IS THE TIDE TURNING? Canadian travel to U.S. surges in May
Canadians are slowly returning to U.S. travel. Returns to this country by residents surged in May, up 9.5% year over year, building on a bump in April that had ended a 15-month slump, according to Statistic Canada data. In May, Canadian-resident return trips from the United States totalled 1.9 million, driven by an increase in return trips by automobile (+15.1%).
AIR CANADA ANNOUNCES DEAL WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE EMPLOYEES
Air Canada announced its customer service employees ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. The agreement with Unifor applies to about 6,000 employees across contact centres, customer relations, concierges and other business segments.
IBERIA TOUCHES DOWN TORONTO ROUTE
Spanish carrier Iberia officially launched its new direct route between Toronto and Madrid on Saturday. The new route will operate five times per week – Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – and offer more than 37,000 seats during the summer season.
A HOME FOR HOPE AND CHANGE: Obama Presidential Centre Museum set to open in Chicago
One of the most anticipated cultural openings in the country, the long-awaited Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago is set to open to the public on June 19 with a full slate on opening weekend activities.
NO REAL IMPACT: Canadians lukewarm on benefits of AI in workplace
As the federal government lays out the groundwork for the country’s journey into AI, the effects of the emergent technology are already being felt in the country’s workplaces.
LAST WEEK THIS MORNING: June 8-12, 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.
Check out our special inFocus Editions...
Just in case you missed yesterday’s stories…
‘SHE LEFT THEM CLAPPING’: Industry icon Dina Bertolo calls it a career (again)
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Fifteen years ago when I wrote about Dina Bertolo’s (first) retirement from Thomas Cook North America, I dubbed her “Queen Dina” – a name that not surprisingly stuck. But just when she thought she was out, the travel industry, as it does, pulled her back in, and another dozen eventful years at Air Canada Vacations ensued.
CUBA, JET FUEL TAKE TOLL ON TRANSAT
Soaring fuel prices and a halt of all of its flights to Cuba pushed Transat A.T. Inc. earnings deep into loss territory last quarter, as global strife continues to damage airlines’ bottom lines.
BUT NO CUDDLING ALLOWED: Air New Zealand introducing lie-flat bunk beds
Sleep on a long-haul flight in economy class has always been a fantasy for many travellers. Air New Zealand will soon offer a solution that involves climbing into a triple-tier bunk bed wearing special socks.
NO BULL – BUFFALO LOOKS LIKE TRUMP: Helps animal avoid slaughter
With his shock of golden hair and trim 700-kilogram build, “Donald Trump” has been drawing crowds from across Bangladesh since he arrived at the national zoo in early June. The rare albino buffalo became a sensation when a farmer noticed that his blond tuft of hair resembled the distinctive locks of the U.S. president.
DISCOVERING CELEBRITY’S HIDDEN FOODIE PARADISES
By WALLACE IMMEN/ I’ve got a dinner date in Eden and an evening of grand dining in a four-star rated restaurant. And they’re both on a cruise ship. Le Voyage on Celebrity Ascent rates four stars among restaurants around the world in the latest Forbes Travel Guide’s global dining list.
LISTENING IN: A ‘Canadian’ Cult classic
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Readers (and pretty much anyone who has ever met me) will have heard me reflect on many unique and sometimes unusual two or three degrees of separation from Rush, including most notably having gone to the same high school as Geddy and Alex (though not at the same time). That particularly includes my wife, who has her own connection to a great (sort of) Canadian band – The Cult.