Destinations
Air Transat Takes Off To Portugal
Air Transat has resumed service to Portugal, operating its first flights between Canada and Portugal recently, following its temporary suspension of service as a result of the global pandemic. The carrier is now offering two direct flights per week from Montreal to Lisbon and from Toronto to Porto. Direct flights from Toronto to Faro are set to begin on Jan. 18, 2022. For more on Air Transat’s service to Portugal, go to Agent...
Tourism Australia Relaunches Specialist Program
Tourism Australia has relaunched the Aussie Specialist Program, making it easier for travel sellers around the world to gain the skills they need to better promote and sell Australia. Run in conjunction with Australia’s State and Territory Tourism Organisations, the Aussie Specialist Program has been given a new look and feel in its 32nd year and the new program has greater personalization, faster qualifying times, and shorter, more interactive training modules. Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia said the investment comes after many frontline travel sellers...
G Adventures Debuts Europe Christmas Market Tours
G Adventures is hoping to make the upcoming festive season a little extra-special with the launch of its first Christmas market trips in Europe. The new tours feature Christmas markets in Germany and Austria and were built as a result of the increased interest Canadians are showing for travel to Europe, when compared to pre-pandemic booking levels. A sure way to get in the holiday spirit, the new itinerary visits some of Central Europe’s most famous markets, including Hellbrunner Christmas Market in Salzburg - home to more than 700 beautifully-decorated Christmas trees - and...
Born To Explore
On Aug. 27, Tara Sparshu, a professional travel consultant with TierOne Travel in Edmonton, Alta., embarked on her first international trip since the industry was altered by the onset of the global pandemic. “For me it was important not only because I miss travelling to see and experience new destinations but also to learn about what it’s like to travel now, learn and experience firsthand the new travel protocols so I can help my clients through these processes, as well as show people that travel can definitely be done safely,” Sparshu tells Travel Courier. Sparshu was one of...
US Set To Ease Travel Restrictions In November
The Biden Administration has indicated that it plans to ease restrictions on foreign travel into the U.S. beginning in November. At that time, it will require all foreign nationals entering the U.S. by air to be fully vaccinated. However, restrictions on non-essential travel from Canada and Mexico will continue to be in effect at the land borders until Oct. 21. With the changes the Biden administration is making in November, foreign travellers will be required to present proof of vaccination before they board their flight to the U.S.; they’ll also have to present proof of a...
Swoop Adds To Winter Schedule
Swoop is adding non-stop service to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) to its winter schedule from both Edmonton and Toronto. The carrier’s non-stop service will operate twice weekly from Toronto and once weekly from Edmonton. Bert van der Stege, head of commercial & finance, Swoop, said: “We are thrilled to expand our winter schedule just in time for our travellers in Toronto and Edmonton to book that long-awaited vacation to Los Cabos, Mexico.” He continued: “With non-stop flights available for as low as $139.00 † one-way, we are pleased to be offering...
Baxter Media Names Christine Hogg Editor of OFFSHORE
Christine Hogg has joined Baxter Media as the new Editor for OFFSHORE Travel Magazine. OFFSHORE - travel at its finest is Baxter Media’s unique, luxury travel magazine that is distributed to an exclusive pocket of recreational homes in the Muskoka region north of Toronto as well as to Globe and Mail subscribers in select neighbourhoods in the GTA. Under Christine’s guidance, OFFSHORE will increase its frequency to four issues a year and it will also enhance its web content and Social Media presence to service its growing readership. Christine is an experienced journalist and...
Checking In With Vrbo
Vrbo -- an Expedia Group company – is expanding its Fast Start – which is designed to help new properties capture vacation rental demand -- to Canada, France and the UK. The program increases the visibility of new properties in the first 90 days and displays a review score based on reviews from other travel sites. It launched earlier this year in the United States and today marks its global rollout. Properties eligible for Fast Start are listings with a 4.5+ review rating and have earned more than $3,000 in the last year, or the host is a Superhost. New properties across all...