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 U.S. Department of Homeland Security says it is amending its policies to require that all non-citizens – including Canadians – be photographed when entering or leaving the United States. The new security regulations, posted in the federal register Monday, are set to come into force on Dec. 26, although it could take years to fully implement them.
After more than 30 years of operation in North America, the Jordan Tourism Board is closing its doors on Nov. 30. The Washington DC-based office promoted the Kingdom across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Victoria, BC-based Canadian JTB tourism representative Avril Matthews confirmed to Travel Industry Today via email that her role ended on Oct. 31. Moving forward, JTB says all inquiries will be coordinated through the JTB head office in Amman. Contact info@visitjordan.com or +962-6-567-8444, or visit the website at www.visitjordan.com.
The Canadian Red Cross has launched the ‘Hurricane Melissa Appeal’ to help those impacted by the hurricane in the Caribbean. The organization says it is working to get help to people in affected areas as quickly as possible. Money raised will enable the Red Cross to provide immediate relief, support recovery efforts, and resilience and preparedness for the future. To make a donation, go redcross.ca or call 1-800-418-1111.
BY THE NUMBERS
Hurricane Melissa’s 295 kph (185 mph) winds and 892 millibars of central pressure tied two records for the strongest Atlantic storm on landfall. The pressure – the key measurement meteorologists use – ties 1935’s Labour Day hurricane in Florida. The wind speed ties the 1935 hurricane and 2019’s Hurricane Dorian.
AIR
Launching in December, Flair will be North America’s first airline to offer ticket resale through Fairlyne. Passengers who can’t make their flight may be able to sell the seat back to Flair if it is popular, which also enable to airline to resell the ticket (thus helping keep fares low).
Virgin Atlantic is launching new service between London Heathrow and Phuket for Winter 2026, building on the airline’s eastward expansion and connecting North American customers with Thailand’s beaches and vibrant nightlife via London. The three times a week service will operate seasonally beginning Oct. 18, 2026, as the only direct route from London Heathrow to Phuket. Bookings open Nov. 26.
Air Greenland will operate the Iqaluit-Nuuk route next year from June 24 until Sept. 30.
Next year’s season will be shorter than this year’s, which ran from April to October. Seasonal flights stopped operating between the two capitals this year on Oct. 23.
DEALS
PONANT EXPLORATIONS has extended its “Enticing Iceland” offer on select departures booked by Nov. 23 on a series of summer 2026 itineraries where ships will venture to the remote Westfjords – an otherworldly landscape defined by cascading waterfalls, abundant wildlife, and a rich sense of culture and tradition. Those who choose complimentary airfare will receive roundtrip flights to and from Reykjavík (valued up to $1,000). The post-cruise stay includes one night at a hotel, meals and beverages, transfers, guided experiences, and entrance fees as outlined in the program. Applicable sailings will take place on board L’Austral, Le Bellot, and Le Lapérouse. Travel advisors will receive up to $500 for every newly deposited booking they secure.
The “Tempting Tahiti” offer from Paul Gauguin Cruises has been through Nov. 15. Travel advisors will receive a $500 gift card ($250 for solo travellers) for each newly deposited booking, while clients will get $1,000 in shipboard credit per stateroom or suite on select 2025 and all 2026 departures. This includes all sailings to the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Cook Islands and South Pacific.
TOURS
Celtic travel specialist Brendan Vacations is introducing a new Small Group Tour travel style debuting in 2026, in addition to new accommodation and experience options for its flexible itineraries. With a maximum capacity of 18 to 24 guests, the tours offer travellers deeper cultural immersion, greater personalization and all the convenience of a guided vacation.
Globus family of brands says will debut its most comprehensive portfolio ever in 2026 – 590 guided and independent vacations worldwide, including 44 new tours, including seven new Small Group Discovery itineraries, bringing the collection to 61 tours worldwide. Among them: ‘South Africa: From Wine to Wild’; ‘Treasures of New Zealand: Heritage, Vines & Vistas’; and ‘Ecuador’s Natural Wonders & Ancient Cultures.”
