More women travelling solo and more multi-generational trips. More Canadians staying home. And no slowdown in sight for luxury travel. The Virtuoso Luxe Report Canada was revealed at a Virtuoso media event in Toronto this week. The briefing provided an in-depth look at the booming luxury travel market and a bevy of travel trends. It also provided a few surprise facts about how Canadians are making choices that differ from other travellers. The Luxe Report was issued as part of Virtuoso’s On Tour event, which saw dozens of advisors on hand to meet with destinations, hotels, cruise Read more
travel agents
Travel is changing rapidly, and artificial intelligence is part of the new wave. More than half of U.S. leisure travelers now use artificial intelligence to plan, book or navigate their trips, according to new research from Phocuswright, signaling the fastest behavioral shift the travel industry has seen in ten years. Phocuswright’s new report – The AI Surge: Travel’s Fastest Behavioral Shift in a Decade – shows that 56% of travelers used AI for at least one trip in the past 12 months, up sharply from 43% in late 2025 and more than double the share in 2024. Overall AI use Read more
More Canadians are visiting Australia than ever, and Tourism Australia touched down in Toronto last week to say thank you. Karen Fitzgerald, General Manager, Experiences, Tourism Australia, said the downtown meeting was an opportunity to connect with Canadian travel advisors and to make sure they’re aware of the country’s luxury travel experiences. Fitzgerald took time to introduce agents and Aussie specialists to the Signature Experiences of Australia program, a Tourism Australia initiative with seven marketing collectives that offer unique experiences for the luxury traveller. Together the seven marketing collectives represent 176 operators across Australia and offer more 800 experiences. Australian Read more
A prominent travel agents’ group says WestJet customers should be fully reimbursed for any losses they suffered as a result of the WestJet mechanics strike. It says travel advisors who had to work to rebook clients should be compensated. The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies today (July 2) issued a press release saying WestJet “should take full responsibility” for the strike. “ACTA is deeply concerned about the impact of the recent WestJet disruptions on travellers, travel agencies, and travel advisors,” the group said. “While we’re relieved the strike has concluded, we recognize the significant challenges it has created. “We’ve heard Read more
Despite the financial challenges posed by inflation and high gas prices, a significant majority of Canadians remain determined to embark on road trips this summer. Conducted among members of the Angus Reid Forum, the 2023 edition of the annual Toyota Canada Summer Road Trip Survey found 74% of those polled are still planning a road trip, but fuel efficiency and other ways to cut costs are very much top of mind this year. Cost-cutting and affordability are top of mind Of those who are planning a road trip this summer, 43% say rising gas prices have impacted their plans. And, Read more
