A round-up of 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
Meliá says it is formally ceasing operations at 15 of its 34 properties across Cuba, operating primarily under the Meliá, Sol and Paradisus brands. The Spanish-based hotelier is the latest – and biggest – hotel company to shutter operations in Cuba, blaming “external circumstances beyond Meliá’s control” – namely energy constraints and reduced demand – which have “materially affected the operational, legal, and security conditions necessary to ensure the proper delivery of services at these properties.”
Despite disruption caused by the crisis in the Middle East, International tourist arrivals grew 2% over the first quarter of 2026, according to the United Nations. UN Tourism, some 307 million tourists travelled internationally in the first quarter of 2026, about 6 million more than the same period of 2025. While the start of the year saw sustained travel demand overall (+2.5% cumulative growth in January and February), the Middle East conflict impacted performance in March (+0.4%).
The Indigenous Tourism Alberta (ITA) and Travel Alberta announced a renewed four-year partnership that is the largest of its kind in Canada. The $8.2 million commitment will support ITA’s new four-year strategic plan and help more than 200 Indigenous-owned tourism businesses across Alberta grow, strengthen visitor experiences, and meet rising international demand for authentic Indigenous tourism.
BY THE NUMBERS
In 2025, the Air Canada Foundation raised $2.1 million, including $1.3 million net from its annual fundraising golf tournament. It also raised 42 million Aeroplan points, with 27.5 million donated during Aeroplan’s annual Points Matching Week. These points fuel the Foundation’s Hospital Transportation Program, which helps connect sick children to essential medical care across Canada. Nearly $1.8 million was invested directly into communities nationwide.
AIR
Air Transat will launch a new non-stop route between Montreal (YUL) and Istanbul (IST) starting Oct 29. Operated year-round on an Airbus A330, the service will run twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Combined with three weekly flights from Toronto, travellers from across Canada, from Halifax to Vancouver, including Ottawa, Québec City, Winnipeg and Calgary, will now have access to up to five weekly flights to Istanbul.
HTS’s (Hopper Technology Solutions) Cancel For Any Reason ancillary product is now available on WestJet.com and the WestJet app. Cancel For Any Reason allows guests to instantly cancel their flight up to 24 hours before departure and receive a refund percentage of their trip cost back to their original form of payment, no questions asked. Upon booking with WestJet, guests may opt in for either an 80 or 100% refund directly in the WestJet booking flow, allowing for seamless flexibility.
BermudAir is launching flights to two Caribbean new destinations from Toronto Pearson. Starting Dec. 19, flights will operate to Turks and Caicos, continuing on to Anguilla. The seasonal routes will operate on Saturdays through May 1, 2027, with flights departing YYZ at 2:45 p.m., landing in Turks and Caicos at 6:40 p.m., with connecting service to Anguilla departing at 8 p.m., landing at 10:55 p.m. Return flights leave Anguilla at 9 a.m., depart Turks and Caicos at 11 a.m., and land at Toronto at 3 p.m.
DEALS
All new Air Canada Vacations bookings (air-inclusive packages of five nights or longer) made through June 14 (for travel through Oct. 31) to Beaches Turks & Caicos will enjoy instant savings of $1,000. The offer is valid across all room categories with no blackout dates.
Viking’s Summer Sale is available through June 30, featuring limited-time offers across its river, ocean and expedition voyages. Travellers can enjoy up to free international airfare on select itineraries, plus special fares and a low $25 deposit.
TOURS
Twelve itineraries worldwide are now available to book with Roam by Tauck in 2027. Following the successful debut of five journeys in 2026 and early enthusiasm for the emerging brand, the expanded collection across land, river and small ship cruising introduces seven new itineraries in Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Mozambique, Switzerland, Italy, Sicily, and California.
Luxury Gold has launched bookings for its 2027 collection of small group guided tours, offering immersive journeys around the world, including a new enhanced itinerary through Japan. Each journey includes stays at world-class hotels, elevated dining and curated experiences led by expert local guides. Among the highlights for 2027 is a reimagined journey through Japan – one of today’s most in-demand destinations – featuring enhanced cultural immersion, exclusive access, and hands-on encounters.
