A flawed list of the world’s best beaches, plus tourism news from Montreal, Holland America, Fairmont Hotels, Cunard and more. I also take a look the tremendous age gap that exists among Canadians when they’re asked about travel to the United States.
THE WORLD”S 50 BEST BEACHES LIST: I DON’T THINK SO
I like that this latest list on the world’s best beaches has some unusual places that many travellers don’t know about. The list, put together by The Daily Mail and published by MSN Travel, includes such places as the Maldives, the island of Fakarava in Tahiti, and Cayo de Agua, a beach in Venezuela that’s a few miles east of Bonaire. Ireland also makes the list, which is great.
But the incredible dominance of beaches in the Caribbean Sea and Europe makes this list, well, preposterous.
I spotted 13 in the Caribbean (some in South America, Mexico and Central America, but still in the Caribbean Sea); Shoal Bay East in Anguilla, Princess Diana Beach in Barbuda, Canto de la Playa in the Dominican Republic, Cayos Zapatilla in Panama, Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico, Cas Abao in Curacao, Playa Xpu Ha in Mexico, Grand Anse in Grenada, The Baths in the British Virgin Islands, Cabo San Juan Del Guia in Colombia, the aforementioned Cayo de Agua, Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos, and Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands. I can vouch for Shoal Bay and Seven Mile, but I think they’re missing the boat by not including Salt Whistle Bay on Mayreau.
(Here’s a link to a story I published a few years ago on top Caribbean beaches that I have enjoyed over the years.)
I see three Australian spots on their list; Wharton Beach in Western Australia (I toured the area a couple years ago and thought it was tremendous), Turquoise Bay in Western Australia, and Wineglass Bay in Tasmania, which I visited from a nearby lookout in December, 2023. These are great choices, but how do you leave out the Whitsundays?
Wineglass Bay is in Freycinet National Park, Tasmania. WINEGLASS BAY CRUISES PHOTO
There’s also only one beach listed in the United States, Siesta Beach in Florida. There are no entries for Hawaii, which is absurd, and none for New Zealand.
Looking at the list, I suspect that a lot of these islands, especially those in Europe and the Caribbean, that British travellers tend to visit. I don’t know how else to explain 13 Caribbean beaches on the list (more than 25%) and 11 (more than 20%) from Europe.
Maybe they need to broaden their panel a bit next time? Or maybe I need to spend more time in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean?
MONTREAL TOURISM READY FOR SUMMER
As Montreal enters its summer season, all indicators point to a year marked by growth across all markets, a more diversified visitor base, and strong demand for the destination.
“Summer 2026 is shaping up to be the strongest of the past three years, with a richer offer spread over a longer period. Montréal is leveraging a winning combination of leisure, business and sports tourism, with a complementary mix of events and activities distributed across several months,” said Yves Lalumière, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tourisme Montréal.
With 165 direct destinations, Montréal continues to strengthen its position as an international hub, a key competitive advantage among major Canadian cities. New air links further reinforce this position, including Rio de Janeiro, Cleveland, Columbus, Catania, Dakar, Berlin and Agadir. Tourisme Montréal is forecasting 5% growth across its Canadian, U.S. and international markets. Hotel occupancy is expected to average 80% between June and September, with peaks reaching 85%.
Le Grande Roue (Big Wheel) in Montreal. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Montréal’s summer season, now extending from May to October, kicks off strongly with the Canadian Grand Prix. The summer will also feature major milestones, including the 150th anniversary of Mount Royal, the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Olympic Games and the UCI Road World Championships. The city will also host a series of major conferences, including the World Tunnel Congress, World Powder Metallurgy, the Goldschmidt Conference and an international congress in gynaecology, all generating significant economic benefits.
Tourisme Montreal also is celebrating of the second MICHELIN Guide Québec selection, marked by a rise from three to five MICHELIN star restaurants in the city.
Restaurants Mastard, Sabayon and Jérôme Ferrer – Europea retain their stars, confirming the consistency and excellence of their cuisine. They are now joined by newly recognized establishments: Hoogan et Beaufort and Sushi Nishinokaze.
Beyond the stars, seven Montréal restaurants have earned a Bib Gourmand distinction, while 49 establishments are featured in the Selected category
AVOIDING US TRAVEL: A CANADIAN GENERATION GAP
New findings from the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA)’s 2026 Smart Traveller Survey show that while 63% of Canadiansplan to travel this year, interest in U.S. travel is increasingly concentrated among younger generations, even as older Canadians pull back further.
Among Canadians planning to travel this year, nearly two‑thirds of Gen Z (61%) say the U.S. is on their itinerary, well ahead of Millennials (48%), Gen X (28%), and Boomers (a measly 14%).
While promising in some ways for U.S. travel, it’s worth noting that older travellers (those most reluctant to visit the U.S. right now) tend to stay longer and spend a good deal more money on their vacations than younger visitors.
L. Filipe-C.Sousa/Unsplash Photo
On a related note, a new Longwoods International Study found that 38% of Canadians are leery of international travel due to the war with Iran. That, and the continuing reluctance of older Canadians to visit the States, bodes well for Canadian domestic tourism this year.
With that in mind, here’s a nice item from MSN on cool places (literally, cool) to explore in Canada’s north this year. I love that they’ve included some fascinating places, including Dawson City, Yukon and the Athabasca Sand Dunes in northern Saskatchewan.
AIR CANADA AND AEROPLAN TEAM UP WITH HERTZ
Aeroplan just teamed up with Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty, and in doing so, has created a powerful new way for Canadians to enhance their travel experience. The journey no longer stops when the plane lands. Aeroplan is now rewarding members throughout their entire trip, turning ground transportation into a massive new source of points, status, and premium perks.
Travel planning just got a major upgrade. Here’s why this is a game changer for Canadian travellers:
- Skip the Line and Get a Free Upgrade: Say goodbye to the rental counter queue. All Aeroplan Elite members and many Aeroplan credit cardholders now receive complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® elite status. This means immediate access to perks like skipping the counter, free car upgrades, and a dedicated, premium service. It’s the VIP treatment every traveller wants.
- The Road Trip That Pays for Your Next Flight: Every car rental is now a powerful tool for the next vacation. Members can earn up to 5 Aeroplan points per dollar spent and, for the first time, earn Status Qualifying Credits (SQCs) on every rental. Your weekend getaway car could be what bumps you up to Elite Status for your next international flight.
- One Platform to Rule Your Entire Trip: Members can now book flights, hotels, and car rentals directly on aircanada.com, creating a seamless itinerary in one convenient place.
THAT AND THIS: HOTEL AND CRUISE NEWS
Holland America Line is now accepting bookings for Oosterdam’s first collection of voyages following its debut as the inaugural ship to undergo Holland America Evolution, the cruise line’s largest fleet investment in its 153‑year history. Spanning eight itineraries and 15 departure dates, the new sailings give guests the earliest opportunity to experience Oosterdam’s onboard enhancements, paired with destination-rich itineraries across Europe, the Caribbean and North America … Fairmont Vancouver recently completed the first phase of a multi-year renovation. The transformation introduces 96 redesigned guest rooms across the hotel’s top four floors, marking the start of a full-property refresh set to continue through 2029. The new design leans into the hotel’s “Pure Coastal Luxury” positioning, drawing on the Pacific Northwest landscape with layered textures, coastal tones, and enhanced views of the harbour, forest, and skyline. A fixture of Vancouver’s luxury scene since 1991, the hotel offers 489 rooms with harbour or city views. Upcoming phases will reimagine Fairmont Gold, the lobby, ARC Restaurant + Bar, and the rooftop pool …
