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
Canadian visitations to the U.S. have bottomed out (at 16 million visitors in 2025) and are set to rise for the next five years, according to the latest U.S. Travel Forecast. Newly released by the U.S. Travel Association, the report says the turnaround has already started (2026), but it won’t be until 2030 until visitations surpass the heady pre-pandemic numbers of 2019 when 20.7 million Canadians crossed border. The forecast is for 17 million visitors this year, followed by 18.2 million in 2027, 19.1 in 2028, 20.1 million in 2029, and 21.0 million 2030, finally surpassing 2019.
AIR
WestJet has signed a new codeshare deal with Fiji Airways. WestJet will put its WS code on Fiji’s Vancouver to Nadi flights and through to destinations across New Zealand, while Fiji Airways will place its FJ code on WestJet domestic network flights. Fiji Airways plans to operate three weekly flights between Nadi and Vancouver on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays year-round starting on June 18.
Expanded service to Boston from Porter Airlines now sees 14 weekly flights from Toronto Pearson and 7 from Montreal Trudeau. The flights build on existing service from Toronto Island and Ottawa.
More winter sunshine is on the horizon with Air Transat introducing three new destinations from Montreal for 2026/27: Oranjestad, Aruba (AUA), Bridgetown, Barbados (BGI), and San José del Cabo, Mexico (SJD). All flights start in mid December and are now available for booking.
Air Canada is cutting the number of flights to the U.S. this summer as the war in Iran creates jet fuel shortages that have sent prices soaring. Toronto to Sacramento, Calif., will cease Aug. 1, and service to Charleston, S.C., will end Sept. 6, while flights from Vancouver to Raleigh, N.C., will be halted beginning July 29, and service from Montreal to Austin, Texas, will be suspended Sept. 7. All flights will resume as normal next summer, the airline added.
Another carrier, Air India, has slashed its flight schedule due to soaring jet fuel prices, leaving Canadian residents hoping to visit the subcontinent with fewer options and higher fares. The airline has cut flight volumes for April and May, with plans for more schedule trims in June and July.
Flight attendants for United Airlines approved a new labour contract that will bring their first pay increases in six years – along with boarding pay, a long-sought change that compensates crew members for the work they do before the plane leaves the gate. The five-year agreement covers nearly 30,000 flight attendants at United. It includes an average 31% pay increase this summer, boarding pay worth an additional 7% to 8% in compensation on average, and $741 million in retroactive pay, according to the Association of Flight Attendants.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air has completed its purchase of Sun Country Airlines, finalizing a deal that combines two low-cost carriers at a turbulent time for the budget airline industry following the recent shutdown of rival Spirit Airlines. When the deal was first announced in January, Allegiant said it was valued at about $1.5 billion, including debt.
DEALS
The Early bird promo is back at Transat, offering both new and familiar benefits Until June 21, travellers clients can receive up to $600 off per duo or up to $1,200 off per family; Reduced deposit of $100 p.p.; Future Travel Credit of $50 per adult; 25% off Option Flex Standard (select travel dates); One checked bag and one carry-on p.p. The promotion also applies to group travel, with up to $700 in savings per duo; 15% off Group Flex; Reduced deposit of $300 for the entire group; Up to the 6th passenger free. Agents could win one of 10 trips for two to Mexico. Travel window is Sept. 1 to April 30, 2027.
Through June 28, Air Canada Vacations clients can save $1,000 off per family of four or $250 off per person on select vacation packages to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and Cartagena; and select Flight & Hotel packages to Hawaii.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Cayman Islands shattered tourism records in March, welcoming 64,213 stayover visitors and surpassing 60,000 for the first time in history, powered in large part by a surge in Canadian arrivals that has helped power the destination’s impressive growth trajectory. Canada delivered a 49% year-over-year increase in March, with 6,711 visitors setting a new monthly record, eclipsing the previous high, set in February 2026. The surge was driven by expanded flight capacity from Air Canada and WestJet, alongside new Porter Airlines service from Toronto and Ottawa.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Registration is now open for Sandals’ annual Masterclass training series, designed exclusively for Canadian Elite Advisors who are already certified. Taking place May 20-Aug. 27. Participants will earn four ACTA credits towards their Certified Travel Counsellor or Certified Travel Manager accreditation and fulfill the educational component required to maintain Sandals Elite Advisor (S.E.A) status. For dates and information, click HERE or contact your BDM or Inside Sales 1-800-545-8283.
Hyatt Centric’s first Hokkaido property signals growing confidence in year-round urban tourism beyond Japan’s traditional Golden Route. Located near Odori Park in Sapporo’s historic centre, the hotel will offer panoramic views and a design ethos geared toward experience-driven, culturally curious travellers – particularly appealing to younger luxury and lifestyle segments. The property is slated to open late this year.
