Canada Issues Travel Advisories for China + USA: WestJet Launching Halifax-Barcelona Flights

The Canadian government has new travel advisories up for citizens and residents who plan to visit the U.S. or China.

Ottawa recently updated its travel advisory site to say that residents of Canada and other foreign nationals visiting the U.S. for longer than 30 days must register with the U.S. government.

Canadians haven’t had to register with the government of the U.S. prior to this.

U.S. President Donald Trump in January signed an executive order called “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” The order requires all foreign nationals, including Canadians, to register with U.S. Customs and Immigration Services if they intend to stay more in the States more than 30 days.

“Failure to comply with the registration requirement could result in penalties, fines, and misdemeanor prosecution,” Ottawa said.

The rule has sparked confusion about how Canadians and others should register.

“You should consult the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website to determine if you need to register with USCIS and how to do so,” the Canadian government travel advisory site states. “You can verify if you have been automatically registered on entry to the US by looking up your I-94 admission form on the U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) website.”

Several other countries, including the UK and Germany, have recently placed new advisories on travel to the U.S.

The Canadian government updated its travel advisory to China after Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said recently that Chinese authorities have executed four Canadian nationals in recent months.

The updated advisory warned that Canadians should exercise “a high degree of caution” in China “due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws.”

“This is especially true for those with dual citizenships, who may be denied access to Canadian consular services if they entered the country on a Chinese passport or identity card,” the CBC said.

The Canadian travel advisory to China also warned that non-violent acts such as financial crimes may incur “severe punishment” in the country. It adds that travellers may also face an exit ban from China if they are linked to people “in any open civil or criminal investigations, including business disputes.”

“Our ability to provide consular assistance in China is limited due to the level of transparency in China’s judicial system,” the Canadian advisory states. “It may also impact your ability to obtain effective legal assistance.”

VIVA ESPANA: WESTJET LAUNCHING BARCELONA FLIGHTS FROM HALIFAX

WestJet today announced new service between Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) beginning June 27. The seasonal route will operate four times per week as part of WestJet’s summer 2025 schedule, offering Atlantic Canadians a direct connection to one of the airline’s most sought-after European destinations.

The addition of Barcelona to WestJet’s summer 2025 transatlantic schedule builds on the airline’s service offering from Halifax. In 2025, WestJet will offer more transatlantic flights from Halifax than ever before, including new routes to Amsterdam, Paris and now Barcelona, as well as the return of popular services to London, Dublin and Edinburgh. The full summer 2025 schedule is now available at WestJet.com.

“This route is poised to become a favourite among those eager to explore Spain and beyond,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. “Service between Halifax and Barcelona complements our expansive and most significant transatlantic schedule from Atlantic Canada.

“As demand for travel to Europe remains strong, this addition furthers WestJet’s presence in the market, offering more choice and flexibility for Canadians living on the East Coast.”

ALTERNATIVES TO CROWDED WHITE LOTUS SPOTS IN THAILAND

Film and TV are powerful tools at the disposal of travel marketing teams, and nowhere else is this more evident than the incredible interest for Thailand being driven by the newest season of HBO’s ‘The White Lotus’. The comedy-drama, highlighting the follies of wealthy travelers set against the struggles, tensions, and day-to-day life of locals, has filmed in Hawaii, Sicily, and now Thailand, with all destinations seeing huge surges in interest following each season.

Thailand, coveted as a travel destination for its beauty, culture, wellness and spirituality, all portrayed in the new season, expects a major boom in travel because of the show. Minor Hotels, which owns several of the resorts that served as principal filming locations for the third season, have noted a 104% increase in web traffic with a corresponding 41% year-over-year rise in direct online bookings following the release of season three.

But as some point out, this might not be a good thing. Phuket and Koh Samui are already two of the busiest places for visitors in Thailand, and indiscriminate visitation risks exacerbating problems faced by the Southern islands.

