Canadian Advisors in Miami for Air Canada FAM Trip

Greater Miami and Miami Beach continues to welcome Canadians with open arms and fresh experiences, as showcased in a recent familiarization (FAM) trip hosted by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), Sunny Isles Beach Tourism Council, and Air Canada from May 5 to 8, 2025. Eight top-tier Canadian travel advisors from Toronto and Montreal flew in on Air Canada direct flights to explore Greater Miami’s evolving tourism landscape, learn firsthand why the destination remains a favourite for Canadian travellers, and celebrate Global Travel Advisor Day in the destination.

“As Miami gears up for an exciting pipeline of new developments this year and through 2026, Canadian travellers can continue to expect great connectivity via Air Canada and a welcoming environment filled with adventure, value, and sunshine year-round. This FAM is a testament to GMCVB’s commitment to the Canadian market and a showcase of how the destination is constantly evolving to meet the desires of modern travellers,” says Debra Lee, Director of Travel Industry Sales of Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The trip kicked off with a sumptuous lunch at 1-800-LUCKY, a neighbourhood spot in Wynwood offering a wide variety of Asian cuisines, before heading to Sunny Isles Beach and checking in at the Residence Inn, a brand-new hotel located between major Miami shopping destinations, including Aventura Mall and Bal Harbour Shops. The robust itinerary included exploring neighbourhoods like the Little Havana Culinary Tour, street art explorations at Wynwood Walls, and immersive experiences at the Museum of Ice Cream, which spoke to the diverse culinary and cultural activities available at the heart of the city. The advisors also had the opportunity to visit several newly renovated and standout properties, including JW Marriott Turnberry, Courtyard Coconut Grove, The Standard Spa Miami Beach, Nautilus Sonesta, and UMA House.

Evenings were filled with flavour and flair, including a Cinco de Mayo celebration at El Tropico and a tango dinner show at Conventillo, giving the advisors a taste of Miami’s multicultural energy. Before heading back, the advisors visited PortMiami – the world’s largest cruise terminal with a total maximum capacity for 36,000 passengers, and the Miami Worldcenter – Florida’s largest retail and entertainment venue, which is home to flagship global brands and Miami local favourite and boutique shops.

Canada remains a key market for Miami, with hotel bookings from Canada up 8% year-over-year for stays between January and June 2025. From new hotels and unique culinary experiences to family-friendly attractions and world-class cruise terminal tours at PortMiami, Miami continues to reinforce its dynamic appeal heading into 2026.

For those planning to visit Miami soon, the destination’s Museum & Attractions Month promotions, which offers discounts to travellers at various museums and galleries across the destination, are available through May 31^st. For summer, Miami Spa Month kicks off from July 1^st to August 31^st and Miami Spice Restaurant Month starts from August 1^st through September 30^th.

Canadian travel agents interested in future FAMs or trade resources can contact may reach out to GMCVB’s Debra Lee at [email protected] or access the destination’s website for updates here.

New Hotels and Renovations in 2025

• Andaz Miami Beach: From the first-of-its-kind ocean-view lobby and signature Andaz Lounge to a luxe pool oasis and buzzy bar elevated above sand and sea, the first Andaz in Florida will be opening in 2025. With 287 rooms, and 25,000 square feet of innovative indoor and outdoor event space, Andaz Miami Beach is a landing spot for guests and locals seeking celebratory gatherings that embrace the city.
• Thompson Miami Beach: Accepting reservations for stays from August 1, 2025,  the 150-room hotel will boast sumptuous interiors by the internationally acclaimed designer Gulla Jónsdóttir, with guest rooms decorated in plush jewel tones and floor-to-ceiling windows. Within walking distance of the newly renovated and expanded Miami Beach Convention Center, Thompson Miami Beach is perfectly located to host events, whether in the soaring 1,576-square-foot 4th floor atrium, on the expansive 4,000-plus-square-foot rooftop terrace featuring knockout views or in the private 980-square-foot Soundscape Room.
• The Shelborne: An Art Deco grand dame on Collins Avenue, The Shelborne in Miami Beach has been temporarily closed and is undergoing a full renovation by Proper Hotels with plans to reopen in May 2025. Within walking distance of the Miami Beach Convention Center, guests will return to four brand-new restaurants and a fully reimagined property that pays homage to its original architecture by famed Miami Beach architects Morris Lapidus and Igor Polevitzky. Event venues include The Calico Ballroom, fully-equipped meeting spaces, and intimate lounges such as The Terrace.
• Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon: The Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon will undergo a multimillion dollar renovation beginning in June 2025. The hotel, near Miami International Airport, will feature 508 newly renovated guest rooms inspired by the destination’s multicultural vibrancy and the blue waters surrounding the lagoon. The renovation will include a full revitalization of the ballrooms and meeting spaces and conclude with enhancements to the hotel’s iconic lobby, lobby bar and outdoor pool areas.
• Loews Miami Beach will go through an exciting guestroom redesign, with completion expected by December 2025. The renovation will refresh all 790 guestrooms with modern finishes and enhanced amenities, while preserving the hotel’s signature blend of comfort and sophistication.
• Royal Palm South Beach Miami is set to begin a comprehensive interior renovation. The hotel will fully close on May 5, 2025, to undergo extensive updates across all guestrooms, public spaces, and amenities, with a planned reopening in 2026.
• The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami will be launching a comprehensive interior and exterior renovation, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, positioning the resort for an exciting new chapter.
• The Sunny, the newly reimagined Newport Beachside Hotel in Sunny Isles, is currently undergoing a major transformation. Several areas of the property have already been completed, showcasing a fresh new look and vibe. Renovations to the 339 guestrooms will begin this fall, marking the final phase of the project. By next year, The Sunny will unveil a completely reimagined hotel experience, bringing a modern, vibrant energy to this iconic beachfront property.
• Fontainebleau Miami Beach has unveiled its Coastal Convention Center, a $100 million, five-story facility that adds 45,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event space to the iconic resort. Officially opened on December 11, 2024, the center enhances Fontainebleau’s existing 200,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, positioning the property as a premier destination for large-scale conferences and social gatherings in South Florida.

Hotel Culinary Updates

• A New Restaurant At The Setai Miami Beach: The Setai Miami Beach, the luxurious MICHELIN two-key hotel in South Beach, has a new high-end Asian fusion restaurant, Japón. Spanning 1,000 square feet indoors and out, the plush, jewel box-like dining room overlooks the hotel’s tranquil courtyard. From private business dinners and meetings to large-scale receptions, The Setai offers a distinctive event space in Miami Beach for gatherings, large or small, and a dedicated team to meticulously plan and execute it all.

Florida Michelin Guide – Six New Additions in 2025

The Florida Michelin Guide has announced ten new additions across the Florida, with Miami claiming six coveted spots that span Latin American, Portuguese, and Italian cuisine.

The new Miami additions:

• Cotoa (Ecuadorian plates in downtown Miami)
• Grand Central (bistro fare on Biscayne Boulevard – currently closed)
• Itamae Ao (the ten-seat Nikkei counter in Midtown)
• Palma (features contemporary tasting menus in Little Havana)
• Sereia (Portuguese seafood in Coconut Grove)
• Torno Subito (Massimo Bottura’s modern Italian spot located on a downtown rooftop)