Airlines
Transat, Government Reach A Deal
In announcing that it has reached an agreement with the federal government, Transat also confirmed that it will be offering refunds to travellers who were issued travel credits due to COVID-19 and for travel agents, it also confirmed that it would not be recalling travel agency commissions. Transat said in a statement that its funding agreement with the Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation (CEEFC) now allows it to offer refunds to travellers who were issued a travel credit due to COVID-19 for a trip scheduled to start on or after February 1, 2020. This policy applies to...
New Revenue Streams For Airlines From Expedia Group
Expedia Group has set a course to offer airlines an additional revenue stream in the wake of COVID-19 via its template technology, which provides travellers with the option of adding lodging or car to their flight booking. The easy-to-integrate technology from Expedia Partner Solutions (EPS) enables airlines to cross-sell additional travel components on their website such as hotel or car, made possible through access to Expedia Group’s extensive global supply. As well, it facilitates a full-service booking experience for travellers so they can book standalone travel components on...
Sunwing Unveils Winter Sked From Atlantic Canada
For residents of Atlantic Canada planning to head to the tropics, Sunwing has released details of its winter schedule, featuring weekly flights from regional gateways across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Residents of Halifax, Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, St. John’s, Deer Lake and Gander. Flights will operate beginning in January 2022 and continuing weekly until May 2022 to destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico. Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations for Sunwing Travel Group, said: “We’re thrilled to be returning to Atlantic Canada for another winter...
ACTA Raises Concerns About Reducing Support Too Soon
In the wake of the federal government’s first budget in two years, ACTA says that while it is hopeful that the government’s view that vaccine rollouts will continue at a rapid pace through the end of June, it is concerned that the timeline may be premature. The association says that in a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland last week, ACTA learned that the budget assumes that vaccine rollout will continue at a rapid pace through the end of June, with Minister Freeland stating: “I believe Canadians are going to have a great...
Sunwing Transforming Its Digital Presence
Sunwing has launched its re-platform for Sunwing.ca as part of its ongoing commitment to offering frictionless vacation experiences. The tour operator has used the past year as an opportunity to reimagine and transform its digital technology, and the website re-platform is just one of numerous technological advancements that will help elevate the customer and agent experience. The re-platform of the site took several months to complete and provides a faster and more dynamic digital experience from start to finish. Samantha Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer of Sunwing Travel Group,...
Air North Says Thanks To Agents
To celebrate Travel Agent Week, Air North will be giving one lucky travel agent a trip to the Yukon. The winner and a guest will fly round-trip from anywhere on Air North’s route network to Whitehorse, Yukon. Denis Parry, Air North’s Director of Tour, Agency & Group Sales explained what had inspired the contest: “The past year has been a very difficult one for all of us, as we have watched our industry experience immense setbacks in all the facets of travel and tourism. We want to give our partners and friends in the travel trade community something to look forward to as...
UNWTO, IATA Collaborate On Destination Tracker
In preparation for the restart of international travel, the UNWTO and IATA have unveiled details of a Destination Tracker. The new tracker is part the joint efforts of both organizations and has been developed to boost confidence and accelerate recovery of the tourism sector when borders reopen. The UNWTO-IATA Destination Tracker is a new free online tool for governments to provide information on COVID-19 requirements for travel and the measures in place at the destination. Available through the websites of both organizations, the tool provides information on: COVID-19...
Get (Travel) Revenge
As the travel industry begins to start up after essentially 13 months on pause, many travel advisors are witnessing another turning point with the resurgence of bookings and inquiries. Travel Courier caught up with several members of the trade to understand why they are optimistic about the future, get the scoop on some of their forward-thinking strategies, learn about their shift to charging professional fees and how they’re priming up for revenge travel. Hear from Ashley Doell, a travel consultant with TPI, Lindsay Schile with CM Travel, and Air Canada’s Executive Vice...