Destinations
Collette Launches St. Patrick’s Day Flash Sale
Collette has launched a special St. Patrick’s Day Flash Sale on air-inclusive tours to Ireland. Available through March 18, air-inclusive tours start from $2,298 per person. All rates include land, $399 round-trip airfare, taxes and fuel surcharges from eligible gateways. Agents must mention code IRELAND399. “We’re offering some amazing deals in conjunction with our 100th year celebration for agents to pass along to their clients,” said Courtney Iannuccilli, vice-president of marketing. “Explore Ireland to see beautiful castles, experience the unique culture, and behold...
Tourism New Zealand Offers $500 Fam Credit
The 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Program is gaining popularity with travel agents across North America, thanks in part to the debut of Explore PLUS, a heavily discounted independent familiarization benefit designed to help travel professionals build in-depth destination knowledge first-hand. As of yesterday (March 12), Tourism New Zealand is incentivizing travel agents even further with a special $500 trip credit available to the first 50 agents to book an independent fam trip. Also new to the program is Hawaiian Airlines, which now offers agents a $500 return airfare. Other...
Celebrating All Things Irish
The 40th edition of The Ireland Funds St. Patrick's Day Luncheon was held Friday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, attracting more than 1,000 people. The mission of the Fund is “to harness the power of a global philanthropic network of friends of Ireland to promote and support peace, culture, education and community development across the island of Ireland and among Irish communities around the world.” In the past 40 years, the Fund has raised more than $550 million. Honoured at this year's luncheon was General de Chastelain, a retired Canadian Forces officer, the...
Go Custom With Katarina Line
Croatia's Katarina Line is expanding its customizable tour options for 2018 as the North American group travel market heats up. The company's fully customizable programs include a wider range of tours catering to groups such as music aficionados, youth travel, food lovers, history buffs, soft adventure vacationers, as well as those seeking classic sightseeing tours. The new tours also include more excursions into neighboring countries such as Slovenia, Bosnia, Montenegro, and Serbia, among others, and feature English speaking guides and private buses. As well, Katarina Line is...
Bannikin to Rep AndAdventure in Canada
Niche tourism consultancy Bannikin Travel & Tourism has been named the North American trade relations representative for AndAdventure, a specialty travel company based in Split, Croatia, offering custom FIT & group multi-day guided experiences along the beautiful Dalmatian Coast, hinterland, and islands of Croatia. As AndAdventure's trade development firm, Bannikin will work closely with North American travel agents and tour operators to showcase travel experiences in Croatia. Through fam trips, sales visits, trade shows, webinars and more, Bannikin will spread...
Ontario: ‘The Place To Be’
Travel and tourism students at Humber College in Toronto received a nice show of support Wednesday (March 7) when Ontario Tourism Minister Daiene Vernile dropped by for a keynote address. The newly appointed minister wished students well, asking them jokingly to graduate soon as they are needed in the field. “Stakeholders in the industry are looking for skilled staff,” she said. “Ontario tourism needs professionals like you.” Vernile noted that the tourism sector employs 389,000 people and is the province's largest employer of young people. She added that the tourism...
I Like You Just As You Are
Those vacationing in the Central American country can expect the hot, tropical weather sun-seekers want, and Ana Garcia of the Nicaraguan Tourism Board told a gathering in Toronto earlier this week that Canadian interest in her homeland is soaring, with visitations reaching 62,000 in 2017, up from 35,000 the previous year. Overall, 1.8 million people visited Nicaragua last year, an 18% increase from the previous year. Garcia's visit coincided with the launch of a new Nicaraguan destination campaign titled, “I Like You Just As You Are.” “Nicaragua is not looking for massive...
Spain Your Way With ACV
Air Canada Vacations (ACV) is putting the spotlight on Spain, which is describes as “passionate, sophisticated and devoted to living the good life.” Travellers are invited to journey to Spain and discover Madrid, the vibrant capital city with historical gems such as Toledo, Avila and Segovia or the Royal Palace. Or, set by the Mediterranean and graced with unrivalled world-famous architecture and rich with Catalan history and culture is Barcelona. Both Madrid and Barcelona are featured in ACV's Urban Getaway program where travellers have the option of exploring some of the...