Destinations
TICO Lays Charges
On June 16, 2021, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) charged Brian M. McKinlay with one (1) count of operating as a travel agent without being registered. It is alleged that McKinlay operated under the names of Meridien Holdings Inc./Meridien Cottages without being registered with TICO between June 2020 and April 2021. McKinlay will appear in court at 440 Kent Street West, Lindsay, Ontario on July 27, 2021, at 1:30pm. Go to www.tico.ca for...
Tourism Fiji Picks Brent Hill As New CEO
Tourism Fiji has named Brent Hill as its new Chief Executive Officer. Hill, who most recently was the Executive Director of Marketing for the South Australian Tourism Commission, brings over 16 years of experience in tourism and digital marketing, advertising, branding, communications, campaign, and executive strategy to Fiji’s National Tourism Office. He replaces former CEO Matt Stoeckel, whose tenure ended in December 2020. Commenting on Hill’s appointment, Tourism Fiji Chairman, Andre Viljoen said: “We’re delighted to welcome someone of Brent’s caliber to this...
Ireland Is Back And Canadians Are Welcome
Ireland is now welcoming back visitors from Canada who have valid proof of vaccination. And for those who are fully vaccinated, no travel-related testing or quarantine will be necessary. The welcome mat for Canadians is being rolled out by none other than Tourism Ireland CEO, Niall Gibbons. Gibbons writes: “I hope that you, your teams, and your families are all doing well during this ongoing period of uncertainty for the tourism and travel industry across the world. Today, I’m pleased to confirm that from July 19th Ireland will be welcoming visitors from Canada who have valid...
Agents Share Their Thoughts On Fams And When They’ll Be Ready To Travel Again
After the annual TTAND conference was rescheduled multiple times due to the pandemic, Arlene Gibbons has her sights set on travelling to Jamaica at the end of October as it looks promising that the event will proceed as planned this time. “I love Jamaica, it’s one of my favourite islands and it will be great to connect with my peers from coast to coast as well as our supplier friends,” Gibbons, who is based in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, tells Travel Courier. “We were originally to travel April 2020, then it moved to April 2021 and we are all set to travel in October.” Now...
Become A Master With MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises has launched a comprehensive e-learning platform for Canadian travel agents called MSC Masters, a digital program to provide information about the cruise line’s products, ships and sailing itineraries. As well, the program aims to broaden MSC’s distribution channel by raising interest from travel agencies who are not yet familiar with MSC Cruises. Agents who enrol in the program will progressively earn rewards to eventually become an MSC Cruises Master. As an additional incentive for agents MSC Cruises, where permissible, will draw 10 $200 or 20 $100 gift cards for...
WestJet Encore, CUPE Reach Tentative Deal
WestJet Encore has reached a tentative agreement with CUPE Local 4070 – which represents the WestJet Encore Inflight (Cabin Crew) group. Both parties now await the ratification vote to be put forward to membership. In February 2021, WestJet and CUPE reached an agreement on behalf of the WestJet Inflight team that operates the airline's jet fleet. Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO, said that: “For the second time this year, I am pleased to share that we've tentatively come to terms on an agreement with CUPE Local 4070. We have negotiated the first collective agreement, on...
Positivity, Excitement And Confidence
In a recent survey of its customers, Flight Centre Travel Group is reporting a distinct shift in positive sentiment compared to the results of a similar survey conducted in November 2020. The most recent survey was conducted in June of 2021 and saw close to 2,000 people respond. Key findings of the June 2021 survey reveal that excitement towards travel is up significantly, confidence in travelling safely is directly correlated to the successful rollout of vaccines, and the vast majority of customers are definitely planning to travel in 2022. Some of the more surprising trends that...
Antigua And Barbuda Steps Up Marketing Efforts
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority is stepping up its marketing efforts with the rollout of the next phase of Antigua and Barbuda’s 'Your Space In The Sun' campaign. From July through to September, consumers in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom will see Antigua and Barbuda advertising in-stadia, on radio – traditional, digital and streaming, in print – with advertising in major publications, through online programmatic and retargeting adverts and via strategic influencer social media campaigns. Building on the concept of the ‘Your Space In the Sun’...