HOTELS & RESORTS
Club Med University has relaunched with a new, all-in-one learning platform built to empower travel advisors with the tools, confidence, and insider knowledge to sell Club Med Resorts. The platform offers comprehensive, interactive training in a seamless, user-friendly format that allows advisors to access all Club Med training resources in one place; earn Club Med-recognized certificates and 3,000 Great Advisors Loyalty points per video, redeemable toward complimentary nights at Club Med Resorts worldwide; and learn proven sales strategies and insider tips from top-performing Club Med sellers. Check it out at https://clubmeduniversityus.tovuti.io/
November marks the 30th anniversary of ’GoldenEye’ – the movie that revitalized the James Bond franchise and introduced Pierce Brosnan as a more modern 007. But before GoldenEye was a film, it was ‘a place’ – Ian Fleming’s private Jamaican retreat, where he penned all 14 James Bond novels. (Jamaica also served as a key filming location for the GoldenEye movie.) Today, the legacy of GoldenEye lives on. The 21-hectare estate is now owned by music producer Chris Blackwell and guests at GoldenEye can book the Fleming Villa, where his original writing desk remains, along with his sunken garden, the spot where he entertained Hollywood and literary greats, including Katharine Hepburn and Noël Coward.
CRUISE
In a ceremony in Basel, Switzerland, Viking announced the naming of its nine newest river ships during a simultaneous ceremony that spanned six countries. Of the nine new river ships, the Viking Annar, the Viking Dagur, the Viking Eldir and the Viking Honir (photo above) will sail along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. The Viking Nerthus, the Viking Gyda and the Viking Tonle sail the Seine, Douro and Mekong rivers, respectively, while the two other new ships – the Viking Thoth and the Viking Amun – sail the Nile River. Viking now has more than 100 ships across its river, ocean and expedition fleet, more than any other cruise line.
Aeroplan members can now redeem Aeroplan points online at aircanadavacations.com on its entire cruise portfolio of over 100 cruise itineraries in key ports including Fort Lauderdale, Hawaii, Mexico, Barcelona, Venice, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, London and Nice, as well as new destinations such as Naples, and river cruises in Porto and Prague. Points can also be redeemed for vacation packages, flight & hotel bundles, tours, and more.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
A Texas theme park is taking history by the horns with the unveiling of Tormenta Rampaging Run – a record-breaking, adrenaline-pumping roller coaster that the promises to redefine the thrill-seeker experience. As the tallest, fastest, longest and first-ever giga (300+-foot-tall) dive coaster in the world, the one-of-a-kind thrill ride will trample six monumental world records when it opens in Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington in 2026.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Premium guided travel operator Tauck has made enhancements to its Advisor Rewards Program. Tauck has streamlined the program to provide more flexibility and higher value: advisors can now redeem up to 100 points annually (equivalent to $20,000 in travel value) while earned points remain valid for two years instead of one. And for the first time, advisors can combine points earned across multiple years, creating more opportunities to apply rewards toward Tauck journeys without the pressure of year-end expirations. Register for the program at Advisor Connect on Tauck.com.
EVENTS
Nexion Travel Group has announced it will host its second annual Cruise Sales Summit May 20-23, 2026, at the Hilton Vancouver Airport. Fifty travel advisors will participate in the hands-on conference, open to Nexion members from Canada and the U.S. They’ll be joined by representatives from ocean and river cruise lines as well as other complementary partners such as insurance providers and land tours for pre- and post-cruise excursions. A pre-event FAM cruise onboard the Coral Princess will also depart Los Angeles on May 16 and arrive in Vancouver on May 20.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Canadian travel industry veteran Jacqueline He has joined Toronto-based Arts & Leisure Tours as Sales Manager, Canada & Special Markets. “While strategically overseeing various markets, Jacqueline will be instrumental in connecting with our valued travel professionals across Canada ensuring that we continue helping travel agents shine. They are vital to everything we do,” said A&L founder Adriana Borghese. He has held senior roles at Four Seasons, Fairmont, Preferred Hotels, and Reiimagine.
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has named Weber Shandwick as its new Canadian public relations Agency of Record (AOR). The three-year partnership aims to inspire more Canadians to visit Jamaica and strengthen the island’s profile as a leading Caribbean destination. With bold ambitions for the Canadian market, the destination aims to welcome 600,000 Canadian visitors annually and achieve US$750 million in tourism earnings by 2030, supported by a notable 22% increase in Canadian airlift capacity.
DESTINATIONS
The Ryder Cup biennial men’s golf tournament will return to Ireland for the first time in 20 years to celebrate its 100th anniversary edition in September 2027. Rival teams from the U.S. and Europe will hit the links at the prestigious Adare Manor course in County Limerick (photo above), where undulating fairways are flanked by mature trees and the peaceful waters of the River Maigue. Ireland is home to more than 400 courses, and one third of the world’s natural links courses.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1977, a 747 jumbo jet with 150 passengers aboard completed an around-the-world flight in a record time of 54 hours, seven minutes.
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