Tour Operators
Gearing Up For St. Patrick’s Day
With St. Patrick's Day around the corner, Royal Irish Tours, Invest Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland held an event in Toronto yesterday to get the festivities underway. “A lot of people think that St. Patrick was Irish, he wasn’t — he was actually Welsh — and he was sent to Northern Ireland as a slave when he was about 16 years old,” said Sandra Moffatt, manager, Canada for Tourism Ireland, sharing some unexpected facts about the legendary St. Patrick. “Why March 17? A lot of people think that it’s St. Patrick’s birthday but it’s actually in catholic tradition the...
Arts & Leisure Redefining Luxury Travel
“Luxury for us means many things,” observed Arts & Leisure owner and founder, Adriana Borghese, before she continued: “Luxury is not only defined by the hotel accommodation, but also means travelling with peace of mind, knowing that while you are enjoying your vacation, every little detail has been taken care of and your only responsibility is to show up.” In an exclusive interview, Borghese tells Canadian Travel Press: “Arts & Leisure prides itself on how it works with our partners and travel agents. We treat everyone like a family here to help in any way we can,...
Kensington Tours Celebrates Banner Start to 2023
With luxury travel continuing to surge, Kensington Tours is reporting that it shattered pre-pandemic sales figures with record breaking results for the first two months of 2023. In January 2023, results were 50% higher as compared to the same period in January 2020 and were double from what they were in January 2019. For February, sales were also double from those in February 2020 and 85% higher than in February 2019. The results also reflect a trend for more personalized and customized experiences as well as the shift towards longer stays and willingness to increase spend for...
CATO Names Hébert As Executive Director
CATO has appointed Jean Hébert as Executive Director effective immediately. Hébert has had a varied and illustrious career across many industries including the travel industry. From 1988 – 1994, he worked for the Government of Québec as Chief of staff and Policy Advisor for the Minister of Tourism and other Ministries. From 2003 to February 2006, Hébert was a senior policy advisor in various ministerial offices of the Government of Canada in Ottawa: Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs, Human Resources and Skills Development, Industry Canada, Treasury Board and the Privy...
Evan Evans Adds New ABBA Voyage Packages
As it celebrates its 90th anniversary, Evan Evans, London's longest-established sightseeing operator, has launched a new ABBA Voyage packages for guests to experience live music like no other. The long-awaited concert blends cutting-edge technology, spectacular lighting, and the public’s most beloved songs in a purpose-built arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Beginning on March 2, the tour package includes round-trip transportation on a comfortable and dedicated ABBA Voyage branded Express coach departing from Victoria in Central London for a seamless concert...
Italy Is Number One With Globus Travellers
According to a recent “Wish List” survey of 20,000 past Globus travellers, Italy was the No. 1 destination, with 22% of respondents saying that Italy is on their must-experience list for 2023. Ainsley Ericksen, senior director of marketing for the Globus family of brands, said that: “Globus is primed and ready to deliver ‘wow’ to Canadians in Italy in 2023. With dozens – and dozens – of vacation options that invite travellers to enjoy immersive experiences across 13 regions of Italy, we’re ready to welcome them to explore Italy’s ancient cities, discover seaside...
Time To Experience It Yourself
One Dream Travel is hosting a series of Road Shows “Experience it Yourself” in British Columbia & Alberta in April 2023. The events will introduce One Dream Travel, the new travel solution partner for global destinations, together with Europamundo Vacations, a global tour operator that offers a worldwide range of tour products. The events will offer details of One Dream Travel’s services and products -- The New Tours, New Destinations and New Experience to Discover. As well, those attending will have a chance to win a trip to Europe with Europamundo Vacations. Road...
Transat Offers Update On Call Centre Service Fees
Transat is advising travel advisors that “over the past months, [it] has enhanced self-service functions to support travel professionals both in the form of new technology and online forms that allow you to manage certain aspects of a booking without having to call the Contact Centre.” It continues: “To support these enhancements, the Transat sales team has created a comprehensive collection of training materials including video tutorials and guides. We greatly appreciate the support of the travel professional’s community who have embraced these tools.” In its advisory, it...