Tour Operators
Sunwing Addresses Disruptions, Impact On Agents
In a statement sent to ACTA following a meeting with the Travel Agency Leaders Advisory Group yesterday (Jan. 25), Sunwing addressed the recent travel disruptions and impact on valued travel advisors, and the company's plan moving forward for the winter season. The tour company’s statement begins: “At Sunwing, we have always remained steadfast in our purpose of making vacation dreams come true and travel advisors are integral to that process, helping our mutual customers choose from a wide variety of all-inclusive resorts located in a number of popular vacation destinations. We...
WeTravel Report Tracks Booking, Payment Trends For 2023
WeTravel has launched its inaugural annual travel trends report, Purchasing Habits: The Future of Travel Bookings and Payments, using data from thousands of tour operators and group travel businesses to understand how travel purchasing is shifting in post-pandemic consumerism. The report is comprised of the business’s internal data from more than 3,000 clients -- that, through the platform, marketed more than 100,000 global tours and multi-day trips, leading to more than half-a-million traveler bookings and payments -- and an external survey of nearly 150 non-WeTravel tour operators...
ACTA “Incredibly Disappointed”
ACTA said that it "is incredibly disappointed" by Sunwing’s decision not to protect commission on cancelled programs in Saskatchewan, Atlantic Canada, Northern Ontario, and other areas across Canada. Sunwing advised ACTA yesterday (Jan. 25) in a written statement in response to repeated calls for a statement on its intentions. Wendy Paradis, ACTA president said: “ACTA continues to call on Sunwing to do the right thing and protect commission and urges for immediate improvements to its agent communications to ensure clear, consistent, and timely sharing of information so that...
Intrepid Travel Launches New Experiences In 2023
Intrepid Travel has launched over 80 new experiences for travellers in 2023, as it continues to innovate its trip offerings in fresh and responsible ways. With itineraries in new locations, more ethical wildlife adventures, an increase in activities supporting Indigenous communities and female-run businesses, and with fresh ways to discover the world’s most iconic destinations, Intrepid aims to provide more meaningful ways to forge connections while making a positive impact on the places visited. Erica Kritikides, Global Product Manager for Intrepid Travel, said: “After one of...
Travel Trends Shaping 2023
Despite economic concerns, Canadians are still budgeting for travel — and that’s good news for the tourism industry this year. “Most travellers still consider vacations a high budget priority,” says Intrepid Travel president, North America, Matt Berna. “People seem to be prioritizing spending on travel expenditures, and this is more vital than ever for communities that were financially crippled by the cessation of international travel and where inflation is even worse.” To date, the tour operator hasn’t seen a dent in demand due to inflationary pressures. “Despite...
CATO Takes A Stand
In a statement issued yesterday, the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) has outlined its position on Ontario’s Travel Industry Compensation Fund and they kind of changes that are needed. CATO Chair, Brett Walker writes: “It’s time for consumer protection that’s commensurate to consumer risk and without all the caps and gaps. It’s time for government and TICO to get this right and to provide consumers the protection they deserve, and no doubt believe they have, when booking with an Ontario registrant.” In its statement, CATO says: “We believe the consumer...
Britain On Show
VisitBritain is set to welcome more than 120 international travel trade buyers for a series of educational visits across Britain. The educational trade visits, underway from Jan. 28, are a mix of three-to-five-day itineraries to destinations across England, Wales and Scotland, showcasing the latest tourism products to international buyers. Buyers from 16 international markets are taking part in the educational visits including representatives from the UK’s three largest inbound markets the USA, France and Germany, as well as from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan,...
Goway Trips Blossom In Japan
Goway Travel has secured exclusive spots in Japan for this spring’s cherry blossom season. The coming cherry blossom season in late March and early April will be the busiest in Japan in over four years. Spring of 2023 will mark the first time since before the pandemic that foreign travellers can visit Japan for the hanami season. Currently, there is almost no availability for foreign travellers, with all tours and accommodations booked up. However, Goway has secured exclusive hotel rooms and tours as well as a dedicated national guide in Japan during this popular time of...