In order to provide you with the best online experience this website uses cookies.
By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more.
PAX looks back on 2017
An annual tradition at PAXnews.com, today we're looking back at some of 2017's biggest travel industry stories. Check back tomorrow for Part 2 of our 2017 retrospective, where we highlight the many industry personnel changes and appointments which took place over the last 12 months.
JANUARY
Sandals to add fourth Saint Lucia property
G Adventures acquires Travelsphere, Just You
Playa Hotels & Resorts announces Panama Jack partnership
Air Transat to begin direct flights from Montreal to Tel Aviv
Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria opens its doors
New Go Canada collection launched by Air Canada Vacations
Logimonde Media welcomes two new members to team
Marriott and Sandals to open new hotel in Kingston, Jamaica
Hard Rock, Sunwing team up for new Costa Rica resort
Sunwing announces extension of Toronto-St. Lucia flights for summer
Sunwing awarded entry into TSA PreCheck
New hotel developments expected to bring 1,000 rooms to Saint Lucia
Canadian airlines announce measures for customers affected by U.S. travel ban
One million new seats scheduled for flights to Mexico in 2017
FEBRUARY
Air Canada announces new daily summer service to Reykjavik
Trip Xpertz officially launches
G Adventures completes acquisition of Swan Hellenic brand
Federal court rejects Trump administration request to reinstate travel ban
New marketing communications agency TOTAL Public Relations opens in Toronto
Air Transat announces additional Toronto-Lisbon flight on summer program
Transat adds new property to Cuba hotels
Air Canada adds new Montreal-Tel Aviv service, increases frequency from YYZ
WestJet launches new routes in Quebec
WTTC warns U.S. administration on risks of visa policies
Airbnb announces purchase of Luxury Retreats
Sandals Grande St Lucian unveils over-the-water bungalows
ACTA announces organizational restructure
Travel Masters to acquire Mission Park Travel
Air Canada upholds YYZ-IST route suspension
Trump executive order has adverse effect on travel to U.S.
Sunwing ratifies agreement with flight attendants
MARCH
UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya makes it debut
Several Bahamas' swimming pigs found dead
Air Transat launches Club Class aboard 737s
Air Transat to launch three new flights
Logimonde Media launches PAXWebinar.com
Air Transat offers direct flights to Vancouver, Montreal & Calgary
Nobu Hospitality to open first development in Canada
Select Air Transat flights to sell excursions onboard
Sandals Resorts to open second property in Barbados
Average hotel prices remain stable in 2016
TSA enacts new rules on passenger devices
Canada to consider following U.S. lead on passenger devices
NCL service charges going up April 1
IATA criticizes new 'laptop ban'
Airbus A350-900 makes first Canadian appearance
Qatar Airways to offer free laptops on US flights
APRIL
AMResorts aims to open 10 new Mexico properties by 2020
Countdown to Pyeongchang 2018 begins in Toronto
Transport Canada mulls passenger bumping rules in wake of United incident
Vision to merge with Direct Travel
WestJet plans ULCC launch for late 2017
American Airlines issues apology for onboard incident
MAY
A very special edition of PAX magazine
Merit Travel acquires CruiseExperts Travel
WestJet eyes expanded fleet & network with Dreamliner purchase
Air Canada to launch own loyalty program in 2020
More than 300 Service Canada Centres to offer passport services
InterJet enters Canadian market with YUL flights
GBTA projects anti-travel policies to cost U.S. $1.3bn
U.S. Travel Association condemns Trump plans for Brand USA
Preference Vacations looks to English Canada
JUNE
WestJet targets service to China
NewLeaf purchased by Flair Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines to make North American debut at YVR
Tourist office of Spain employees hit the picket line
Global Yacht Registry to set sail this fall
Travel Masters grows, acquires Altec Travel
Club Med's new phase of expansion
JULY
Pulse Travel Marketing, KAI Group join forces
Air Transat adding 10 A321neo LRs to fleet
WestJet & Amadeus sign multi-year agreement
