BIG PLANS FOR TORONTO ISLAND AIRPORT: City needs two airports like New York, Chicago, says premier
Calling Toronto’s island airport an underutilized “crown jewel” in the city, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province is taking over the city’s stake in facility with the simple rational that Toronto needs two (major) airports in order to compete with other cities around the world.
TRANSAT STAYS THE COURSE:Shareholders back board, thwart peeved Peladeau
Transat A.T. Inc. shareholders have rejected media magnate Pierre Karl Péladeau’s bid to seize effective control of the company’s board on Tuesday, opting instead to stay the course.
NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT IT: Noted Ig Nobel Prize shuns U.S. over visa worries
The noteworthy Ig Nobel Prize – a satirical award for scientific achievement dubbed the “bizarro cousin of the Nobel Prize” – is shifting for the first time from the United States to Europe due to concerns about attendees getting visas, organizers have announced.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: Travel Masters celebrated its top performers; Tully Luxury Travel takes its “next step”; Ensemble publication earns kudos; Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) Canada hires in Quebec; and a chance to win a FAM trip to Bermuda.
AA GETS APPROVAL TO RESUME VENEZUELA FLIGHTS
American Airlines has received approval to become the first U.S. airline to resume flights to Venezuela. Even though the State Department continues to warn Americans not to travel to the South American country, the government cleared the way for the airline to begin scheduling flights there.
CANADA COMPASS: Quebec sugar shacks to suit every taste
Springtime is Québec’s sweetest season as the province welcomes visitors to its famed cabanes à sucre to sample glistening maple syrup, decadent meals, and authentic French-Canadian hospitality. Québec is home to more than 100 sugar shacks that offer distinctly unique sweet escapes for various types of travellers.
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U.S. PRECLEARANCE OPENS AT BILLY BISHOP: What to expect.
Long-awaited, much anticipated U.S. preclearance operations open today (March 10) at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility requires all travellers to complete U.S. immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections before departure. The result – a faster, more seamless arrival in the United States.
THE PRICE OF ESCAPE: Wealthy travellers pay huge sums to leave Middle East war zone
Frustrated and anxious travellers continue to clamour for flights out of the Middle East and other regions where a widening Iran war has stranded tens of thousands of people, closed major airports and caused widespread cancellations. However, some wealthy travellers are getting out – by paying large sums for luxury flights to Europe via airports that are safe from Iranian drone and missile attacks.
CANADIAN HEARTS IN SAN FRANCISCO: City rolls out red carpet for hosted travel trade mission
In a strategic departure from its traditional international sales missions, the San Francisco Travel Association (SFTA) brought the Canadian travel trade directly to the California city ahead of the 2026 spring and summer travel season.
STEADY GROWTH FOR GLOBAL TRAVEL: Use of AI rising fast
The ITB Travel & Tourism Report 2026/2027 shows that the mood in the industry is optimistic, but that strategic preparation often lags behind the challenges of an increasingly complex world. Released at ITB Berlin last week, data from the market research institute Phocuswright forecasts that global annual growth of around 5.3% until at least 2027.
GET AHEAD WITH ‘ED’: Grenada streamlines entry process
Grenada has officially launched its Online Embarkation/ Disembarkation (ED) Card Platform, designed to streamline the arrival experience for visitors while advancing the country’s border processing system. The new program went into effect March 2.
MEXICO’S ‘SWEET SPOT’: Cozumel calls for Quebeckers with Sunwing, WestJet
Sunwing Vacations and Vacances WestJet Québec now offer Canadians direct access from Montreal to Cozumel, Mexico, one of the Caribbean’s most established island destinations. The first flight departed from YUL on March 6, promising clients an ideal “sweet spot” between “do-it-all” and “do absolutely nothing.”