Source: Resort Trades

As we prepared our July 2026 Resort Trades edition, “The Money Issue,” we were inspired to dig deeper into researching how the industry is handling today’s economy. If you spend much time following the financial news, you might think consumers are curled up in the fetal position, clutching their wallets, and refusing to spend money on anything more extravagant than a loaf of bread and a tank of gas.

But before you conclude that the sky is falling, consider this: You’re looking at consumer confidence from a universal perspective, not from inside the industry. Drawing on contacts from Resort Trades’ Member Directory, we asked a group of highly-engaged professionals what they are seeing in real-time.

Source: hospitalitynet

HVS hospitality market data published on July 31, 2026, shows lodging RevPAR grew 8.1% in the trailing-28-day window ending mid-July, buoyed by summer resort demand and regional events, with Q2 hotel transaction dollar volume increasing 9.1% over Q1

Source: Government Of Canada

Tourism activity accounted for 1.76% of economy-wide gross domestic product, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in 2025.

Source: CBC News

Some travellers are heading into the long weekend on edge, as WestJet begins its first round of cancellations ahead of a possible strike by flight attendants.

The airline announced early Saturday morning that 81 of the day’s scheduled flights have been scrubbed.

The company says the move is meant to prevent crew and passengers from getting stranded, and travellers should check their flight status before leaving for the airport.

Source: CBC News

The federal government is lifting a limit on how many Canadians can apply online to renew their passports, Immigration Minister Lena Diab announced on Tuesday.
Previously a maximum of 2,000 people per day could submit their applications online. That cap is now being removed. The online application process remains limited to those whose passport is set to expire within six months or has already expired.

Source: Courthouse News

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum outlined a $115 million plan on Thursday to manage up to 9 million tons of sargassum that wash onto beaches of the Riviera Maya in the state of Quintana Roo every day.

Efforts will be concentrated on Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum and Mahahual, a 30-mile stretch of beach.

Canadian Resort & Travel Association

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