WestJet's Saretsky takes on unionization drives in email to staff
First model of Disney's Star Wars-themed lands revealed
TL Network Canada adds 24 new agencies
Canadian airlines respond to new U.S. security measures
TravelOnly & TravelBrands merge to create university
Transat eyes development of own hotel chain
700 staff at Pearson go on strike
Travel Leaders Group, ALTOUR to merge
RCMP investigating WestJet Rewards data hack
Air France-KLM acquires 31% stake in Virgin Atlantic
AUGUST
WestJet's ULCC to take flight next June
AT counters YOW's version of diverted flight incident
Flight Centre to acquire Quebec's Les Voyages Laurier du Vallon
Tainted alcohol allegations: agents reminded of responsibilities
Tropical Storm Franklin: travel advisory issued for Canadians
WestJet looking outside of Calgary for ULCC home
Worldview Travel is now Travel Edge
Unique Vacations' Sadler honoured by Jamaican PM
Le Boat bringing Canada on board next May
Airberlin files for insolvency as Lufthansa talks continue
Sunwing lands on FP500 list for first time
Passports to get 'X' gender option
Harvey cancels flights, diverts cruise ships
TRAVELSAVERS' Mazza honoured by ASTA
Tropical Storm Lidia heading for Los Cabos
SEPTEMBER
Air Transat CEO appears before CTA hearing
Caribbean braces for Hurricane Irma
Irma: Canadian airlines evacuate travellers
STM: New Canadian manager and more
Vision Travel purchases Travel Sensations
Irma: St. Martin, Barbuda hit hard; Air Canada adds flights
Sunwing's SXM service cancelled until April 30
Maria: Government of Canada flags Caribbean destinations
Maria: Puerto Rico slapped with double blow
More than 200 killed in Mexico earthquake
Transat team brings good news from Cuba
Post-Irma: Antigua thrives, Barbuda rebuilds
Maria: 3.4M without power in Puerto Rico
Vision acquires WD World Travel
Maria: Punta Cana spared from storm
WestJet's ULCC 'Swoops' into Canadian market
Vision, Direct partner with ATPI
OCTOBER
Las Vegas: worst mass shooting in U.S. history
TripAdvisor launches agent-specific booking platform
Transat sells minority Ocean stake
Sunwing COO: Caribbean open for business
New travel legislation proposed in Ontario
Sears Travel rebranded under TravelBrands
Cuban tourism minister provides crucial updates
Sunwing: Cayos to reopen in November
Ensemble and Carnival announce partnership
Embratur sets its sights on Canada
Cuba's Cayos region back on track
TRVL withdraws services from Ontario
Air Transat's SXM flights cancelled this season
PAX gets a first-hand look at recovery of Cuba's Cayos
New U.S. flight security measures to take effect today
WestJet honours top travel partners in Toronto
Transat sells Jonview in $44M deal
Air Canada suspends flights to Puerto Rico
NOVEMBER
PAX joins Sunwing for reopening of Cayos
Club Med: ski village will bring the world to Charleviox
Air Canada suspends flights to St. Maarten
Air France-KLM announces GDS surcharge
Transport Canada expands Prohibited Items List
More than 80 Cuban hotels blacklisted by U.S. gov't
Vision expands in Ontario with latest acquisition
Transat marks 30 years with new livery & hotel group
Canada Jetlines eyes June 1 launch
Air Transat's Cuba flights back to full operation
Air Transat suspends Puerto Rico service
Riu Republica builds a new adults-only water park
Argentina suspends Canadian reciprocity fee
PAX honoured at Canadian Printing Awards!
DECEMBER
Air Transat faces $295K fine in CTA ruling
Transat finalizes Jonview sale for $44M
Flair Airlines eliminates carry-on baggage fees
WestJet and Delta enter transborder partnership
PAX exclusive: TravelOnly launches cruise brand
Hotel Xcaret Mexico opens in Cancun
Delta adds $75 fee on checked baggage for Europe, North Africa flights
Bahia properties reorganized into new categories & experiences
Amendments to Travel Industry Act passed in Ontario
Transat's hotel division plan moving ahead
At least one Canadian involved in Mexico bus crash
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Rare November snowfall triggers delays at YYZ and beyond
11-10-2025 11:18 am
On Location: ACV & Velas celebrate double milestones in Mexico’s Riviera Maya
11-10-2025 11:15 am
Matthew and Camila McConaughey christen Princess Cruises' Star Princess
11-10-2025 11:05 am