CRUISING’S LUCRATIVE NEW NICHE: How hotel cruise brands are creating, not converting, new customers
A new category of luxury travel is forming at sea, and it is not coming from the cruise industry. According to new 2026 booking data from Global Travel Collection (GTC), part of the Internova Travel Group, iconic hotel and hospitality brands now account for 5% of all future cruise bookings, with the average branded voyage priced at US$40,000. That is four times the cost of a traditional ocean cruise.
END OF AN ERA: Meliá Hotels pulls plug on Cuba after 36 years
Effective Friday (July 24) Meliá Hotels International says it will terminate all operations in Cuba. The Spanish hotel chain’s portfolio consisted of 34 hotels on the island, some of which had already closed (or transferred to Cuban operators) as part of a partial withdrawal announced in June.
BLAME IT ON FIFA: Soccer surge caused domestic travel spike hike
Customers paid a lot more for travel services last month, particularly in Toronto and Vancouver – the country’s host cities for the World Cup – Statistics Canada says. The cost of traveller accommodation in June rose 10% overall, and about 20% year-over-year in Ontario and British Columbia. Combined, their two biggest cities played host to 10 FIFA games in a 15-day span that month, plus three more in July.
FROM SNOW BOOTS TO SANDALS: WestJet adds five new routes for winter 2026/27
Five new routes and expanded vacation offerings will highlight WestJet’s offering this winter, including first-time flights from Calgary to Mérida, Mexico, as well as new non-stop connections between Belize City, Belize (BZE) and Winnipeg (YWG); Punta Cana, D.R. (PUJ) and Winnipeg; San José del Cabo, Mexico (SJD) and Regina (YQR); as well as Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) and Ottawa (YOW).
EXPERIENCE COUNTS: ACTA launches recognition program for veteran advisors
The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) has launched a new initiative designed to shorten the runway for advisors with 10 or more years experience to earn Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) or Certified Travel Manager (CTM) designation.
MAN STABS AND WOUNDS TOURISTS NEAR ACROPOLIS
A man stabbed and wounded two tourists Tuesday morning near the ancient Acropolis in Athens, Greece’s top tourist attraction, police said.
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WHAT’S NEXT IN WESTJET DISPUTE: Would feds intervene in ‘important labour battle’?
Bargaining between WestJet and the union representing its flight attendants was due to resume Monday after the 4,400 members of CUPE 8125 voted 99% in favour of authorizing a strike if they are unable to reach a new deal on contract demands. A question mark dangling over the ongoing WestJet talks is how Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government might intervene.
GLIMMER OF HOPE AS ALL-OUT WAR INCHES CLOSER
Even as the United States and Iran inch closer to all-out war, glimmers of hope appeared on the diplomatic front, as two regional officials said Iran’s interior minister was expected to arrive late Monday for a two-day visit in Pakistan, which is a key mediator in the conflict.
CELEBRATING ONE OF OUR OWN:
Those of us who knew Brian Brodber know that the industry lost a valuable member, a helpful and supportive co-worker and an all around great guy. His years at Sunquest/Alba Tours/MyTravel/Thomas Cook and his more recent creative work with The Travel Agent Next Door kept him kept him busy but still left him time to enjoy his talents as a musician. Brian, sadly is no longer with us, but his friends are gathering next Monday to celebrate his life and lift a glass in his honour.
AIR CANADA, AIRBUS AIM TO LEAD WAY IN SUSTAINABLE FUEL
Air Canada and Airbus will invest nearly $14 million to support a commercial-scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry in Canada. The companies say the jointly funded Sustainability Co-Investment Platform reflects their shared commitment to aviation decarbonization and desire to “lead the way” in advancing these goals.
GLASGOW COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Visit Britain shines spotlight on Scotland, sports travel
With the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games kicking off Thursday (July 23), Scotland’s largest city is set to shine on the global stage again following its standout success in 2014.
IATA REPORT FLAGS PREMIUM SEAT SURGE
A surge in premium-class travel highlights the findings from IATA’s just-released World Air Transport Statistics (WATS), which provides comprehensive statistical data on the global aviation industry through to 2025.