CRUISE
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has launched ‘Air Concierge,’ an elevated air travel program for guests in the U.S. and Canada. Designed for travellers who wish to pair their ultra-luxury cruise with equally thoughtful air arrangements, Air Concierge offers personalized routing, cabin‑class selection, preferred airline choices, and flexible travel dates delivering the next evolution of Regent’s commitment to providing an effortless, end‑to‑end vacation.
Bookings are now open for Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas, the fourth Icon Class ship, which will arrive in Miami in August 2027. The ship will feature eight neighbourhoods, the “most pools at sea,” 28 dining venues, cooking classes for all ages, brand-new family raft slides, new accommodations for multigenerational families – including the three-story Ultimate Family Treehouse – and more.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Universal Studios Hollywood will open “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift,” its first-ever, high-speed outdoor roller coaster this summer. Featuring groundbreaking 360-degree rotation of the individual ride vehicles along 4,100 feet of elaborate track, meticulously constructed with sound reduction technology for a breathtaking experience, the ride debuts as the fastest roller coaster in the Universal Destinations & Experiences portfolio at a staggering 72 mph.
TOURS
A new guided tour program for Ecuador has been launched by Air Canada Vacations. It includes 11 eight- to 12-day guided tour itineraries, with additional itineraries set to launch soon, showcasing the country’s remarkable diversity, from the Andes Mountains and the Amazon rainforest to the Pacific coast and Galápagos Islands (photo above). Also available are Flight & Hotel packages. The guided tours will operate seasonally from December to March 2027, with direct flights from Toronto (YYZ) and Montréal (YUL) to Quito (UIO). International and domestic flights are included in the tour packages as well as Galápagos park fees where applicable, and more.
Intrepid Travel says it has taken a clear position for the remainder of 2026 – that the price confirmed at booking is the price customers can expect to pay with no unexpected surcharges added.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
A new incentive program for Canadian travel advisors, timed with the rollout of the enhanced Utah Specialist Academy 2.0, rewards both newly certified and existing Utah Specialists with the opportunity to experience Utah firsthand. Running through June 15, the campaign invites Canadian travel advisors to complete the updated specialist program for a chance to win a spot on an exclusive Utah FAM trip. For details, go to https://visitutahspecialistacademy.com .
AmaWaterways’ Travel Advisor Appreciation Month features a robust lineup of incentives, educational opportunities and exclusive giveaways, including a $200 e-gift card for every new reservation made in May on select “Hot Dates” sailings. And returning is the “Sell 3, Sail Free” offer for 2026, giving advisors the opportunity to earn a complimentary river cruise when they book three qualifying reservations. The offer applies to bookings made from May 1, 2026, for travel completed in 2026. Complimentary sailings may be taken in Europe, Colombia or along the Mekong through March 2027, on select FAM cruises or departures within 60 days of sailing, based on availability.
EVENTS
Registration has opened for the 70th Annual Skal Toronto Golf Tournament being held at the Royal Woodbine Golf Club on Thursday, Aug. 13. Early bird rates are available until May 30. For sponsorship information and opportunities, email kimberly@hartleymarketing.ca . To register, click HERE
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
With 28 years of experience at Air Canada Vacations, Dianne Pedroso is stepping into a newly created national role focused on group sales. In this expanded capacity, Pedroso will represent group sales at a national level, dedicating to supporting and empowering travel advisors as they build and grow their group business with ACV. The role marks a first for the company and reflects the importance of group travel within the company’s broader growth strategy. As she transitions into this national role, ACV will begin the process of identifying a replacement for her current territory.
Flair Airlines announced the appointment of Larry Shack as Vice President, Airports, reinforcing the airline’s focus on reliable, disciplined execution for Canadians. Shack joins Flair with more than four decades of experience across airline and airport operations, including senior leadership roles at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Skyservice Airlines, and Worldwide Flight Services.
DESTINATIONS
Barbados encourages visitors to explore its communities, beaches, and local traditions. Experiences like “Dine With a Bajan,” a new curated premium culinary experience developed by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., pairing visitors with locals over a home cooked meal, and the weekly Oistins Friday Night Fish Fry offer an accessible entry point into everyday life on the island.
Miami Spa Months (July-August) sees luxury spas across Greater Miami and Miami Beach offer specially priced, limited-time treatments that highlight self-care and tropical ingredients. It pairs with Miami Spice Restaurant Months, celebrating its 25th anniversary (August-September). The program invites everyone to book specially priced, three-course prix-fixe menus at hundreds of restaurants across Miami-Dade County.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 2003, insolvent Air Canada cut routes and grounded 40 planes as a result of a steep drop in traffic due to the SARS outbreak that came on the heels of war in Iraq.
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