LONDON (ONT.) CALLING: Porter launches first-time service from YXU
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Porter Airlines is launching service in London, Ont., for the first time in the airline’s history. Starting in November, London International Airport (YXU) – will see four nonstop seasonal routes to sunny southern destinations in Florida, Jamaica and Mexico.
DIXON STEPS DOWN FROM BRAND USA, RETURNS TO NYC
Brand USA president and CEO Fred Dixon is leaving the country’s official destination marketing organization to return to NYC Tourism + Conventions, the organization he left to take the post.
RECORD YEAR FOR FLIGHT CENTRE CANADA: Canadian travel demand remains resilient
Flight Centre Travel Group Canada has registered its third consecutive record year in 31 years in Canada, with growth across its leisure and corporate businesses.
‘DEHUMINIZING AND DEMORALIZING’: British comedians settle racial profiling suit over ATL police program
British comedians Eric André and Clayton English have reached a settlement in a lawsuit they filed challenging a police program at the Atlanta airport that they said used racial profiling and coercive searches just as airline passengers, particularly Black passengers, were about to board their flights.
BIG NEWS FROM A SMALL COUNTRY: World’s third-smallest country now known as Naoero
If you have any clients headed for the tiny Pacific island of Nauru, be aware that the country – the world’s third smallest – has changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, matching the spelling and pronunciation in the national language.
RIUS WELCOME BACK GUESTS WITH FRESH LOOK
Sunwing Vacations is reporting that RIU Palace Peninsula in Cancun, Mexico, and RIU Palace Aruba in Palm Beach, Aruba, have welcomed guests back with refreshed accommodations, new dining concepts and enhanced all-inclusive amenities.
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GET THE HELL OUT: U.S. set for largest mass visa revocation in history
The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum status in the United States. If it happens, the move would be the largest single mass revocation of visas in U.S. history and would likely face legal challenges.
CAR RENTAL RATES TO REMAIN STEADY
American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) is forecasting relatively stable car rental prices globally in 2026-27, with only moderate increases expected across many major markets.
IT’S ABOUT TIME: Travel mentor program launches in Canada
TIME Canada (Travel Industry Mentor Experience), a not-for-profit mentoring program dedicated to developing and retaining the next generation of travel, tourism, hospitality, cruise, and aviation professionals, has announced the members of its inaugural Canadian committee – a group of nine senior industry leaders who will help guide the program as it prepares to welcome its first Canadian cohort at an inaugural event in Toronto on Sept. 23.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: Ensemble makes wishes come true; Intrepid incentive invites an agent to TIFF; Tahiti Tourisme has launched a new and improved specialist program in Canada; Aurora Expeditions has a new suite of tools to aid agents; Universal Orlando Resorts has tapped AI to help agents; and the Greece National Tourism Organization talks training.
BRITAIN’S BEST FOOTIE FIXES: A visitor’s guide, from Wrexham to Wembley and Lasso to Liverpool
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ The English Premier League has kicked off for another season, following hot on the heels of this summer’s frenzied World Cup. And with sports tourism (and soccer in particular) on the front foot, the “home of football” is poised to welcome fans from around the world for both games and stadium experiences across the country.
SANDALS OFFERS ELEVATE JAMAICA WEDDINGS
As Sandals Resorts’ US$200-million transformation of Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Caribbean Cay and Sandals South Coast continues to take shape, the brand is introducing two new offerings designed to elevate every stage of the wedding journey: a free wedding package for qualifying 2027 Jamaica weddings and The Celebration Collection by Island Routes, a portfolio of bespoke adventures created exclusively for couples and their guests.