Vaya Adventures, a boutique, private-guided operator wants to share alternatives to the Thailand mainstays, that will help visitors get away from the crowds to explore the beautiful country of Thailand responsibly.

Here are their recommendations:

Koh Lanta

Just a short boat ride from the mainland on Thailand’s Andaman coast, Koh Lanta feels a world apart. The island is known for its local feel, especially in shoulder season (April-June, September-October), where visitors can enjoy an incredible array of local restaurants and sample (among other specialties) the delicious seafood that the area is known for. Koh Lanta is growing in prominence as a snorkeling and diving location because of its proximity to Koh Haa/Koh Bida and Hin Daeng, and its unrivalled coral-fringed beaches.

Khao Lak

For the traveler inclined towards adventure, Khao Lak has it all. From ziplining, rafting, and sea kayaking to bird watching and bamboo rafting, Khao Lak is the place for adventure and a little bit of wellness. About an hour-and-a-half by boat from Phuket, largely considered the gateway to Thailand’s Southern islands, this is the place for eco-adventure by land and sea.

Koh Yao Noi

Similarly to Koh Lanta, Koh Yao Noi offers fantastic opportunities to support community-based tourism activities that connect visitors and locals. This is largely through the work of The Community Based Tourism Club of Koh Yao Noi, an organization dedicated to the development of a model of tourism for conservation, community development, and cross-cultural sharing.

Koh Jum

For a more rustic vibe, Koh Jum offers a truly unparalleled experience as the quietest member of this list. With tourism less prominent here than on other Thai islands, this is a perfect choice for those who enjoy, or want to enjoy, a much slower pace of life. And while Koh Jum is laidback, it is also packed with outdoor activities and soft adventure with ample opportunity to dive snorkel, sea kayak, swim, and explore the area’s beautiful beaches in relative calm.

FLIGHT CENTRE SAYS “CALMCATIONS” APPEAL TO CANADIANS AS STRESS RISES

The new year has gotten off to a tumultuous start as Canadians face an uncertain political and economic future, but that doesn’t mean travel will take a backseat. Instead, Flight Centre predicts that Canadians will need a break more than ever from the relentless news cycle and pace of modern life. 

But rather than jetting off to the world’s buzziest vacation spots or racing to check items off a bucket list, a Flight Centre survey conducted by YouGov suggests that 61% of Canadian travellers will prioritize slow and restful travel in 2025. That means choosing destinations away from crowds, opting for slower paced itineraries that highlight life’s simple pleasures, and leaving plenty of time to recharge, reflect, and refocus priorities.  

“Soft travel, or the ‘calm-cation,’ looks different for different people,” says Ryan Bond, Travel Expert at Flight Centre Canada. “It puts the emphasis on mental and physical well-being so you return from your vacation with renewed energy and purpose.” 

There are many ways that Canadians can embrace the “soft travel” movement: 

• Visit Healing Locales: A whopping 76% of Canadian travellers crave peace away from crowded destinations. Discover quiet havens steeped in nature and community, not other tourists, such as the serene forests and beaches of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia or the volcanic craters of Azores, Portugal. 
   

• Find Balance: More than 3 in 5 (61%) of Canadian travellers say travel is extremely or very important to their mental health and overall wellbeing. Reset mind, body and spirit by touring the Euphoria Retreat in the mountains of the Peloponnese, Greece or the historic monastery turned wellness retreat, Le Monastère des Augustines, Québec City. 
   

• Indulge in Beauty Sleep: Enjoying a restful vacation is especially important for Zillennials (Gen Z, 80%; Millennials, 76%), people with children (77% vs. people without children, 53%) and people who work (69% vs. people who don’t work, 48%). Combat stress and sleep disturbances by booking at a secluded riverside eco-lodge with stargazing suites in Trout Point Lodge, Nova Scotia or escaping to Masseria Moroseta, Italy, a stylish farmhouse in Puglia designed for slow living, featuring minimalist decor and quiet countryside views.