FALL IS THE NEW SUMMER AND FLEX IN THE CITY: Plus other key travel trends for the end of 2026
From a shift from summer to fall bookings, to the rise of city-maxxing and the “AI paradox,” Virtuoso revealed the latest travel trends across the industry at its 38th annual Travel Week in Las Vegas, which concluded Friday.
ONTARIO BETTING ON MORE CASINOS FOR NIAGARA: And continued hopes for Toronto island airport expansion
More casinos may be coming to the Niagara Region in the future, as the Ontario government has announced a deal to end existing exclusivity rights.
COURT APPROVES WESTJET SETTLEMENT WITH FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
A British Columbia court has approved a $4.5-million settlement in a class-action lawsuit over workplace harassment of flight attendants at WestJet. The settlement was approved last week after a judge ruled it fair and in the best interest of the eligible employees, JFK Law states on its website.
SKAL IN FUN: Annual golf tourney highlights industry connections, charity
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ With planes roaring overhead – somehow fitting for a travel event – the Toronto Skal Club attracted members and friends from as far away as Calgary last week on a picture-perfect day on the course to celebrate the tourney’s remarkable 70th year.
EVERYTHING UP BUT PROFIT: Air Canada confident after Q2 report
Air Canada reported a net loss of $178 million during the second quarter, compared to net income of $186 million during the same period a year earlier. However, the company says its revenue reached $6.3 billion during the quarter, up year-over-year from $5.6 billion.
LAST WEEK THIS MORNING: Aug. 10-14, 2026
A round-up of 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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Just in case you missed yesterday’s stories…
SLOW BUT STEADY: Canadian travel interest to U.S continues to climb
According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of Canadian travellers, 28% of them visited the U.S. in the past six months, up from 23% a year ago. And 49% intend to visit the U.S. in the next 12 months, up from 43% in April.
TRAVELLERS WILL SPEND MORE ON VACATION RENTALS THEY TRUST
As travellers become more selective about the vacation rentals they book, new research from Vrbo shows that the consistent delivery of quality hospitality experiences is more of a deciding factor today than luxury amenities.
WINES ON THE WING: Which airlines serve the best vintages?
Global Traveler has served up the results of its Wines on the Wing airline competition, the survey’s 20th tasting. The blind tasting took place recently at The Ned NoMad in New York City. Judges, including included wine makers, sommeliers, wine shop owners and other wine industry executives, participated in a blind tasting of airlines’ white, red and sparkling wines.
A DOG’S LIFE: St. Bernard tradition continues at Swiss ‘living museum’
At the Great St. Bernard Pass high in the Swiss Alps, the eponymous dogs still walk the same mountain paths their ancestors patrolled for hundreds of years to find travelllers buried beneath the snow. Down in the valley, a living museum honouring the Swiss national dog’s history – and its future – is marking its first year.
THINK CRUISING ISN’T SUSTAINABLE?: Carnival begs to differ
By WALLACE IMMEN/ Carnival Corporation is defending the sustainability of cruising, saying not only has it met targets for cutting emissions early, it is raising its eco-friendly goals and will achieve them sooner.
LISTENING IN: Barry’s back! And still writing the songs
Barry Manilow recently made a triumphant return a stage in Las Vegas performing three sold-out shows July 9-11 at the legendary International Theater. His performances were notable as the singer had announced in December that he would be postponing performances to undergo surgery after being diagnosed with lung cancer.