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Monday, August 3, 2026
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WestJet may have reached a tentative deal with its flight attendants union, but for travel advisors, the uncertainty is far from over. As the airline works to rebuild its network, one advisor is anxiously waiting to see if a wedding group of 40 will make it to Cancun today from Toronto. The experience is also raising bigger questions about how the industry handles group bookings and advisor compensation during labour disruptions.
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The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) has appointed Taimur Mansour as consul and director of tourism for Canada, based in Toronto, effective August 2026. In the role, Mansour will lead the ministry's efforts to grow travel from the Canadian market to Israel, reads a press release.
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WestJet and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing WestJet flights attendants, have reached a tentative agreement, bringing an end to the work stoppage and network-wide operational disruption, and withdrawing both the strike and lockout notices. The agreement will now go to WestJet's cabin crew for a ratification vote.
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From growing up in a family travel agency to preparing to conquer Greenland, Jesse Eberts is charting his own course. The Abbotsford, B.C.-based advisor is betting big on expedition cruising, embraces AI without fearing it, and believes no algorithm can replace genuine expertise. His mission? Prove that the future of travel belongs to trusted human curators — not bots. "I’m working to change the narrative," Eberts says in today's Monday Minute.
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WestJet has extended its Flexible Change and Cancel policy through Aug. 6 as its flight attendants' strike continues. Guests with travel planned up to August 6, 2026 can make a one-time change or cancellation at no additional cost, says the airline. “We'll continue to evaluate additional extensions on a daily basis,” the airline said in an update posted to social media.
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Explora Journeys has officially named EXPLORA III in Barcelona, marking the arrival of the luxury cruise line’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ship and the halfway point in its plan to build a fleet of six ships dedicated to ultra-luxury ocean travel.
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A travel trend dubbed "deadzoning" is encouraging travellers to disconnect from their devices while on holiday in an effort to improve mental wellbeing, reduce stress and reconnect, according to G Adventures. The adventure operator says the trend, which is popular among Millennials and Gen Z travellers, involves limiting access to phones, social media and work notifications.
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The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA) is promising its largest trade show program to date as part of its 2026 Travel Industry Summits in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver this fall. A major attraction at the Toronto and Vancouver summits will be a dedicated Cruise Pavilion.
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Aurora Expeditions is expanding its offering to families by welcoming children aged six and older aboard its purpose-built expedition ships, allowing more young travellers to experience some of the world's most remote destinations. The move gives children the opportunity to participate in expedition cruises that take guests beyond traditional sightseeing, the company says.
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Scenic Group has launched its 2028-29 collection of voyages aboard Scenic Eclipse II, alongside a lineup of land journeys across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the South Pacific. The new program marks the Discovery Yacht's return to the region following its 2024 and 2025 seasons, featuring itineraries that combine major cities with remote coastal destinations.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
As more than 4,000 WestJet flight attendants walked off the job early Sunday (Aug. 2), Canadian travel advisors sprang into action, rebooking itineraries, monitoring flight schedules and waiting on hold—much of it unpaid. Here, PAX speaks with four pros on the front lines of the labour disruption.
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It’s tempting to sell everything to everyone, but Toronto-based travel advisor Carl Henderson took a different route. He bet big on paradise – and won. As a Certified Tahiti Specialist with Tahiti Tourisme and the face behind Tahiti By Carl, Henderson, an advisor with Trevello, has built a thriving business focused almost entirely on one destination: French Polynesia.
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A new Canadian travel platform is officially open for business. shoptravel, a new travel booking platform founded by Canadian travel industry veteran Frank DeMarinis, formerly of TravelBrands, has launched across Canada, marking the first phase of a broader plan to deliver a full-service travel planning experience that blends technology with human support.
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