January 2026


Emirates and Air Canada Extend Partnership with New Multi-Year Agreement


www.nitravelnews.com


Wendy Wu Unveil Significant Expansion with New BDM Appointments


CHANCELLOR Rachel


outlined details


Reeves of


the UK Government’s long-anticipated autumn budget in Westminster. Some key takeaways for the travel industry include, support for high street businesses, air


rates,


passenger and


budget, duty tourism


levy powers granted to regional leaders. Outlined


in to the


Reeves highlighted plans


business rates for “750,000” hospitality,


and


EMIRATES and Air Canada has announced a commitment to expand and extend their strategic partnership, building on the success of a three- year-old agreement between the two airlines. Since launching their strategic partnership in 2022, the airlines have already served more than 550,000 customers, connecting travellers across 56 codeshare routes linking Canada, the U.S., Dubai and key destinations around the globe.


The carriers have signed a memorandum


of understanding to extend the reciprocal codeshare and loyalty partnership until December 31, 2032. The renewed agreement will deepen their cooperation, lead to enhanced services for customers and cargo shippers, and create the potential for new gateways within Canada in the codeshare network. “Air Canada’s partnership with Emirates has been highly successful, and we are proud to renew it early, expanding its scope and extending its duration through 2032. This agreement strengthens our international our daily,


strategy by supporting year-round service between


Toronto and Dubai and providing customers and shippers seamless connections to destinations across the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Renewing this partnership is great news, not just for our customers – many of whom have family, cultural or business ties to these regions – but also for Canada, as it enhances our ability to connect the country to the world amid evolving trade and travel patterns,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer and President, Cargo at Air Canada.


WENDY Wu Tours has announced details of a significant trade expansion, unveiling two powerhouse new Business Development Managers who will lead the operator’s regional surge across the North and Scotland. Demi Johnson has been appointed as Business Development Manager for the North and John Docherty as Business Develop Manager for Scotland. These new appointments mark the official activation of the regional blueprint first unveiled in September, following exceptional growth across both regions. Sales in the North and Scotland have rocketed +35% year- on-year, outpacing the national average and reinforcing these territories as two of the strongest-performing markets in the company’s history. The new roles signal a transformational


shift in how the specialist operator supports the trade, doubling down on its commitment to on-the-ground engagement, deeper partnerships, and laser-focused regional campaigns. John brings a powerful regional pedigree, with years of frontline experience supporting agents across Scotland in senior roles at Princess Cruises, G Touring and, most recently, easyJet holidays. Known for his strong industry relationships and deep understanding of the Scottish market, he has a proven track record in helping agencies unlock growth through targeted training, commercial collaboration, and hands-on regional support. With Wendy Wu Tours expanding rapidly into long-haul regions such as South America, South Africa and Europe, John sees vast opportunity to deepen brand presence across Scotland’s high street, independent and homeworker networks.


leisure businesses, a move which is set to include travel agencies. Full details were not outlined within the budget but Reeves relayed that these reduced business rates would be the “lowest rates since 1991.” However, it is unclear if the NI Executive will follow the UK Government on the reduction of business rates for the retail, hospitality, and leisure sector.


With Neil


Johnson from the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium highlighting,


“Retailers in


England at least have the prospect of reduced business rates bills following the Chancellor’s announcements today. Retailers in Northern Ireland do not. We await with interest to see what the Executive’s reaction will be. NIRC is clear – we need to cut business rates here in Northern Ireland too.”


Changes in Air Passenger Duty were announced, with the UK Government planning to increase all rates of APD in line with inflation, commencing 1 April 2027. In response to this announcement, Belfast International Airport Chief Executive Officer, Dan Owens highlighted, “For a Chancellor and Government that talks about growth, today’s budget will likely damage the UK’s tourism and aviation sector with its increase


Leadership Shakeup as Celestyal Cruises Makes Internal Moves


CELESTYAL has announced a leadership update, with the appointment of Janet Parton as vice president – marketing, PR and customer experience.


Janet moves into the role with immediate effect from her previous position as VP – business development & MD of Celestyal Travel, and brings experience from both her two years at Celestyal and earlier roles as sales & marketing director at Globus Family of Brands. She will lead Celestyal’s newly formed marketing, PR and customer experience function, with the next phase of growth for the brand, as it accelerates plans ahead of 2026 and the launch of its new Wave campaign.


in Air Passenger Duty. As an island off an island, NI needs air travel, as we do not have the option of rail connectivity that the rest of the UK has.” “This is an additional tax on air travel the


that Irish airlines Republic considering does not have


and therefore it makes NI less attractive to


introducing new


routes. This is a harmful tax that suffocates economic growth.” Calling upon NI’s local government, Owens continued “The failure of the UK Government to act means we will now ask the NI Executive to step in. If the Executive is committed to meeting its target of increasing the value of tourism in NI to £2bn by 2030, then it needs to look at reducing APD as it is a proven way to deliver greater international connectivity and economic growth.” As earlier revealed, the UK Government has granted regional and local leaders in England the powers to implement a tourism levy on overnight visitors. The introduction of these tourism fees will be at the discretion of local and regional bodies, who can if the overnight fee is required for investment within their local area.


Chancellor reduce retail,


TRADE NEWS | 77


What The New Autumn Budget Means For The Travel Industry


Janet will continue to report into Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer. As part of this transition,


Dan Buckingham, director retail & UK


partnerships, will assume leadership of the UK, Celestyal Travel and Europe teams for an interim period.


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