can discover a new collection of Second-Generation Interactive Wands at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that feature light and haptic effects. The personalized experience is available within the Universal Orlando Resort App. Brand-new locations are also available to cast spells (photo) within Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure, Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and Place Cachée in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic at Universal Epic Universe.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Sunwing Vacation Group president Andrew Dawson, president of Sunwing Vacation Group announced that he will retire in March 2026, at the end of the 2025-26 winter season. “In that year I will work on the completion of the integrations and also steer us through the main trading of the first winter season on WestJet aircraft,” he told Travel Industry Today.
Goway has named industry veteran Dean Moore as Chief Operating Officer. Bruce Hodge will remain as Goway’s president while the company’s day-to-day operations will be overseen by Moore, who has extensive experience across the global travel industry. He has led teams in the UK, Ireland, Europe, and most recently North America for prominent global brands, including the former MyTravel Group and Thomas Cook.
Two prominent WestJet Group execs are taking on new strategic roles designed to enhance the Calgary-based airline’s focus on “affordable travel and exceptional guest experience” across both WestJet and Sunwing. Former Sunwing chief marketing officer Samantha (Sam) Taylor has been named WestJet Group Chief Experience Officer (CXO) overseeing experience management, marketing, and contact centres across WestJet and Sunwing. And Tanya Foster will now lead a unified team as Chief Information Officer overseeing all IT and digital technology across the WestJet Group.
DESTINATIONS
A major event in the city, Art Basel Hong Kong will return from March 28 to 30, featuring premier galleries from Asia and beyond. It will continue to celebrate creativity by integrating local culture into the experience, including a new Neighbourhood Bar to highlight Hong Kong’s unique lifestyle and community vibe. During the same week, Art Central will run from March 26 to 30 at the Central Harbourfront, showcasing the next generation of talent from Asia’s most innovative galleries, alongside established artists from around the world.
The Goombay Summer Festival, held from June to August, is a season-long event that brings local culture to life across the islands of the Bahamas. Kicking off in San Salvador and Abaco, the festival is a vibrant celebration of island life, whether dancing to the beat of goatskin drums, or soaking up the festive atmosphere. Highlights include Junkanoo rush-outs, live Bahamian music, and mouthwatering local cuisine. Each destination lends its own flavour to the celebrations, with the Regatta Site in South Andros staging one of the most lively events on July 9.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1953, the world’s first commercial jet crash took place. Eleven people died when a Canadian Pacific Comet jet crashed in Karachi, Pakistan.
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