THREE’S THE CHARM: Virgin Atlantic returns to Toronto after lengthy layoff
- By Michael Baginski/ Virgin Atlantic celebrated its arrival in Toronto on Thursday with its founder Sir Richard Branson at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The route marks Virgin Atlantic’s return to Canada after more than a decade, linking Toronto and London. It is also the third attempt by the British carrier to fly the lucrative YYZ-LHR route.
CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE: Will Canadians save unique U.S. border enclave?
- In the northwest corner of Washington state lies a quirky US exclave so dependent on Canada’s goodwill – and vacation home residents – that the strain of President Donald Trump’s tariff war is inescapable, including in the sole grocery store, at any of the three eateries, and for the many residents who never voted for him.
TULIP TOURISM BLOOMING IN HOLLAND, EUROPE
- Nestled among tulip fields not far from Amsterdam, the world-famous Keukenhof garden has opened for the spring, welcoming camera-wielding visitors to its increasingly selfie-friendly grounds. On a sunny day, the paths, park benches and cafés are crowded with tourists taking photos and selfies with one of the Netherlands’ most iconic products – the tulip.
WHY YOU NEED TO SPRING TO THE SAND IN GRAND TURK
- Since when did finding a spot to lay down a beach towel on an island made of sand become a competitive sport? We’re about to find out on a day docked at the only cruise port in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
PUBS, PATIOS & BARS: An Irish pub’s search for a new owner (it could be you!)
- Global beer brand Heineken has launched a worldwide recruitment campaign to help an independent Irish pub owner find a new successor. Joseph ‘Josie’ McLoughlin owns McLoughlin’s Bar on the rural Achill Island. Situated at the “edge of the world,” the pub rests against the backdrop of the wild, beautiful landscape of West Ireland where ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ was filmed.
LISTENING IN: Sing us a song, Billy Joel
- By Michael Baginski/ Billy Joel was supposed to perform in Toronto in March, marking his first tour date in this country in a decade. Alas, an unexpected surgery forced the Piano Man to cancel the show and several more during his recovery period and he won’t get back to T.O. until next March.
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U.S. TOURISM PAYING THE PRICE
- Anger over the Trump administration’s tariffs and rhetoric will likely cause international travel to the U.S. to fall even further than expected this year, an influential travel forecasting company says. Tourism Economics said this week it expects the number of people arriving in the U.S. from abroad to decline by 9.4% this year. That’s almost twice the 5% drop the company forecast at the end of February.
WHERE AND HOW WE WILL TRAVEL NEXT
- After gathering data and insights from its network of travel advisors, preferred partners and high-net-worth clientele, Virtuoso says it has its finger on the pulse of what’s cool and emerging in travel for the remainder of the year. From the “White Lotus Effect,” to travelling with the pooch, and summer’s hottest destinations, here are some key insights shaping the industry.
MANILA ROUTE STRENGTHENS AIR CANADA ASIA-PACIFIC NETWORK
- Service to Air Canada’s newest destination in Asia – Manila – took flight Wednesday from Vancouver, marking the start of three times weekly year-round service (increasing to four times weekly on May 1) linking Canada and the Philippines.
CANADA COMPASS: Alberta landmark faces extinction
- Tyra the Tyrannosaurus, the lovable landmark that towers over the Drumheller skyline in the heart of the Canadian Badlands, is facing an extinction-level event. The 25-metre-high attraction – billed as the World's Largest Dinosaur, and the backdrop to hundreds of thousands of tourist photos over a quarter of a century – is set to become history by 2029.
EPIC ENCOUNTER: What to expect at Universal Orlando’s new theme park
- Universal Orlando Resort has shared an official first look inside Universal Epic Universe – the destination’s fourth theme park, which will celebrate its grand opening on May 22, 2025. The attraction will feature five distinct worlds: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe, each designed to spark guest’s “wildest imaginations.”
THE MANY FLAVOURS OF ARUBA
- When travelling the world, oftentimes the most authentic experiences are found through food. Aruba is a beautiful melting pot of over 100 nationalities whose culinary scene reflects its rich cultural diversity, making it one of the most dynamic in the Caribbean.