GLOBAL TOURISM FLYING HIGH
- Despite wars, extreme weather and unprecedented political discord in many countries/regions, global tourism is continuing to roll in 2025, with UN Tourism reporting that almost 690 million tourists travelled internationally between January and June 2025 – about 33 million more than in the same period of 2024.- PROTESTS AND POLITICS PROMPT TRAVELLERS TO RETHINK U.S. TRIPS
- Concerns about protests, civil unrest and political tensions in the U.S. are influencing the travel decisions of a growing number of individuals, particularly among international travellers and younger respondents, according to the latest Global Rescue Summer 2025 Traveller Safety and Sentiment Survey. 
INTREPID’S ALTERNATE EUROPE TOURS REFLECT CHANGING DEMAND
- After another summer dominated by headlines of overtourism and heatwaves, Intrepid Travel is unveiling new trips that it says reflect how and when an increasing number of travellers are choosing to visit destinations.
BELIZE UNVEILS TOURIST SAFETY PLAN
- Belize has unveiled a new tourism strategy in a bid to ensure future success of its integral tourism industry. The landmark five-year plan was developed by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and aims to address concerns that the country is not safe for visitors.
BILLY BISHOP EVENT AIMS TO INSPIRE YOUNG WOMEN
- Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport’s award-winning ‘Girls Take Flight’ event will take off again on Oct. 4. While open to all young people, the free Saturday program is focused on inspiring young women to become the next generation of pilots, engineers, mechanics and scientists, as they continue to be underrepresented in the industry.
ROUND-UP: Sept. 8-12, 2025
- 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.
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VACATION HEROES: Travel advisors at centre of latest Sunwing campaign
- Sunwing Vacations says it is reinforcing its commitment to the travel advisor community with the launch of its 2025-26 winter campaign. Last year, the tour operator launched the ‘Flynancial Advisor’ campaign, inspired by the expertise and value that advisors bring their clients. This year, Sunwing is doubling down on that commitment by featuring real travel advisors in the campaign creative to emphasize how advisors are “the true vacation heroes.”
BACK TO BUDAPEST AND BANKGOK, AND OTHER AIR CANADA 2026 NEWS
- Air Canada announced its international network for Summer 2026 with new destinations taking flight in Europe and Asia. Beginning next year, the airline will launch new routes from Montréal to Catania in Sicily, Italy and, as previously announced, Palma de Mallarco, Spain. From Toronto, Air Canada will re-establish non-stop flights to Shanghai and Budapest and increase flights to Prague.
PARTY OF ONE: How to do solo travel well
- Tracee Ellis Ross happens to be single and without children, but she doesn't let either hold her back from travelling. When friends and family can't join her, the actor best-known for her roles in shows like “black-ish” and “Girlfriends” – and who is now starring the new three-part docuseries “Solo Travelling with Tracee Ellis Ross” – says she will jet-set by herself and have a fabulous time doing it.
ORLANDO KEEN ON HALLOWEEN
- No destination does Halloween like Orlando. And while you may not be thinking about trick or treats yet, the Florida theme park capital has already launched into 80 full days of seasonal celebrations, culminating in Oct. 31, and in some cases even a few days beyond.
THREE NEW EMERALDS WILL JOIN GROWING FLEET
- By Wallace Immen/ In a sign of surging demand for ultra cruising, Emerald Cruises is set to more than double its ocean-going luxury yacht fleet. Parent company Scenic Group has announced the inaugural season of Emerald Kaia, launching in April 2026. Meanwhile, it celebrated the start of construction for another yacht, Emerald Raiya, aiming to debut in June, 2027, and announced there’s another ship on the horizon for 2028 to sail in Asia.
LISTENING IN: Goodbye stranger – remembering Supertramp’s Rick Davies
- By Michael Baginski/ Rick Davies, the lead singer and co-founder of British band Supertramp, has died after a long battle with cancer. Davies, who co-wrote the band’s music with Roger Hodgson, was the voice and pianist behind some of Supertramp’s most iconic songs, including “Bloody Well Right,” “Crime of the Century,” and “Goodbye Stranger.”