Destinations
Spending outpacing arrivals as Europe’s travel demand remains steady
Some interesting news coming out of Europe as the European Travel Commission reports that inbound travel spending rose faster than arrivals across most destinations. In its latest quarterly report, the ETC found that overall travel expenditure in Europe is estimated to have increased by 9.7% in 2025, observing that this divergence suggests that tourism performance is increasingly supported by higher per-trip spending and value-oriented demand, rather than volume expansion alone. That said, the ETC also reported that Europe’s tourism sector maintained its steady performance into...
Air Canada expands Mexico presence with more summer capacity
Air Canada is strategically expanding its summer schedule to Mexico with 18% more seat capacity compared to last summer. As Canada and Mexico deepen ties, the airline is further strengthening its schedule to Mexico to support growing travel to and from Mexico. Highlights of Air Canada’s Mexican network growth include the addition of new, year-round flights from Montréal to Guadalajara, as well as increased frequencies to Cancún, Monterrey, Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta, four in-demand destinations with Canadians and international travellers alike. Those flights are now...
Curaçao turns in strong January 2026 results
The Curaçao Tourist Board reports that January 2026 reflected a continued level of stayover arrivals to the island, supported by demand across key source markets. January 2026 saw an increase of 8% in stayover arrivals compared to January 2025, welcoming an additional 6,098 visitors. A total of 79,387 stayover visitors were welcomed in the first month of the year. This consistent performance reflects traveller demand and marks a vibrant peak-season month, with stayover arrivals reaching nearly eighty thousand in a single month. Performance by region was positive from South...
Visa-Free travel to China starts for Canadian passport holders on Feb 17
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that starting tomorrow (Feb. 17), that Canadian passport holders will no longer need a visa. The announcement was made on the Ministry’s website and advises that “to further facilitate cross-border travel, China has decided to, starting from Feb. 17, 2026, extend its visa waiver policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom.” It continues: Ordinary passport holders from the two countries can be exempted from [needing a] visa to enter China and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, visits to...
Operators implement flexible rebooking options for Cuba
Both Transat and Air Canada Vacations have introduced flexible rebooking policies as a result of the ongoing power outages and hotel closures in Cuba. And this morning, the Cuban government has told international airlines that they would no longer be able refuel on the island due to those fuel shortages. In a message to travel advisors from Transat’s commercial team, advised that: “For any travel file with an arrival date between Feb. 7 and April 30, 2026, at a hotel affected by a temporary closure, travellers may change the date, hotel or destination without penalty.” It...
VisitBritain shares a reminder on the ETA for travel to Britain
The start date for the legal requirement of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for travel to Britain is fast approaching, VisitBritain said in a reminder on the change. From Feb. 25, 2026, the UK Home Office has upcoming changes to travel requirements for nationalities that do not require a visa for short stays of up to 6 months – and that includes Canadians. VisitBritain notes that: “We understand that changes to UK entry requirements can raise questions for both travellers and advisors, particularly during transition periods. To support you in helping visitors navigate...
Antigua and Barbuda bring a little warmth to Toronto
Antigua and Barbuda brought a little of their sun and warmth to Toronto this week and considering the bone chilling temperatures the city was experiencing, it couldn’t have come at a better time. As part of a strategic winter marketing presence, Antigua and Barbuda tourism branding is currently featured on a Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) streetcar travelling primarily along Dundas and Bathurst streets. Those major arteries of the city transport a combined average of 51,000 passengers daily and are seen by thousands more during their daily commutes, delivering high-visibility...
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism unveils bold vision for tourism
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett has outlined an ambitious recovery strategy for the island’s tourism sector that prioritizes resilience, sustainability, and innovation in the face of evolving global disruptions, the most recent being the passage of category 5 Hurricane Melissa. That storm brought sustained winds of 185 miles per hour with gusts reaching 252 miles per hour -- a magnitude the Caribbean and Jamaica have never experienced. Yet despite the severity of the storm, Minister Bartlett reaffirmed Jamaica's position as an irresistible value proposition for...