Destinations
Keflavik Airport Smashes Records
Iceland is hot. Growing by an immense 28% in passenger numbers, Iceland’s Keflavik Airport welcomed 8.8 million passengers in 2017. Seeing nearly two million more passengers than the year before, the Icelandic hub saw balanced growth across O&D and connecting traffic, resulting in another record-breaking year for the gateway. “It’s exhilarating to be part of the rapid growth we’re experiencing here at Keflavik and it’s showing no signs of slowing down,” said Hlynur Sigurdsson, Commercial Director, Isavia. He added, “To get a clear idea of how rapidly our...
CIE Tours Partners With Air Canada
Ireland and Britain’s largest tour operator – CIE Tours International – has introduced air-inclusive guided vacations for Canadian travellers, thanks to a new partnership with Air Canada. The agreement enables CIE Tours to package competitively priced flights within its tour price for travel originating at any airport serviced by Air Canada with direct flights to Shannon or Dublin. In addition, those who book select guided vacations by Jan. 31 can take advantage of CIE Tours’ “2 for 1 Companion Flies Free” promotion (use promotion code TWOFORONE18C). The free non-stop...
AGENTS’ CHOICE IS BACK!
The theme at Baxter Media these days is all about “making it new,” so it should surprise no one that that's exactly what we're going to do with Agents' Choice in 2018. Actually, we already started making those changes with the Canadian travel industry's favourite and most influential poll of travel agents in 2017 with a brand new design that showcases the results in a way that makes for easy reading. And we're happy to report that last year, 5,770 Canadian travel agents voted for their favourites in 30 different categories, making it the second highest response rate in the history...
Miami Cruise Month Sailing Along
The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau's 5th Annual Miami Cruise Month is underway and runs throughout January. Offering cruisers the best deals of the year on bookings, Miami Cruise Month is part of the year-long Citi Miami Temptations Program presented by Citibank, which takes a thematic focus on the best the destination has to offer with monthly deals and special events for locals and tourists. Cruisers sailing from Miami will also get “great offers on hotel stays, attractions and heritage tours to extend their vacation beyond the cruise.” A full listing of deals...
Porter, Vermont Offer At-Par Savings
Porter Airlines has partnered with Vermont to bring its passengers exclusive at-par savings on winter getaways in the Green Mountain State. Offers on lodging and lift tickets are available exclusively for Porter passengers who can choose from more than 20 participating properties in Burlington, Stowe area and Mad River Valley. Savings of 20% to 30% mean prices are equivalent to Canadian dollars. Vermont offers a variety of winter activities from world-class skiing and riding to relaxing at the state’s diverse range of premier accommodations. “We are excited that passengers...
Porter Brings Florida’s Space Coast Closer to Home
Residents in a trio of Ontario cities are now being offered direct Porter Airlines flights to Florida's Space Coast, home to varied attractions that includes the site that sends objects skyward to heights that far surpass the altitudes the Porter planes reach on their journeys south. Porter now has direct service to Orlando-Melbourne International Airport from Toronto, Ottawa and Windsor, with Ottawa and Windsor service running through March and Toronto service continuing until April 7. “We know that there is a significant demand from Canadians to visit Florida during the winter...
Pulse Travel Marketing to rep VISIT FLORIDA
VISIT FLORIDA has chosen destination marketing firm Pulse Travel Marketing as its new in-market representative for Canada. The firm will work with VISIT FLORIDA staff, agencies and in-state partners to “ensure that the Sunshine State is prominently positioned with the travel trade and key distribution networks in Canada. This will include, but not be limited to, the development and implementation of a strategic program of appropriate co-operative marketing programs and promotions in tourism distribution channels and sales programs to increase the profile of VISIT FLORIDA and maximize...
Carnival Now Pays Commission on Wedding Packages
Carnival Cruise Line has begun paying travel agent commission on wedding package sales, as of Jan. 1. Commission tiers for wedding packages will be based on wedding package sales made Jan. 1-March 31. Additionally, agents will earn accelerated commissions on wedding packages during the Wave Season booking period. Commission tiers during the Jan. 1-March 31 Wave Season period are as follows: Silver (1-10 weddings): $200 per wedding; Gold (11-35 weddings): $225 per wedding; Platinum (35+ weddings): $300 per wedding. After March 31, agencies reaching Silver, Gold and Platinum booking...