‘IMMINENT ACTION’: Trump renews Cuba threats
Donald Trump turned away from Iran long enough on Tuesday to pledge imminent action against Cuba’s socialist government as his moves against the island bring the U.S.’s longtime opponent deeper into crisis.
GEN Z MOST OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FUTURE OF BUSINESS TRAVEL
Business travellers believe travel for work will get easier over the next five years with optimists (44%) outnumbering naysayers (17%) by more than two to one. And they expect AI to play a key role in improving the business travel experience and trust AI to streamline expense management, according to new research from American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT).
PAY AVIATION WORKERS, URGE AIRLINE BOSSES
The CEOs of American Airlines, Delta, Southwest and JetBlue, are imploring U.S. Congress to restore funding to the Department of Homeland Security and embrace a bipartisan solution to pay federal aviation workers including airport security officers during the partial government shutdown.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: TTAND tunes in to luxury; Virtuoso unveils 21 Canadian cruise “icons’; KVI Travel also “evolves” with enhanced luxury offerings; Uniworld University introduces a new course; and Coconut Bay Resort & Spa in Saint Lucia has a bonus for advisors.
READY FOR SOME SUNSHINE: DR lays out the welcome mat
By JEN SAVEDRA/ 2026 is proving to be an exceptional year for the Dominican Republic, with official data showing that an amazing 1.22 million visitors arrived in January alone. This “unprecedented surge” represents an 8.7% increase over the previous year, and a 61% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.
SUNWING SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON FAMILY-FRIENDLY CANCUN
With family travel continuing to trend for spring and summer vacations, Sunwing Vacations is spotlighting some of its favourite family-friendly all-inclusive resort options in Cancún available to book now.
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Just in case you missed yesterday’s stories…
TRUMP CALLS FOR HELP: Countries are cautious after Trump’s call
As fears of a global energy crisis rose on Monday, Donald Trump said he demanded about seven countries send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open as Iranian strikes continued to rain down on Gulf countries as the week began.
WHAT AMERICANS THINK ABOUT CANADA, TARIFFS
According to new data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute, the recent acrimonious U.S.-Canada trade relationship, fueled by the economic hostility of the Trump administration, is not reflected in the general views of Americans. Three-quarters (73%) in the U.S. say they have a favourable view of Canada.
TRAVEL PLANTS SEEDS FOR RETIRING ABROAD: Younger travellers increasingly intrigued
More than one in three travellers are thinking about retiring outside their home country, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey. The results show strong curiosity about international retirement among younger and higher-income respondents, with only about half of all travellers saying they plan to retire domestically.
SAILING TO SUCCESS: TRAVELSAVERS Canada post double digit Wave Season sales
As the 2026 wave season nears its end, TRAVELSAVERS Canada reports notable double-digit increases in cruise sales across virtually all major categories compared with the same period last year. The strongest gains during the first two months of the year came from expedition and river cruising, which posted year‐over‐year increases of 40% and 15% respectively. Luxury cruise sales increased 14% and ocean cruises grew nine%.
SANDALS-BEACHES INTRODUCES NEW WESTERN BDM
Antoine Gordon has been named the new Business Development Manager, Alberta, Manitoba and Northwest Territories for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. Based in Calgary, he takes his post immediately.
JAPAN – WITH A CHERRRY ON TOP: Where and when to see this season’s best blossoms
As spring unfolds across Japan, the nation’s most beloved seasonal spectacle – cherry blossoms (sakura) – progresses northward from the southern islands toward the country’s cooler regions. While the earliest petals have already appeared in parts of Kyushu and Shikoku, the peak of blooming is advancing steadily through central and northern Japan, with many regions just entering their most anticipated viewing period.