HOTELS & RESORTS
The Clayfield will be a new option for visitors to one of Canada’s prettiest towns when it opens in late summer as part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, a curated portfolio of independent hotels recognized for their strong sense of identity and place. The hotel will anchor Clayfield Commons, a walkable new district centred around a tree-lined public square with restaurants, cafés, retail, and gathering spaces reflecting the evolving character of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Atout France’s 2026 collection of exclusive Palace hotels has increased to 33, with six new additions: Bvlgari Hotel Paris, Cheval Blanc Paris, Fouquet’s Paris, Four Seasons Resort Megève – Megève, Hôtel Martinez Cannes – Cannes Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa – Champillon. The state-regulated Palace designation is bestowed on five-star-plus properties that have outstanding locations, historical significance, unique architectural heritage and quality, exceptional gastronomy, bespoke service and a French expertise in hospitality.
CRUISE
Norwegian Cruise Line says its Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay (photo above), the company’s private island in the Bahamas, will open Sept. 4, during Norwegian Luna’s seven-day Caribbean sailing. Passes are now available to be purchased.
Avalon Waterways is expanding its France portfolio in 2027. Placing a spotlight on cruises that move beyond a single river, Avalon is unveiling two, new multi-river itineraries: ‘Seine & Rhine Revealed’ blends Paris and Normandy with the Rhine’s castles and vineyards, while ‘France Unveiled: Seine & Rhône’ sails from the capital to Provence with the opportunity to extend to the French Riviera, pairing inland discovery with an optional two-night coastal stay. To support continued demand for France – particularly along the Seine – Avalon is also increasing capacity in 2027, including the addition of the Avalon Artistry II to the river.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
In California, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is celebrating diversity in storytelling with the opening of a brand-new LGBTQ+ exhibit, honouring the diversity, resilience, and brilliance of LGBTQ+ characters and the actors who brought them to life. Located within the Tour’s ‘Stage 48: Script to Screen’ experience, the specially curated display showcases iconic costumes and props from beloved Warner Bros. series and films that have helped shape LGBTQ+ representation on screen.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Transat is adding a 2% commission bonus on South packages booked during its Early bird sale.
Valid from June 1 to 21, this offer applies to new bookings for departures between Sept. 1 and April 30, 2027. Agents also have a chance to win one of 10 vacation packages for two at a hotel from the Hyatt Inclusive Collection portfolio in Mexico.
The ‘Fuel Your Sales’ travel agent incentive from travelbrands rewards advisors with a $50 gas card on every 5th eligible car rental booking made online. Partners including Avis, Budget, Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, Europcar, Alamo, Enterprise, National, and Waygo. E-gift cards will be emailed to the booking agent on file following the client’s furthest departure date.
Smithsonian Journeys has a special booking incentive for travel advisors to promote its limited-availability 2026 Solar Eclipse programs in Spain. For each new booking made by June 19, agents will receive a US$500 Visa gift card in addition to their standard commission. The path of totality for this year’s solar eclipse sweeps down from the Arctic and across northern Spain
Aurora Expeditions is giving agents a chance to win a voyage aboard the company’s newest purpose-built small ship, the Douglas Mawson. Through June 30 all new bookings on select 2026 or ‘27 Europe, Panama Canal and Costa Rica small ship cruises, in conjunction with Aurora Expeditions’ Companion Travels Free offer, will automatically be entered into a random draw – one entry for every eligible booking made during the promotional period. For more details, visit aurora-expeditions.com/travel-advisors.
EVENTS
Ensemble reports that its Horizons 2027 event will be held at sea for the first time aboard Norwegian Cruise Line‘s Norwegian Joy, April 5-9, 2027.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
A global search is underway for a new president for WestJet Airlines. Diederik Pen, who is also
Group Executive VP and COO announced his retirement, with his departure expected to be in the first quarter of 2027 at the latest pending the integration of his replacement. Pen, who is aiding in the search process and will be supporting a seamless transition, joined WestJet in late 2021, leading operations through a period of recovery and supporting the safe restart and scaling of the airline as post-COVID demand returned.
DESTINATIONS
The Moroccan National Tourism Office (MNTO) celebrated the upcoming launch of Air Transat’s new non-stop service between Montreal (YUL) and Agadir (AGA) on June 12 at Vieux Port with guests including representatives from the MNTO, Air Transat, and tourism partners and hoteliers from Agadir, including local travel advisors (photo). Also on hand was Souriya Otmani, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Canada, alongside representatives from Global Affairs Canada and the Forum of Federations.
Scotland’s culinary reputation continues to grow, with Killiecrankie House near Pitlochry and 1887 at The Torridon in Wester Ross both awarded Michelin stars in the 2026 Guide. Scotland now has 15 Michelin starred restaurants, with Restaurant Andrew Fairlie and The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant retaining their two-star status.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1945, Canada joined 25 other countries in setting up a body to regulate international civil aviation.
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