Choice Hotels Canada Announces Additions to Franchise Development Team
Choice Hotels Canada announced the appointment of Kris Crundwell and Michael Durante as regional vice‑presidents of Development, covering British Columbia/Yukon and the Atlantic provinces respectively. The hires come after Choice Hotels International’s full acquisition of the Canadian unit in July 2025, which gave the company direct franchising rights to Radisson, Cambria, MainStay and Everhome brands. Both executives bring decades of hospitality experience and will report to national VP Graham Marsh. Their mandate is to accelerate franchise growth and deepen the brand portfolio’s upscale presence in Canada.
Demand for Canada Grows Within New Luxury Travel Platform
Exclusive Investments LLC launched The Exclusive Collective, a multi‑brand luxury travel platform that merges Exclusive Resorts, onefinestay and Inspirato to serve high‑net‑worth travelers. The platform emphasizes choice, community and flexible travel experiences across life stages. Canada’s demand is accelerating, highlighted...
Canada Hotels Posts Record RevPAR in 2025
Canadian hotels closed 2025 with a record RevPAR of $142.89, a 4.1% year‑over‑year increase, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Growth was uneven, as Ontario and Quebec fell short of the national average while domestic leisure travel buoyed other regions. New...
Now Open: Ômage Hotel Montréal/Laval
Ômage Hotel Montréal/Laval opened after a ten‑month transformation of the former Hilton Laval, joining Marriott Bonvoy’s Tribute Portfolio. The boutique property offers 190 guestrooms across ten floors, including 42 extended‑stay suites with full kitchens. Designed around natural elements, the hotel...
BCHA Unveils 2026 Awards of Excellence Finalists
The British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) has released the finalists for its 2026 Awards of Excellence, covering categories such as Culinary Excellence, Housekeeping, Sustainability Champion, and Hotelier of the Year. The awards ceremony will take place during the BCHA Summit...
Firecircle Expands Award-Winning 5×5 Method with New Tourism Entrepreneur Guidebook
Firecircle, a digital training and mentorship firm for tourism entrepreneurs, has published a new guidebook titled "Firecircle 5×5 Method – The Definitive Guide to Igniting and Transforming Your Tourism Business" on Amazon. Authored by founder‑CEO Deneen Allen, the book delivers...
Travelodge Canada Continues Growth
Travelodge Canada has launched the Travelodge Suites by Wyndham Estevan, adding a 132‑room, kitchenette‑equipped hotel in Saskatchewan. The property, managed by Globex Management Corp. alongside a local ownership group, offers amenities such as complimentary breakfast, free Wi‑Fi, fitness facilities, and...
Ontario Celebrates Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day
Ontario has proclaimed February 23 as the province’s first Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day, a holiday that honors restaurants, hotels, event venues and catering firms for their economic contribution. The legislation passed unanimously in the Legislative Assembly after advocacy by industry...
Choice Hotels International Debuts New Prototype for Everhome Suites
Choice Hotels International unveiled a re‑designed prototype for its Everhome Suites brand, aiming to cut construction costs and boost operational efficiency. The new layout reduces per‑room development expenses by roughly 13% while expanding capacity to about 120 suites per property....
JLL Forecasts Robust Global Hotel Investment
JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group projects a strong rebound in global hotel investment, with 2025 transaction volumes rising 22% from the 2023 trough. The Americas posted the steepest growth at 27%, while Asia‑Pacific fell 20% but is slated for recovery...
Park Hyatt Toronto Launches Global Chef Series
Park Hyatt Toronto has launched a Global Chef Series, debuting with Brazilian chef Felipe Schaedler at its Joni Restaurant on March 6‑7. The program pairs visiting culinary stars with executive chef Jonathan Williams to create multi‑course tasting menus that showcase...
Coast Hotels Celebrates Its Top Achievers
Coast Hotels Limited, a subsidiary of APA Hotel Canada, announced the winners of its 2025 Coast Hotels Awards at the annual brand conference in Nanaimo, B.C. The ceremony highlighted a range of performance‑based recognitions, including a first‑ever Lifetime Achievement Award...
Maison L’Occitane en Provence Re-Launches Aromachologie Collection
Maison L’Occitane en Provence has re‑launched its Aromachologie amenities collection for premium hotels, restaurants and wellness centres. The line now features a semi‑transparent 300 ml RPET dispenser and 1‑litre recycled‑plastic refills, alongside a new matte black bracket option. All products are...
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto Maintains Forbes Rating
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto has retained its Forbes Travel Guide Five‑Star Hotel and Five‑Star Spa ratings, marking the sixth consecutive year of the property’s 10‑Star distinction. The hotel is now one of only four Five‑Star hotels in Toronto and one...
Toronto Pearson Named One of Canada’s Best Employers
Toronto Pearson International Airport has been named to Forbes Canada’s Best Employers 2026 list for the third straight year, climbing five spots to rank 102nd among the nation’s top 300 workplaces. It is the only airport featured in the ranking,...
Fairmont Calgary to Open in 2031
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, together with development group Truman, announced a new 225‑key Fairmont hotel in Calgary slated for a Q4 2031 opening. The mixed‑use project will include a signature spa, meeting spaces and 100 luxury‑branded residences. It is tied to...
Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month Returns
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority announced that Culinary Month will return in May 2026, marking the fourth edition of the island’s flagship food‑focused tourism program. Launched in 2023, the initiative highlights Antiguan and Barbudan cuisine while inviting guest chefs...
Business Travel Faces Optimism and Operational Hurdles for 2026
The Global Business Travel Association’s 2026 poll shows 59% of travel professionals remain optimistic about the market, though optimism fell 12 points from the prior year. Eighty‑four percent of corporate buyers expect travel spend to rise or stay flat, with...
Tourism Jasper Launches Cabin Experience at Edmonton International Airport
Tourism Jasper has opened a full‑scale, Jasper‑inspired cabin at Edmonton International Airport’s Gate 16. The rustic replica features a fireplace, Hudson’s Bay blankets, historic photos and an Adirondack chair for waiting travelers. Designed as a three‑to‑five‑year activation, the cabin will be...