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
TICO says it has completed 70% of its recommendations from the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario (OAGO), having over the past three months enhanced its public search directory; reviewed and updated its risk rating system for registrants; established a policy for how frequently registrant risk ratings should be updated; implemented a new policy for determining the method and frequency of recovering reasonable costs associated with the administration, management and protection of the Compensation Fund, along with an enhanced financial reporting structure; and updated the Registrant Toolkit.
WestJet has launched its participation in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, which allows guests with non-visible disabilities to discreetly signal that they may require more assistance while travelling, including extra time, patience and support. Available at check-in, guests can choose to wear the Sunflower lanyard, or other Sunflower branded products such as a pin or wristband, both in airports and on WestJet flights to indicate to WestJet employees that they may have a specific need or require additional assistance.
Lawmakers in Hawaii have passed a first-of-its-kind legislation that will increase the state’s lodging tax to raise money for environmental protection and strengthening defenses against climate change-fueled natural disasters. The bill adds a 0.75% levy to the state’s existing tax on hotel rooms, timeshares, vacation rentals and other short-term accommodations. It also imposes a new 11% tax on cruise ship bills, prorated for the number of days the vessels are in Hawaii ports. Officials estimate the tax will generate nearly $100 million annually.
BY THE NUMBERS
Canadian residents returning by automobile from the U.S. in April fell on a year-over-year basis for the fourth consecutive month, preliminary numbers released by Statistics Canada showed. The 1.2 million trips represented a 35.2% cent drop from the same month in 2024 and 45.1% lower than April 2019, before the pandemic.
AIR
Starting Feb. 18, 2026, Air Transat will offer two flights per week between Montreal and Madrid on Wednesdays and Fridays, extending its summer route for the first time into the winter season. The expansion is part of Air Transat’s strategy to reduce the seasonality of its transatlantic network by adding Madrid to its winter offerings for Spain, which already includes Malaga. Additionally, the airline offers seamless connectivity to several other key destinations in Spain through its interline partnership with Air Europa.
From Dec. 20 to April, every Saturday, the Guadeloupe Islands will be accessible from Toronto‘s Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Air Canada flights are already available for sale and will be operated by a Boeing 737-800 MAX, configured with 16 seats in business class and 153 in economy class.
WestJet has introduced a new learning portal designed specifically for travel advisors. Agents can register now to access curated interactive learning modules, helpful resources to support them in their day-day-work, plus have future opportunities to win prizes and experiences. Registrants HERE.
DEALS
AAT Kings is launching a special offer where clients can save up to 15% on selected tours for bookings made until June 30 for departures until Nov. 30, 2025.
Seabourn’s “A Sail to Remember” sale event offers guests savings of up to 15% on select 2025 and ‘26 cruises and expeditions to Alaska, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Northwest Passage, and beyond. Available through June 25, the incentive extends to more than 300 ocean and expedition voyages worldwide.
TOURS
Launching June 4, ‘Intrepid Icons’ is Intrepid Travel’s new monthly recognition program honouring an exceptional travel advisor who goes above and beyond to champion the Intrepid brand. Each Icon will be spotlighted across trade channels and gifted a surprise reward.
Beginning in 2026, Adventures by Disney will introduce two new itineraries – “Switzerland” and “Greece: Mythology of Athens, Peloponnese & Rhodes” – adding to a global portfolio of more than 40 guided-group adventures by land and river cruise. Bookings are now open. Adventures by Disney will offer nine Switzerland departures in 2026, comprised of six family departures and three departures exclusively for adults and 10 departures in 2026 for Greece, comprised of six family departures and four departures exclusively for adults.
HOTELS & RESORTS
For new social or wedding groups to any Sandals/Beaches booked with Air Canada Vacations – made now until further notice – an initial non-refundable deposit of only CAD$550 will be required at time of booking. The travel window is now through Dec. 20, 2027, and the offer is applicable on all contracted social and wedding groups of five to20 rooms, for a minimum stay of five nights at any Sandals or Beaches resort.
Following an extensive £20 million transformation, the five-star Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort has officially opened its doors, marking one of Scotland’s most significant and anticipated hotel renovations in recent years. The 74-room/suite Mar Hall blends its history and elegance with a whimsical, storytelling design concept and warm-spirited, experience-driven guest service. The property includes two restaurants, two bars, and an enticing collection of grand spaces, cosy corners and hidden nooks to be discovered, soon to be joined by a 22-person private cinema, Gaming Room and Billiards Room.
CRUISE
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is unveiling its new Scenic Eclipse 2027–2028 Worldwide Discoveries Collection, showcasing a diverse collection of all-inclusive voyages across all six continents spanning from October 2026 through March 2028. The new collection features more than 500 ports across 63 countries, “blending iconic cultural experiences with new frontiers of exploration” on itineraries in destinations ranging from Antarctica and the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean and Caribbean. The collection features an expanded selection of North American and Mediterranean journeys, additional themed voyages, and more.
Emirates and MSC Cruises have extended their long-term strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the air-sea traveller experience, supporting Dubai’s cruise ambitions to become a major cruise hub, and exploring future opportunities for joint growth across the airline’s extensive network. That includes 16 dedicated Emirates check-in counters at Port Rashid that enable disembarking cruise passengers to process their luggage and secure boarding passes up to four hours prior to departure, allowing them to bypass the usual formalities at the airport and proceed directly to their departure gates.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Universal Epic Universe made its much-anticipated debut on May 22. The fourth gate at Universal Orlando in Florida, the new park features four lands filled with state-of-the-art rides, such as Dark Universe, which pays homage to Dracula and other classic Universal monsters. Also, guests can travel through time in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic; see mythical creatures fly overhead in How to Train Your Dragon–Isle of Berk; and watch popular video games come to life in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Canadian travel advisors can earn an additional 2% Bonus Commission on Scenic and Emerald River Cruises 2026 Europe River Cruise bookings (excludes Portugal) made until June 30.
AAT Kings has unveiled the destination of its A-LISTERS ON LOCATION mystery tour for top achievers. The location is a five-day journey to New Zealand’s South Island taking place this September. AAT Kings is offering the prize to travel advisors who achieve exceptional results during the incentive period, which includes all 2025 departure bookings made up to July 25. All booked and deposited AAT Kings and Inspiring Journeys guided holidays departing in 2025 will qualify for the incentive.
EVENTS
Tourism Australia’s largest annual trade event, the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), will return to Adelaide/Tarntanya in 2026 attracting members of the tourism industry from around Australia and around the world. Thousands of delegates will travel to Adelaide for ATE which will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre between May 10 and, 14 May 2026. It is the first time the event has been held in Adelaide since 2018.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
On May 9, the Park’N Fly team returned to the Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto for the third year in a row to support the charitable organizations’ critical day-to-day warehouse operations (photo above). The team spent the day sorting and packing non-perishable food items, which will be distributed to communities across the region.
DESTINATIONS
Scheduled to open this spring, the new Barbados Heritage District is a landmark destination honouring the island’s enslaved ancestors. Located at Newton, Christ Church, home to the Caribbean’s largest and oldest known slave burial ground, the site will include a memorial, museum, and research institute. The opening aligns with the 400th anniversary of British arrival and precedes the island’s 60th independence anniversary in 2026.
The Bahamas will see the opening of a major new resort in Exuma. The US$260-million project by Amancaya will span two private cays and bring one of the world’s most respected luxury hospitality brands to The Bahamas. The project is expected to create over 500 jobs—200 during construction and 300 permanent positions while supporting local entrepreneurs, expanding training opportunities, and driving long-term economic activity in Exuma. An opening date has not been announced.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1861, the first package vacation for a popular market was arranged by Thomas Cook. The Whitsuntide Working Men’s Excursion left London for a six-day trip to Paris.
Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com
If you enjoyed or found this story useful, we’d appreciate if you would forward it to a colleague or friend who may also enjoy it. If, on the other hand, a friend shared it with you, welcome! You can get all the latest travel news and reviews from Travel Industry by simply clicking HERE.